Mackinac Island Travel Guide - Pure Michigan

In this video of #MackinacIsland we take a ferry, do a bike tour around the island, Zipline in Mackinaw City, and take a boat tour in Cheboygan
If you would like to purchase footage in this video contact [e-mail]
Items Featured in this Video
Timber Ridge Beach Cart amzn.to/3QZ221b
Kurgo Dog Back Pack amzn.to/3SMbPcV
PLACES FEATURED IN VIDEO
BOAT TOURS & FERRIES
Star Line Ferry(4:01) 587 N State St, St Ignace
Shepler's Ferry(4:10) 601 N State St, St Ignace
Plaunt Transportation Ferry(14:34) 412 Water St, Cheboygan
Nautical North Family Adventures(15:16) nauticalnorthfamilyadventures...
LODGING
Grand Hotel(5:03) 286 Grand Ave, Mackinac Island
Lake View Hotel(5:53) 1359 Hoban St, Mackinac Island
Bicycle Street Inn & Suites(6:01) 7416 Main St, Mackinac Island
Main Street Inn & Suites(6:06) 7408 Main St #202, Mackinac Island
Lilac Tree Hotel(6:56) 7372 Main St, Mackinac Island
Chippewa Hotel(7:42) 7221 Main St #103, Mackinac Island
Nautical North Family Adventures(14:59) 123 S Main St, Cheboygan
RENTALS
Mackinac Island Bike Shop(6:21) 7421 Main St, Mackinac Island
Ryba's Bicycle Rentals(6:24) 7245 Main St, Mackinac Island
Horse & Carriage Rentals(6:24) www.jacksliverystable.com/
TOURS
Great Turtle Kayaks(6:44) mackinackayak.com/
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours(7:18) 7396 Market St, Mackinac Island
EATERIES
Mama Mias Pizza(2:29) 231 E Central Ave, Mackinaw City
Mickinac Grille & Patio Bar(3:59) 251 S North State St, St Ignace
Great Turtle Brewery Restaurant(5:43) 1359 Hoban St, Mackinac Island
Horns Gaslight Bar & Restaurant(7:14) 7300 Main St, Mackinac Island
Pancake House(7:40) 7245 Main St, Mackinac Island
Cannonball Oasis(11:28) 7641 Brittish Landing Rd, Mackinac Island
Cheboygan Brewery Restaurant(15:08) 101 N Main St, Cheboygan
The Boathouse on the River(15:12) 106 Pine St, Cheboygan
DESSERTS
Joann's Fudge(6:34) 303 E Central Ave, Mackinac Island
Sanders Fin Chocolates(7:06) 7330 Main St, Mackinac Island
Ryba's Fudge Shop(7:04) 7314 Main St, Mackinac Island
PARKS & BEACHES
Bridge View Park(3:25) W69 Boulevard Dr, St Ignace
Wawatam Lighthouse(3:53) 251 S North State St, St Ignace
Mackinac Island State Park(6:11) 7396 Main St, Mackinac Island
Mill Creek Discovery Park(13:05) 9001 W. US Hwy 23, Mackinaw City,
ENTERTAINMENT
Haunted Theatre(6:11) 7396 Main St, Mackinac Island
Fort Mackinac(7:58) 7127 Huron Rd, Mackinac Island

[@frugalw4908]

Northern Michigan is a summer paradise! So much to do and so much natural beauty. It often doesn't get the respect it deserves. Thanks for the wonderful video and thank you for your service to our great country.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yep I agree, thanks for the nice words

[@Punishedgentile]

Speaking of taking a break from technology, I visited Shipshewana, Indiana which has the second or third largest Amish/Mennonite population in the US. It was a charming place, not yet spoiled by large chain stores. Sure there was a Taco Bell and a Phillips 66, but everything else was family/Amish owned. I felt like I stepped back in time to another land, it was incredible.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Maybe I need to visit there, would love to see that. Thanks for the tip

[@janetscott5252]

It's OK but nothing like Mackinac!!

[@t12goby2]

My wife goes to quitting retreat just minutes from there she loved it.

[@kathyharmon2093]

@@janetscott5252ust because it’s not like Mackinac doesn’t mean it’s not a good place to enjoy.

[@davidspeer459]

Mackinac Island is really nice if you spend the night there after all the day tourists leave

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yea, I thought afterwards, I should have done that

[@Maria-tq8ck]

Love the Bike humor!😂😇

[@jilllovesbeegees70]

You did us proud. Thank you for the beautiful video of my state. Things I’ve never done or knew about. Theres always next time we are up there!

[@seekingrainbows]

Michigan is BEAUTIFUL!!!💙🔥☀️

[@richardshannon6668]

Back in the 50es I lived on the Island.

[@RG_2727]

Thank you, Randy, for another thoughtfully and beautifully done video. I hope you and Bella are well, and blessings to you both 🥰

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou R G2, O appreciate that, have yourself a good week.

[@mariadelcmontalvo6116]

Educational and well explained 👏 👌 👍 🙌 😊

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Maria

[@dottiwheeler747]

Yet another education! My mother was from Michigan, but I've never been that far back east. I've wanted to see Mackinaw Island ever since Somewhere in Time came out.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou, yea I need to watch that movie this week

[@donttouchmysilver8202]

You and Bella know how to live life right. Blessings to you both

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thanks, blessings back to you my friend

[@seekingrainbows]

Yayyyyy!! This made my day AND my night!!! Wonderful!! 💙💙Love from Pensacola Beach Florida.🌈

[@seekingrainbows]

Do you have a Pateron account???

[@seekingrainbows]

So I can support your work monthly?

[@toddlankerd9381]

Haven't been to Mackinac Island since I was a kid, 25 to 30 years ago. Great memories of family trips "up north". Thanks for bringing back those memories. Great job on these videos!!

[@janpytka301]

Another excellent production. Thank you

[@seekingrainbows]

The very best!!!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Jan

[@TampaAerialMedia]

So kind Seeking Rainbows

[@charlottereed8060]

One of my favorite places in the universe!!!!! Wish I could afford to live there!!!!! I stayed on the island for 7weeks with my sister in law in 1994. She was cook and managed it for the summer at Bay View B&B owned by friends of my brother and sister-in-law. I worked there cleaning rooms and washing clothes. Best working vacation ever!! I didn’t want to come home!!!

[@haiderali-qe4wd]

Beautiful

[@Maria-tq8ck]

Shalom Randy! Beautiful video!💗 Blessings To you too! 💗

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Maria, peace to you and you family as well

[@Maria-tq8ck]

@@TampaAerialMedia 💗

[@jilllovesbeegees70]

Sharing this with the world! Well .. my world

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thats great thankyou Jill, hopefully it brings alittle bit of happiness

[@somujune]

Buffet in Grand hotel and views from main dining area will be awesome and it’s a must for the visitors and they can enjoy both views and grand buffet.

[@cristinacuellarcedeno3980]

Bello .realmente impresionante..

[@allme7425]

Brother Randy, what a spectacular trip to M Island-the bridge is truly a wonder-ty so much for sharing; glad you got some joy cycling there with Bella in tow. Blessings from TX, Jana and Mike

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Jana and Mike

[@goldtopazasylum]

We just got back from St.Ignace yesterday, we spent four nights there, rode bikes around the Mackinac Island. Sunday we drove up to Munising for the pictured rocks cruise on Lake Superior, I'm still on cloud nine, wonderful vacation!

[@Jeannified]

I absolutely love Mackinac Island! Visited it years ago in the early 2000’s. Just a gloriously beautiful place! Magical! I remember the lovely Lilac inn, as well as the beautiful and fragrant lilac trees all over the island! Also…The Grand Hotel! Magnificent! Lots of other great places that we visited on that island! Treasured memories of that trip with my mom!

[@t12goby2]

I stayed in one of there hotels with my wife it's a beautiful experience.

[@jenniferfreytag7632]

Love Mackinac Island and its charm. My first "big girl" vacation was to Mackinac Island. My first cat was named Fudgie. Fudgie is a term of endearment and what the year round residents call the tourists.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

I wish I would have known that about the word Fudgie, thats funny.

[@forsenuff2011]

My grandparents were the owners of Harts.. spent every summer there. Still on Market Street right next to the stables. Best memories. Love Mackinac…♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@noraluzcalugas2731]

An island with no cars! Fabulous!

[@jaygeist1425]

It's will be so cool

[@katinabaragona3122]

So beautiful!! I though lake Seneca was clear in NY but HuRon puts it to shame, wow! Definitely gotta go here some day! Lol your dog is awesome ! just hangs out in your back pack with its head out while you ride the bike 😂

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Katina, yep Bella lives for riding in the backpack, absolutely loves it.

[@katinabaragona3122]

@@TampaAerialMedia your welcome, she a cutie! I really enjoy your videos, they helped us decide which places to visit on our trip down south last summer as well!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Great to hear.

[@dmobrecht109]

I’m Michigan born and we call it “Up North”. Thank you for this video! I’ve been there many times.

[@KevyB1990]

We stayed at Mission Point and it was great. It was early October and some nights were pretty chilly.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

I would love that time of year, I think

[@KevyB1990]

@@TampaAerialMedia if you go back again you should take some time to visit Frankenmuth. It's between Detroit and Saginaw off of 75. A Bavarian village that features an almost year-round Christmas store: Bronner's.

[@wrestlingwithjay3770]

Nice

[@EverythingWavy]

Incredible destination and video! Love Island towns!!

[@lourdesalinaperez2546]

breathtaking! Love Michigan!

[@josephcable2369]

Great video, i enjoyed watching all of it.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Glad to hear it!

[@natureharmonytv]

Great video! Love Mackinac Island! 😍

[@kerrykuzak4516]

My husband and I visit Mackinac every summer and never get tired of it. I found your tour of it to be informative, interesting and delightful---thank you!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Kerry for the feedback

[@pattydriver9562]

Spent my honeymoon at the Chippewa hotel 47 yrs ago! We were poor college kids so we only stayed the weekend. It was early June so a bit cool. We were the only tourists to stay over every other fudgy left us alone! 🤣. My sister in law was married at Mission point and a good friend’s daughter was married in the small chapel in town. My mother spent her 80th birthday at the Iroquois with her family! Needless to say I’ve been to Mackinac Island many times. Ooh when I was 12 my family stayed at the Grand for 3-4 days! Wow I guess I have been there quite a bit over my lifetime!❤️

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Sounds like some great memories, thanks for sharing

[@donttouchmysilver8202]

It looks like a bicyclist Paradise

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Sure is

[@Blackkeysfan86]

Proposed to my wife here. 😃

[@seekingrainbows]

Oh wow!!!❤️

[@auroranite]

Such a Great video, Tks

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Aurora

[@MikeyCandy]

Thanks for your video!!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Mikey

[@johnnyhensler]

Thank You For Sharing ❤️

[@TampaAerialMedia]

You are welcome Johnny

[@johnnyhensler]

@@TampaAerialMedia 😁

[@bonniebriggs4121]

My favorite time to go to the Island is during the lilac festival. The lilacs look and smell glorious!

[@passingthroughtime3033]

Amazing place! Thanks for another perfect video. ♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou for the very nice words Passing through Time, much appreciated

[@christianmorgan3770]

I will be back there again in July 2026 I am so excited and I am looking forward to seeing it then thank you so much for your encouraging videos God Bless

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou, glad to help. Really great in July

[@ljiljanamahmutagic6186]

You know what...If YOU did not go somewhere I will not go either,that how great your are..We were there 2 times but you make us want to go again !!! Sooo❤️ looking forward for anything you post...Thank you very much !

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Well, I'm honored, thankyou

[@margaloone7970]

Nice video. I loved biking and just running into the water! One of my favorite vacations.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou for the nice words

[@junecarabeo1367]

Really good and informative plus entertaining.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou June

[@GazeldaS]

A beautiful time to visit Mackinac Island is in June for the lilac festival. The smell is awesome.

[@dinopulizzi8481]

A wonderful video !

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Dino

[@mosermotors]

Your videos are amazing, straight to the point. Prices listed and beautiful cinematically. I love the channel!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Shawn, I appreciate that

[@joannford5860]

Thanks for the Awesome footage want to see more of your tours.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

You are welcome

[@pegpage1085]

Love the visit to Mac island when we went. You did a great travel review.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Peg

[@thefrenchguy3000]

Your adventures are absolute bliss. What a treasure for the senses! I grew up in Kalamazoo, MI and remember fondly many trips to Mackinac Island. We live in such a beautiful world. Thanks for showing it to us in all its splendor!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou French Guy for the nice words

[@awkwardsanchez6231]

Hey I grew up in Kalamazoo too but never got the chance to go Mackinac. Hopefully when I’m back visiting this summer I can go!!

[@terribedingfield6985]

you make the best videos for those of us that dream of traveling more!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Terri for that feedback

[@rvingmylifeaway8295]

We r from the Rio Grand Valley Texas, and we try to go up there every other year.

[@bonniedeibel1546]

Love your little white dog! Great video! Great narration!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou Bonnie for the feedback

[@ginalapan3524]

We live in NW Michigan just south of Mackinaw Island. The best place to live!

[@deboramccartney]

Amei

[@youtubeuploads7208]

AWESOME video !! Thank you. I was there last in 1997! Finally going back soon! Lots of great info you gave - love your dog. Thank you for this!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it, it's a great place

[@daniellereid7576]

Where are any blacks or foreigners so it’s a white world there I guess hummmm smh

[@tiffanypatton9293]

From the eastern Lower Peninsula and went to college in the Upper Peninsula (UP). So glad that you had a good time in Michigan, and love that people are exploring my home state!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou, yep one of my favorite states in the summer

[@RKMidwest]

Great video about the island. Never been to N. Michigan but hope to get there in the next year or so. Found your channel in early 2021 when planning a St. Pete Beach trip. The video quality and information were great so I subscribed to the channel. Looking forward to your future videos from out west.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thankyou RK for letting me know, great to hear, driving out west now

[@awkwardsanchez6231]

I love Michigan!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Me too.

[@sokchowvadypoy927]

Can’t wait for your next video on Hawaii.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

It will be a few months down the road, but beginning to plan for it

[@cassidywilson1403]

You’ve got an eye for filmmaking. Your channel is great👍 Thanks for sharing your adventures with us :)

[@TampaAerialMedia]

You are welcome Cassidy, thanks for feedback

[@peggyswander3744]

Nice video.

[@karldo4809]

I love the great pictures in your video. If you're planning to visit the great lakes again, you should visit tobermory, grand Bend, sauble beach, Wasaga beach, crystal beach and Niagara falls.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yep, did Niagara Falls in 2015, but those videos were not narrated back that.

[@karldo4809]

@@TampaAerialMedia Cool you should visit the other places if that interests you.

[@beautifulplacesinamerica7792]

thanks

[@TampaAerialMedia]

You're welcome!

[@charlottereed8060]

The absolute BEST place to go for a real getaway!!!!! Pure Heaven!!!!!

[@desert-walker]

I went there once I can barely remember it was a long time ago

[@BillGab]

You have to do the U.P., (Upper Michigan) Lots of waterfalls and old mining towns like Calumet and Copper Harbor. M-22 along the Northeast coast of the Mitten is an excellent drive. Lots of distinctive small to medium sized towns each with its own distinctive personality and amazing views of Lake Michigan, cherry orchards and wineries, and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yea I should, did Door County, WI and loved it so probably will do UP at some point

[@cgimovieman]

I grew up in Michigan until I was 19, and have lived in the Orlando area the past 24 years. I spent a good handful of of times on Mackinaw Island growing up. Both for several family visits, but also because my mom was on our local school board, and the state of Michigan had an annual school board convention there each fall at Mission Point. Mackinaw can be kind of tourist if you just stick to the main downtown area and just go there for the day. But if you stay overnight for a few days, especially on weekdays, and spent a lot of time on the southeast corner of the island by Mission Point or the other inland or perimeter areas of the island, it can be incredibly peaceful and serene. In my adult years I’ve been incredibly into distance running, and have run around the perimeter of the island in the early morning hours several times. There also used to be a cool little coffee shop I used to frequent right on the water of the harbor called J.L. Beanery. Sadly it’s now defunct, but it used to be a great cozy place to sit on the water in the morning and have coffee. I also was involved in television in the Orlando area for nearly 20 years working for the Golf Channel, and during a show I produced for it back in northern Michigan, I made it a point to shoot a segment on the island. I’m sure I appreciated it more from a nostalgic standpoint than mg coworkers, but it was a nice little way of giving back to my former home state.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Very true

[@terrib627]

Watercolor Cafe has replaced the JL Beanery. You should try it.

[@teestoymirando9105]

New subscriber, hello from Kentucky, it's April a good month to visit,

[@TampaAerialMedia]

If you dont mind the cold, good thing is, it is not very crowded

[@terrib627]

Most things on the island do not open until late May/early June. I would not recommend going earlier than that. There's only one hotel and one restaurant open outside the season.

[@jilllovesbeegees70]

My sister lives in Naples Florida and we go there in the winter. She comes up here in the summer she lived all of her life until she retired from teaching school. It’s a nice trade don’t you think?

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yep that is the way to do it, the best of both worlds, 2 great states MI and FL

[@NourMoghrabi]

You should come to Atlanta, Georgia and come to Woodstock Gorgia thanks for the video

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yea eventually will, its just the traffic is a real challenge in ATL

[@hafizsirajkumar7927]

Omg Christphor reeve be in Mansion inn

[@samrodriguez9653]

All I could think about during the video was how thirsty your dog must've been 🐶

[@TampaAerialMedia]

She won't drink unless she is in my truck so I pour it on her tongue, but she is fine very well taken care of

[@paulmartens6283]

Danse Macabre? seems like an unusual choice of background music for an intro to Mackinac

[@TampaAerialMedia]

It's a Victorian era song to show the Victorian style main street.

[@majorrpressure4925]

Come to Augusta , Ga .. Do a tour guide for Masters Week . ⛳️

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Do want to do Agusta at some point...During Masters week wouldn't be able to fly a drone with flight restrictions

[@schallrd1]

Go to Grand Hotel and back in time. Sound familiar?

[@TheZigzach]

Get that Starbucks off the island asap.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yep, I agree!

[@jdp0359]

No chains should ever be tolerated on the island!

[@TheZigzach]

@@jdp0359 there is a Sanders store on the island though and I'm cool with that. But that's it.

[@thedesiroommates]

Beautiful ❤ , can we fly a drone on the island?

[@TampaAerialMedia]

No you cant

[@michaelhendrickson1893]

Great looking destination. What music you using on the vid.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Give me a time stamp of 2 or 3 songs and I can let you know. I did show on the video the 2 lyrical songs I used

[@michaelhendrickson1893]

Re watched video found it. Thank you

[@Roadtosomethingnew1]

I've heard of Mackinaw Island but I never knew there weren't any vehicles on it. What about emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire trucks?

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thats a good question. With no cars, that eliminates alot of need for emergency vehicles, and Island is not too big. Maybe they do have a Ambulance vehicle somewhere.

[@honestytoafault]

you forgot about the movie THIS TIME FOR KEEPS. starring ESTHER WILLIAMS. in fact the pool at the grand hotel was built for this movie. only Esther said it was too cold to swim in. all the pool scenes are actually filmed in florida.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Thanks for mentioning that

[@bancha869]

First time traveler trying plan a small vacation for me and my gf. Should I book a package deal or just book a hotel and find my own activities? What course of action do you suggest ?

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Really depends on you....personally I usually avoid package deals because I want the flexibility to go where I want to go at my pace, but if you don't have time to do the research package deals can be good

[@alexandermenzies9954]

I cant believe it! Not a word! They made Makinac Is. famous around the world: Dr William Beaumont and Alexis san Martin. Look them up.

[@TheZigzach]

You and Bella need to go back and stay a couple nights at least!!!!!!

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yep, I really should have

[@TubbaTubba-em2tm]

Did I really see a Starbucks at the 10 second mark? That is very disappointing. There are so many other coffee shops on that island.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

I usually like to show anything but Starbucks

[@ThankfulQue]

Nice except for “bed and breakfastes”

[@dawson0610]

How many bike crashes have happended there?

[@TampaAerialMedia]

I was thinking the same thing

[@JakeandAnnie]

Can I Hertz a horse and buggy?🐴🚗

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yes you can actually rent a horse and buggy on the Island

[@vegasstoker9647]

I was there when I was a kid. I don't think you appreciate the beauty of the place as a kid. I see you've trained Bella to drive lol

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Yep Bellas pretty talented

[@irmakalember3709]

Is it expansive to visit or to live here?

[@terrib627]

Yes, it's expensive to visit. It's worth it though.

[@irmakalember3709]

@@terrib627 thanks I will visit one day.

[@ronflippo4577]

Great video but it’s unfortunate to be on my banned States list if it is Blue it’s banned..

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Actually western and Northern MI is pretty red...You shouldn't let political issues affect where you go. While the governor is blue, most the businesses there are red

[@terrib627]

You're just cheating yourself out of a great vacation by bringing politics into it. Wtf.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

One worker is incased in the cement of one of the uprights... i spoke to the man's nephew in Mount Pleasant.

[@TampaAerialMedia]

Sad, there were some great sacrifices

[@jackimyers9364]

Why is it pronounced "Mack-in-awe" and not "Mack-a-nack"?

[@TampaAerialMedia]

That's the way they pronounced those words in the 1800s

[@MrEbeet]

Dude, are you Bat Man?

[@TampaAerialMedia]

And Bella is Robin

[@MrEbeet]

@@TampaAerialMedia I believe it! You have that Batman voice! Great video btw. not overdone. You really encapsulated the finer "need to know" points in a well shot/produced video. I definitely want to visit sometime soon.

[@gregbrooks4450]

Biggest tourist trap in Michigan

[@TampaAerialMedia]

I think it's worth the cost

[@gregbrooks4450]

@TampaAerialMedia - because you're making money off the tourists too. It's a great place if you like huge crowds, overpriced taffey and fudge and dollar store crap for $10. Mackinaw Island is not the UP.

[@wintermoon5194]

Yikes way too many people. It gives me anxiety. I wish there was a place as charming as this but without the people.

[@terrib627]

After the daytrippers leave, the island is completely different. Go after Labor Day, and it's not as crazy.

[@christophersmith1155]

im old. i need a electric bike.

[@terrib627]

They're not allowed on the island. If you get caught, you'll get your bike impounded. They only allow Class 1 ebikes without a throttle. Pedal assist only.