Horse-drawn carriages, strict Victorian dress codes and NO cars: The Michigan island stuck in a charming time warp
An Island in Michigan has kept Victorian-era charm thanks to its ban on motor vehicles and has become a huge tourist draw for its quaint ways.
Motor vehicles have been banned on the island since the start of the 20th century after an automobile frightened some of the horses. These days, people still travel by horse-drawn carriage, as well as by bike and by foot.
Scroll down for video tour
![Mackinac Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A451518000005DC-449_638x353.jpg)
Stuck in the past: Mackinac Island is a Great Lakes enclave that retains its Victorian-era charm thanks to its ban on motor vehicles
![Stuck in time: Mackinac Island, a Great Lakes enclave, retains its Victorian-era charm thanks to its ban on motor vehicles](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/11/article-2339857-1A4410B6000005DC-538_634x372.jpg)
Stuck in time: Mackinac Island, a Great Lakes enclave, retains its Victorian-era charm thanks to its ban on motor vehicles
![Mackinac Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A451511000005DC-6_638x355.jpg)
Mackinac Island, located off the Straits of Mackinac separating Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, was an important outpost in the region's fur trade, but that gave way to fishing and eventually tourism
Mackinac Island, located off the Straits of Mackinac separating Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, was an important outpost in the region's fur trade, but that gave way to fishing and eventually tourism.
Among the main attractions: the Grand Hotel, a 385-room luxury hotel that played a central role in the 1980 romantic science fiction film, Somewhere in Time.
In fact, fans of the movie, many in period costumes, descend on the island and the hotel every fall for a weekend of reenactments and a screening.
You get reminders of a bygone era before even leaving the mainland by ferry. Crews cart overnight luggage onto the ferry, the way full-service porters used to at train stations and hotels.
![Back in time: Motor vehicles have been banned on the island since the start of the 20th century; these days, people still travel by horse-drawn carriage, as well as by bike and by foot](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/11/article-2339857-1A43FD91000005DC-656_634x409.jpg)
Back in time: Motor vehicles have been banned on the island since the start of the 20th century; these days, people still travel by horse-drawn carriage, as well as by bike and by foot
![Horse-drawn vehicle on Mackinac Island, Mich., in Lake Huron. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the island, so bikes and horse carriages are common sights. (AP Photo/Anick Jesdanun)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/11/article-2339857-1A43FD52000005DC-984_634x393.jpg)
Alternate transport: Despite the lack of motor vehicles, Mackinac Island has a 'highway' which you can walk or run; you can also rent bikes
![Mackinac Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A451508000005DC-36_638x473.jpg)
About 80per cent of the island is controlled by the state park, but staff there can also point you to other things to do, too
![Ferry only: Round Island Lighthouse, which dates to the 1890s but is no longer a functioning lighthouse once marked the channel between Round Island and Mackinac](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/11/article-2339857-1A43FF8C000005DC-602_634x414.jpg)
Ferry only: Round Island Lighthouse, which dates to the 1890s but is no longer a functioning lighthouse once marked the channel between Round Island and Mackinac
The Grand Hotel stands out as your ferry approaches the island. Closer to the dock, you pass a pair of quaint lighthouses, including one featured in the movie.
The Grand Hotel is such a draw among tourists that non-guests must pay a $10 admission fee. That allows you to shop, dine or browse an art gallery inside and lets you walk through the flower gardens in front of the hotel.
Check out the Cupola Bar on the top floor for a wonderful view of the Straits of Mackinac. There's a dress code in the evening, so plan accordingly.
Once you're on the island, you have plenty of options. Head to the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor's Center for an orientation. About 80per cent of the island is controlled by the state park, but staff there can also point you to other things to do, too.
![Historical: Mackinac Island was the second national park created after Yellowstone. But with the closure of Fort Mackinac, the park didn't have caretakers in the form of U.S. soldiers; the state took it over in 1895](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A4720BA000005DC-832_634x868.jpg)
Historical: Mackinac Island was the second national park created after Yellowstone. But with the closure of Fort Mackinac, the park didn't have caretakers in the form of U.S. soldiers; the state took it over in 1895
![Waterfront: Mackinac Island is located in the Straits of Mackinac on Lake Huron and is home to many permanent residents](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A4722E3000005DC-742_634x424.jpg)
Waterfront: Mackinac Island is located in the Straits of Mackinac on Lake Huron and is home to many permanent residents
![Isolated: An aerial view of Mackinac Island in the Straits of Mackinac, located between Lakes Michigan and Huron](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A47222F000005DC-120_634x429.jpg)
Isolated: An aerial view of Mackinac Island in the Straits of Mackinac, located between Lakes Michigan and Huron
![Main attraction: The Grand Hotel stands out as your ferry approaches the island. Closer to the dock, you pass a pair of quaint lighthouses](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A47214C000005DC-920_634x422.jpg)
Main attraction: The Grand Hotel stands out as your ferry approaches the island. Closer to the dock, you pass a pair of quaint lighthouses
Native Americans were the first settlers on the island - Europeans missionaries came to the area in the 1670s, followed by fur traders.
The British moved operations from the mainland to the island in 1780 as protection from Americans in revolt.
So important was the outpost that the British didn't cede the island until 1796, well after Americans won the Revolutionary War. The British got Mackinac Island back briefly after a surprise attack at the start of the War of 1812.
Through those years, the island's military center was Fort Mackinac, built on top of a hill a short walk from the main village.
![Mackinac Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A451500000005DC-568_638x352.jpg)
So important was the outpost that the British didn't cede the island until 1796, well after Americans won the Revolutionary War
![Old world: Fort Mackinac located on the island since 1780 was such an important military outpost for the Great Lakes region that the British retained control of it until 1796, well after the Americans had won the Revolutionary War](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/11/article-2339857-1A43FD19000005DC-708_634x414.jpg)
Old world: Fort Mackinac located on the island since 1780 was such an important military outpost for the region that the British retained control of it until 1796, well after the Americans won the Revolutionary War
![Delivery service: Roy Bessel of the Mackinac Service Company loads U.S. Mail onto a horse-drawn wagon to deliver into town](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A472240000005DC-178_634x426.jpg)
Delivery service: Roy Bessel of the Mackinac Service Company loads U.S. Mail onto a horse-drawn wagon to deliver into town
![Snow-covered: Mackinac Island's Trinity (Episcopal) Church can be seen on the left in the middle of winter](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A472139000005DC-929_634x727.jpg)
Snow-covered: Mackinac Island's Trinity (Episcopal) Church can be seen on the left in the middle of winter
![Summer view: Trinity Episcopal Church, built in 1882, near Fort Mackinac, seen in the summertime](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A472118000005DC-64_634x758.jpg)
Summer view: Trinity Episcopal Church, built in 1882, near Fort Mackinac, seen in the summertime
For $11, visitors can stroll through Fort Mackinac. You can witness demonstrations of old-style guns and a cannon – be sure to heed the demonstrators' advice to cover your ears. You can also see some of the buildings once used for distributing supplies, housing soldiers and more.
During the summer months, the admission also gets you into historic buildings in the main village, including a blacksmith shop and the former site of American Fur Co.
Despite the lack of motor vehicles, Mackinac Island has a state highway, running some eight miles around the island. You can walk or run it – consider the Mackinac Island Eight-Mile Road Race in September. You can also rent bikes.
If eight miles is too much, there are shorter hikes you can take, including ones to natural stone formations such as Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf. There are more than 60 miles of trails to choose from throughout the 1,800-acre state park.
![High profile: In 1987 Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, leave the Grand Hotel in a horse and carriage taxi after the Democratic Governor's Association meeting on the Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A472148000005DC-445_634x421.jpg)
High profile: In 1987 Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, leave the Grand Hotel in a horse and carriage taxi after the Democratic Governor's Association meeting on the Island
![Pictures of the past: In the late 19th century, horse-drawn carriages file past Main Street storefronts on Mackinac Island in Michigan](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A472120000005DC-464_634x436.jpg)
Pictures of the past: In the late 19th century, horse-drawn carriages file past Main Street storefronts on Mackinac Island in Michigan
![A century later: Tourists and residents on the unique Mackinac Island get around on bicycle or by foot](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A472071000005DC-913_634x426.jpg)
A century later: Tourists and residents on the unique Mackinac Island get around on bicycle or by foot
![Mackinac Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A4514E8000005DC-538_638x464.jpg)
Despite the lack of motor vehicles, Mackinac Island has a state highway, running some eight miles around the island. You can walk or run it ¿ consider the Mackinac Island Eight-Mile Road Race in September. You can also rent bikes
In fact, Mackinac was the second national park created after Yellowstone. But with the closure of Fort Mackinac, the park didn't have caretakers in the form of U.S. soldiers. The state took it over in 1895.
It's free to walk along the streets downtown, where you'll find shops, churches, museums and other buildings. You'll also see lots of horses and carriages in lieu of cars.
If you want to ride one, several companies offer tours and taxi service. Tours cost $24.50 and last nearly two hours. You can get off and get on as many times as you like, so you can use it as a bus service to get around. Expect to pay $100 or more an hour for private taxi service. You can also rent horses to ride yourself.
Mackinac Island is about 300 miles north of Detroit. Interstate 75 will get you to the Straits of Mackinac in about four and a half hours. Ferries leave several times a day from Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula and St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula. Tickets cost about $25, though you can save money by buying online or finding a coupon at your hotel.
![Natural: The island offers Victorian charm in modern times, with a century-long ban on motor vehicles, but visitors can hike or bike to Arch Rock and other attractions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/11/article-2339857-1A43FD11000005DC-264_634x424.jpg)
Natural: The island offers Victorian charm in modern times, with a century-long ban on motor vehicles, but visitors can hike or bike to Arch Rock and other attractions
![Mackinac Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/12/article-2339857-1A4514F8000005DC-584_640x471.jpg)
During the summer months, the admission also gets you into historic buildings in the main village, including a blacksmith shop and the former site of American Fur Co
Tour footage courtesy of WildWomenOutdoors
![Well-dressed: A sign highlights the dress code at the 385-room luxury Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/11/article-2339857-1A43FC59000005DC-132_634x420.jpg)
Well-dressed: A sign highlights the dress code at the 385-room luxury Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
You can also fly there. Delta offers service to Pellston, Michigan, from Detroit, while Lakeshore Express flies from both Detroit and Chicago.
From Pellston, you can take a cab or shuttle to the ferry, or take a charter flight to a smaller airport on the island.
As for accommodations, you can splurge for a room at the Grand Hotel or find several cheaper options on the island. The mainland has far more economical lodging, not far from the ferry terminals.
Whether you're at Mackinac Island for just the day or with an overnight stay, be sure to stop by one of the many shops selling fudge – the island's specialty cuisine. Just leave your diet on the mainland.
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