Top Mackinaw City Full-Day Tours: Reviews & Recommendations

Mackinaw City, sitting pretty where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron shake hands, is just, like, this prime jumping-off spot for exploring Northern Michigan. More or less, it gives you that old-timey vacation vibe mixed with a bunch of things to do. You might be into history, be looking to soak up some pure Michigan scenery, or very, very keen to sample the local fudge (seriously, it’s a thing), Mackinaw City’s got full-day tours that, honestly, pretty much have something for everybody.

We’ve done a fair bit of digging and checking out various tours, and, at the end of the day, we’ve compiled a list of what are, to be honest, some of the best Mackinaw City full-day tours out there. That is why, if you’re in the early stages of trip planning or, in other words, you’re just hoping to make the most of your vacation, you’re going to want to keep reading, alright?

1. Mackinac Island Grand Hotel & Historical Tour

A visit to Mackinac Island might be just what the doctor ordered. That’s where the famous Grand Hotel comes into the picture. A lot of these full-day tours start with a ferry trip, that is to say, a scenic ride across the Straits of Mackinac. Now, it’s a really short ride with fantastic views.

Once you get to Mackinac Island, you might have the chance to explore the island’s car-free roads by bike or even a horse-drawn carriage which might be just the thing you’re looking for, alright? I mean, like, could be it get any more picturesque than this?

And of course, the centerpiece could be your visit to the Grand Hotel, a historical gem. In short, you will find out, at the end of the day, its story while wandering its beautiful gardens. The tour typically comes with lunch either at the hotel or a charming local eatery, honestly, keeping you fueled up for a day of adventure. At the end of the day, what more can one expect?

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Read our full review: Mackinac Island Grand Hotel Full Review and Details

2. Lighthouse Cruise & Maritime History Tour

For the ones, you know, just a little interested in maritime history and scenery, in a way, this lighthouse cruise and maritime history tour, basically, is just going to be perfect. Tours usually take you past a number of, literally, truly beautiful lighthouses around the Straits of Mackinac.

The tour guides, obviously, always tell engaging stories about the history of the lighthouses, you see, also they talk about the maritime lore of the Great Lakes. On top of spotting amazing views of the Mackinac Bridge from the water which, again, might just give you the views that you’re looking for.

Many of these tours include a visit to Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, that’s where they’re able to go into the lighthouse, okay, and discover its, you know, purpose for marine transport. If you happen to be a, let’s say, photography buff or just, sort of, love those nice, stunning views, you should just, okay, take this one seriously. It’s honestly hard to miss. That said, maybe try checking out some lighthouses by land, too.

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Read our full review: Lighthouse Cruise Mackinaw City Full Review and Details

3. Colonial Michilimackinac & Historic Mill Creek Tour

History fans are in for a, like, literal treat with a full-day tour featuring Colonial Michilimackinac and Historic Mill Creek. Colonial Michilimackinac gives you a chance to walk through a very accurate 18th-century fort and fur trading village.

With costumed interpreters showing you day-to-day life back then, now, it really feels as if, in short, that you’re going back in time. After the visit to the fort, tours usually continue to Historic Mill Creek, okay, which features one of the, like, oldest industrial sites in the region which, as a matter of fact, has a working water-powered sawmill.

Demonstrations, at the end of the day, pretty much show you just how, literally, important the site has been, you know, to early settlement efforts. These sites often feature walking trails that, for instance, go through some local forests, or the natural setting might just keep the nature-lovers interested, you know, as well. These spots will fill your entire day so maybe it’s just worth the day to you.

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Read our full review: Colonial Michilimackinac Full Review and Details

4. Wilderness & Wildlife Exploration Tour

If the wildlife and Michigan wilderness are what get you all giddy, then, you know, you should consider a tour dedicated to them. The tour would give you a glimpse of wildlife and scenic, you know, hotspots in Northern Michigan, such as the Sturgeon River Valley which, to be honest, it truly delivers with stunning natural settings, as a matter of fact.

The route you would, in essence, take is often brimming with animals such as deer, foxes, and birds which, you know, might come out, especially at dawn and dusk. This tour would let you into what makes up the, sort of, core beauty of Michigan’s natural spaces.

Some tours, frankly, are, honestly, led by local guides who might, basically, give you a great rundown on native wildlife, at the end of the day. The tour also has a pretty strong impact on the area. Remember, the best time to visit can play a pretty massive role, as well.

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Read our full review: Wilderness Wildlife Exploration Michigan Full Review and Details

5. Dark Sky Park Stargazing Tour

The Headlands International Dark Sky Park might just leave you staring upward, in fact. You see, at night this place, you know, comes alive, not because of people or, you know, noises, but it shows the stars which are very beautiful and amazing because, frankly, there’s literally very, very little light pollution.

Some nighttime, almost, stargazing tours might include really powerful telescopes and guides, the one thing is they show and tell you all there might be to know, sort of, about planets and stars as you explore what’s way above you. So, too it’s almost perfect.

Make certain the evening of your tour is free from cloud cover so you will see the maximum celestial displays, I would consider checking out their local tourism guide to ensure, frankly, a very pleasurable visit. Be sure to consider other local gems, too.

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Read our full review: Dark Sky Park Michigan Full Review and Details