Mackinaw City
There have been a couple lighthouse cruises I've been hoping to do for the past 10 years or so. Both originate out of Mackinaw City, Michigan - one goes west into Lake Superior, the other east into Lake Huron. They only run a few times a year, and I was able to line them up for the same week. Mackinaw City is the gateway to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and even though I was up in the UP a few weeks earlier, I didn't get a chance to check out Mackinaw City. The time, though, I was going to spend some quality time exploring the city and learning more about its history and lighthouses too.
I knew Mackinaw City was known for its fudge. What I didn't know was its history, particularly with the War of 1812, and the two forts you can explore. Fort Michilimackinac is in the city itself, and has been recreated as it appeared in the 18th century. The other is Fort Mackinac, also rebuilt and located on beautiful Mackinac Island.
Fort Michilimackinac
And then Mackinac Island itself is its own marvel. A short 15-minute ferry ride from the city, the best way to explore the island is by bike, which there are plenty to rent. No vehicles are allowed, so the main mode of transportation is by horse. You almost feel like you've gone back in time, with all the horse-drawn carriages and buggies along the island's roads. After biking the 8-mile perimeter road, I spent the rest of the day walking around the island, taking in all the cool shops along the busy main street. Along with the fort, I also checked out many of the old buildings and the natural features, like the Natural Bridge, which attracted quite the crowd.
Mackinac Island
Last but not least, the lighthouses - there are two in the city you can climb, and then the boat trips cover an additional dozen more. Michigan has the most lighthouses of any state (129 total). I don't plan on seeing them all, but it was still cool to see all the different ones in this region.
