Dog Friendly Vacations Michigan All Inclusive

Dog Friendly Vacations Michigan All Inclusive – Visiting Mackinac Island with your dogs is the perfect summer vacation. With Victorian charm, rich history, beautiful beaches and miles of trails, you’ll all enjoy pure Michigan magic!

Taking the ferry across the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinac Island is like hopping into a time machine to travel back in time.

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Although the journey takes only 20 minutes, the ship transports you to another era. Horse-drawn carriages roam the streets, people walk or cycle, and the natural beauty that has attracted tourists here since prehistoric times is untouched.

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If you’ve heard of Mackinac Island, it’s probably because cars are banned. When the first “horseless carriage” arrived in 1898, the noisy mechanism frightened the horses and threatened the peace and tranquility of the islanders. The village council then quickly decided to ban the car; It was a simple but decisive decision and it changed history. This makes Mackinac a great place to explore with your dogs!

Just because there are no cars doesn’t mean the island will be difficult to navigate. The ferry docks are just steps away from the main street, where shops, restaurants and souvenir shops can keep you busy for days. And many of Mackinac’s most popular attractions are within walking distance — Fort Mackinac, the Grand Hotel, East and West Bluffs cottages, and the Arch Rock Visitor Center are within a mile.

Those looking to see more of the island can consider a horse-drawn taxi or a guided carriage tour. (Well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome aboard as long as the horses don’t bark.)

Or, for a more unique (and perhaps more exciting) experience, opt for ride-on or ride-alone saddles!

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If you’re not feeling adventurous enough, there are a number of bike overlooks where you can hire two- or three-wheeled bikes, as well as trailers for children and pets.

Both ferry operators serving Mackinac Island will be happy to see your furry family members and welcome them aboard, free of charge. The trip takes 15 to 20 minutes and the fare for adults is $32 round trip. Day trippers can drive to Mackinaw City or St. They can park for free at certain ferry docks in St. Ignace. The ferry companies also offer a variety of parking options for overnight guests on the island.

Ty and Buster were so excited to go on our tour that we were first in line for the ferry!

Ferries take you to the heart of the city, docking along the main street. From here you can browse the shops, stop by the Visitor Center for tips and information, sign up for a horse-drawn carriage tour, rent a bike, or walk to Fort Mackinac, the Grand Hotel, East and West Cliff Cottages, or Arch Rock.

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Leashed pets are welcome to explore more of Mackinac Island with you! Look out for dog-friendly stickers in the windows of many shops and restaurants. Also, if you don’t see a sticker, ask if your dog is allowed before entering.

Pets are allowed in the parks and on all roads and trails in Mackinac Island State Park, which covers more than 80% of the island.

For those renting bikes, pet trailers are generally available at most bike overlooks on the island. Taxi services and horse-drawn carriage tours are also pet-friendly! Small pets sitting on your lap are free, while larger pets are subject to a child fee.

Your dog can join you on a kayak or paddleboard trip from the island, as long as he wears his dog life jacket.

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Mackinac Island Pet Rules Pets must be on a leash at all times. Owners must clean up and properly dispose of pet waste

The hardest part of visiting Mackinac Island with your dogs is deciding what to do first! We have some tips to help you get started:

For history buffs, Fort Mackinac is the starting point. Having moved to the island from the mainland between 1779 and 1781, commentators enjoy sharing the history of the castle and the island as a center for the French fur trade, a transition to commercial fishing and eventually a summer vacation destination.

The goal cannon is regularly “shot” as part of the shows, so if your dog is sensitive to loud noises, be sure to ask about the firing schedule.

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Below the castle is a large green area, which once served as a military garden. It is now a park named after Father Jacques Marquette, who brought a group of Huron Indians to the island in 1671 after they were driven from southern Ontario by Iroquois warriors.

The soil in Mackinac was too thin to support Huron’s crops, and a year later he was forced to settle in what is now St. Louis. The settlement was built near what became Saint Ignatius. But the statue of Father Marquette still stands. As a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, which is also named after this Jesuit priest, I found this historical fact particularly interesting!

In 1875, the US Congress established Mackinac National Park, the second US national park after Yellowstone. Twenty years later, when the military moved out of Fort Mackinac entirely, the fort and national park were turned over to the state of Michigan.

Now a state park, it preserves its 19th-century atmosphere, as well as the unique limestone formations, caves and landscapes of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

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There are many trails and miles of trails in the park, and if you or your pet want to avoid the crowds, this is a great place to start. Most people wander around town after getting off the boat, so you can hit the trails and leave them behind.

Buster loves nothing more than a long walk, and Ty is happy to ride for hours in his stroller, so we decided to follow Highway 185 around the island’s 8.2 mile coastline. We started our tour of the island after a short detour along the Shoreline Trail to explore Mission Point Resort, one of the island’s pet-friendly hotels.

We spent about four hours walking around Mackinac, stopping along the way to take photos and enjoy the view. It was a nice, flat walk and of course no traffic!

The landscape, crystal blue water and rocky beaches are a wonderful reward for your efforts. And we didn’t see any cars on this road, so their routes might not give you the same views.

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If you are thinking of cycling or walking, our advice is to go around the island.

Direction. The visitor guide recommends traveling counter-clockwise, so almost everyone does… including us! If you go clockwise (get off the ferry and turn left onto the main road), there will be less traffic on your side of the road because there will be fewer cyclists.

While you are fascinated by the lake and the beach, be sure to check out the famous Arch Rock!

British Landing, located roughly on the opposite side of the island, is a good place to grab a bite. And maybe a splash in the lake if you’re so inclined!

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As the afternoon progressed, pedestrian and bicycle traffic on the roadway decreased. Once we got back to town, things calmed down a bit.

We thought we would have a light breakfast at the lovely Windermere Kennel and enjoy the view from Windermere Point. However, since we had a big appetite, we started looking for a more solid menu.

Ice House BBK and Bistro on the Greens have pet-friendly patio seating. However, the brightly colored umbrellas in the restaurant of the Iroquois Carriage House hotel caught our attention. Although they can’t have pets in their rooms, we’ve found they’ll be happy to join you for a drink or a meal on their beautiful terrace!

It was the perfect place to end the day before heading back home on the boat.

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Unfortunately, the famous Grand Hotel does not allow pets. Dogs visiting Mackinac Island, built in 1887 to house the island’s luxurious summer visitors, aren’t even allowed on the grounds.

But don’t worry! There are three fantastic pet-friendly accommodation options on the island.

With beautiful grounds and a dog-friendly restaurant courtyard, Straits Lodge at Mission Point Resort accepts two pets per room with an additional deep cleaning fee of $100 per stay.

Park Place Suites only offers three suites in the heart of downtown, so make sure you book really early! Each apartment has a kitchen and a fenced yard. They charge an additional pet fee of $30 per night.

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Sunset Condos are more secluded and offer stunning views of Lake Huron and the Mackinac Bridge. Their eight units sleep between 2 and 12 people, and pet fees are based on the size of your pet. For pets under 40 pounds,

Jenny Trainer

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