The Grand Hotel Mackinac Island is an Iconic Michigan Experience
The historic Grand Hotel is one of the most iconic places on Mackinac Island.
When you plan your Mackinac Island vacation, the Grand Hotel is often top of the list of things to do.
Whether you stay there or just pay to stand on their majestic porch, it’s a total Insta-worthy experience.
But did you know all the things that you get with a stay at Grand Hotel? Free (delicious) dinner, reduced (or free) kids rates, activities and more are part of the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island experience.
But for all the fanfare the Grand Hotel and the island receives, I think too many people are doing it wrong.
Read on to see my tips for getting the most out of your Grand Hotel Mackinac Island experience.
Don’t have time for a stay but still want to see what the hype is about? You can experience many of the hotel’s perks by paying $10 to take your own self-guided tour.
15 Tips to Enjoy Your Stay at the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island
Grand Hotel
286 Grand Ave, Mackinac Island, MI 49757
The Grand Hotel has been serving guests since 1887 and was recently ranked by Travel + Leisure as the top hotel in Michigan and one of the top 500 hotels in the world.
Looking down Cadotte Ave from the Grand Hotel
Why? The experience is amazing. They pull out all the stops for guests, and visitors can’t get enough.
Use the following tips to make the most of your visit. This may be one of your favorite Michigan vacations yet!
1 – Visit the Grand Hotel in the Spring and Fall
Most people visit in summer: Memorial Day – Labor Day. While this is a great time to visit as our kids are out of school, it’s also apparent on the island that EVERYONE’S kids are out of school. 
Tulips marking springtime just outside of the Grand Hotel
I think the best time to visit the island is in the spring and fall.
Not only will you find the shoulder seasons to be less chaotic and more enjoyable, you also might be surprised to find the Grand Hotel is in your price range.
Tourists flock to the hotel in the summer months and the hotel has no problem staying fully booked. During the spring and fall, when the hotel isn’t as busy, they will offer promotional packages including themed weekend getaways and discounted prices to attract guests.
Fun Fact: The movie ‘Somewhere In Time‘ was filmed at the Grand Hotel in 1979.
What that means for you, if you’re willing to travel in the shoulder season, is up to 60% savings off peak summer prices.
2 – Kids Stay and Eat Free (or Reduced) at Grand Hotel Mackinac Island
Children 5 and under stay and eat for free at the Grand Hotel. Children 6-12 pay $75/nt. Children 13 and over pay $159/nt.
We have three kids under the age of five so this pricing structure really works for us.
3 – Follow the Grand Hotel on Facebook to get the Best Pricing
Most of the deals for accommodations are launched on Facebook and are at times exclusive to Facebook.
I’ve seen prices for guest rooms as low as $139/nt per person for spring, late summer, and fall accommodations. While this number has additional hotel fees, sales tax, and baggage fees, the price is still a huge savings.
Our family at Arch Rock, a Mackinac Island main attraction
Packages are often offered and may include perks such as miniature golf on The Gem, golf discounts, Fort Mackinac admission, and discounted ferry tickets!
4 – Grand Hotel Pricing Includes Breakfast and Dinner
Breakfast and a five-course formal dinner are included in your stay and these are two meals you’re not likely to forget. 
The food quality, assortment of choices, and the setting in the main dining room, which overlooks the Straits of Mackinac, are all amazing!
You can find information on Meal Plans and Menus here.
5 – Splurge for Lunch at the Grand Luncheon Experience at Grand Hotel Mackinac Island
This lunch is served daily from 12 – 2 PM and the sheer volume of choices and options is mind blowing.
From soups to salads, fresh seafood, assorted cheeses and fruits, and other hot items, there is bound to be something for everyone in your party.
Coffee, tea, and lemonade are all included beverage options. Soft drinks, wine, beer and a full bar are available for additional purchase.
Adults: $77/each
Children 6-12: $39/each
All pricing does not include tax. Children aged 5 and under are free.
This might seem a little over the top considering breakfast and a full five-course dinner are included with your stay, but our family always shows up on the island early and hungry.
6 – There’s a Pool, Two Hot Tubs and Free Snow Cones
The Esther Williams swimming pool is open from Memorial Day – Labor Day. 
The large main swimming pool is equipped with a waterslide and is one of just a handful of outdoor pools on Mackinac Island.
There are also two hot tubs for your enjoyment.
The food and beverage service at the pool is a definite plus and our kids couldn’t get enough of the complimentary snow cones!
7 – Explore the Secret Garden and Stop for Yard Games
The tea garden at Grand Hotel Mackinac Island is home to expansive gardens, wooded trails, outdoor fitness stations, a working greenhouse in the Woodlands Activity Center, and yard games.
Secret Garden at Grand Hotel Mackinac Island
Our children raced around the trail areas and were delighted to find small wood carvings along the path.
The view of the hotel from the Secret Garden makes this a must-stop while at the hotel.
8 – Get Outside and Enjoy the Included Amenities
The grounds of the Grand Hotel are ripe for adventure. 
They have a huge chess set on the porch and bocce ball, baggo (cornhole), and croquet on the lawn in front of the hotel.
New in 2023, the Cedar Grove Bike Track is a 400-foot-long flowy mountain bike trail geared toward kids 12 and under. Small rollers and other elements amp up the fun. Bike and safety gear available.
Bonus: the fall and spring pricing specials occasionally come with a golf promotion or free admission to Fort Mackinac.
9 – Experience the Front Porch
Fun Fact: At 660 feet, the Grand Hotel’s front porch is the world’s largest, and is visible as you approach the Island from Lake Huron.
There are over 100 rocking chairs for guests to use.
Those not staying at the hotel can still enjoy the front porch. A $10 admission fee grants visitors access to the porch and Grand Hotel gardens, along with a map for a self-guided tour.
10 – Go to Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor for the Best Summertime Desserts
Located on the east end of the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island, Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor is open to the public. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to come here. 
Featuring Michigan-made Hudsonville ice cream, customers will find dessert classics like root beer floats, sundaes, milk shakes, and hand dipped chocolate waffle cones.
11 – Embrace the Formality and Dinner Dress Code
Maybe it’s the fact that we don’t get dressed up that often, but our kids are always excited for the formal dinner and don’t mind the dress code.
Of course, we also bribe them with copious amounts of ice cream and dessert for good behavior, but so far, it’s worked out for us!
It helps that the dining room is buzzing with activity and there is a constant stream of food for the kids to snack on.
Also, don’t pass up the professional photographer on the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island porch. Those pictures are available for purchase the next morning.
12 – Play a Round of Mini Golf on the Gem
Miniature Golf is a family friendly activity for all ages and takes place on the Gem. It’s an 18-hole mini-golf course tucked away on the hotel’s grounds.
There is a fee to play, but some packages include complimentary miniature golf.
13 – Take the Shepler’s Ferry Under the Mighty Mac
Shepler’s Ferry has a couple departures a day that take you directly under the Mackinac Bridge. There is no extra cost for this tour and it takes an additional ten minutes to get to the island.
Underside of the Mackinac Bridge
The Mighty Mac departures give you a short narrative on the bridge and some awesome photo opportunities.
It’s a fantastic way to start your vacation at Grand Hotel Mackinac Island.
14 – Rent Bikes and Tour the Island
Mackinac Island doesn’t allow motorized vehicles, so your only modes of transportation are on foot, by bike, on horse, or by horse-drawn carriage. If the weather cooperates, a trip around the island can be a lot of fun (8.2 miles).
For the ultimate flexibility, bring your own bikes. You don’t have to be dependent on finding what you need from a rental shop plus everyone is already comfortable with their bike.
Bike Trails at Grand Hotel Mackinac Island
For those looking for a shorter trip check out Arch Rock, but beware there are over 200 steps to the top!
While you’re on the bikes, try this Interior Island Bike Tour:
15 – Drive Your own Horse-Drawn Carriage from Jack’s Livery
What better way for your family to enjoy the island than with your own horse and carriage from Jack’s Livery!
Amazingly, no experience is necessary to take on this adventure.
The kids absolutely loved it and it’s a great way to see the island.
Visiting Mackinac Island is always fun, but our trip to the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island allowed us to experience the island in a new way. We loved how the Grand Hotel had an eye on children’s enjoyment and made people of all ages feel welcome.
If you want to do Mackinac Island with kids, I highly recommend staying at the Grand Hotel.
Would You Stay at the Grand Hotel?
Yes, the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island can be pricey. But trust me when I say that it’s worth every penny. The hotel itself is absolutely gorgeous, from the stunning architecture and amazing views you won’t find anywhere else.
Plus, staying here comes with a bunch of perks that help offset the cost.
It’s a truly special experience that you won’t get anywhere else, and in my opinion, it’s worth splurging on. If you can swing it, go ahead and treat yourself to a little luxury – maybe for your next romantic getaway? You won’t regret it!
Grand Hotel visitor admission is $12 in 2024 (This article is a few years old.)
The perfect “GrandfFamily” full of wonderful “Grand”parents and “Grand”children to represent and tout the “Grand”est of places!!!
What a great article Adam! The island is one of my favorite places to visit. You gave some great tips on how to enjoy it with kids. Now I am so excited to go with my grandchildren! And your kids are adorable ❤️