This blog post contains affiliate links which may reward me in the event of a sale. I use these funds to reinvest in my blog and to create more great content like this Spring Getaway to Mackinac Island to share with you! My stay on Mackinac Island was hosted by Mission Point Resort, but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. Disclaimer here.
I’ve always been a little hesitant about traveling to Mackinac Island. As someone who writes about hidden gems within Michigan, what is “hidden” about Michigan’s number one tourist destination? Everyone in Michigan knows about it. Most people in the Midwest know about it. And it gets a lot of national recognition as well. So why bother?
Well, when I finally let my guard down about it, I discovered there’s a lot of historic depth and unique places just waiting to be seen on Mackinac Island. There’s more to Mackinac than just the charming downtown!
So much so, that unless you live on Mackinac Island or visit every year, it’s hard to fully experience everything on Mackinac Island within one visit. Plus, there are certain times of the year where the island is less busy – like at the end of the season in fall or early in the season – such as our spring getaway to Mackinac Island!
Currently, I have articles written about our past experiences on Mackinac Island like when we visited when Winston was a toddler, plus I wrote about our fall focused getaway. So this year, we gave spring a chance and planned a visit to Mackinac Island during Mother’s Day weekend.
This article details where we stayed for our spring getaway to Mackinac Island and activities that we did by day. Plus, I sprinkled in some fun perks about visiting Mackinac Island during the spring. Look out for budget friendly tips to help you save money too! Just like Hawaii, Mackinac Island is a pricey island to visit. And as a West Michigan “Dutch” girl I feel it’s my obligation to help you save!
Where We Stayed During Our Spring Getaway to Mackinac Island
During our spring getaway to Mackinac island, we booked a family suite at Mission Point resort.
History of Mission Point Resort
Mission Point Resort has a rich history. Originally built as Mackinac College in the 1950s, the college had only one graduating class before closing its doors. In the 1970s, the building housed the cast and crew of the film Somewhere in Time. Shortly after, it was transformed into the hotel we know today. The name Mission Point comes from the historic Mission Church, built in the early 1800s on the island’s southeast corner. This church still stands as Michigan’s oldest Protestant church building.
The resort’s current splendor is thanks to the vision of the Ware family, who purchased Mission Point in 2014 after spending many summers vacationing on the island. The Wares remain involved in daily operations, overseeing renovations and improvements. Over the past decade, they’ve added the Lakeside Spa & Salon, renovated rooms, and expanded the event space, enhancing the resort’s appeal.
Checking In at Mission Point Resort
There are a couple ways to reach Mission Point after you arrive on the island. From Shepler’s Ferry, you can either walk to the resort (which takes about 10 minutes) or take a horse-drawn taxi. Taxi’s regularly run between Mission Point and the ferry. To reach the Main Lodge at Mission Point Resort, it’s a straight shot down M-185.
Once you enter, you’re bound to be awed by the massive logs reaching up to the ceiling. There’s an antique, rustic, teepee-like atmosphere at first take. This contrasts with the cheerful, Lake Huron blue carpet. Across the lobby, there are three fireplaces with comfortable couches and chairs. 18 of the chairs are authentic to the building. Above each fireplace, there are captivating paintings by a Michigan artist. All the paintings depict scenes from Mackinac Island.
When we reached the front desk to check in, we noticed our names on the screen welcoming us! Even this front desk underwent a renovation a couple years ago. Today it is made out of locally gathered stones. And the surface is crafted from the former bleachers of Mackinac College, adding a touch of local history.
Once we checked in, we received an envelope with our room keys and a map of the property. The keys to the Main Lodge are still traditional real keys! Charming!
How do I get my luggage?
If you take Shepler’s Ferry, tell them where you’re staying when dropping off your bags in Mackinaw City. They will take and tag your bags. You can then board the ferry while Shepler’s and Mission Point take care of your bags behind the scenes. After checking in, give your baggage tags to the bellmen. They will then deliver your luggage to your room.
Dog Friendly Hotel on Mackinac Island
Mission Point Resort is the only dog-friendly hotel on Mackinac Island, so feel free to bring your furry friend along! Dogs are welcome when you book a room at the Straits Lodge.
For a truly paw-some experience, we highly recommend the Pooch at the Point package. This includes food and beverage credits, covers the pet fee, and provides a welcome amenity for your pup. You’ll also receive admission to the Mackinac Art Museum and round-trip ferry tickets.
All dog-friendly rooms come with a cozy Carhartt dog bed, and you’ll find waste bags conveniently located outside the Straits Lodge and near the Great Lawn. Plus, you can dine with your dog on the patio at Round Island Kitchen or Bistro on the Greens. It’s the perfect getaway for the whole family!
Attractions and Perks of Staying at Mission Point Resort
Mission Point Resort offers a variety of packages. Most packages include perks like food and beverage credits, round-trip Shepler’s ferry tickets, luggage handling, and admission to an island attraction or bike rentals.
The resort truly shines with its abundance of on-site activities and amenities, reminiscent of a Caribbean vacation. My son and I particularly loved the Kids Club, available Wednesday through Saturday for ages 5-12. It’s a fantastic option for parents seeking some adult time while their kids enjoy supervised play, both indoors and outdoors. The arcade, packed with interactive games and a prize redemption center, is another great option, especially on rainy days.
Just outside the Kids Club and arcade, you’ll find the activities desk, where you can rent bikes or sign up for outdoor activities and lawn games. The nearby Lakeside Spa & Salon, one of only two spas on the island, offers a range of pampering services, including massages, manicures, pedicures, and hair styling. You can even reserve a spa day pass for access to the luxurious locker room amenities, including a steam room, sauna, and relaxation room.
Places to Eat & Drink at Mission Point Resort during Spring
During our spring getaway to Mission Point Resort not all of the restaurants were open yet, but most were!
Round Island Kitchen
During our spring getaway to Mackinac Island, we dined a few times at Round Island Kitchen. This restaurant serves a variety of classic comfort foods with a northern Michigan twist. It’s a great space for anyone to dine. If you stay at Mission Point Resort, make sure you mention that so your Kids get their free meal!
Chianti
Chianti is another restaurant at Mission Point Resort. It is open for dinner only, and a reservation is highly encouraged as it’s very fancy! The menu changes often based off of what is in season throughout Michigan.
Coffee & Drinks to Go
There are two coffee shops on site. The one in the Main Lodge is called Boxwood. Here you can get classic and specialty lattes as well as a variety of grab and go items to curate your own picnic. If you’re staying at the Straits Lodge, take advantage of Strait UP coffee, which also offers a variety of different coffee items plus grab and go.
And not to be missed is the Lobby Bar! This bar was added in 2023 and serves an exceptional frose! The frose here is exclusive to Mission Point Resort on the island and is made by Brys Estate Winery of Traverse City.
Al Fresco Dining
During our Mother’s Day weekend on Mackinac Island, Bistro on the Green was not yet open nor was Lily’s Lemonade. Both of those are located outside by the great lawn which opens up during Memorial weekend.
Spring Getaway to Mackinac Island Itinerary
First Day: Getting Acquainted with Mackinac Island
During the first day of our spring getaway to Mackinac Island, we wanted to give ourselves time to get a little acquainted to being on the island. Rather than rush, we took our time getting from Shepler’s Ferry over to Mission Point Resort. Stopping to sight see along the way.
Once we checked in, we grabbed a frose from the Lobby Bar to cool off before our private carriage tour of the island.
Shepler’s Ferry
After our nearly 4 hour drive up to Mackinaw City, we arrived at Shepler’s Ferry! Here we parked to drop off our luggage, pick up our will call tickets, and get directions to where the Standard Overnight parking lot is. A Premium Paid lot is also available for double the cost of the standard lot. Once we made it to the standard lot, a bus was already waiting to take us to the ferry. Altogether it took us about 30 minutes to drop off our things, get the tickets, drive, park, and bus back to the dock! Not bad!
Once you drop your luggage off, they’ll tag it with which hotel you’re staying at. Then when you get to the island, don’t worry about your luggage. It’ll be ready and waiting for you once you check in. Please allow around three hours for your luggage to make it to your hotel – especially during the summer!
If you plan to carry your own bike onto the island, be mindful that you’ll have to pay extra. If you stay at Mission Point Resort, it is a partner hotel and they do offer a two dollar discount on your ferry ticket.
Marquette Park Playground
Being we had a little bit of time before check-in we stopped by the Marquette Park playground for Winston to get his wiggles out. He did such a good job on the four hour car ride plus staying close to us while on the ferry. It was time to let him run a little loose!
He enjoyed racing across the green at Marquette Park on the way to the playground. Then once there, he was zipping up and down the playground and flying down the slides. Behind the playground, there are steps up to the Somewhere in Time gazebo and Anne’s Tablet Trail (if you’re looking for a couple interior hidden gems on Mackinac Island).
Walking Over to Mission Point Resort
After some playtime, we walked the rest of the way down to Mission Point Resort. As we walked Main Street, we noted several cool sights to take in. Don’t miss these (in order as you head to Mission Point) –
- Mackinac Island Visitors Center
- Mini Statue of Liberty built by the Boy Scouts
- Watercolor Cafe
- Island House Hotel
- Michigan’s Oldest Bed & Breakfast
- Harbor View Inn and St Anne’s Catholic Church
- Mission Church – Michigan’s Oldest Protestant Church
Private Island Tour with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
After checking in to Mission Point Resort, we embarked on a delightful 1.5-hour private carriage tour. These tours are fully customizable, allowing you to choose your destinations and accommodate up to eight passengers. To book your private adventure, call the Mackinac Island Carriage Company at 906-847-3325 between 9 AM and 5 PM. Please note that a minimum one-hour rental is required, with a cost of $210 per hour.
Our trusty steeds for this journey were Julian and Bubbles, who did a fantastic job! We couldn’t resist stopping to give them some well-deserved pets along the way, which is always welcome. For our tour, we opted to explore the stunning West Bluff, a hidden gem not included in the public group tours. This area boasts a collection of historic Victorian-style houses, and we even went down a backroad where some of Mackinac Island’s wealthier residents keep their own horses and carriages. It was like stepping back in time to a bygone era when horse-drawn transportation was the norm!
For an insider’s perspective, we ventured through Harrisonville, the community where many of the island’s seasonal and full-time residents and workers reside. We also passed by several cemeteries, including the Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery, and the eerie Skull Cave. Our journey continued past the Scout Barracks and the exclusive fire pit reserved for Boy and Girl Scout troops. The final stop along our tour was along the breathtaking Huron Road. This scenic stretch offers panoramic views of the island, harbor, Round Island, and the Round Island Lighthouse. It’s a must-see for anyone seeking the most picturesque and scenic spots on the island.
Discover additional tours and experiences to enjoy on and near Mackinac Island here!
Dinner at Round Island Kitchen
After our carriage tour, we were famished, so we headed to Round Island Kitchen for dinner. We started with the baked pimento cheese dip, which was phenomenal! This shareable appetizer comes with pimento cheese, bacon, sweet chili, and toasted baguette slices. It’s so delicious, you’ll want to make a meal out of it (and no one will judge you).
For my entrée, I chose the roadhouse perch, a salted yellow lake perch with local asparagus, whipped potato, and lemon caper butter. Entrées include a choice of house salad with dressings like ranch or balsamic vinaigrette. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, and although I couldn’t finish everything because of the generous portion of pimento dip, everything was delicious and high-quality.
Since I’d already had a frose earlier, I opted for a mocktail with dinner. I went with the refreshing “Summer Loving,” made with blackberries, muddled mint, fresh lemon juice, house-made blackberry vanilla syrup, soda, and mint. It’s the perfect way to cool down on a warm day.
If you’re staying at Mission Point Resort, remember that kids 12 and under dine free! Just let your waiter know before they bring the bill. The kids’ menu includes classic favorites like chicken tenders, cheese pizza, mac and cheese, cheeseburgers, and spaghetti and meatballs. Winston chose the cheese pizza, which was huge—he only managed to eat one slice!
Day Two of Our Spring Getaway to Mackinac Island: First Timer’s Mackinac Island Bucket List
Our second day on the island was filled with all of the must do things on Mackinac Island. We did family-friendly activities such as going on a tour of Fort Mackinac, sampling delicious fudge, and visiting the Original Butterfly House before indulging on a delicious course meal for Mother’s Day at Chianti.
Guided Sunrise Hike during a Spring Getaway
On the second day, I woke up at 5:30 AM to join a guided sunrise hike. Despite a rainy forecast, I headed to the lobby and met Abby, our knowledgeable guide. As the forecast still predicted rain, we wisely altered our route for safety. Instead of venturing to Robinson’s Folly, we opted for a picturesque walk around the bay, ending at the kayak launch dock to avoid potential showers.
Embracing the change of plans, we enjoyed the scenic route and the flexibility to adapt to Michigan’s unpredictable spring weather. If you’re interested in the guided sunrise hike, be sure to ask about the intriguing history behind Robinson’s Folly’s name. For those who prefer a later start, Mission Point Resort offers a variety of other complimentary guided hikes, which you can explore on the resort’s experiences page.
Breakfast at Round Island Kitchen
When I got back to my room from the sunrise hike, both Winston and my friend Beth were awake. So we quickly got ready to go for breakfast.
Since I already had a healthy start to my day, I wanted to continue down that same path day. For breakfast I ordered an avocado toast with an egg on top. Mission Point’s avocado toast is on a multigrain bread with smashed avocado, roasted tomatoes, pickled red onions, and bacon! It was a ton of food, and I only ended up eating one slice.
Winston asked for the French toast dippers which comes with some French toast, a choice of bacon or sausage (which he chose the bacon), and it comes with real Michigan maple syrup. I absolutely love when places use real syrup!
Kids Club
After breakfast, we went to drop Winston off at the Kids Club room. The Kids Club is open Wednesdays through Saturdays between 9 to 12 PM. It is available for families staying at Mission Point to use complementary for their kids who are age 5 to 12 years old. The Kids Club room is full of exciting toys and activities. There might even be some kite flying depending on what your kids interests are! The people in charge of Kids Club all have childcare experience so you know you’re gonna be leaving them in good hands. Maybe your kids will end up making some friends on vacation!
Note that a 24 hour notice is required. You can reserve this online or at the concierge desk.
Lakeside Spa & Salon
While Winston was busy getting his kite flying on, my friend and I enjoyed manicures at the Lakeside Spa & Salon. There are a number of wonderful spa services here, including pedicures, facials and massages.
Lakeside Spa & Salon is one of the few spa’s on Mackinac Island. During the summer, it gets busy, especially when there are weddings. So make sure to reserve your spa treatment as soon as possible.
And if you just need somewhere to relax, you can reserve a spa day pass for three hours. This gets you access to the locker room amenities, which includes a steam room sauna, and joint relaxation room. But keep in mind, there are only so many of these available so put in that reservation!
Lunch at Round Island Kitchen
After our fun morning, we were still a bit full for lunch, but knew we needed a little bite to eat. So we went back to Round Island Kitchen for lunch, but this time, we sat outside on the patio. The patio is open all season long with heating lamps for when it’s cooler outside.
For my lunch, I continued on with my healthy streak and ordered the antioxidant salad. I chose this specifically because it sounded like a curious mix of everything healthy. This salad has mixed greens, broccoli, blueberry, strawberries, orange slices, white beans, corn, sunflower seeds, red onion, yellow pepper, radishes, and blueberry vinaigrette dressing. Like wow! And it worked!!
Mr. Winston went with the chicken tenders and fries with ranch this time. Did he eat any chicken? No. But he did smash down some of those fries and his meal was free!
Fort Mackinac
After lunch, we booked a taxi to take us to Fort Mackinac. If asked what the ultimate Mackinac Island bucket list would include, Fort Mackinac would be on top of that list. Fort Mackinac is full of history and has one of the best views of the island! For more information on what you can see and experience at Fort Mackinac as well as its history through the years, check out the Reel I created on Instagram above. It’s caption is also packed with helpful tips to plan your visit.
Discover additional tours and experiences to enjoy on and near Mackinac Island here!
Joann’s Fudge
After about two hours at Fort Mackinac, we headed downtown for some fudge tasting. At Joann’s Fudge, I had the amazing opportunity to make my own fudge! It was fascinating to see the entire process, from mixing the high-quality ingredients to heating the fudge over an open flame. Once the mixture cooled slightly, it was my turn to get hands-on. I poured the delicious toffee on top and mixed it in. Then, I learned how to push and fold the fudge, helping it thicken and come together. It was actually quite a workout to make!
Joann’s Fudge, now run by the third generation of the family, maintains its commitment to quality. They use fresh, local ingredients like heavy cream and butter, and pure ground cocoa beans in their chocolate fudge. No preservatives or powdered ingredients are used here! The fudge is cooked in traditional copper kettles over a gas flame, then poured onto marble slabs to cool. It’s hand-paddled into those iconic loaves we all know and love. With two shops on Mackinac Island and one in Mackinaw City, Joann’s Fudge has been satisfying sweet tooth’s since 1969.
Original Butterfly House
After making (and buying!) some fudge, we headed back toward Mission Point Resort, stopping at the Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House along the way. This was a must-see for my son, Winston, and I have to agree that it’s one of the top family-friendly activities on Mackinac Island.
Founded in 1991, it’s the first of its kind in Michigan and the third oldest live butterfly exhibit in the United States. The Butterfly House is open daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, with butterfly releases at 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM.
Inside, you’ll find a wall of chrysalises, showcasing the transformation process of butterflies from across four continents. The main attraction is an 1800-square-foot tropical garden, home to around 1200 butterflies. Soft music plays in the background, creating a serene atmosphere. For a chance to have a butterfly land on you, simply sit still and relax.
The Insect World is another highlight, featuring beetles, praying mantises, cockroaches, and some reptiles and amphibians. Knowledgeable staff and educators are on hand to answer any questions and might even let you pet some of the creatures. During our visit, Winston got to pet Pimento, the resident bearded dragon, who was out of his display.
Admission is $13 for adults and $8 for kids, with free entry for children under 4. Look out for specials and deals, especially if you’re traveling with Shepler’s Ferry.
Dinner at Chianti
Finally, after all of that walking and exploring, we were ready for dinner. And dinner tonight was at Chianti – Mission Point Resort’s fine dining experience. The menu is curated with a number of fresh, seasonal offerings with lots of local ingredients incorporated into the meals. The menu offers five courses are offered. To try something from each course, do like we did and order the Chefs Tasting Menu! This is what my friend and I opted for and Winston took some little nibbles from my plate. You can also choose to do a wine pairing with each of the courses.
Course One: Hors d’Oeurves
My first course was the hors d’oeuvres and I ordered the carpaccio of Woo beef came with fried capers and toasted hazelnuts. This was very fresh and delicious. Paired with this was the chaianti Classico from Italy, a light red wine.
Second Course: Appetizer
Course two was appetizers. I ordered the spring harvest which came with a fresh morale, fiddleheads flava PV lavender butter, almond oil and this was paired with a. I was a little surprised because this dish had a slight kick to it, but the wine was so smooth and refreshing it cooled it down. This is the first time ever described as being like milk.
Course Three: Salad
Then the third course was salad I chose the butter lettuce salad, which came with Michigan butter lettuce, fresh garden herbs, grown locally right at Mission Point egg yolk, jam, and Sicilian lemon vinaigrette. The wine pairing for this is Pinot Grigio.
Main Course
And now in to the main course which is a saki, Seabass is delectable portion of Seabass was marinated in saki. It comes with a sushi rice cake on a bed of baby bok choy zucchini Lotus root with Yuzu vinaigrette. This dish was a delicious mix of both sweet and savory in the wine for this one was the same as with the salad, the Pinot Grigio, I wanted this dish to go on forever. It was simply perfection.
Dessert
And finally ending the evening was dessert, and for this, I ordered the chocolate truffle which came on a sesame and almond praline with chocolate, mousse and cereal, milk, and ice cream. This was the one dish had to practically spoon he is such a alcoholic, but so am I. This dessert was delicious and refreshing Prosecco.
Ambiance and Setting
Now, let’s talk about the ambiance at Chianti. From the outside looking in, it looks like an old timey library tucked away behind the main lobby. But once you step inside, it’s a magical setting. Seated near the windows, we watched freighters passing by as we enjoyed our meal. The ambiance was further elevated by the elegant classical music played by the pianist.
The customer service was truly top-notch. The chef even came out to check on us and make sure we were enjoying our food.
Finally, I have to give a shout-out to my son, Winston, who did such a great job throughout dinner. He tried out new things and even received a special plate of bacon from our kind waiter. It was a truly memorable dining experience.
Day Three: Biking M-185 and Traveling Back to Mackinaw City
Even though we left on the third day, we still wanted to take advantage of what we could after waking up and before our checkout time at 11 o’clock. So we rented some bikes and we biked around M 185.
Final Breakfast at Round Island Kitchen
For our final breakfast at Round Island Kitchen, I went with the Northern Michigan Benny, which I had been eyeing since I planned this trip. And with that I noticed that I hadn’t eaten any meat during our time on Mackinac Island. I’ve only eaten fish which I’m not mad about. This eggs benedict was so scrumptious. It included two poached eggs, smoked whitefish, heirloom tomatoes, all on a toasted English muffin with a dill hollandaise sauce.
Two muffins was definitely enough for me to last until I ate dinner when I got home later that night.
After Winston went with the French toast dippers yesterday today he opted for pancakes, which came with two massive pancakes, whipped cream, blueberries, and a choice of bacon or sausage, which obviously he went for bacon.
Biking M-185
After breakfast, we rented bikes at the activities desk to explore the island before check-out. Helmets are optional for adults, so we geared up and set off, avoiding downtown Mackinac’s busy streets. Our scenic ride took us past Arch Rock, Dwightwood Springs, and several historical markers, leading us to the entrance of the Lost Lake Nature Trail. This short boardwalk trail offers stunning views of a secluded inland lake and a peaceful atmosphere.
Although it started to sprinkle, the rain didn’t dampen our spirits as much as the swarm of mayflies we encountered. This is a common occurrence in spring, but it shouldn’t discourage you from visiting Mackinac during this time. We noticed that the bugs were mainly present in less populated areas, so you can still enjoy a comfortable stay by sticking to the busier parts of the island.
Shepler’s Ferry Ride Back to Mackinaw City
Before our bike ride, we gathered our belongings and dropped off our luggage with the attendants for ferry transport. The luggage is efficiently transferred to the ferry docks and will catch the next departing ferry, regardless of whether guests are on the same ferry.
Upon our return to Mackinaw City, we headed to the luggage tent, located the Mission Point Resort luggage rack, and retrieved our bags. From there, we took the bus back to our parked car and then departed. Super easy and efficient!
Map of Spring Getaway to Mackinac Island
There are so many reasons to plan a spring getaway to Mackinac Island. The weather is generally mild, and the island is still quiet, offering a peaceful atmosphere.
At the same time, there’s an exciting buzz as everyone anticipates the upcoming peak season.
Visiting during Mother’s Day weekend was a wonderful experience, allowing us to enjoy fun things as a family, plus some “me” time at the spa. Spending time at the historic fort, going on a memorable private carriage tour, visiting the butterfly house, and admiring the beautiful tulips all provided the perfect setting for a Mother’s Day weekend getaway.
I highly recommend a spring getaway to Mackinac Island for families seeking a memorable and enjoyable vacation. It’s the perfect opportunity to treat your mom to a special Mother’s Day getaway she’ll cherish.
from Michigan with Love,
Jackie
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