What to See and Do Beyond The Mackinac Bridge Region of Michigan

Michigan Life's Region 12 Mackinac Bridge and Beyond Area including Chippewa County, Luce County, and Mackinaw County Michigan.

Filter by:

What to See and Do in Region 12 -Big Mac and Beyond

JULY 4 @ 9:00 AM

This annual event held on the 4th of July! Professional stone skippers will bring their best skipping skills and compete for the much coveted trophy! There will also be a Gerplunking Division (age 5 & under), a Pebbles Division (ages 6-12), and an Open Division (age 13 & up).

Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Adventures winter adventures are suitable for children and adults of all ages and experience. Children must be 10 years old to drive their own dog team, but may be any age to ride in the sled. All passengers ride in a sled with an experienced guide.

December 1, 2023

The annual Christmas Tree Lighting downtown on Main Street kicks off the 3-day Christmas Bazaar and ushers in the winter season on Mackinac Island. Gather at 5:30 p.m. across from the Star Line Dock #1 for caroling and good cheer.

January 6-7, 2024

(TCSDR) was founded in 1999, operated by volunteers to promote, conduct and support mid-distance sled dog racing in the Midwestern United States and Canada. The race attracts mushers from all over the United States, as well as Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.

Saturday Feb 3, 2024

Come join us for the Annual International I-500 Snowmobile Race and experience all the thrills of NASCAR on a one-mile oval ice track. The I-500 is the biggest event in the Upper Peninsula and in the entire snowmobile-racing world. When drivers accelerate to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on the straightaways, your heart will race.

June 7 - 16, 2024

The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is a 10-day celebration held each June. Festivities include the coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen, Lilac Festival 10K, horse-drawn carriage tours, numerous concerts, walking tours, Mackinac Island Dog and Pony Show, the Lilac Festival Grand Parade and so much more!

Mackinac Island Nightlife is full of invigorating activities. There are many events and festivals throughout the year and nightly entertainment takes place all over the Island.

Sailing into our 62nd season, Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours offers a variety of cruises aboard our iconic yellow and blue tour boats. Make your visit to the U.P. memorable with a 90-minute tour through the Soo Locks, the world’s largest parallel locking system that resolves the 21-foot variance between Lake Huron and Lake Superior.

The possibilities are almost endless on a Shepler’s Charter Cruise. Shepler’s vessels typically head out from Mackinaw City, St. Ignace or Mackinac Island, but can also depart from and return to virtually any port in the upper Great Lakes.

Joann’sauthentic Mackinac Island Fudge, made fresh daily with real cream, butter and only the finest natural ingredients. Joann’s offers 25 fantastic flavors as well as an assortment of hand-dipped chocolates and sugar-free candies. Gift packages, online ordering and shipping available. Several locations downtown.

Caddywampuson is the place to shop for eco-friendly gifts, hip home décor, paper goods, cool baby shower gifts and very funny books. Stretch those brain cells with our puzzles and games; re live your childhoods with our retro toys and enjoy all the products for fun in the kitchen and at the office.

May’s is currently the oldest fudge shop on Mackinac Island. May’s fudge shop has been family operated for four generations. This summer season we’ll be offering French Vanilla, Amaretto Chocolate Chip, Butter Pecan, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Nut and Plain Chocolate as well as our famous English toffee, Monsters, Pecan Rolls and Clusters.

Originally constructed in the 1940s (with construction interrupted by World War II), the bridge itself is 147 feet above the Cut River, and a generous stairway with 230-plus steps provides access to several trails along the river and to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

The original on Mackinac Island since 1887, Murdick's has been serving fresh homemade fudge, peanut brittle and confections from the finest ingredients. Bring the whole family and watch our expert fudge makers create over fifteen flavors of fudge and candies from fresh ingredients.

Open All Year - 9am to 5pm Daily

Upper Peninsula Antique & Vintage Snowmobiles
"Where the history of snowmobiling comes to life."

You have to love the entrepreneur spirit in Michigan, where else does the answer to the question: What to do when you find something unexplained and unusual? is sells tickets! Well here is one of those situations.

A brief and informal Memorial Day observance to pay tribute to the soldiers who served at Fort Mackinac. Soldiers will assemble at 8:30 a.m. at the Fort Mackinac Avenue of Flags, march to the Post Cemetery, perform a short ceremony and salute, and return to the fort.

Saturday August 10, 2024

The Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show is held in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the city of Hessel, Michigan. Founded in 1978, the event is held every year during the second week of August . The Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show is held each year in the beautiful Upper Peninsula town of Hessel, Michigan.

Point Iroquois was named for the Iroquois warriors massacred there by the Ojibway in 1662. The native Algonkian name for the Point is Nadouenigoning, composed of the words "Nadone" (Iroquois) and "Akron" (bone).

Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses close to 50,000 acres stretching over 13 miles. Most of this is undeveloped woodland without roads, buildings or power lines. The centerpiece of the park, and the very reason for its existence, is the Tahquamenon River with its waterfalls.

Pages