Michigan - Finally
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a postcard—one with Victorian charm, turquoise lakes, and zero car traffic—then allow me to introduce you to Mackinac Island and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.). We recently spent five days in the early segment of our trip out west exploring this northern gem. We needed to add the Michigan sticker to our US map and this part of Michigan lured us in.
🏕️ Home Base: Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground
Our choice for the first three nights was Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground, which has a little something for everyone—RV sites, cabins, and tent spots, all nestled along the shore with killer views of the Mackinac Bridge. It’s big, clean, family-friendly, with everything you need… like wine and ice cream. The only downside was the midge hatch, which had millions of little black midges all over everything. They don’t bite and we had fun zapping them with our electric fly swatter. The “pop, pop, pop” of bugs frying, is somehow satisfying.
We kicked off our Mackinac Island adventure by hopping aboard a Shepler’s Ferry from Mackinaw City. These folks know how to do it right—quick, smooth rides with open-top views and even a pass under the Mackinac Bridge for our 9:00 am departure. Within 20 minutes, you’re waving goodbye to traffic and hello to a world where fudge shops outnumber gas stations.
Terri in the Secret Garden, Mackinac Island
🐴 Mackinac Island: Where the Horses Run the Show
Once you step off the ferry, you immediately notice something’s missing: cars. They’ve been banned here since 1898, which means your only modes of transport are bikes, feet, or horse-drawn carriage.
We treated ourselves to a carriage tour, and I highly recommend it. Not only do you get to sit back while draft horses do the work, but you also get a narrated history lesson with scenic stops along the way—like Arch Rock, the old cemetery, and Fort Mackinac. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land without breaking a sweat.
🏨 The Grand Hotel: Fancy Schmancy with a View
Even if you’re not staying at the world-famous Grand Hotel (we weren’t), it’s worth a visit. This place oozes history and high tea vibes. The front porch, which claims to be the longest in the world, offers stunning views of Lake Huron—and the people-watching isn’t bad either. We ventured inside to the lobby bar for a couple of $26 cocktails (you can’t take it with you - $$$).
Grand Hotel
Upper Tahquamenon Falls
🌲 Into the U.P.: Waterfalls & Wow-Factor Scenery
Once you cross the bridge into the Upper Peninsula, get ready for some jaw-dropping nature.
First stop: Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The Upper Falls are massive—200 feet across and almost 50 feet tall—and colored a deep amber thanks to the tannins from cedar trees. It's like Niagara’s chill cousin. There are also Lower Falls, more meandering and swimmable if you’re into that kind of thing. Bring your hiking shoes, and maybe some bug spray.
🚤 Pictured Rocks: Rainbow Cliffs by Boat
Note the two people at the top of Spray Falls
Don’t even think about skipping Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising. We took the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise, and it was like floating through a natural art gallery. Towering cliffs painted with streaks of mineral deposits, hidden caves, and even a rock formation that looks like an old man’s face (aptly named “Miners Castle”). The colors are wild—reds, oranges, greens—and when the light hits them just right, it’s pure magic. The sky was that kind of blue you dream of, but the temps were in the low 50’s, and sitting on the upper deck meant we were freezing. Still, well worth it and another adventure to add to the SkyDog annals.
🥧 Pasties: Meat Pies with a Mining Past
You can’t visit the U.P. without trying a pasty (pronounced pass-tee, not paste-y, or you’ll get The Look). These handheld meat pies were originally made for Cornish miners and are now a full-blown regional obsession. We tried beef and rutabaga versions from a Muldoon’s in Munising, definitely comfort food in a flaky crust. Think pot pie without the bowl.
💡 Final Thoughts
Between the island’s horse-drawn charm, the U.P.’s rugged beauty, and the meat pies of your dreams, this corner of Michigan is the kind of place you’ll be planning to return to before you’ve even left. Whether you're camping under the stars or during a $26 Mahattan, there's something magical about going off the beaten path and discovering a slower pace.
Plus, any vacation that includes waterfalls, ferry rides, and carbs wrapped in pastry is a win in my book.
Have you been to Mackinac or the U.P.? Got a favorite pasty flavor or a can't-miss stop? Drop it in the comments! 🧳🐎🌲🥧
