“Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and in God. Think of all the beauty that’s still left in and around you and be happy!” – Anne Frank
Mackinac Island pops with colorful trees, moody skies, and random rainbows in the fall. Pure magic.
And after several trips to Mackinac Island, we finally got smart and realized we were doing it all wrong. Vacation means relaxation – not switching hotels and toting luggage up and down a busy Main Street to save money. Plus, who can resist a big hot tub?
Find deals, fewer people
A few years ago, we moved our annual Mackinac Island trip to the fall. We still seem to get hit with inclement weather. But that’s the gamble when you head to the Straits of Mackinac in October. The water is still usually warm, so it helps keep the air temperature warmer.
We reserve four nights in a lakeview room at the Chippewa Hotel and take advantage of the stay for 3 nights, get the 4th night free deal. We enjoy the location, views, and the outdoor hot tub at the Chippewa. If you want tips on saving money, read my other blogs: Mackinac Island on a Budget: 10 Tips to Save Money and Mackinac Island on a Budget: 10 Tips to Save Money (part 2).
Pros to an October trip
- Not as many people, families
- No wait at restaurants
- Lodging deals
- End-of-season sales at many stores
- Beautiful color tour on the way up and on the island
- Rainbows
- No threat of hurricanes
Cons to an October trip
- The weather is a crapshoot. You may lose a day or two due to rain.
- It can be hard to time the fall color. The leaves seem to turn later on the island.
- Many island attractions close by mid-October. Fort Mackinac stays open until Oct. 26, but many of the related historic sites, including the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, Biddle House, Fort Holmes Blockhouse, and Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum close in early October. You can still take a horseback ride with Cindy’s Riding Stable or try a Drive Your Own Buggy tour through Jack’s Livery Stable until Oct. 13.
- Check 2024 closing dates here Season Updates – Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.
- You must be prepared for every season and pack accordingly. It might be 35 and rainy or 65 and sunny.
Mackinac Island in fall
We have done most of the touristy things anyway. So, we enjoy relaxing without a schedule. We wake up and sit in the hot tub or eat a late breakfast. We nap. We take a hike or bicycle ride. It’s actually a good time to visit if you are on a budget because you can enjoy the island’s many natural attractions – FREE!
A fall trip is the best time to discover some of those secret spots and off-the-beaten path trails and overlooks. In fact, over 80 percent of Mackinac Island is within Mackinac Island State Park (even though the prices to get there or stay a night on the island are getting out of control).
Walk up to Fort Holmes for an aerial view of the landscape.
Walk by the cemeteries because the trees are usually some of the best on the island. Plus, the island’s historic cemeteries honor original island settlers and many military veterans.
Explore natural wonders
The island is home to several unique rock formations, including Arch Rock, Sugar Loaf, Eagle Point Cave, Cave of the Woods, Skull Cave, Crack in the Island, Devil’s Kitchen, and Friendship’s Altar. We’ve visited all of them through the years and usually return to one or two each trip.
Last year, we visited Sugar Loaf, a 75-foot tower of limestone rising out of the earth in the middle of Mackinac Island. This rock formation is the tallest limestone stack on the island and has been linked to Native American legend.
Get lost in the island’s interior
Mackinac Island State Park contains 70 miles of signed and interpreted roads and trails and several historic sites. Enjoy a fall color tour with a walk in the woods! You can easily spend a full day hiking or biking or visit Fort Holmes and Fort Mackinac.
Take a bicycle ride up to the Inn at Stonecliffe and past the airport to British Landing Road, or visit Arch Rock then enjoy fall color on Leslie Avenue and Scott’s (Cave) Road to British Landing Road. Note: British Landing is all uphill if you try to ride it from M-185 through the middle of the island and back to town.
We always make the 8.2-mile ride around M-185 at least once but usually twice. One year, we got caught in the rain and arrived back at the hotel soaking wet. Our Mackinac Island windbreakers did not hold up. But we came back smiling.
Blazing Maples on Cadotte Avenue
And you cannot miss walking or riding up to the West Bluff and stopping by the Grand Hotel. Mackinac Island is famous for the Autumn Blaze Maples lining Cadotte Avenue. It’s hard to time peak color – we have been early the last couple of years – but the maples still make great photo ops!
Mackinac Island rainy day activities
During October, you will probably experience some rain. Don’t let that deter you! Grab an umbrella and explore or visit some of the indoor attractions.
Watch a movie at the Mission Point theater, which is free, or chill in the resort’s main lobby. The wood beams are stunning!
Take a tour of the Grand Hotel.
Visit the library.
Explore the Grand Hotel Stables and Carriage Museum.
Stop and pray at one of the churches.
Shop and sample fudge on Main Street.
Simply rest and take in the sights and sounds of the clip-clop of horses.
Mackinac Island October events
The fun continues until closing weekend, and it’s fun to see the hotels and many homes decorated for the season. Check out these upcoming events:
- October 18 & 19: Haunted Maze at Grand Hotel
- October 25-27: Halloween Weekend
- October 25 & 26: Haunted Trail and Haunted Maze at Grand Hotel
- October 26: Great Turtle Trail Run
- October 26: Downtown trick or treating
- October 26: Adult costume parties and live music
- October 26: Last day at Fort Mackinac
- October 28: Last day at Grand Hotel
- October 31: City restrooms close
- October 31: Regular Ferry Service Ends
- All Month Long: Live Music and Entertainment After Dark
Relax, reconnect with nature
Circling back to the opening quote, Anne Frank’s diary entry from March 7, 1944, talks about her view of the world versus her Mummy’s, which was “Think of all the misery in the world and be thankful that you are not sharing in it!”
According to GoodReads, Anne writes: “I don’t see how Mummy’s idea can be right, because then how are you supposed to behave if you go through the misery yourself? Then you are lost. On the contrary, I’ve found that there is always some beauty left – in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you. Look at these things, then you find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance.
And whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery! Yours, Anne”
Last year, we were on the island when the Hamas terrorists attacked Israel – not a great way to get away from the doom and gloom going on in the world. The turmoil – both here and abroad – has continued to escalate in the last year. The horrible destruction caused by recent hurricanes is unreal.
Between the wars, natural disasters, and political divisiveness, it’s hard for me to even watch the news these days. It’s one of many reasons I don’t want to be a journalist.
Go outside and be happy
This year hasn’t been an easy one for me. I cut my budget to the bare bones after getting laid off and skipped out on travel. After facing rejection and bouts of depression, I have questioned my purpose and my future. Frankly, I have felt angry and mad at the world. Things were looking up over the summer, but it seems I am back to square one. Where does that leave me? Having a true midlife crisis.
But, recently, I realized I am in control of my attitude. And there is always something to be grateful for. Mackinac Island in fall always serves up reminders that nature speaks, nature heals, and nature operates on its own timing and rhythm. The butterflies and birds know when to migrate south. The salmon know when to swim upstream to spawn. The trees know when to release their leaves and let things go.
And yet, many of us (myself included) are guilty of trying to force things to happen. We are disconnected from ourselves, our intuition, and our Higher Power.
The universe is filled with magic… when you trust it. Go outside and be happy.
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist, travel writer, and content marketing writer who lives in West Michigan. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Let me help grow your business. Check out my Writing Services or Read My Work.
