Mackinac Island (Michigan, Lake Huron)

Mackinac Island is a well known island resort destination in in Lake Huron (Michigan USA). The island covers a land area of approx 10 km2 (4 ml2). The island is located at the eastern end of Straits of Mackinac, between state Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas. Its population is around 500, with daily visitors reaching up to 15,000 per day during peak summer season. Fort Holmes is the island's highest elevation point (271 m / 890 ft).

In 2022, Viking Cruises USA (via the brand Viking Expeditions) debuted the company's Great Lakes seasonal program. The ship deployment is for one-way itineraries (between homeports Toronto, Thunder Bay and Milwaukee) and includes regular visits to ports and destinations in Canada's Ontario state (Thunder Bay, Toronto, Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee NP) and the USA's Minnesota-Michigan-Wisconsin states (Detroit MI, Alpena MI, Mackinac Island/anchorage, Apostle Islands MI, Houghton MI, Traverse City MI, Milwaukee WI on Lake Michigan, Duluth MN).

All Viking Great Lakes cruises feature passing through Soo Locks at Sault Ste Marie (Lake Superior - Lake Huron transition). The 8-day voyages are themed "Niagara and the Great Lakes" (from Toronto to Milwaukee), "Undiscovered Great Lakes" (from Thunder Bay to Milwaukee) and "Great Lakes Explorer" (from Milwaukee to Thunder Bay).

Mackinac was home to Odawa settlement before the beginning of European exploration in the 17th century. Mackinac served as a strategic center of commerce of Great Lakes fur trade which led to the founding of Fort Mackinac on the isle by the British during American Revolutionary War. During the War of 1812 it was the site of two battles.

During the 19th century, Mackinac Island quickly turned into a popular summer colony and tourist attraction. Much of the island underwent extensive historical restoration which resulted in the entire island being listed as National Historic Landmark. Mackinac Island is well known for its wealth of cultural events and the wide variety of architectural styles, such as the Victorian Grand Hotel and the ban on nearly all motor vehicles. More than 80% of Mackinac is preserved as the Mackinac Island State Park.

The island can be reached by ferry, private boat, small aircraft, and during winter months, by snowmobile over the ice bridge. The airport features a 1,070-meter (3,500-foot) paved runway. Daily charter air service from mainland is available. During the summer season, ferry service is offered by Arnold Transit Company, Star Line Ferry and  Shepler's Ferry to shuttle visitors to the isle from Mackinaw City and St Ignace.

Since 1898 motorized vehicles have been prohibited on Mackinac Island, with the exception of emergency vehicles, service vehicles and snowmobiles during winter. Travel on Mackinac is either by foot, bicycle, horse-drawn carriage. Roller blades and roller skates are also allowed, except in downtown area.

Mackinac Island cruise terminal