For starters, there is no charge to enjoy the area's miles of sugar-sand beaches and sparkling emerald waters of the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan, or relax as you watch freighters pass through the straits.

In town, opportunities for shopping and exploring are numerous. Shops offering everything from our famous fudge, to gifts of all kinds are located along Central Avenue, in the Mackinaw Crossings - a shopping, dining and entertainment complex, along South Huron Avenue, and in Mackinaw's Historic West Side. You will also find many of Mackinaw's fine restaurants in the area as well.

Enthralling stories and more are brought alive through costumed reenactments, live demonstrations, and continuing archaeological excavations at Colonial Michilimackinac. Colonial Michilimackinac depicts the frontier crossroads of a changing North America. Mill Creek, just outside of Mackinaw City, is home to one of Michigan's earliest industrial centers. It was here that Robert Campbell first harnessed the creek's natural energy to build a water mill used to produce lumber and grain. This 625-acre park is complete with nature trails and scenic overlooks, and boasts a working, authentically reconstructed water-powered sawmill.

Folks who want to go indoors can stroll through the Mackinac Bridge Museum, view artifacts and see a movie on the making of "Big Mac." Families will enjoy the life-size maze of mirrors and glass at A-Maze-N Mirrors, or creating a personalized Teddy Bear at the Great Lakes Teddy Bear Factory.

Wawatam Park includes a wood carving of Chief Wawatam, a playground for the children, and a fantastic view of the Mackinac Bridge.

The Mackinaw City Fishing Pier is located at the Old State Ferry Dock on South Huron.

There is the Historical Pathways Walking Tour, marked by footprint logo signs located in and around the city. Your tour highlights many historical sights and landmarks of Mackinaw.

Music in Mackinaw, featuring outstanding musicians, is at 8:00 p.m. every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday in July and August. A strolling musician performs along the beautiful streetscapes three evenings a week?a nice compliment to Conkling Heritage Park along beautiful Lake Huron.

A nondenominational one-and-a-half-hour Vespers Cruise on Sunday evenings from mid-June through Labor Day departs from the Old State Ferry Dock to cruise under the bridge.

The Mackinaw area hosts a wide variety of special events throughout the year that appeal to everyone. Start out the year with fun in the snow at the annual Winterfest followed by dog sled competitions, an antique snowmobile show and snowmobile racing on ice. In the Spring, you'll marvel as over 400 volunteers recreate events at Colonial Michilimackinac during three days of historical reenactments. Summer brings events ranging from the Big Mac Scenic Bike Tour, the Fudge Classic 5 & 10K race, a kite festival, the International Ironworkers Festival, the North American Lighthouse Festival, Corvette Crossroads Auto Show and Hopps of Fun, Beer & Wine Festival, to name a few. Be sure not to miss the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk, when more than 60,000 people make the trek across the "Mighty Mac."

With so many annual events and attractions, it's no wonder Mackinaw City has truly become "The Town That Loves Company."