Itinerary question

Question

I am taking m 14yo daughter and 17yo son to visit the last few relatives I have in Detroit where I was born. Coming from Georgia, and probably being my last trip there, I can’t see not taking them to see Mackinac Island. We will be checking in the evening of Sunday 6/29 at the Rainbow Inn, going to the island Monday morning, and will spend one day in Machkinaw City to see the sites there the day we plan to drive back to Detroit. The things they want to do and see on the island are the original butterfly house, historic homes/museums near town, Fort Mick, Grand stables, ride bikes around the island for a couple hours or so, and plan to have a picnic lunch. My question is, if we took a 9am ferry would we be able to do all this in one day, taking the last ferry back at 10/10:30pm. I was thinking of reserving two days, but if this is doable in one, my children would rather use the second day I have planned for the island to spend in Detroit, or going to Cedar Point. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Answer

Your trip to Mackinac Island sounds like a wonderful experience, and I can definitely help you figure out if you can fit all the activities into one day! With the things you’re planning to see and do, I think it is possible to make the most of a single day on the island, especially with an early start and good planning. Here’s a breakdown of the itinerary:

9 AM Ferry Departure – If you catch the 9 AM ferry to Mackinac Island, you’ll have a full day ahead of you. The ferry ride itself is about 15-20 minutes, so you’ll arrive on the island by 9:30 AM. From there, you can head to your first stop and work your way through the island’s attractions.

1. The Original Butterfly House – The Butterfly House is a great first stop. It opens at 9 AM, so you’ll be able to visit right when you arrive. Depending on how much time you spend there, it should take around 45 minutes to an hour to see everything. It’s located not far from the ferry docks, so it’s easy to access early on.

2. Historic Homes/Museums Near Town – After the Butterfly House, you can visit some of the historic homes and museums near the town center. Many of these attractions, like The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum or the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop Museum, are located in or around the downtown area. These are small museums, so you can probably visit a couple within an hour or so. Consider budgeting about 1-1.5 hours for this stop.

3. Fort Mackinac – Fort Mackinac is one of the island’s highlights, with historical reenactments, interesting exhibits, and beautiful views. A visit to the fort will likely take around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how much time you spend exploring the exhibits and watching any demonstrations. It’s an educational and fun stop, and it’s also located near the downtown area, so it’s easy to visit after the museums.

4. Grand Stables – The Grand Stables are another great spot, and they are also located close to the downtown area. The Grand Stables are home to the famous Mackinac Island horses, and you can take a short tour to learn about the island’s history with horses. Plan for around 30-45 minutes here, which should fit nicely into your schedule.

5. Bike Ride Around the Island – After visiting the Grand Stables, you can rent bikes and ride around the island. The full loop around the island is about 8 miles and takes about 1.5-2 hours to complete at a relaxed pace. This is a beautiful way to see the island and enjoy the outdoors. If you’re planning to stop along the way to take photos or explore, give yourself some extra time. In total, this activity might take around 2-2.5 hours.

6. Picnic Lunch – You mentioned wanting to have a picnic lunch, which is a perfect way to relax during the day. You can either bring a picnic with you or purchase food from one of the local shops or restaurants on the island. There are several beautiful spots to picnic, including the Arch Rock area or near British Landing. Plan for about 1 hour for lunch, and make sure to set aside some time for resting and enjoying the view.

Would One Day Be Enough? – Given the activities you want to do, I think you can easily fit everything into one day with a 9 AM start and a late ferry back at 10 or 10:30 PM. If you plan your day wisely, with minimal downtime between attractions, you’ll be able to enjoy all the highlights without feeling rushed. With a bit of flexibility and careful timing, you should be able to do everything you’ve mentioned and still have time to enjoy the beauty of Mackinac Island.

Alternative Plan (if you want to explore more): If you feel that two days would give you a more relaxed experience and you want to give the kids more time to explore, you could consider doing just the Fort Mackinac and bike ride on one day, and saving other activities like the Butterfly House or museums for the next day. However, if your kids prefer spending more time in Detroit or visiting Cedar Point, a single day should be plenty for Mackinac Island.

Summary: With a 9 AM ferry, you’ll have enough time to see all the major attractions in one day, including the Butterfly House, historic homes/museums, Fort Mackinac, Grand Stables, a bike ride, and a picnic lunch. You’ll likely catch the last ferry back around 10:30 PM, so it’ll be a full but memorable day. If your kids are more interested in spending time in Detroit or Cedar Point, it’s totally doable to shorten your island visit to just one day!

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