The cannon blasts from Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac. Horses clip-clop through the streets pulling carriages of visitors as they enjoy a horse-drawn tour of Mackinac Island. And the Mackinac Island ferry boats arrive with enthusiastic guests ready to explore.
There’s a hum out on the Mackinac Island streets as businesses open for the new season!
With a tourism season of May-October, most storefronts are closed 6 months out of the year. And while Mackinac Island businesses are resting and prepping for the upcoming season, the end of April arrives with a flurry of excitement as Mackinac Island comes alive.
Each business is a little different for the dates they open but generally, most businesses on Mackinac Island open the beginning of May.
We asked our Mackinac Island businesses to send us their first customer or guest of the year so you could experience Mackinac Island opening for the season as well!
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours welcomed visitors for the first horse-drawn carriage tours of the year. Public carriage tours are about 1.5 hours and visit highlights of Mackinac Island including stops at Surrey Hill, Arch Rock, and Fort Mackinac.
- 7 sights to see on a horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island
- Things to see and do at Mackinac Island’s Surrey Hill
- Arch Rock and other ‘supernatural’ sights to see in Mackinac Island State Park
- Things to do at Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac
Mackinac Island’s Cloghaun B&B welcomed their first guests of the 2022 season! Did you know there are 13 B&B’s and 39 different places to stay on Mackinac Island? From quaint Mackinac Island bed and breakfasts and historical cottages to modern hotels and full-service resorts, we have a variety of options for ever traveler!
- Places to stay on Mackinac Island: Cloghaun B&B
- Mackinac Island B&Bs: A quaint and personal experience
- Choosing where to stay on Mackinac Island: B&Bs, condos, cottages and homes, hotels or resorts
- Cottage and condo rentals on Mackinac Island
Fort Mackinac fired the first cannon of the season. Fort Mackinac is a Revolutionary-era fort and features 14 original buildings, daily rifle demonstrations, and expansive views of the Straits of Mackinac.
When you visit Fort Mackinac, be sure to add the rest of the Mackinac State Historic Parks attractions including the Biddle House and Mackinac Island Native American Museum, Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Museum, American Fur Co. Store, and the McGulpin House to your list as they are included in the ticket price.
- Things to do at Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac
- Things to do on Mackinac Island for history buffs
- A bit of background on the Biddles of Mackinac Island
- Mackinac Island field trip: 5 places for interactive history lessons
Mackinac Island’s Mission Point Resort opened the doors to their first guests visiting from Ohio! Mission Point Resort is excited to highlight a new menu at their restaurants from Executive Chef John Clements. On the sunrise side of Mackinac Island you’ll find putt-putt golf, bike rentals, a salon & spa, boutiques, and much more!
- Wine, sunglasses and Adirondack chairs: Relaxing on Mackinac Island
- Golf courses on Mackinac Island
- How much does it cost to rent bikes on Mackinac Island?
Mackinac Wellness served their first Island customers! As an exclusive concierge spa service, Mackinac Wellness services their clients at The Mackinac House. They provide IV therapies and IV drip hydration on Mackinac Island.
Mackinac Wellness is a new business on the Island. Check out this blog post for all the new Mackinac Island businesses in 2022.
The cold weather didn’t stop these gals from purchasing the first pair of Birks from Mackinac Birkenstock. They picked up the new, limited edition Kay Floral Mint Birks!
Mackinac Birkenstock has been on Mackinac Island since 1999 and sells the Birkenstock footwear and Chaco outdoor sandals. Located in the Lilac Tree Mall on Main Street, Mackinac Birkenstock is the place to get your Mackinac Island footwear!
- The Ultimate Mackinac Island Shopping Guide
- What one-of-a-kind shops on Mackinac Island have in common
Kilwins Mackinac Island got a thumbs-up approval from their first customer of the season. Kilwins is one of 7 fudge shops on Mackinac Island and features hand-crafted Caramel Corn & Brittle, freshly-made Waffle Cones, Caramel Apples, Chocolate-Dipped Confections, and of course a variety of flavors of world-famous Mackinac Island fudge.
- How to get free fudge on Mackinac Island
- How Mackinac Island became fudge capital of the world
- Order world-famous Mackinac Island fudge online
A line of customers waited in anticipation for Mackinac Island’s Lucky Bean Coffeehouse to open their doors for the season. When you walk down historic Market Street, the fragrant smells from Lucky Bean might stop you in your tracks! Enjoy fresh brewed, hand selected single-origin coffees, pastries, and season drinks during limited times.
A coffee fanatic’s guide to Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s stately Grand Hotel warmly welcomed guests arriving early in the day for their weekend stay. Adding to the spectacular Esther Williams swimming pool, Grand Hotel in 2022 opened the new Woodlands Activity Center on Mackinac Island including a pickleball court, bicycle course, bike rentals, 18-hole miniature golf course, and greenhouse!
- 11 reasons to spend the night on Mackinac Island
- How many nights should you stay on Mackinac Island?
- Swimming pools on Mackinac Island
- What is the Grand Hotel dress code on Mackinac Island?
The Island Bookstore on Mackinac Island opened their doors for their first customer and a day early at that! Local teacher and fudge-maker, Heather, received the VIP experience from The Island Bookstore crew.
The Island Bookstore has 2 locations, one in the Lilac Tree Mall and the other on Main Street, and offers a variety of Mackinac Island themed books, books from local authors, as well as cards, stickers, and other items.
Where to read a good book on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s Pancake House opened bright and early for their first day. A part of Mackinac Island since 1963, Pancake House serves up eggs, pancakes, French toast, and more, daily!
