If you're coming from the lower peninsula of Michigan, you're probably crossing the Mackinac…read morebridge. Right as you return to terra firma and pay the toll, there's a right turn you can make into the Welcome Center. There's a spacious parking lot, with a dog run and two trails. The two trails flank the dog run, with the North Country trail running north and one from Straits State Park on the other side. The visitor center itself has bathrooms with multiple stalls, a water fountain, and a lobby jam-packed with maps, pamphlets, displays, and more. There's a worker at the desk who also can dispense advice on what to do, where to eat, and more. It is a very welcoming welcome center, with bright natural lighting and climate control. It's worth a stop by to stretch your legs and take a look!

"Don't know much about history But I do know that I love you…read moreAnd I know that if you love me too What a wonderful world this would be" (Sam Cooke) If local history is your thing, you'll surely love the wonderful world that awaits you at the Museum of Ojibwa Culture. For example, you can stroll around in scenic Father Marquette Park with displays about his life. On the Museum grounds is the site where Marquette's French Jesuit Mission was located, where he lived, and where he was buried. Marquette established the French mission around 1671 as the area became a center of the flourishing fur trade. The old St. Ignace Mission is beautiful. Around the grounds, I saw plenty of displays of the area's Indian heritage, stylized statues of a Medicine Man, Indian Maiden, and several stuffed animal displays alongside plaques of the animal's Indian name. So if you're ever engaged in a bar bet about the Ojibwe name for a deer, you can confidently say "Wawashesh'she". There's also plenty of indoor and outdoor exhibits to grab a glimpse of Ojibwa culture and the lifestyles of the Huron Indians. Walking the Museum's beautiful grounds was relaxing, peaceful, and very educational.

One of the best museums I've ever been in! Don't be fooled by its size; the content is well…read moredisplayed with explanations that take time to read but make the exhibits much more meaningful. Gift shop is Native American based, not cheap knick knacks. Don't know how this museum is able to be open with no admission, so please be sure to donate generously.

Two close friends were married here, what a great little place…read more If there is not a service going on take a look inside this 100+ year old church on your way around the Island. Certainly worth the few minutes to poke your head in.

gorgeous old church very close to the Grand hotel. We were there on a Sunday afternoon and the…read morechurch was open so we stopped by and took a quick peak. It was such a cute church.

The Mackinac Bridge crosses 5 miles over the Straits of Mackinac. Its exposed span means it…read moresometimes closes due to extreme weather. I drove across the bridge, through the four dollar toll and asked the tow collector where to Best see the bridge. She said that there is a park along the water and I followed the signs for the park. Our ferry right to Mackinac Island brought us under the bridge.

This is my third time on the bridge. It's been a smooth ride every time. I have friends that are…read moreafraid of it because of bad experiences they've had when it was windy. Thankfully, I haven't dealt with those conditions.

If you are reading this, then I recommend you take another 5-10 minutes and read some history on…read morethe building of the bridge. It is one of the prime examples of engineering in the world. My family related stories of waiting for hours for a ferry (a long time ago) as kids to cross into the U.P. and I can't imagine the bridge not being there. On a recent trip (with me and the kids, my wife refuses to cross it...seriously) there was a wind warning and high profile vehicles are speed limited. It is a bit unnerving when the wind was blowing in October. Can only imagine crossing in winter. $4 toll to cross in a standard vehicle. Next time across I plan to pay it forward for the vehicle behind me. A landmark by itself.

This is the organization responsible for maintaining the famous Mackinac Bridge that connects…read moreMichigan's Upper Peninsula with the Lower Peninsula and goes over the narrows between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It is entirely within the state of Michigan. The bridge was opened in 1957 and replaces a ferry service that in its last year of operation, transported 900,000 vehicles. That's A LOT of vehicles! In order to fund the bridge, there were bonds. They were paid off by tolls and maintenance of the bridge continues to be funded by tolls. For my van - rated as a passenger vehicle - the toll is $4. They do not have reciprocal agreements with any of the toll transponder organizations, so if you don't have their own "Mac Pass" transponder, it is $4 cash or credit card (not AmEx). Interesting fact: The pronunciation is not "-ACK" it is "-AW". [Review 17931 overall - 334 in Michigan - 1452 of 2022.]

I was trying to figure out where Lehto's Pasties was and the Yelp map was wrong so I stopped in…read morehere to get help finding them. Since Lehtos isn't a member of the Chamber of Commerce the lady didn't have much info on them except to say they were about 5 miles out of town on the south shore road going west (my words, not hers). No info on phone #, whether they would be open in an area where many businesses close for the season, etc. I had already tried to call the number but only got a machine. I thanked the lady, who also recommended Bessie's Pasties nearby if I should not end up at Lehto's, and set out on my Pastyquest.

We were so happy we stopped in here. If you're visiting St. Ignace, be sure to stop in here first…read morething when you roll into town. They had SO many flyers and information about what is going on around town. The woman who helped us was a wealth of information and very friendly. We bought a Chamber Money Bag, which was well worth the $15 we paid for it. Used a variety of coupons from it. They post a sign of their summer events there too including music on the pier, which we went to and enjoyed.

This museum is impressive. It is free, the lay out makes sense...and the items they have collected…read moreare really something. The proprietors are gracious people. This little place is worth your time. I love museums and this place had things I had never even seen, save but in a picture.

Fort de Baude Museum is a really cool place to check out when in St. Ignace. It sits in the middle…read moreof the downtown strip along State Street and could easily be overlooked when just passing by. Just look for the flags hanging off the side of the building over the walkway. One of the flags is the tribal flag of the four sacred directions, can't miss it. Once inside you are treated to a free tour of the local history complete with relics and maps. Even though it never changes we still go back every year and look at the same stuff again just because it is so interesting.

Did you say you can camp on the Straits and see the bridge? There is a room to walk on some sand or…read moreeven play in the water if that is your adventure. The campground is nicely maintained, everyone was respectful of the quiet hours except the seagulls Seriously, those little buggers has plenty to say each morning at 6 am. Bring ear plugs if you want to not get the morning bird call wake up. Friendly staff and the check in process was the fastest I've ever experienced at a State Park. Great job and that was such a pleasant surprise!

Great spot - stayed one night on our way thru. Pull thru site, didn't even have to unhook camper…read more Hiking trails in park taking you to beach with beautiful view of the bridge.

It's a tourist attraction. kids under 15 will love it. Adults will pull out their phones and take…read morepictures. Plan an hour outside the car, which is worth the cost of the tour. There's also zip lines, mini-golf, a maze, ice cream and of course a gift shop.

Dylan was awesome. It was busy here last time I came so I didn't get the "Dylan" experience! How…read morecool. I'm a woodworker so this place is neat! The gift shop has unique items like hand thrown coffee mugs and all kinds of stuff! Come check it out! Definitely not 3.4 stars theyre a 5!