How to Do Mackinac Island on a Budget (Without Missing the Magic)

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If you’re not from Michigan, you might be wondering—what’s the big deal about Mackinac Island?

This tiny car-free island nestled between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas feels like stepping back in time. Think horse-drawn carriages, charming inns, white picket fences, and lake views so dreamy you’ll swear you’re in a movie. But let’s be real—it can also be an expensive trip if you’re not careful. Between ferry tickets, bike rentals, and restaurant meals, costs add up fast.

The good news? You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy an unforgettable day on Mackinac Island. In fact, you can experience a lot of the magic of this car-free island for free!

In this episode, I’m going to break down how we spend the day on Mackinac Island as a family of five without blowing the budget.

Our view of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge from Shepler’s Ferry

How to Get to Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is located in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and the only way to get there is by boat.

There are two main ferry options at this time of this broadcast: Shepler’s Ferry and Arnold Transit Co. We’ve always booked Shepler’s Ferry, but either way—your options are to take a ferry from Mackinac City or St. Ignace. 

Now, there’s advantages to both routes. If you leave from St. Ignace, the route takes you under the Mackinac Bridge, which is such a cool perspective for kids and adults alike. Shepler’s runs regular routes from both ports and offers secure daytime and overnight parking.

Another tip? Get there early – summer is peak season for Mackinac Island and the ferries run routes all day long. I suggest getting there 35 minutes to an hour before your scheduled departure. Yes you might have to stand in line and wait but the boats give a great distraction for the kids. If you do end up waiting in a long line, there’s a big lawn next to public restrooms where one of you can watch your kids run around while you wait while the other stands in line. 

Now you might be wondering - how was this a day trip for your family? Over the last handful of years, Mackinac Island has become one of our must-do stops on our summer trips throughout the UP and Northern Michigan. We’ve parked our RV rental at the KOA in Mackinac City and taken their free shuttle from the campground to the ferry terminal. 

Both Shepler and Arnold Transit will let you bring your own bikes – which is huge if you’re trying to save money on rentals (more on that coming up in the next segment). There’s a small fee to transport bikes, but it’s way cheaper than renting once you’re on the island.

Once you’ve got your ferry tickets, all that’s left is to hop on board and soak up the view. The ride takes anywhere from 15-25 minutes depending on where you depart. For our family, part of the pre-trip excitement is getting on that ferry and taking in all the sights of the island, the Mighty Mackinac Bridge, and that feeling of all the fun we’re about to have right at our fingertips. 

Trust me, the second you step off that boat and smell the fudge in the air, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world. 

BYOB…Bring Your Own Bike (Save $70+ on Rentals!)

Alright, so now you’re on the island—what next? Consider me biased, but Mackinac Island is best explored on two wheels, and while bike rentals can cost upwards of $20 per hour (or $70+ per day), there’s a simple way to avoid that fee: bring your own bike on the ferry!

So if you already own bikes, this is a great hack. If not—consider borrowing from a friend or a local Buy Nothing group.

In fact, M-185 is the only state highway in the U.S. that doesn’t allow cars. Instead, it’s reserved for bikes, horses, and pedestrians. 

Yes, even Amazon delivers to Mackinac Island and the packages get delivered to hotels and residences by horse-drawn carriage. 

If you plan to stay at one of the island’s hotels or Bed & Breakfasts, there are dock-porters as well as luggage transfer carriages that will take your luggage from the ferry to your room.  who will take your luggage from the ferry to your room. You’ll see them all over Main Street - it’s pretty hard to miss.

Cruise the 8.2-mile Loop Around the Island

Once we’ve arrived to Mackinac Island, my main goal is actually to get OFF of Main Street – since we only have a day to explore, we high tail it off of the busy and chaotic downtown and and head right along M-185, aka Lake Shore Road, the scenic 8.2 mile loop around the island. It offers breathtaking views of Lake Huron and is a must-do for any outdoorsy enthusiast. 

Now by the time we arrive on the island, it’s getting close to lunch time for my family. Mackinac Island is filled with adorable restaurants, but eating out here can get pricey fast. Instead, we pack a lunch (and a million snacks) and ride out to our next stop, Mission Point Resort. They have a beautiful lawn with adirondack chairs along the lake and plenty of grass for picnics. 

Not interested in packing a lunch? We also love grabbing lunch to go from Mighty Mac Hamburgers. Whatever you do, do NOT sleep on their veggie burger. I’m usually a beef burger eatin’ kinda gal but their veggie burger with roasted garlic, quinoa, brown rice, lentils, onions, and bell pepper is super hearty! My first job out of college was in Columbus, OH and theMighty Mac veggie burger reminds me a lot of the veggie burger from Northstar Cafe in Columbus. Anyway, I digress.

Mighty Mac’s menu has something for everyone (including chicken nuggets for the kids) and it’s the perfect sack lunch to take out towards the water and eat lunch with a view.

Mighty Mac Hamburgers with a view

Hike to Arch Rock for a Breathtaking View

After we’ve fueled up from lunch, we start riding out to one of the most famous sights on Mackinac Island - Arch Rock. It’s a stunning natural limestone arch that stands 146 feet above Lake Huron. The best part? It’s completely free to visit!

It’s a 200-step climb up from the road – you’ve been warned. We usually park our bikes along the side of Lake Shore Road – you’ll see everyone’s bikes parked along the road for this stop too. 

💡 PRO MOM TIP: Save a treat if you need it to motivate your kids up the 200 steps. 

Now ifi you’ve ever googled Mackinac Island, chances are you’ve seen a photo of the iconic Arch Rock taken from the lookout. If getting a good photo is a priority for you – I have a few tips:

If you have littles, have one parent watch the kids while the other snaps the photo. If you have children who are prone to running, climbing – this is a spot where you want to exert caution. Safety over a picture any day. You can also just skip the photo and take in the view. 

If you want to avoid crowds, visit in the morning or late afternoon because during the day, there will most likely be a line to grab a shot of the iconic spot. 

After you’ve taken in the view, you’ll head back down the 200 steps back to your bike. 

Now, this is the part where I want to tell you that the crowds on Lake Shore Road will begin to thin out after Arch Rock. There’s a lot of foot traffic and congestion on Main Street and even on the way out to Arch Rock. But after this point, you’ll find mainly bikes on the road and plenty of places to stop off and enjoy the view without a crowd.

Arch Rock

After Arch Rock, this is the part of the day where we really don’t have plan. We bike, we stop along the way, have snacks, take in the views, bike some more. It’s literally a summer dream to bike along the island. You’ve got beautiful Lake Huron to your right, you have stately historic private residences tucked inside old growth forests. 

British Landing about halfway around the island is a great stop to stretch your legs and visit Cannonball Oasis, a charming burger shack that offers everything from burgers to bbq chicken sandwiches to ice cream. Makes for the perfect halfway point to have a treat. 

My kids love to search for the mile markers along our bike route. We started a tradition in the Nienberg family where every time a kid turned 5 years old, they crushed the 8.2 mile bike ride around the island. 

Now, one of our favorite stops on the back half of the island bike loop is a quirky little cave known as Devil’s Kitchen—and trust me, it’s more than just a spooky name. This weathered limestone formation was carved out by ancient waves from melting glaciers, shaping it over time. The result? A cave that looks oddly like a face with its mouth wide open—some say human, others say… something spookier. Legend has it that eerie tales surround this spot, but whether or not you believe the stories, it’s a fun (and free!) place to stop and snap a pic mid-ride.

Devil’s Kitchen

Our last hurrah before we finish our bike ride and head towards downtown for our well-deserved treat is the Mackinac Island Public School Playground —one of the best FREE things to do on Mackinac Island! Located at the base of the iconic Grand Hotel, this playground has the most spectacular view of the lake and is a great place for little (and big!) ones to climb, run, swing, or just take a breather. 

After the playground, we start making our way back onto Main Street for ice cream! If you are one of the folks who make it all the way around the island on your bikes, you’re definitely deserving of a treat!

Mackinac Island Public Schools Playground

We love popping into one of the fudge shops for fudge and ice cream as a reward for our 8 miles around the island! Ryba’s, Kilwins, Joann’s, Sanders - just to name a few line Main Street and you can’t go wrong with fudge and an ice cream cone from any of the shops!

My favorite ice cream flavor HAS to be Mackinac Island Fudge (when in Rome!), my husband’s is chocolate, and my kids always go for strawberry ice cream. 

Now, at this point, I usually gauge how much our crew has left in the tank. If we’ve got any energy left, Fort Mackinac is another great stop for families. Perched high on the bluffs overlooking the harbor, this historic military outpost dates all the way back to the American Revolution. It’s one of those spots where history feels alive (for adults and children!)

You’ll walk through original buildings, explore exhibits that even kids will love, and if you time it right, you can catch a live cannon firing demonstration (which, let’s be honest, is pretty much a slam dunk with kids of any age). My kids were mesmerized. There’s even a soldier’s barracks you can walk through and old-timey games on the green.

It’s not a free stop—tickets are required—but children under 4 get in free, and you can buy tickets online or at the gate. Between the views, the exhibits, and the chance to stretch your legs after a ride around the island, it’s absolutely worth adding to your Mackinac itinerary.

Fort Mackinac

So final thoughts… Is Mackinac Worth it on a Budget? 

One hundred percent yes.

While Mackinac Island is known for its luxury hotels and expensive fudge shops, there are plenty of free activities to make your visit just as memorable. With a little planning—like bringing your own bike, packing a lunch, and prioritizing time in nature—you can explore Mackinac without breaking the bank.

And if you’re like me, sometimes those simple, unhurried moments—eating a PB&J on a park bench, skipping rocks with your kids, pedaling along a quiet trail—become the memories that stick the most.