Mackinac Island

Fancy a trip back in time? Read all the Outlander Series and craving more? Follow me, I have a treat for you!

Step onto Mackinac Island and you’ll find yourself smack dab in the middle of the 1800s. How’s that for time travel?

This island just off the coast of Michigan has made a conscious effort to avoid modernisation and keep itself frozen in time. With cars having never even made it onto the island because of a ban, most of the residents own horses or at the very least a bike to help them get around. While some buildings are more recent, those along the main roads and of course the Grand Hotel have been around since the 1800s. The fort has been there even longer!

It’s been a long time since I’ve set foot there, but I definitely remember a few things that endeared the place to most visitors; the way it’s name is spelled and said for one. Although it’s spelled Mackinac, it’s pronounced Mahk-in-AWE. Why? No idea, though I’m sure someone on the island’s many historical tours and features will be able to give you an answer, or at least a theory. Another quaintness is the quiet. Motor vehicles were banned because of the noise they caused, and despite the crowds, the island is still quieter for the lack of cars.

The crowds are another thing I remember. It wasn’t too bad, but the island is only open in the summer so if you’re planning a trip, don’t expect to access the island during the winter. I don’t even think the ferry runs during those months due to the ice.

There are also three things that one must experience when visiting the island. The first is Fort Mackinac. You’ll find people in costumes there, re-enacting the fort’s life around the time of the American Civil War. The actors are all very friendly, and perfectly willing to chat and share stories about the history of the fort. If you arrive at just the right time you’ll see a historical rifle firing demonstration and, if memory serves me, they have a daily cannon demonstration as well.

The second thing you should see is the Grand Hotel.

It’s grand by my standards, even after seeing Versailles, Nymphenberg, and Buckingham!

It’s been used in various films, including one that is very near and dear to my family’s heart, Somewhere in Time. Mom and Dad love that movie and listen to the soundtrack all the time. I only watched the film in my twenties, but by the time I was nine I could identify the music when I heard it. The only issue with the Grand Hotel is that the prices for a room can make you gasp and clutch at your pearls. If you can afford it, great, stay a night or two. If not, it’s still worth stopping in to have a look around, maybe have lunch or tea on the porch, and just enjoy the atmosphere of the place.

The third is something you should taste rather than see. Salt Water Taffee! Among many other treats, I’ll be honest. The main street is lined with stores that sell all sorts of goodies, but the taffee is just one of those things that goes with the island. Don’t leave without trying some!

You’ll want to book well in advance if you want to visit for the evening, as space on the island is limited, but otherwise, this is a place of retreat and relaxation. Have fun, take a stroll, and enjoy your trip back in time.