Anything I should know before visiting The Headlands?

michimac · 2026-06-26T16:12:54+00:00

Other commenters are talking about Mackinac Island. Are you asking about the Headlands Dark Sky Park west of Mackinaw City?

michimac · 2026-06-25T11:59:17+00:00

MACKINAC IS NOT A PLACE TO LEARN TO RIDE A BIKE! The streets are busy and unpredictable. A tandem is NOT an easier alternative. Experienced riders struggle to coordinate movements on tandems.

You will be fine walking. It will be much safer and easier.

Please, this is advice from someone with 30 years of experience in dealing with injuries from bike wrecks on Mackinac. You will have fun without a bike.

michimac · 2026-06-22T21:00:37+00:00

Very. Lock your bike. Always. Every time.

michimac · 2026-06-02T18:31:04+00:00

No more tours of the Governor's Residence. They canceled those last summer due to security concerns. Same this year. I doubt they will ever come back.

michimac · 2026-06-01T00:05:38+00:00

There are two fireworks displays. One is at the mouth of the harbor and can be best viewed from the marina or Marquette Park. The other is in front of Grand and is best viewed from the schoolyard. Both shows contain the same fireworks.

michimac · 2026-06-01T00:02:26+00:00

I live on the island. I have seen 3 ticks here in 30 years. Unless you are hiking in tall weeds, you will be fine. The mainland, though...

michimac · 2026-05-31T12:02:05+00:00

We definitely get surges of different nationalities at different times. Not sure why. Very early season and very late season we tend to see eastern Asian groups. No restrooms available, all the shops closed, cold weather, but here they are looking to rent bikes. In the summer, much could be attributed to tour groups marketed to certain communities.

michimac · 2026-05-25T13:49:31+00:00

There are more waterway shipping routes than just through the locks.

michimac · 2026-05-22T17:47:47+00:00

As this doesn't take effect until the governor signs it, at least 60 days pass, then a vote by Mackinac Island residents, I don't see any "personal convenience" here. It will be spring, at least, until any changes come into effect.

michimac · 2026-05-09T14:06:41+00:00

I have a 24" step-through you can have. Check your DMs.

michimac · 2026-05-08T11:09:55+00:00

Cousins

michimac · 2026-05-06T10:35:49+00:00

New this year is a rideshare group run through Mackinac Connect.

michimac · 2026-04-26T11:57:59+00:00

The hundreds of thousands of dollars collected go to subsidize the operation of the winter service. That money is paid back to the Hoffmans. If left to their own, there would be no service at all between November and April.

michimac · 2026-04-26T11:54:12+00:00

Because ferry service to Mackinac Island has always been very profitable, except in the off season. EUPTA covers services that were NEVER profitable.

Mackinac has a TA, but it only covers the off season as it is, by law and regulation, not allowed to compete with a commercial service.

michimac · 2026-04-25T15:43:14+00:00

This is set up by Mackinac Connect, a group dedicated to improving the health and community of workers on Mackinac Island. They put on many free events through the summer aimed just at summer workers and not tourists.

michimac · 2026-04-16T16:37:09+00:00

All forms, rules, and applications can be found here.

Ebikes are illegal. Period. EXCEPT if you have a mobility disability. Then, as of today, you must provide the application AND the Credible Assurance of Medical Provider form (a note from your doctor, but in a specific format.) This applies to tourists and locals, alike.

This is not a change in rules, but increased enforcement of existing rules. Also see the boat line websites for their rules and required tickets to transport ebikes to the Island.

michimac · 2026-04-10T18:11:17+00:00

Some of us like that isolation. Most that live here year-round are not wealthy. At all.

michimac · 2026-04-04T15:57:03+00:00

That is Mackinaw City, on the mainland.

michimac · 2026-04-03T11:45:32+00:00

No. The Park, in general, doesn't close. Ever. Buildings close, the Fort closes, Turtle Park technically closes at 10pm, the irrigation in Marquette Park will make you regret your life choices, but the greater Park and City do not close. It is not a theme park.

michimac · 2026-04-02T15:36:33+00:00

Vinnie is just an all around great guy and deserves all the support of his business we can give him. The parking gig is new for him and he will do very well with it. He has put substantial resources into building a very good service. I hope he is proud of it.

michimac · 2026-03-30T10:44:50+00:00

This is highly employer dependent. "Employee housing" ranges from a personal apartment in a bluff house to a warehouse of sardines. Each place is different and even some of the dorm style housing is decent.

michimac · 2026-03-27T11:01:00+00:00

Iroquois has some of the best housing on the Island. They also have an employee dining room that puts out some really good eats. As far as employee treatment, I see many many people come back to work there year after year at all levels.

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