More Michigan Help.. Mackinac Island.

[doc73]

So this is a follow up and or addition to our planned trip to MI this summer... Original Thread:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...rea-96210.html

So I am thinking we are going to make our trip out to St Claire a bit more. We are only a few hours from Mackinac Island when in MI so we are going to start out there and maybe spend a few days around here before heading back East to St Claire. We are going to stay at the KOA in Mackinaw City. Is two days enough to get a feel for the island and area or should we spend a few more days? We have a 3 year old so we are not going to be doing tours of all the art galleries... But we have always wanted to visit the island and my parents pushed us to just do it when out there. thanks!

[coupevillefish]

We stayed at the Mackinaw City KOA and liked it. We spent 4 nights and could/should have stayed longer. We went to the island one day, spent a day seeing the sights around Mackinaw City (light house, fort, museum), then spend a day going through the Sue Saint Marie locks. There were several other sights we would have visited if we had another day or two.

Have fun.

[doc73]

Did you all just visit the locks or take a tour? The DW saw a boat tour where they take you through the locks.

Thank you for the help!

[coupevillefish]

Originally Posted by doc73

Did you all just visit the locks or take a tour? The DW saw a boat tour where they take you through the locks.

Thank you for the help!

We took the tour. The good news was it was very scenic and informative. They also provide a kennel for your dog.

Our one hour tour took 5 ot 6 hours because the locks were VERY busy. Still, they kept the boat moving and we probably saw a lot more than the standard tour.

We also took our dog to Mackinac Island. She even got to ride on the carriage tour.

[CAT-RN]

The locks boat tour is worth the $$$. But you can see the locks very well for free. There is also a city owned RV park just east of the locks. From your RV you can watch the ships go in and out of the locks.

I'd say one day on the island. Another day in town and one day at the locks.

Russell

[doc73]

Originally Posted by CAT-RN

The locks boat tour is worth the $$$. But you can see the locks very well for free. There is also a city owned RV park just east of the locks. From your RV you can watch the ships go in and out of the locks.

I'd say one day on the island. Another day in town and one day at the locks.

Russell

Now that is cool.. Is it full hookups and was it loud? IE: dp they blast the horns all night long! LOL

[Wayne Joan]

At least three days in Mackinaw and another day at the Soo Locks and maybe another day for Tahquamenon Falls, there is a State Park at Tahquamenon.

[CAT-RN]

Originally Posted by doc73

Now that is cool.. Is it full hookups and was it loud? IE: dp they blast the horns all night long! LOL

It is full hook ups. I don't remember any horns. These ore boats are 1000' long. huge!! You can see them coming toward the locks-you can then drive up to the locks and watch them go thru.

At the locks they have a big screen that shows all the boats in the Great Lakes. I think there are like 13 or so ore ships that are in the 1000' range. All of them were built in the Great Lakes someplace. They are too big to get out to the Atlantic. So they just run around in the Great Lakes.

At the RV park there is an older gentleman that stays there all summer. Right on the water. He knows every boat by name and had a story on each. Was a cool guy. I look up name of the park and repost it. Ann something.

Russell

[CAT-RN]

Here is info on the Rv park

Russell

[doc73]

We were just looking at it. Is it usually packed? We were looking in the July time frame (4th weekend possibly).

[CAT-RN]

We never do reservations. We have stayed at that park 3 or 4 times. Have never been able to get a water front site and last time had to take a site that out back end was toward the river. So couldn't see the ships out the front window. But you can set outside or walk down to the water.

I'd guess it would be busy on weekends. I doubt we were ever there on a weekend. Not sure. I think there is another RV park maybe a mile west of the locks. Not sure.

Russell

[5er_tom]

Aune Osborne is a city RV Park. Very nice and right on the water. Water electric only. They do have a dump station. Water front sites book early in the year.


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[CAT-RN]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

Aune Osborne is a city RV Park. Very nice and right on the water. Water electric only. They do have a dump station. Water front sites book early in the year.


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Yes. Wife informed me that it did not have sewer at site. My sometimers kicked in. Sometime I remember sometime I don't. Sorry. Still a great park!!

Russell

[Harkerr]

Those locks are very interesting. They were used as a reference design for the Panama Canal. Worth a good look.

[HESN22]

If you are going to be in that area, shouldnt miss going to frankenmuth mich for a few days ... if you havent been before ... it is amazing :-)

[Harkerr]

All Christmas year round!!

[tomrob1161]

As you have found out, there is a lot to see in that area of Michigan. If you have time to visit Tahquamenon Falls, I would suggest you go a little further north and visit Whitefish Point. There is a lighthouse there and many, many shells.


Have fun on your trip.

[5er_tom]

Whitefish Point is home to the Great Lakes shipwreck museum. It is very interesting and they have a memorial to the Edmond Fritzgerald that is excellent. Go there!


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[youroo]

Originally Posted by Harkerr

All Christmas year round!!

Christmas,Mi.is the next town west of Munising,Mi. Youroo!!

[coupevillefish]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

Whitefish Point is home to the Great Lakes shipwreck museum. It is very interesting and they have a memorial to the Edmond Fritzgerald that is excellent. Go there!


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That and the falls are why I wish we'd had another day.