The Real Reason I Love Mackinaw Island

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There are so many reasons why I love going to Mackinaw Island in
Northern Michigan. This year I would go on Labor Day Weekend,
Mmm maybe not such a good idea due to the overwhelming crowds,
but nonetheless it was still oozing charm and beauty.

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I love walking the streets and admiring the charming houses.

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A little lawn candy to admire.

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I love discovering new places to stay while traveling. Might have to give
The Cottage Inn a try sometime. They were totally booked so we were
not able to see a room, but the owners were very confident that we would
not be sorry if we stayed with them.

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I love this simple idea of putting an old bicycle amongst the flowers
to add more lawn candy.

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One of the many things I love about the island is the flowers. Today they
seemed their brightest.

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I loved this Harley Davidson Bicycle. Now I could manage that.

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St. Anne Parish was built-in 1874 and is one of the oldest Roman Catholic
Parishes in the interior of North America and in 1992 registered as a
Michigan Historical site.

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I love walking the streets of Mackinaw. It’s always so full of life.
Riding bicycles around the island is one of the favorites amongst the
visitors. Always fun.

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This is one of my favorite places on the island. I love The Carriage
House restaurant in the Hotel Iroquois. It is my tradition to have a
nice lunch here whenever I visit the island. It is so lovely and the food
is always good. I don’t think I have ever missed a visit to this charming
restaurant.

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Eating on the outside terrace.

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Ok now I confess, this is the real reason I Love Mackinaw Island. I look
forward to this every time I come. It’s the Best Grasshopper Drink I
have ever had. I have tried ordering this occasionally elsewhere but
never can they come close to this. Total perfection.

I know Mackinaw Island is one of Michigan’s top attractions, I know it’s
mine. From the charms of the island, the activities, the restaurants,
the retail shops, the harbor, and the hotels, it holds a special place in
my heart that I never tire of, BUT it’s those Grasshoppers I really love.
Don’t judge!

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Mackinaw City

If you live in Michigan then you certainly have visited Mackinaw City
a time or two. It is said by AAA it is the most visited city in Michigan.
The census in 2010 states approximately 806 residents reside in this
city, except in the summer, when the population surges with workers
from all over who labor in hotels, shops, restaurants, and other
seasonal facilities.

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Mackinaw City is the gateway to Northern Michigan and Mackinaw
Island by Ferries leaving from the city.
It is at the northern point of Michigan’s Lower And Upper Peninsula,
along the southern shore of the Straits of Mackinaw.
This 8,614 ft. Bridge connects the lower part of Michigan to the upper
part, or as we call it, the Upper Peninsula. In looking at the bridge,
Lake Michigan is on one side and Lake Huron on the other side

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I loved sitting on a bench in this park and looking at the bridge, with
Mackinaw Island in the far distance.

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This Statue stands near the bridge entrance in honor of the five laborers
who lost their life in the building of the bridge. They would come from
all over the United States, including Canada, to work on the building of
this mighty Mac that some thought was totally impossible.

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Mackinaw City is lined with hotel after hotel. My choice would be the
Brigadoon Bed and Breakfast of Mackinaw City, which I just wrote about.
There are many fine hotels and motels that line the streets of this city
that are very nice. From what I have seen, the choices are plentiful and
pretty reasonable.

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Lots of great stores to lure us tourists in. Probably any kind of store you
can think of is here. There were a couple of very nice ladies fashion
shops, which I must say, I did indulge.

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Mackinaw City and Island are filled with fudge stores. Mmmm very good.

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Look who came into Joanne’s Fudge store, The Village People. Not
really them, but these guys were a hoot. Just walking around town
entertaining us tourists.

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This would be them the next day doing a form of yoga to music in
an area where they could entertain us again.

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They would now be dancing with the crowds in a line dance. To the left
to the left, to the right, to the right.

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Lots of great restaurants in the city, we would choose to eat at The
Historic Depot restaurant, which was very good. I had a great Whitefish
seasoned and done to perfection.

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Let’s not forget that Michigan has some great Wineries throughout the
state. We would go to the Garden Bay Winery right in Mackinaw City,
actually right across the street from where we were staying. We tasted
about 6 different wines. I would end up buying a bottle of Old Mack
Currant, a Michigan grape wine with red currant concentrated added.

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Mackinaw City is a great getaway, whether it’s for a few days or a stepping
stone to Mackinaw Island or the Upper Peninsula. It has great and
clean accommodations and is family orientated. I will always try to
get here once a year, if possible. Northern Michigan is beautiful and
and a trip through this part of the state, is always a good idea.