For more than 20 years, I have been leading elementary school field trips "Up North" over the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinac Island. Thousands of young people and their parents have enjoyed the unique magic of the Island and returned with special Mackinac memories. Here’s how a typical trip unfolds:  
  • Checking into one of the many charming Mackinac Island places to stay such as the Inn on Mackinac or the Murray Hotel creates a buzz of excitement as we realize our home for the next two days will be a beautiful hotel and that we’re on one of the most unique islands on Earth. There are no cars on Mackinac Island, just horses and bicycles. There is no traffic noise – only the gulls, boat horns and horse's hooves clomping on the pavement.
       
  • The tour buses are waiting after another smooth crossing of the Straits. Loaded up, we are on to explore local history at mainland attractions of Mackinac State Historic Parks.
 
  • Back in Mackinaw City, we say goodbye to Fort Michilimackinac on our right, Mackinac Island on our left, and the Mackinac Bridge behind us. Then, we embark on a safe trip home full of Mackinac Island memories and anticipation for our next trip “Up North.”
(Tom Byrum has escorted or helped arrange Mackinac Island visits by more than 2,500 young people and chaperones over the past few decades. He is a retired educator. This post originally was published in July 2017.) Did you know there's a school on Mackinac Island? A family of five walks along a shaded path on Michigan's Mackinac Island

Taking A Family Field Trip To Mackinac Island

While many students visit Mackinac Island on a school field trip, family vacations to the USA's Best Summer Travel Destination can be both entertaining and educational, too. Mackinac Island not only is full of fascinating historical sites including forts, a battlefield and some of the oldest houses and churches in Michigan, it's also a great place to immerse yourself and your children in the wonders of nature. There also are art galleries galore, oodles of outdoor recreational opportunities and exposure to Mackinac Island workers, guests and foods from all over the world. Classic family activities where you have fun and learn at the same time include going on a horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island, riding bicycles all the way around Mackinac Island, exploring Fort Mackinac, visiting one of Mackinac Island's two butterfly houses, playing on the playground in Marquette Park, skipping stones into the water at any of several Mackinac Island beaches and, of course, sampling world-famous Mackinac Island fudge. Family Travel to Mackinac Island: A Field Trip For All Ages RELATED MACKINAC ISLAND BLOGS: