15 things to do during Mackinac Island’s off-season
Did you know Mackinac Island is open year-round? From the annual Christmas Tree lighting to snowshoeing, here are some activities to enjoy in the off-season.
I love a lot of things about living in Michigan, but Mackinac Island (aka Mackinaw Island) just might be one of my very favorite Michigan treasures. Rich with history, Mackinac Island is a place set apart from the rest of the world, and while the summer and fall seasons are the most popular times to visit the island, it’s always worth a trip, no matter what time of year.
In a technical sense, Mackinac Island does not “close,” although several attractions and businesses do shut down over the winter months. That being said, some businesses stay open all year round on the island, and there are even special events you can attend specifically in the off-season. Some even say that Mackinaw is even more magical in the off-season.
If you’re looking to spend some time on Mackinac Island in the off-season, here are some great ideas for when and where to visit.
1. Take a winter ferry ride
Just like during the warm weather months, you can take a public ferry to Mackinaw Island. However, there’s one caveat: the public ferry only operates as long as the water doesn’t freeze over. If you plan a visit and the route happens to be frozen over, your other option is hiring Fresh Air Aviation to get you to the island. (Commercial airlines do not fly to Mackinaw Island.) And if you do go the private charter plan route, also call me because I would love to see Mackinaw from the air!
2. Go on a winter walking tour
Over the winter months, Mackinaw Island transforms into a magical winter wonderland, and you can experience it all for yourself, without the normal crowds and hustle and bustle of the busy tourist season.
Choose between an in-person tour led by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable local, who operates Chad’s Wonderful Walking Tours all year round. Or, go at your own pace and opt for a self-guided walking or biking tour with Jane’s Audio Tours. Simply download the app, purchase your chosen tour, and pop in your earbuds for a detailed and engaging narration to accompany you on your walk.
3. Hang with the locals
The Mackinaw Tourism Bureau notes that just like any other small town in Michigan, Mackinaw Island hosts plenty of community events. Whether it’s bingo at the local community hall, catching a basketball game at the high school, or attending a reading at the library, you can contact the Tourism office at 906-847-3783 to hear what some options for hanging with the locals might be during your visit.
5. Go snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a popular Mackinaw Island winter activity. There are no specific snowshoe trails on Mackinaw, but basically, the entire island is a snowshoer’s paradise. You can even snowshoe downtown after a snowfall, if you’d like!
There are two caveats to snowshoeing on Mackinaw Island: Firstly, there are no snowshoe rentals on the island, so you’ll have to BYOS (bring your own snowshoes). Secondly, the island has groomed trails specifically for skiing, so snowshoers are asked to stay off these trails.
5. Try out fat biking
While snowshoe rentals aren’t available over the winter, bikes still are. Mackinaw Island is famous for its bike riding adventures, and winter is no exception. Except, of course, you’ll need a winter-ready bike. The Mackinaw Tourism Bureau recommends using the winter months at Mackinaw to try your hand at fat-biking.
Fat bikes are outfitted with oversized, low-pressure wheels that can handle challenging terrain, including snow. You can bring your own fat bike to the island during the winter, or rent one from Mackinac Wheels.
6. Curl up with a good book at the library
Did you know Mackinaw Island has a library? Every single time we have visited Mackinaw Island, we have ridden our bikes around the island, and I’ve daydreamed about visiting the library (and attending the school). It’s never been open when we have visited, but the library is open during the winter. Visitors can’t check books out, but the library does have an ongoing used book sale.
The Mackinaw Island winter hours are Tues through Sat from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm. Get ready to curl up with a good book while gazing out over the water from the library. Pure bliss.
7. Visit the State Park
Michigan’s second state park, Michilimackinac State Park, established in 1909, is located in Mackinaw City, just over the Straits of Mackinaw. The state park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, although the visitor’s center and public restrooms are closed during the winter.
Along with gorgeous views of the water, you can take in sights of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, the Straits of Mackinac, Mackinac Island, and the Mackinac Bridge. The park is also home to Colonial Michilimackinac, one of the most important fur trading posts of the 18th century, and the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. And of course, you can also pop on over to the island to visit the rest of the park, Mackinac Island State Park.
8. Enjoy the horsepower of the Island
Take a magical private carriage ride through the forest, a public carriage tour through the historic town, or even drive your own horse and buggy through the island. Just imagine cozying up next to your loved one in the carriage as the horses prance through the snow-covered streets.
When you’re ready to warm up, pop into the Mustang Lounge or Kingston Kitchen, the two restaurants open during Mackinaw’s winter season.
9. Do some shopping
The charm of the island comes to life in the winter season, especially with holiday preparation and shopping. For instance, the annual Christmas Bazaar weekend opens up in early December. The island also has three stores that are open all year round: Doud’s Market, Island Hardware & Fuel, and Mackinpaws.
10. Take in the Christmas tree lighting
One of the biggest winter events on the island is the annual Christmas tree lighting that takes place right on Main Street. Visitors and residents alike gather around the tree, full of holiday cheer, and participate in festive activities like caroling and sipping hot cocoa.
If you can’t make it to the island, you can still participate in the holiday fun, as the tree lighting is often live-streamed on the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau’s Facebook page. The tree lighting weekend often coincides with the Christmas play put on every year by the Mackinaw Island Community Theater, so be sure to plan to pick up a ticket.
12. Enjoy the winter festival in Mackinaw City
While not on the island directly, the annual Mackinaw City WinterFest is a celebration worth attending, especially if you’re a fan of Michigan winters. The celebration focuses on winter fun, with activities like a chili cook-off, outhouse races, sleigh rides, a freeze obstacle course for kids, and a parade.
Plus, for the adults, you can pop into plenty of afterglow parties at local pubs.
13. Go on a skiing adventure
Mackinaw Island is renowned for its cross-country skiing. Mackinaw enthusiasts know that true peace can be found in the beauty of a snowy winter wonderland with virtually no crowds. While snow in Michigan is often a given, skiing is always weather-dependent, so the tourism bureau recommends calling ahead before planning your skiing trip.
The Mackinac Island Ski Club grooms two types of trails: parallel tracks for classic skiing and flat, open paths of hard-packed snow for skate skiing. The club grooms 5-10 miles of trails on a typical day, although on a good “snow day,” skiers may find up to 15 miles. And even better? All of the trails are free to use.
14. Watch the Great Turtle Drop
While the rest of the world watches a boring, bedazzled ball drop on New Year’s Eve, Mackinaw Island does something much more epic: it drops a giant turtle. The uniquely Mackinaw celebration is a beloved tradition by locals and visitors alike.
Every year, the island participates in the Great Turtle Drop, lowering Norton the Turtle down from the top of the Lilac Tree Hotel on Main Street. The turtle is an homage to the Anishinaabe people, who called the island Michilimackinac, meaning “The Great Turtle.” The Anishinaabe people believed the island’s shape resembled a turtle and was the dwelling place of Gitche Manitou, the Great Spirit, whom they believed was a creator of the world, similar to God in other belief traditions.
The New Year’s Eve festivities start shortly before midnight, so find your spot in front of the Lilac Tree hotel to welcome the new year.
15. Plan your bathroom breaks
Last but not least, while this is not a “fun” activity per se, it’s important to address. There are no public restrooms available on Mackinaw Island from November through April, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
The Mackinaw Tourism Bureau recommends either ensuring you book a place to stay at one of the lodging options or planning a meal at one of the restaurants that are open in the winter.
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