Museums, Parks, and Historical Sites

With 12 water slides, a wave pool and lazy river, a children's interactive play area including a dump bucket and water cannon's, and a wide variety of food & beverages, there's something for everyone....even those who just want to sit on the sand beaches and watch!

Explore this 1892 "Castle of the Straits." Costumed guides reveal a restoration in progress, with exhibits, the original Fresnel lens, artifacts and keepers uniforms. Tower tours available. Museum Store. Open daily May 11 to October 11, 2009. Real Mackinac. A Real Blast!

Fun for the Whole Family! In Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula. Only 40 minutes west of the Mackinac Bridge on US-2. See Live black bear, alligator, cougar, bobcat, wolves, wallaby, camel, reindeer, whitetail deer, sika deer, river otter & more. Feed the deer, goats, and llama. Enjoy a walk on cedar mulched trails under mature pine trees in a Natural park-like setting. Visit the zoo Gift Shop filled with wildlife related items for all ages. Open 7 days a week from April 1st until September 30th from 10am until 6pm. Open weekends (Fri. Sat. and Sun.) in March and November from 10am until 5pm.

Exhibits tell the stories of wrecked ships & lives lost on the Great Lakes. Highlights include Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial featuring the ship's bell, 1861 Lightkeepers Quarters, Theater, Museum Store & sweeping views of the Shipwreck Coast.

The historic 1917 Museum Ship VALLEY CAMP with over 100 exhibits, including the huge fresh-water aquariums, the Edmund Fitzgearld lifeboats and memorial.Glimpse into the crew's working conditions as you tour all three levls of this 550 ft lake freighter. Take in the panoramic view from the top of the 210 foot Tower of History. Also featured are local artifacts and a historical video of Sault Ste. Marie. Visit www.towerofhistory.com

USCG ICEBREAKER MACKINAW WAGB-83 "An American Hero Story". "The Queen of the Great Lakes" was built as part of the war effort during World War II to meet the heavy demands of war materials and transportation during the winter months. Decommissioned in 2006, she now resides at her namesake home of Mackinaw City, Michigan, and is open for public tours and group events. Visit the Mess Deck, Engine Room, offices and more and hear the story of the Mackinaw's 62-year career breaking ice on the Great Lakes and serving as a goodwill ambassador throughout the region.

Step into the 1770s at this reconstructed fort and fur-trading outpost. Watch Redcoats fire muskets and cannons, smell bread baking, meet Colonial Villagers. Explore a dozen buildings inside this National Historic Landmark. Museum store. Open daily May 4 to October 11, 2009. Real Mackinac. A Real Blast!

Step into the 1880s at this original Island fort. Rifle and cannon firing demonstrations, music, court martials, tours, 14 buildings. Orientation video. New late summer hours. Museum stores, dining with a view at the Grand Hotel operated Tea Room - now featuring dinners! Open daily May 4 to October 11, 2009. Real Mackinac. A Real Blast! A short walk from the docks on Mackinac Island.

Watch a working, water-powered sawmill cut lumber and hand-sawing demonstrations. New audio visual program in 2006! Nature programs, three miles of scenic trails wind through 625 acres of peaceful forest. Museum Store. Open daily May 4 to October 11, 2009. Real Mackinac. A Real Blast! Just five minutes south of Mackinaw City on U.S. Hwy 23.

Mackinac State Historic Parks - Experience Mackinac's Family Adventure! Explore and enjoy Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City. Open Daily from early May through mid-October.