Mackinac Island Carriage Tours

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Take off on a relaxing horse-drawn carriage tour for the perfect start to your vacation as you explore the many sights including popular landmarks such as Arch Rock and the Avenue of Flags.

A horse-drawn view of the area will provide an amazing time. These tours officially began in 1869 when the first license was issued, and this is one of the oldest ride options. On this one-hour-and-45-minute tour, you will experience a time like no other! This is by far the most enjoyable and authentic way to experience fun, and it is a perfect way to orient yourself during your stay. See some of the best sights and attractions with this beautiful and historic journey.

About the Area

Book this activity for the perfect way to view this gorgeous destination - and it is made even better when you purchase a combination ticket to gain admission to the Butterfly Conservatory where you can see hundreds of unique butterflies in a beautiful environment setting. Trade in a run-of-the-mill adventure on motor vehicles for a fairy tale experience. Ride on a horse drawn adventure, see the gorgeous horses, and explore like never before!  

Detailed Tour Itinerary

STOP 1

 Stop at  Historic Downtown Mackinac Island

Start off your tour at 7278 Main Street in Historic Downtown, and your two-horse hitch carriage will take you down Main Street and back along Market Street past many shops and attractions, including the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, the city hall, and John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company Office. The tour will then head north out of the Historic Downtown area.

STOP 2

 Stop at  The Grand Hotel

The tour then stops at the Grand Hotel, a beautifully designed hotel with lush green lawns and vibrant colored flowers. The outside porch runs along the whole front side of the hotel to give you a chance to sit and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Please note that casual resort wear is appropriate during the day, but no tank tops or cut-offs are permitted. After 6 p.m., evening wear is required in all areas of the hotel: coat and tie for gentlemen, and dresses or pantsuits for ladies.

STOP 3

 Includes Admission to  Surrey Hills Carriage Museum

Next, the tour makes a stop at the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum, where you will leave the two-horse hitch carriage for a three-horse carriage that fits 35 passengers. Here, you can enjoy access to restrooms, snack shops, and gift shops, as well as enjoy the beautiful antique carriages on display in the building, including a horse-drawn hearse that is still used for funerals today. You can spend as much time as this stop as you like before boarding the 35-passenger carriage.

STOP 4

 Stop at  Wings of Mackinac Tropical Butterfly Conservatory

Immediately beside the Surrey Hills Museum is the Butterfly Conservatory, which you can visit for an additional admission fee. Here, you can discover life's most beautiful insects as you stroll among hundreds of butterflies dancing and chasing each other in the climate-controlled conservatory filled with lush flowers. Inside the conservatory, there are over 200 different species of butterflies. When you purchase the combination ticket, you can enjoy admission to the Butterfly Conservatory.

STOP 5

 Drive By  Mackinac Island State Park

After boarding the 35-passenger, three-horse hitch carriage, the tour will take you through the interior of the area and its State Park. Along the way, your driver will point out wild flowers and other features. The state park was the second U.S. National Park, but it was transferred to the State of Michigan in 1895 and became the first Michigan State Park.

STOP 6

 Drive By  Mackinac Island Cemetery

As you're traveling through the State Park, you will see many interesting features and attractions, including this Protestant Cemetery. Across the way is the Catholic Cemetery known as the Ste. Anne's Cemetery.

STOP 7

 Drive By  Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery

The Post Cemetery is the third cemetery and the final resting place for soldiers and their families. The exact founding of the cemetery is unknown, but local tradition is that both American and British soldiers from the War of 1812 are buried there. In addition to the soldiers and their families, six civilians are interred in the Post Cemetery.

STOP 8

 Drive By  Fort Holmes

Take in glimpses of Fort Holmes from your carriage. Originally built in 1814 by British forces during the War of 1812, this fort was originally known as Fort George, but when the U.S. forces reacquired the fort in 1815, they renamed it Fort Holmes in honor of Major Andrew Holmes, a casualty in the 1814 battle. Afterward, the fort was abandoned and has since been reconstructed to bring it back to its original condition.

STOP 9

 Stop at  Arch Rock

The next stop is at Arch Rock for a five- to ten-minute visit of the beautiful natural limestone arch. Located at the top of a bluff, Arch Rock rises 145 feet and offers spectacular views of the water below. You can take this opportunity to take a restroom break, but you will need to re-board the same carriage when your driver calls for the third time.

STOP 10

 Stop at  Fort Mackinac

At the next stop, you can experience the sights and sounds of living history preserved in this American Revolutionary era fort. Walk to the Avenue of Flags of entrance to see the fort from the outside, and you can also visit Fort Mackinac for an additional admission fee. Afterward, you may re-board another tour carriage as space is available.

Stops may change due to traffic, weather, maintenance, etc.