Although Mackinac Island is known for being a historical town, with roots dating back more than 400 years, that doesn’t mean you can’t expect something new to pop up every now and then.
Most visitors traditionally stop at shops like Joann’s Fudge and Original Murdick’s Fudge to satisfy their sweet tooth. But in May, offerings expanded to include the island’s only cookie shop, Mackinac Island Cookie Co. There, visitors can purchase a cookie the size of their head, including the original chocolate chip oatmeal with sea salt.
In May of 2024, the island welcomed its only gaming center when the Carousel Arcade opened. Guests of all ages can enjoy games like Super Bikes 3, Monopoly Roll-N-Go, Hoops Fx basketball, Ring Toss, and more. The venue has kid- friendly refreshments like popcorn and slushies, plus adult beverages: beers, seltzers, and ciders.
If you’re more in the mood for a glass of rosé and appetizers by the water, be sure to check out Hotel Iroquois’s cocktail dock, which opened in 2022. It’s situated 250 feet out into Lake Huron, seats 60 people, and is available to everyone on the island.
For those seeking a stay or a meal away from busy Main Street, hop on a 45-minute horse-driven taxi to The Inn at Stonecliffe, which reopened in June 2024 after a two-year, $40 million renovation. The former mansion of a wealthy Chicago-based business baron is now owned by the Pulte Family Chartable Foundation. The renovation included updating The Straits restaurant and adding three new luxury cottages, event spaces, a library, and Horsey’s Pub. While much has been done — including changing the dark wood interior to white and adding massive windows — the inn preserved its historic charm by maintaining the original hardwood floor, stained-glass windows, fireplace mantels, gables, moldings, and timberwork. It has also revived its apple orchard by planting new apple and pear trees and adding a chicken coop, an apiary and raised garden beds that produce fresh herbs for the culinary team.
This story is a part of our Insider’s Guide to Michigan Lake Towns. Read the full story here.
This story originally appeared in the July 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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