Mackinac Island with Kids: 10 Must-Do Activities
We recently took our four boys, ages 8, 6, 2, and 9 months, on a trip to Mackinac Island- and it quickly became one of our favorite family vacations.
Our boys loved this trip so much that they are begging to go back.
From the scenic ferry ride to riding bikes on all of the car-free streets, our boys couldn’t get enough of this charming destination and neither could I! Plus, you can’t forget all of the fudge samples!
It’s a kid’s dream and a mom’s too!
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While Mackinac Island is often thought of as the perfect place for a couples’ vacation or a getaway with friends- which it definitely is- it’s also a fantastic place to take your kids.
If you’re planning to visit Mackinac Island with your kids, I highly recommend staying at least two to three nights. This gives you plenty of time to explore, try all of the fun activities, and truly soak in the charm of this unique destination.
Here are 7 of the best activities to make the most of your family trip to Mackinac Island!
1. Visit ALL the fudge shops
Did you know that Mackinac Island is famous for its fudge? I had no idea until I visited Mackinac Island for the first time.
To make it even sweeter, most fudge shops also serve ice cream 🍦 – a total win for our family! 🙌
My kids (and I) love fudge AND ice cream so Mackinac Island is the perfect place for us!
We had the best time wandering into different fudge shops, sampling all the delicious flavors.
And of course, we couldn’t leave without buying a few slices to take home- because let’s face it, resisting was impossible!
2. Mini Golf at Mission Point Resort
Mission Point Resort, located on the eastern side of Mackinac Island, is home to the charming Greens of Mackinac, an 18-hole miniature golf course with the absolute best views of the Straits of Mackinac. ⛳️
➡️ You don’t have to be staying at Mission Point Resort to enjoy the Greens of Mackinac miniature golf course, but I highly recommend booking your stay at the resort. We stayed here and loved it!!
DISCOVER MISSION POINT RESORT: 5 Reasons to Stay at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island
Our family had a blast playing mini golf here, and doing it as the sun set made the experience even more magical.
For an extra special experience, the course offers glow golf during the summer evenings (late May through early September).
One of the coolest things about this course? It’s set on real grass, offering a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find just anywhere.
Must Know Information
The Greens of Mackinac has varying hours depending on the season and is dependent on the weather.
Expert Tip
Bistro on the Greens, located right on the Greens of Mackinac miniature golf course, is a perfect spot to enjoy a snack or meal before or after playing some miniature golf. It is outdoor dining with stunning views. Bistro on the Greens’ Mediterranean inspired menu also has a few things that the kids can eat too!
3. Skip Rocks
Our boys could skip and play with rocks all day long on Mackinac Island, and the best thing about it- it’s absolutely free!
The island shore is very rocky so there are plenty of places to enjoy the rocks.
We skipped rocks right outside Mission Point Resort and stopped a few times during our bike ride around the island too.
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4. Bike the 8.2 Miles Around the Island
This was my top bucket list item on our visit to Mackinac Island.
We rented bikes at our resort although there are plenty of other places to rent them near downtown such as Mackinac Wheels.
Each of the bicycle rental shops have a variety of bikes to rent that meet the needs of all types of families.
For example, we rented a bike for our eight year old. My husband and six year old rode a tagalong bike, and I pulled both our 2 year old and baby in a Burley.
This bike ride exceeded my expectations.
It was gorgeous and so fun!
Part way around the island there is a concession stand and restrooms available.
The concession stand has a variety of food and beverages available and picnic tables to rest.
It will likely take you about 2-3 hours with stops to bike around Mackinac Island.
Expert Tip
Take your time riding the 8.2 miles around Mackinac Island. Make sure to stop and enjoy the scenic views. You can stop to hike up to see the iconic Arch Rock. Also, take a break to skip some rocks plus get a snack from the concession stand or a coffee from Mission Point Resort!
5. Take a Carriage Ride
One of the most unique things about Mackinac Island is its car-free charm, where the main modes of transportation are horses and bikes. Because of this, taking a carriage ride is an absolute must during your visit!
There are several ways to take a carriage ride on the island.
For a longer, more comprehensive tour of the island (about 1 hour and 45 minutes), you can book with Mackinac Carriage Tours and take in the sights on a guided journey.
Another option is to rent your own carriage and drive yourself and your family through Jack’s Livery Stable.
Additionally, you can also get your carriage ride in simply by taking it as a taxi.
We experienced our ride by taking a horse-drawn carriage shuttle from our resort to downtown.
It was the perfect little relaxing ride to cross riding in a carriage off our Mackinac Island bucket list.
6. See Arch Rock
Visiting Arch Rock was another highlight for me on my Mackinac Island bucket list.
This stunning geological formation, perched above Lake Huron, is a sight to see!
Getting there was half the adventure- we had so much fun climbing the 207 steps to reach it.
It’s a bit of a workout and definitely gets your heart pumping, but the views at the top make it all worthwhile.
My 8-year-old even counted the steps on the way up, so we can confidently confirm that 207 steps is an accurate number.
7. Fort Mackinac
My boys were beyond excited to visit historic Fort Mackinac, and it quickly became one of their favorite stops on the island.
The highlight for them was the cannon firing, which takes place about every hour- it’s loud, exciting, and a real crowd pleaser!
They also loved the rifle demonstration and getting to see the soldiers dressed in full costume, adding to the historical experience.
For younger kids, the Kids’ Quarters was a fantastic hands-on area. It’s designed specifically for kids to engage with the history of the Fort in a fun and interactive way.
My boys had a blast dressing up as soldiers, playing instruments, building block structures, and using interactive computers to design their own Fort layouts.
We absolutely loved our time at Fort Mackinac, learning about what life was like there, and the views from the Fort weren’t too shabby either!
8. Butterfly House and Insect World
One activity we missed this time around- but is definitely on my list for our next visit to Mackinac Island- is the Original Butterfly House and Insect World.
This original butterfly house is home to over a thousand butterflies, fluttering among tropical plants and flowers.
Beyond butterflies, the museum also features a variety of insects and reptiles too!
As Michigan’s first butterfly house of its kind, it’s not only a unique place to visit but also a piece of history.
Plus, it’s super convenient to visit- just a 5 minute walk from Mission Point Resort or a 8 minute walk from the edge of downtown Mackinac Island.
9. Play, relax, and soak in the views at Marquette Park
Marquette Park sits right below Fort Mackinac and at the edge of historic downtown Mackinac Island.
This beautiful park offers stunning views of the harbor, making it the perfect spot to have a picnic, eat your ice cream cone, or just relax.
It also has a playground for the kids too!
Our kids loved running around the wide, grassy field, while I enjoyed taking a moment to sit back and soak in the breathtaking water views.
It’s the perfect combination of active playtime for the kids and relaxation for parents!
10. Take a Guided Kayak and Paddle Board Tour
Exploring Mackinac Island from the water is high on my list for our next visit, and a guided kayak and paddle board tour is a great way to do it!
Great Turtle Kayak Rentals offers both kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals, with options for public tours at set times or private tours for a more personalized experience.
For families, one child can ride along with each adult in a tandem kayak, while kids ages 9-14 may paddle solo in their own single kayak.
This is a fantastic way to see Mackinac Island from a different vantage point!
GETTING TO MACKINAC ISLAND: How to Ride the Ferry
FIND OUT MORE: Everything You Need to Know for a Mackinac Island Day Trip
Mackinac Island is such a great family friendly destination with so many opportunities for fun, adventure, and memories.
Make sure to add these 10 must-do activities to your Mackinac Island bucket list and start planning your adventure today- you won’t regret it!
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May you LOVE your adventure. KW