Fort Mackinac Admission Highlights Include

Discover Fort Mackinac: live programs, costumed tours, historic exhibits, and an engaging movie. Explore 14 restored buildings and immerse in history.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Fort Mackinac - This is Mackinac.

The cannon blasts, the rifles fire, the soldiers march and history comes alive. The oldest building in Michigan and 13 other historical structures boast exhibits explaining everything from military training and battles to medical treatments to family life within the fort.

More than just a military outpost, Fort Mackinac served as a home for soldiers and their families and eventually the headquarters for Mackinac National Park, where tourists to the island visited the great fortress on the bluff, much like they do today.

  • The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum - Be inspired. Nowhere else does such a rare and exceptional collection of Mackinac-related art and photography come together to tell Mackinac’s story. In complement to the natural beauty of Mackinac Island, The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum allows visitors to experience fine and decorative arts inspired by Mackinac through the ages. One of the most diverse art museums in the region, the museum’s collection offers no shortage of beauty and history – from hand-beaded Native American garments and 17th and 18th-century maps of the Great Lakes, to one-of-a-kind pieces from the height of Mackinac Island’s Victorian era. Original photographs from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century present the beauty of Mackinac as captured by the camera’s eye. Featured are the works of William H. Gardiner, including dozens of his famed early-twentieth century hand-tinted views. #thisismackinac
  • Biddle House - A Time of Change. Step into the home of Agatha and Edward Biddle, merchants who moved in around 1830. This was a time of change, and the 1830s were critical to the Biddles for another reason: as an Anishnaabek woman, Agatha and other indigenous people witnessed their culture subjected to immense changes. The decade transformed the Anishnaabek, linking old ways with Michigan’s modern indigenous culture.
    The continuing story of the Anishnaabek of northern Michigan is not always a happy one. It is a story of battles won and lost, promises made and broken, and cultures repressed and resurgent. Most importantly, the story in which the Biddle family played a role is one that continues today. This new exhibit, created in conjunction with tribal partners, explores that story and how it still resonates on Mackinac Island and throughout northern Michigan.#thisismackinac
What's Included
  • Historic Downtown Mackinac Admission
Additional Information

Highlights Include:

Live Programs and Tours:
Demonstrations and tours by costumed interpreters are scheduled throughout the day. Exciting programs taking place throughout the 2024 season include a daily Mackinac Parks: 125 program, an updated Soldier’s Life program, an expanded People of Fort Mackinac Timeline Walking Tour, and an exciting Drill, Tactics and Firearms Program. The 2024 daily event schedule will be posted soon.

Exhibits:
All fourteen buildings in the fort are restored and open to the public. They are furnished with period settings highlighting the building’s particular function or a themed exhibit.

Movie:
Heritage of Mackinac is featured in the Post Commissary, providing an overview history of Mackinac. It repeats every 20 minutes.

Learn more at www.mackinacparks.com

Location
Fort Mackinac
7127 Huron Rd,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(13 Ratings)
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Laura_m
Aug 22, 2024
Enjoyed Fort Mackinac - Enjoyable afternoon learning about Fort Mackinac and the British and American occupations. Impressed with historical items in the museum and the informative canon and rifle firings.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabeth_h
Aug 11, 2024
Wonderful experience - The historic significance of military fashion, architecture, battles fought, and the evolution of local trade were tied together beautifully. We are so glad we visited. The most memorable part of our visit was probably the cannon demonstration; those young men were professional and well-versed in all applicable subject matter.
Review provided by Viator
Tracysr446vr
Jul 28, 2024
Cool history - Was very interesting walking through all the old buildings. They had a rifle and canon demonstration while we were there which was really cool. Great views!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliesn2018gn
Jul 24, 2024
Wonderful Fort - What an amazing day- great reenactments- beautiful displays of how life was in the old fort- great presentations and preservation!! Good for the whole family
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissacq3126xs
Jul 22, 2024
Family Fun - Fun for the whole family from history buffs to kids participating in activities! They've added in some new (to us) restorations.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C9377mmcatherinec
Jul 6, 2024
Would recommend to see - We had a good time. They sounded the cannon and the rifles while we were there. It’s kept up very nice and had more buildings than I thought were there. It was very interesting and informative. There are a lot of original items and some films and reenactments. They even have a little cafe there and a snack cart. There are public restrooms in case you were wondering. You have a pretty great view from the top of the fort looking down on the downtown and Marquette Park
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bridgeth23
Jul 4, 2024
Historical Treasure - The fort is well-maintained and very informative. There are many rooms that are set up as they would have been in the 18th and 19th centuries, and placards explaining how people lived and worked and fought during the time the fort was inhabited. War of 1812 is not one I remembered a lot about, but I learned quite a bit from the exhibits here.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Terricj1052us
Jun 30, 2024
A must stop. - Well worth the trip through the fort. Enjoyed learning about its history. Everyone that was involved working there pleasant and helpful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisamarie1138
Jun 29, 2024
Fort Mackinac - It's quite a hike up the ramp to get to this fort on the bluff, but the views are great and it's got a lot to see - barracks, various outbuildings, and there are frequent demonstrations on the parade grounds. We got there just in time for a rifle shooting display, and later there was a period-dressed docent talking about the history of the Fort and the National Park (now a State Park). There's also a daily cannon firing ceremony which my son LOVED witnessing. Depending on your interest in this stage of history, it maybe a bit long/dull. After awhile I found some of the exhibits glazing over. There is one building which has a more kid friendly area and interactive exhibits (fife and drum, costumes, etc). My older son is a bit more interested in history than me so I think he enjoyed it a little more than I did! After a few hours it was getting hot and I was ready to head back. But this - and the other historic buildings you get access to with Fort admission - are definitely worth a visit and learning about the interesting history of the island. We also had lunch at the Tea Room which has a great view and pretty good (expensive) food.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Embeyfar
Jun 29, 2024
Well kept fort with a beautiful view - It was good, nice displays, a few re-enactors while we were there, clean. I guess we've seen a lot of stuff from the time period, so we went through pretty quickly. Would have liked to have gotten something at the restaurant, but it closes at three, fyi.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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