Is it Mackinac or Mackinaw? A quick guide
Here’s a brief explanation on which Michigan cities and landmarks are spelled Mackinac and Mackinaw … and a little history as to why there are two spellings.
- The Mackinaw City area is a popular tourist destination with many activities in the spring and summer.
- Mackinaw City offers ferry rides to Mackinac Island, and the Mackinac Bridge to the Upper Peninsula.
Mackinaw City is a key stop for many tourists in northern Michigan as they pull off Interstate 75 to take a ferry to Mackinac Island, or simply a break before continuing on to St. Ignace and the Upper Peninsula.
Nestled on the southern shores of the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, the tourist town is home to several attractions, drawing visitors from throughout the state and beyond.
“Mackinaw City is a great place to live, work, and visit with beautiful scenic views of the Great Lakes, Mackinac Bridge, and countryside. The village is host to over 1.2 million visitors each year who enjoy the Village’s scenic beauty, 100-plus retail shops, exciting attractions, marinas, great restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds,” Mackinaw City boasts on its website.
Mackinaw City also connects to the Upper Peninsula via the Mackinac Bridge and is home base to ferries taking thousands of tourists to Mackinac Island.
Here’s a look at five tourist sites to visit if you’re making a stop at the top of the mitten.
Where is Mackinaw City?
Mackinaw City is a village located at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau notes. The Mackinac Bridge, Fort Michilimackinac and the historic straits lighthouse are at one end of downtown, while ferry docks — and a short ride to Mackinac Island — are on the other end of town.
What are 5 things to do in Mackinaw City?
Here are five attractions or sites to visit Mackinaw City this season:
- Colonial Fort Michilimackinac: Tour the reconstruction of an 18th century English fort and fur trading village in the shadow of the Mackinac Bridge. In 1775, the fort housed French-Canadian families and British soldiers. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last admission at 4 p.m. through June 6. Admission is $16 for adults and $9.75 for children ages 5-12.
- Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse: The historic lighthouse has guided ships through the Straits of Mackinac since 1889. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with last admission at 4 p.m. through June 6. Admission is $10.75 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 5-12.
- Mackinaw Crossings: Visit the Victorian-inspired shopping center in downtown for fudge, apparel, jewelry and more at over 50 specialty shops. Enjoy entertainment and dining at restaurants, a 5-plex cinema and other attractions.
- Mackinaw Area Heritage Village: The Mackinaw Area Historical Society runs an historic village, 1425 W. Central Ave., featuring Anishinaabe homes, a community garden, an ice house, log home, school, church, nature center, pavilion, a pestilence quarantine house, sawmill, homestead, general store, machine shed and tool shanty.
- Mackinaw Old Time Trolley: Take a ride through town in old-fashioned style with trolley tours. Featured tours include morning local historical tours at $19.95 and evening across the bridge historical tours at $19.95.
What’s the weather forecast for Mackinaw City?
In Mackinaw City on May 9, expect sunny skies with highs in the mid-50s, according to the National Weather Service in Gaylord. Overnight, temperatures will drop into the low 40s with a slight chance of showers.
Northern Michigan is under an elevated fire danger alert, the weather service said. Open debris burning is not permitted May 9, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Burn Permits Management System map shows.
How can you watch the Mackinac Bridge live?
If you want to check out conditions at the Mackinac Bridge, just hop online.
The bridge’s live web cam offers continually updating photos of the bridge from five cameras, from the Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula views. You can see the images, updated every minute, on the Mackinac Bridge Authority website.
May is a busy month on the bridge, with more than 360,000 vehicles crossing each of the past four years during the month.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
