WHERE HISTORY COMES ALIVE
O ver 80 percent of Macknac Island is State Park property, and is yours to enjoy. Whether experiencing the Island on foot, bicycle, horseback or carriage, the many geological and historical wonders are visual treasures to experience. On the bluff looking south over the Island’s busy harbor and majestic Straits of Mackinac is the stately stone palisade of Fort Mackinac. Built in 1780, it is the Island’s most formidable of sev- eral State Park attractions. Inside the Fort walls are 14 original buildings filled with interactive displays and period furnishings. Costumed interpreters guide visitors through realistic demon- strations, reenactments, programs, and tours. Daily programs highlight the changing face of Mackinac Island, the role women played at the fort, Mackinac’s time as a national park, and a look at who exactly made up the army of the 1880s. Your Fort Mackinac ticket gives full access to the historic Biddle House, McGulpin House, Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, American Fur Company Store and Dr. Beaumont Museum. It also includes admission to The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, located in Marquette Park. This year’s theme is Echos of the Island: A Journey Through Time. Step inside these buildings, and step back into time! They’re filled with authentic furnishings and historic costumed tour guides, to let you experience 19th century Mackinac Island. WHAT’S NEW FOR 2026 Your American Revolution begins at Mackinac. As the nation prepares for it's 250th anniversary on July 4th, Fort Mackinac will do the same, offering exciting new programs and events for the 2026 season. Construction at Fort Mackinac on the Island did not begin until 1779, but the events of 1776 hastened its creation. Visit Park facili- ties daily for programs that highlight the fort’s construction during the Revolution and trace how Fort Mackinac changed over time.
Upper Cannon Platform at Fort Mackinac
Exclusive America250 merchandise—including clothing, souve- nirs, and publications—will be available at all Museum Stores, and the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center. 4 new books on Mackinac’s role in the American Revolution have been published, and several new historic sites will debut major updates. The State Park Visitor’s Center, located across from Marquette Park, will reopen with a new timeline exhibit, modernized rest- rooms, and a renovated Official State Park Store. The information desk will also be more accessible. At Fort Mackinac, the 1859 Sol- diers’ Barracks will feature three new exhibits exploring the fort’s military history. Outside the fort, guests will once again enter through the historic North Sally Port, restoring the north wall’s 1880s appearance. “Federal land on Mackinac Island is to be set aside for the health, comfort and pleasure, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” 1873 Bill introduced by MI State Senator Thomas W. Ferry
2026 STATE PARK SUMMER CALENDAR
MAY 1 Opening Day: Historic Fort Mackinac, 9 am 8 Opening Day: State Park Visitors Center, Milliken Nature Center at Arch Rock, Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Museum 9 Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge - Fort Mackinac, 9 am 16 Mackinac Woods Birds & Blossoms Walk - Fort Mackinac, 1 pm 25 Memorial Day Observance - Fort Mackinac, 8:30 am JUNE 5 -14 Free admission to the Manoogian Art Museum for Lilac Festival 6 Opening Day: American Fur Trading Company Store, Beaumont Museum, McGulpin House, Benjamin's Blacksmith Shop, Biddle House British Landing Nature Center and closes Aug 22nd. 6-14 Special Fort Mackinac program throughout Lilac Festival, 1 pm 6 Movie in the Fort: At dusk - Free 9 Creating the Village of Mackinac, Downtown, 5:30 pm Free 10 Mackinac in the 1830s Walking Tour, Downtown, 5:30 pm Free 11 Mackinaw Mission Walking Tour, Downtown, 5:30 pm Free 12 Mackinaw Mission Walking Tour - Manoogian Art Museum, 5:30 pm 13-14 War of 1812 Weekend, Fort Mackinac. 21-23 Civil War at Mackinac Weekend - Fort Mackinac 21 Summer Solstice Stroll, meet at Fort Mackinac, 1 pm Free
JULY 4 A Star Spangled Fourth of July - Fort Mackinac, 3 pm 12 Mackinac's Forgotten Features Bike Tour Behind Fort Mackinac, 1 pm 15 Mackinac Cemetary Walk - Meet at Post Cemetary, 5 pm 17 War of 1812 Bike Ride - Meet Behind Fort Mackinac, 5:30 pm 22 Cottages of Mackinac Walk - Meet Behind Fort Mackinac, 5:30 pm 25 Vintage Base Ball Game - Behind Fort Mackinac, 6:30 pm 29 Tour of the Turtle's Back: Ancient Mackinac - Fort Mackinac, 1 pm AUGUST 12 Botanical Wonders Walk, meet at Fort Mackinac, 1 pm Free 28 Full Moon over Mackinac, meet at Fort Mackinac, 8 pm Free! SEPTEMBER 9 September Stroll to Arch Rock, meet at Fort Mackinac, 1 pm Free 25 Mackinac’s Amazing Evergreens, meet at Fort Mackinac, 1 pm OCTOBER
2-3 Free admission to art museum for Fall Fudge Festival 2-3 Cannon firing giveaway for Mackinac Fudge Festival
This is only a partial list of highlighted events. For full calendar, go to mackinacparks.com
26 Inside Mackinac
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