Ideal Location

Mackinac Island

Ferries to Mackinac Island

Attractions


Where Mackinac Island is Located

Mackinac Island is located between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. The island is east of the Mackinac Bridge, which means it is the waters of Lake Huron. A visit to the island requires a short pleasant ferry ride from the mainland to the island.

Ferry Tickets & Parking

It’s a good idea to check the ferry departure times online before you leave home. Plan to arrive at the ferry dock no less than 30 minutes before your desired scheduled ferry departure. Ferry departure times vary throughout the season, becoming more frequent during the peak of the summer season in July & August. You may choose to leave from the Lower Peninsula at the Mackinaw City dock or St. Ignace in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Mackinaw City offers more frequent and later departure times. St. Ignace is less congested and generally has open parking. Departures from the Star Line Mackinaw City will land at the closest dock to Island House Hotel.

Discounted ferry tickets can be added to your reservation up to 24 hours before your arrival. Upon arriving at the ferry dock, look for overnight parking services. If you purchased discount tickets from the Island House Hotel, you will claim your tickets at any Star Line ticket window on your scheduled day of arrival under the name on your reservation. You will also make overnight parking arrangements and purchase bike transportation tickets at this time.

Luggage Transportation

When packing your luggage, keep in mind that it, too, is traveling. To prevent items from falling out, use bags with zippers or latch closures. Plan to hand-carry electronics, chargers, medications, medical equipment, car keys, and anything fragile, valuable, or irreplaceable.

The ferry service provides complimentary baggage handling to and from the mainland. Upon your arrival at the ferry dock on the mainland, have all luggage that you wish to be transported to the hotel tagged for the Island House Hotel. From there, they will load it onto the ferry for you. All checked items must be zipped or sealed. Multiple services will be transporting your luggage; for this reason, Island House Hotel cannot assume responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage or its contents. Verify that you receive a baggage claim tag for each piece of luggage that you are sending before leaving your luggage. You will need to present these tags to claim your bags at the hotel.

Once you arrive on Mackinac Island, an Island House Hotel porter will take your luggage and direct you to the hotel. Luggage transfer times to the hotel vary; if you need something right away, you should transport it along with anything you consider fragile, valuable, or irreplaceable.

Upon arrival at the hotel, please present your luggage claim stubs that you received at the ferry dock to the desk clerk at check-in.

Getting to Island House Hotel

Guest transportation to and from the hotel is not included in your nightly rate. You may walk, bike, or take a horse-drawn taxi to the hotel. Taxi reservations are required 30-60 minutes in advance by calling 906-847-3323. Mackinac Island Taxi

Island House Hotel is located at 6966 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, directly across from the marina. You will see our stately hotel to the right as the ferry circles the lighthouse and enters the bay.

Island House Hotel is located just around the bend from the historic downtown on Mackinac Island. As you leave downtown, you’ll turn a gentle corner, passing the Marquette Park on your left, drifting by the harbor on your right. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself at the drive leading up to the stately Island House Hotel.

Our historic estate has the perfect Mackinac Island location. It is on the edge of downtown, away from the bustle, and there are no hills to climb. You are close enough to downtown to dive back into the action anytime that suits you. Alternatively, you could always rent a bike outside at Island House Bikes and head in the other direction for an around-island bike adventure.

One of the featured favorites of our location is the porch overlooking the harbor. Pull up a chair and rock away the day. In the evening, watch a sunset-painted sky fade away into a starry island night while sitting by a cozy chiminea fire on the lawn. You don’t get stars like these in the city, so kick back and enjoy the allure of an evening on Mackinac Island.