My son loves history and was looking forward to this more than any of the adults and if he hadn't wanted to go we probably would have skipped it. SO glad we didn't. We spent 2.5 hours here looking at exhibits and learning to fire a musket. Knowledgeable, friendly staff who seem to really like what they are doing. Beautiful fort. Not original (that was burned down when they moved to the island). Interesting exhibits and artifacts. Not sure I would go again, but I am glad I went. read more

Colonial Michilimackinac - Around the perimeter - Museums Near Me - Mackinaw City, Michigan

See all

We enjoyed it. We arrived late morning in mid-June. The wind was calm and the temps were in the high 60s/low-70s. We toured the indoor area, then stepped outside and started out walk to the Fort. There were several things to see on the walk between the park and the lakeshore. Once we reached the fort, we visited all the buildings and exhibits, in the order suggested by the site map. Through the displays and the short movies, we learned a lot about the pre-colonial and colonial history of the upper midwest. For the cost ($15.25 per adult), it's a great way to spend several hours, learn quite a bit and do so at a low cost. read more

See all

Very scenic, Beautiful beach with lots of places to swing by and learn more about the area stopped by on my way bk home and enjoyed my time here read more

See all

Stumbled upon Colonial Michilimackinac after spotting it from the bridge and stopped to check it out after afternoon plans fell through. Quite frankly, this was so great. It was super educational, easily walkable, and highly informative, as well as beautiful location. With period actors who spoke with you and taught you everything from history of both the fort and area, as well as other things like daily lives of various persons of the area, and the current status of excavation and the oldest active archeological site in the states. Overall, Fort Michilimackinac did not disappoint at all, and is a must of all ages if you're interested in learning more about the area, as well as getting away from all the touristy stuff. read more

See all

This fort is part of Michilimackinac State Park. From the fort you get a beautiful view of Mackinac Bridge and Lake Michigan. We did not get an opportunity to explore the inside of Colonial Michilimackinac. Hopefully, we will next time we go to Mackinac Island. We just took some nice family photos which included some with the fort in the background. From reading the other reviews, it is worth the price of admission. read more

I have driven past / over Colonial Michilimackinac while transiting the Mackinac Bridge dozens of times. Today I stopped and I am glas I did. Everything was closed for the winter except the beach, so I walked the beach and took some pictures. I am really glas I stopped and I'll be back when it gets a little warmer and they are open for business. read more

See all

Nice recreation of the fort, as far as I can tell from old maps. We went there because of my interest in Robert Rogers, who was commandant of the fort briefly. I would rate this place a 5 but for one of the dressed-in-costume so-called guides who, when asked about Rogers, said "We represent the fort in the 1770s, after Rogers was gone. Rogers was court-martialed in Montreal, found innocent, and went to England and died a pauper." "So you are saying he wasn't involved at all in the Revolution?" "No, he was gone long before then." "You may want to restudy that." "I'm an expert on the matter. He was not involved in the Revolution." Nathan Hale might say otherwise. RR was instrumental in his capture. Read about Rogers in the excellent book "War on the Run" by John Ross. But the young woman who gave the noontime (9/17/23) presentation on food at the fort was excellent, as was the young woman outside the fort explaining the history of the Native Americans there. read more

Colonial Michilimackinac - View from the shore just outside the Fort. - Museums Near Me - Mackinaw City, Michigan

See all

When we went there, it's almost 5pm, so the museum is closed. But we got chance to walk beside the lake, and the bridge is just above you. So beautiful and breathtaking. Worth the walk. People are friendly too. read more

See all

Great visit and a ton of information about the history of the area. Especially the Native American people and their influence even to this day. Very enjoyable and informative. I consider this a don't miss this to do in the area. read more

Came here just before close on a Saturday so we didn't get to experience a lot of the interactive stuff that goes on earlier in the day but really enjoyed it none the less. It's a recreation of an 18th-century fort and fur trading village and rebuilt through maps/documents and +50 years of archaeological excavations (including some that are still ongoing--we saw a dig site!). Lots of history to be found here from living quarters, a church, the fort old well, cooking reenactments (they bake A LOT of bread in the outdoor fort bread oven), working gardens, cannon and musket demos, and more. Also lots of neat artifacts to look at and learn from. Also staff is SUPER nice. From the costumed folks in the fort to the ticket counter gals. Dog friendly and didn't bat an eye when we brought him up to the ticket counter. We still had to pay full price an hour before close but our ticket was also good for entry the next day. We didn't make it back there but I still thought it was a nice offer. read more

See all

A fascinating look at this authentically restored fort from the American Revolution. Short movies play in some of the compound buildings, and others have costumed re-enactors telling stories about life in the 1700's. A live musket loading demonstration is held periodically on the grounds. Some of the buildings have underground displays so don't forget to take the stairs down. Excavations are ongoing for artifacts, and there were archeologists sifting through ruins when we were there. Admission is $18 for those over 12. Several options for family memberships were available. Those annual memberships include admission to the Old Mackinac Lighthouse and Mill Creek Park, along with discounted tickets for family members. Great photo opportunity with the Mackinac bridge! read more

Much more than I expected. Good exposure to the history of the Mackinac area. Thoughtful and accurate setting and activities.

I've been to the fort many times before and each time, it's just as entertaining. The views of the bridge and Lake Michigan are great. All of the buildings are like a self guided museum, but they are all very informative and entertaining. There are a few employees dressed in period clothing that also offer some insights into the history of the fort. The gardens are beautiful and there's an active archeological site that you're able to see and ask questions about. read more

The fort was incredible. Our 9 & 12 year old loved it too. There's too much to share in this review, but the staff are historically dressed and knowledgeable, there are archaeologists at work, the recreated buildings are ripe for exploring and the chickens are real. read more

You made it! So get out and stretch your legs - you will be glad you did. Restrooms and a visitor center are onsite as well as some history on one of the oldest ongoing archeological projects. There are 14 original buildings on site as well. Pretty cool place!! read more

Colonial Michilimackinac - Museums Near Me - Mackinaw City, Michigan

This must be one of the best tourist attractions in Mackinaw City. It's an old fort and there's plenty to see and it's in good shape. They have a guided tour related to the food they ate at the fort and a demo and a long talk about the uniforms and the muskots they use and they also shoot with the muskot a couple of times. They also have cannons and other things to see. It looks like they also shoot the cannons sometimes but they didn't at the specific timeslot while we were there. They have plenty of restrooms and they also have a playground nearby the fort. The store you have to go through to be able to enter the fort area have a lot of interesting books and souvenirs. If you plan to go to any other national parks nearby, you may want to get the $75 pass. read more

We had an amazing time visiting this site. Admission was only $12.50, and we were able to view the entire fort area; along with a show that started at noon. It also provides you with a cool view of the lake :) read more

It took us six visits to Mackinaw City to finally visit Colonial Michilimackinac. We always arrived too late to tour the fort, but we made it in recently, on a fall visit. Absolutely incredible! The reconstruction is much more ambitious than we expected; we thought it would be like the fort on Mackinac Island, which we also love, but Michilimackinac is so much more. The structures--so many of them--are beautifully built, and the ongoing archeology of the fort is fascinating. Even with just a few visitors during our time there, the re-enactors were lively; they are very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Be sure to allow time for that great gift shop under the bridge after your visit; we have managed to find time for that shop over the past several years, and it is by far our favorite in the whole area. read more

While visiting (I live in Augusta, GA) my home town in Northeast Michigan (Harrisville), my Grandmother and I decided to bring my 9 year old twin daughters here for a visit (I came as a child, about 20+ years ago). Let me tell you, we had the absolute best time! My daughters do not have a long attention span (let's be honest, how many 9 year olds do?). We watched a semi-lengthy movie (which was really interesting, to me) about the history of the fort, at the beginning of our visit and while we were exploring the remainder of the fort, we came across the home/room that was described in the movie we had seen in the movie. Neither my grandmother nor myself realized it was from the movie, but my kids did and it made me really happy to know that they actually paid attention and got something out of our visit. The artifacts were all extremely interesting as well, we could've stayed there for hours looking at everything, but we only had 2 hours to explore, and we used the entire 2 hours (I think we were the last people out). There was also a woman who explained the clothing attire worn in that era and she was very, very sweet and very informative. She answered any questions myself and the other guests had for her. She also stated that she was in the process of making her own piece of the outfit that helped with posture and what not, which I thought was really neat, you could tell she was dedicated to her job. Just an all around, really great visit. Very informative and interesting for all ages. Such wonderful staff and a very, very clean establishment. Will return again. read more

The area is covered with goose poop. Not much fin walking when you have to keep looking down.

Great place to learn about life in a foot in the 1770s. Staff at the front desk was very friendly and willing to help. Staff at the fort was great, except one lady at one of the rowhouses. Our little kids started asking her questions and she seemed to be annoyed by the fact that they didn't read the map not saw the movie at the entrance of the park. As a Hispanic, I couldn't help to notice that she changed to nicer as soon as more --white-- people entered the room. All in all, a great place to visit. read more

We visited on the 4th of July! Great watching the artillery demonstration! Folks were so friendly and did a great job engaging my boys! Was surprised at how much was hands on! The display underground was like a hidden gem...very informative! read more

Came here with my parents (My dad and I are history lovers, my mom not so much and got bored after a little bit) the place blew my expectations out of the water!!! As soon as you walk into the wooden gates you are truly taking a step back in time. You could spend a few hours or all day. The Reenactors were wonderful, and full of interesting facts. In the basement of one of the buildings they have tons of artifacts they have found during their excavations. This place really is a must for people who love history! read more

Colonial Michilimackinac - Museums Near Me - Mackinaw City, Michigan

See all

Really enjoyed this place. Some cool demonstrations and re-enactments. I also thought that it was cool that this is still an active archeaological dig site. Great interactive experience and also some pretty good views of the bridge and the straits. read more

Great stop for a history lesson in MI. Demonstrations and reenactments add to the appeal of this historic hot spot. It is quite busy but stay for the cannon firing. You will be glad you did. A lot of hands-on sites as well as the archeaologicists still actively digging up more history. A tad on the pricey side for admission but the gift shop does have a lot of great goodies to remember your visit. Bring a camera- you are gonna need it. read more

The actors were fret and really into their roles! The cannon testing was fun! The child in our group enjoyed learning about kids games in those days! The digging site was amazing and we loved talking to their crew! Worth the money ! They also offered a free wheelchair for a person in our group who has a mobility issue and the give a discount for elderly and disabled cause a few sites aren't available to them so I thought that was very nice! The gift shop was fun and all the staff were great! read more

To learn about the pre-colonial and colonial history of this area and the importance of the fur trade there is no better source than this Fort. The historical exhibits and the folks who provide information about the history and do the re-enactments are wonderful, well informed and enjoyable to visit with. The canon firing was really fun! read more

I came on a Monday before it got really crazy busy (5/24/16) which was perfect. I came w my mom and 7 year old son who was having quite a crabby day ugh :/ but when we got in the fort all of us were very surprised at how much fun we were having including my cranky kid lol :) very interactive and kid friendly awesome exhibits. The best part of it was the people that worked there unbelievably educated not a question they didn't know. Very kind and sweet people they completely make the experience so worth it!! :) read more