Destination: Mackinac City - Winter Fun for Everyone!

Heading out in the middle of winter in northern Michigan can be an icy experience, so I'd suggest that you wait until the weather is clear, the icycles are only on the trees, and the snow is a blanket all around you not on the road in front of you. One of our favorite stops in Northern Michigan is: Mackinac City. Mackinac City has a small town atmosphere, with big town recreation. One of the most impressive sights is the bridge - the Mackinac Bridge! The Mighty Mac is a five mile suspension bridge, built in 1957, that links Mackinac City and St. Ignace and not every person is willing to cross; it sways twelve feet each direction and boasts a green grate on one of the lanes all the way across. We LOVE to go to the bridge, photograph the bridge, and cross the bridge. It is 1-1/2 hours from our home and is a nice one-day getaway for us. Not only is the bridge in Mackinac City, but you can find the cozy streets filled with all types of stores for every pallet: knick knacks, souvenirs, galleries of art and photography, unique dining experiences, and more. One unique dining experience you might want to try is Mama Mia's. It was burned down by a fire a few years ago and has since been rebuilt. It has memorabilia from when the Mackinac Bridge was built and the pizza is quite good! The town also has Colonial Michilimackinac, a fort, where you can meet soldiers, peasants, and all other sorts of folks from the 1800's. You will learn about how the town came to be and how Michigan became what it is today.

Mackinac Bridge - July 2009

When you're at the Mackinac Bridge, you can't help but see the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. The beautiful lighthouse is from the late 1800's and has been a light to many ships that have passed through. For some more detailed images and information, go to: Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse - July 2009

There are some fabulous places to stay in Mackinac City. We recommend that you stay at one of the hotels that is affiliated with the Pirates Adventure Indoor Waterpark! We stayed at the Comfort Suites, which has the waterpark right inside of it. Easy access and less travel with wet hair was the way to go for our family!

Hamilton Inn Select

Best Western Dockside

Clarion Hotel

Comfort Inn

Comfort Suites

Ramada

Super 8

Quality Inn & Suites

Econo Lodge

Not only do the kids get to have fun running wild through the water, but the parents get to sit back and enjoy the warmth of a jacuzzi after a cold day's travel. The rates for these hotels can vary anywhere from $59 to $399 per room. It will depend on what you're looking for in a room. We went to the Comfort Inn & Suites during the off season - January and March. We paid $59 for a suite with a kitchenette, king-size bed, and a queen-size pullout couch. It was awesome! Do some shopping, go in the off season for the indoor waterpark fun! Your kids will be thrilled, you'll be relaxed, and life will be good!

For more information & pictures, go to Pirates Adventure Indoor Waterpark

Note: Be looking for more information and pictures about another great place to visit up north soon!