Bikes & Horses & Fudge, Oh My!
Coffee & Brekkie
If you’re like the happy couple and you’re coffee addicts (read: snobs), here are our favorite places on the island.
Best ☕️ Coffee: Lucky Bean on Market
We’re not flavored coffee fans, but Love Potion #9 here is the one exception. Their slogan is where locals drink good coffee and it’s 100% accurate. They also serve light bites and bagels.
Best 🥑 Brekkie: Watercolor Cafe
We highly recommend grabbing a delish smoothie, acai bowl, avocado toast, or breakfast wrap from here for breakfast or a light midday lunch! Enjoy sitting waterside right on the marina, surrounded by beautiful local artwork. If you’re staying past the wedding weekend, take an art class here!
Iced Coffee & 🍩 Indulgent Noshes: Good Day Cafe
Right on the main street across from The Pink Pony, Good Day has all things to keep your sugar intake high. They have breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, and their cinnamon rolls are the size of Brad’s head.
Create your own personalized itinerary and Google Map it all through
B&S’s top pick! There’s no better way to see the island than by bike. The 8-mile loop around the island is paved, with bathrooms and places to stop for a snack along the way! There are a lot of places to rent bikes, but our top picks are with Jim Fisher at Mackinac Wheels or rent through Mission Point (our wedding venue) on a first come, first served basis.
Rent Bikes & Explore the Island
Jack’s Livery Stable provides horseback riding tours and drive-yourself horse and buggy rides. *Pro-tip : ask Jack what the best routes are to see the east and west bluff. If you go all the way around the island, you won’t see as much.
Cindy’s Riding Stable is located right downtown and gives guided tours of the island on horseback.
Horseback Riding
Located next to Bistro on the Greens and alongside Lake Huron, the Greens of Mackinac is an 18-hole putting course with 18 real bent grass greens. A Putz-Ellis favorite, make sure to grab a drink from Bistro on the Greens before– you can carry it with you during the round!
Putt Putt at the Greens of Mackinac
Awarded Editor’s Choice “Best Grand & Boutique Golf Hotels” by Golf Digest, The Jewel is one of the most unique courses in Northern Michigan and the United States. As the only course in the country with horse-drawn carriage rides between nines, it truly is a Grand golf experience.
Golf at The Jewel
The Grand Hotel is quintessential Mackinac - and the central location for the film ‘Somewhere In Time.’ Pay a fee to walk through the historic hotel, enjoy afternoon tea, grab a cocktail on the deck at sunset, stop by Sadie’s ice cream parlor, or head up to the Cupola Bar for a bevy and great views of the island.
The Grand Hotel
Morning, afternoon, and evening cruises around the Straights await you with booze and beautiful views. We haven’t done this before, but we hear it’s lovely!
Sip n’ Sail Cruises
See all the sights with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, departing and ending right in the heart of downtown. We’ve never done this, but if you’re the type of traveler who likes history and a relaxed sightseeing experience, this is for you! They also do private tours of up to 8 people - call in advance to ask about reserving.
Narrated Carriage Tours
We haven’t done this personally, but it’s on our list! If you’re a thrill-seeker and want an immersive view of the beautiful Straights of Mackinac, this is for you!
Mackinaw Parasailing
Super Touristy Things
Family-friendly fun that’s part of the island charm.
Surrey Hills Museum
Enjoy a leisurely visit through Surrey Hills Carriage Museum displaying historic carriages including a horse-drawn hearse, still used today, and an antique fire department pumper.
Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservancy
Over 200 different species are represented as you stroll among hundreds of butterflies in a climate controlled conservatory filled with lush flowers
Fort Mackinac
Because who doesn’t love a reenactment?
Founded during the War of 1812. View the 14 original buildings with interactive exhibits. Located on a bluff that overlooks the entrancing Straits of Mackinac.
All Things Fudge!
Need we say more?
There are quite a few fudge shops downtown. Our favorites are JoAnn’s, Ryba’s, & the Murray Hotel Fudge!