They are used for everything from shuttling people to picking up trash. In the summer there are almost 500 horses working on the island. If you like to explore on 2 wheels this is the place for you. You will find everything from M-185, which is the only paved 2 lane highway in the country that does not allow cars, to rocky single track trails. It is a cyclist paradise, with 70 miles of roads and trails crisscrossing the Island. Bikes are the main mode of transportation. Probably the most interesting feature is that cars have been banned from the island since 1898. Today over 80% of the island is still protected as State Park property. national park after Yellowstone in 1875 and then later turned over to the State of Michigan in 1895 becoming the first State Park. Main street mackinac islandBusy tourist places like this are not really my thing, but I have to admit that Mackinac Island truly is a Michigan treasure. We wouldn’t be very good Michigan parents if we did not give our kids these same memories. By the end of the day we were all herded back on the ferry with big sunburned smiles and a fudge induced sugar high. If there was still time we would squeeze in a quick carriage ride up to see Arch Rock. It seemed both dangerous and cool at the same time to a 6 year old. I remember asking my dad why all the boats anchored in the harbor were not worried about a canon ball flying right over them. The highlight was always the canon and gun firing demonstrations. After eating lunch and checking out the shops in town, it was time to climb the hill up to tour Fort Mackinac. The bike ride was made more exciting by the “road apple” obstacle course along the way. Back then, the first thing on the agenda for the day was renting bikes and pedaling around the outside of the island. You really felt like you were stepping back in time. Mackinac Island…it is hard to know where to begin…If you grew up in Michigan, you probably have fond memories of stepping off the ferry boat and smelling that unique aroma that is mixture of barnyard and fudge that can only be found one place. Spending 2 nights at the Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island – May 8-10, 2015
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