Fort Mackinac
Inside the stately stone walls it’s a different time.
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.
Live Programs and Tours
Demonstrations and tours by costumed interpreters are scheduled throughout the day.
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. Special exhibits include:
- Mackinac, An Island Famous in These Regions on the second floor of the Soldier’s’ Barracks presents the full history of Mackinac Island.
- Military Medicine at Mackinac: 1780-1895 in the Post Hospital explores medical care at the fort and changing nineteenth-century medical practices.
- Kids’ Quarters features hands-on displays and interactive games.
Audiovisual Programs
Heritage of Mackinac is featured in the Post Commissary, providing an overview history of Mackinac. It repeats every 20 minutes.
Fort Mackinac Video via Mackinac State Historic Parks
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Visit Fort Mackinac Website >>>>
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Fort Mackinac – Photos From Instagram
Tag your Fort Mackinac instagram photos with #fortmackinac and they will appear here in our Fort Mackinac Instagram Photo Stream.
Beach with a view! #mackinacbridge #fortmackinac #beach
Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful 😍 #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #mackinacislandstatepark #michigan #usa #vacation #vacationmode #vacationvibes #happy #lifeisbeautiful #travel #travellover #travelphotography #photolovers #happiness #instagood #instalove #instalife
![Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful 😍 #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #mackinacislandstatepark #michigan #usa #vacation #vacationmode #vacationvibes #happy #lifeisbeautiful #travel #travellover #travelphotography #photolovers #happiness #instagood #instalove #instalife](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful 😍 #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #mackinacislandstatepark #michigan #usa #vacation #vacationmode #vacationvibes #happy #lifeisbeautiful #travel #travellover #travelphotography #photolovers #happiness #instagood #instalove #instalife
🧨Happy 4th of July!🧨 We celebrated by taking in a little history on #mackinacisland 🐴 #happy4thofjuly #july4th #independenceday #fortmackinac #upnorth #exploringthemitten #familytime #cancerfamily #neuroblastoma #cnsrelapse #chemohair #rejoicealways #praywithoutceasing #noonefightsalone #prayersforpryce
![🧨Happy 4th of July!🧨
We celebrated by taking in a little history on #mackinacisland 🐴
#happy4thofjuly #july4th #independenceday #fortmackinac #upnorth #exploringthemitten #familytime #cancerfamily #neuroblastoma #cnsrelapse #chemohair #rejoicealways #praywithoutceasing #noonefightsalone #prayersforpryce](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
🧨Happy 4th of July!🧨 We celebrated by taking in a little history on #mackinacisland 🐴 #happy4thofjuly #july4th #independenceday #fortmackinac #upnorth #exploringthemitten #familytime #cancerfamily #neuroblastoma #cnsrelapse #chemohair #rejoicealways #praywithoutceasing #noonefightsalone #prayersforpryce
Recounting this year’s travels, May 2022: Mackinac Island, opening weekend at the Grand Hotel. 🛥🌊🇺🇸 #mackinacisland #grandhotel #michigan #lakemichigan #fortmackinac #archrock #pinkpony #cupolabar 🚲🚲 massacciart
![Recounting this year’s travels, May 2022: Mackinac Island, opening weekend at the Grand Hotel. 🛥🌊🇺🇸 #mackinacisland #grandhotel #michigan #lakemichigan #fortmackinac #archrock #pinkpony #cupolabar 🚲🚲 massacciart](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Recounting this year’s travels, May 2022: Mackinac Island, opening weekend at the Grand Hotel. 🛥🌊🇺🇸 #mackinacisland #grandhotel #michigan #lakemichigan #fortmackinac #archrock #pinkpony #cupolabar 🚲🚲 massacciart
Tunnel of trees and Mackinac Island. Til next time 🤍 #Family #LaborDay22 #TunnelOfTrees #M119 #LittleMooseCabin #LegsInn #HarborSprings #Petosky #GoodHart #MackinacIsland #FortMackinac #PinkPony #LakeMichigan #PureMichigan #TakeMeBack
![Tunnel of trees and Mackinac Island. Til next time 🤍
#Family #LaborDay22 #TunnelOfTrees #M119 #LittleMooseCabin #LegsInn #HarborSprings #Petosky #GoodHart #MackinacIsland #FortMackinac #PinkPony #LakeMichigan #PureMichigan #TakeMeBack](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Tunnel of trees and Mackinac Island. Til next time 🤍 #Family #LaborDay22 #TunnelOfTrees #M119 #LittleMooseCabin #LegsInn #HarborSprings #Petosky #GoodHart #MackinacIsland #FortMackinac #PinkPony #LakeMichigan #PureMichigan #TakeMeBack
Mackinac Island: I was finally able to see what everyone is raving about. This place does not disappoint as Mackinac Island is steeped in history and has plenty to see if you are planning a day-trip. We took the Star Line Ferry from Mackinac City and were immediately drawn to the constant flurry of horse-drawn carriages, bikes and NO CARS! 125 years ago village leaders enacted a ban on motor vehicles after local residents complained the introduction of cars onto the island back in 1898 would detract from horse-drawn carriage business and bring pollution. This island has been car-free since then and will continue into the future. Mackinac Island is famous as a pivotal point of control in the Great Lakes for fur trade of the 18th and early 19th centuries and the site of Battle of Mackinac during the War of 1812. A lesser-known fact (at least to us) is Mackinac Island was our country’s 2nd national park, created 3 years after Yellowstone NP. It was 125 years ago that Michigan established Mackinac State Park as the first “state park”. Two decades before that about 80% of the island was known as Mackinac National Park. Soldiers at Fort Mackinac served as park rangers but when the military decided to close the fort, the State of Michigan took over. Last but not least is the majestic Grand Hotel boasting the world’s longest porch. You can see me in the pic standing on the colonial porch. #thisismackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #starlineferry
![Mackinac Island: I was finally able to see what everyone is raving about. This place does not disappoint as Mackinac Island is steeped in history and has plenty to see if you are planning a day-trip.
We took the Star Line Ferry from Mackinac City and were immediately drawn to the constant flurry of horse-drawn carriages, bikes and NO CARS! 125 years ago village leaders enacted a ban on motor vehicles after local residents complained the introduction of cars onto the island back in 1898 would detract from horse-drawn carriage business and bring pollution. This island has been car-free since then and will continue into the future.
Mackinac Island is famous as a pivotal point of control in the Great Lakes for fur trade of the 18th and early 19th centuries and the site of Battle of Mackinac during the War of 1812. A lesser-known fact (at least to us) is Mackinac Island was our country’s 2nd national park, created 3 years after Yellowstone NP. It was 125 years ago that Michigan established Mackinac State Park as the first “state park”. Two decades before that about 80% of the island was known as Mackinac National Park. Soldiers at Fort Mackinac served as park rangers but when the military decided to close the fort, the State of Michigan took over.
Last but not least is the majestic Grand Hotel boasting the world’s longest porch. You can see me in the pic standing on the colonial porch.
#thisismackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #starlineferry](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Mackinac Island: I was finally able to see what everyone is raving about. This place does not disappoint as Mackinac Island is steeped in history and has plenty to see if you are planning a day-trip. We took the Star Line Ferry from Mackinac City and were immediately drawn to the constant flurry of horse-drawn carriages, bikes and NO CARS! 125 years ago village leaders enacted a ban on motor vehicles after local residents complained the introduction of cars onto the island back in 1898 would detract from horse-drawn carriage business and bring pollution. This island has been car-free since then and will continue into the future. Mackinac Island is famous as a pivotal point of control in the Great Lakes for fur trade of the 18th and early 19th centuries and the site of Battle of Mackinac during the War of 1812. A lesser-known fact (at least to us) is Mackinac Island was our country’s 2nd national park, created 3 years after Yellowstone NP. It was 125 years ago that Michigan established Mackinac State Park as the first “state park”. Two decades before that about 80% of the island was known as Mackinac National Park. Soldiers at Fort Mackinac served as park rangers but when the military decided to close the fort, the State of Michigan took over. Last but not least is the majestic Grand Hotel boasting the world’s longest porch. You can see me in the pic standing on the colonial porch. #thisismackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #starlineferry
The British are coming! #puremichigan #fortmackinac #1000hoursoutside #bestofthegreatlakesstate #hellostoryteller #mymackinac #michiganders #awesomemitten #smitteninthemitten
![The British are coming! #puremichigan #fortmackinac #1000hoursoutside #bestofthegreatlakesstate #hellostoryteller #mymackinac #michiganders #awesomemitten #smitteninthemitten](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
The British are coming! #puremichigan #fortmackinac #1000hoursoutside #bestofthegreatlakesstate #hellostoryteller #mymackinac #michiganders #awesomemitten #smitteninthemitten
Day 2 of the lake loop! #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #islandlife #nocarsallowed #pedalpower #generalaviation #flying
![Day 2 of the lake loop!
#mackinacisland #fortmackinac #islandlife #nocarsallowed #pedalpower #generalaviation #flying](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Day 2 of the lake loop! #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #islandlife #nocarsallowed #pedalpower #generalaviation #flying
Hanging out in front of Fort Mackinac... on the blog! ❤️
The first cannon of the season! 2019 Lilac Queen Ava Sehoyan fired today’s cannon at mackinac_parks! Downtown is bustling and the sun keeps peeking through. It’s going to be a great year! 🐴🌷🚴♀️ . . . . . #mymackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #islandlife #history #historictravel #michigantravel #travelmichigan #michiganroadtrip #midwestroadtrip
![The first cannon of the season! 2019 Lilac Queen Ava Sehoyan fired today’s cannon at mackinac_parks! Downtown is bustling and the sun keeps peeking through. It’s going to be a great year! 🐴🌷🚴♀️
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#mymackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #islandlife #history #historictravel #michigantravel #travelmichigan #michiganroadtrip #midwestroadtrip](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
The first cannon of the season! 2019 Lilac Queen Ava Sehoyan fired today’s cannon at mackinac_parks! Downtown is bustling and the sun keeps peeking through. It’s going to be a great year! 🐴🌷🚴♀️ . . . . . #mymackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #islandlife #history #historictravel #michigantravel #travelmichigan #michiganroadtrip #midwestroadtrip
Just heavenly! ❄️☃️❄️ www.iroquoishotel.com
Most people associate stunning fall colors in the US with New England, but completely overlook another incredible option: the Midwest! And within the Midwest, I honestly think Michigan has some of the best fall colors in the country. (There, I said it!) This photo, for example, isn’t from New England, but rather is from Mackinac Island, a popular summer resort island in Michigan. While Mackinac isn’t known for its fall color (its delicious fudge and ban on cars are way more famous), there are nevertheless lots of colors to enjoy this time of year. So I guess my point is... don’t write off the Midwest when it comes to fall color! (Also, expect lots more fall color photos in the coming weeks 😬.) Would you have ever guessed this photo was taken in Michigan? Also, what else would you like to know about Mackinac Island? I’ll share more info about this quirky spot in my next post.
![Most people associate stunning fall colors in the US with New England, but completely overlook another incredible option: the Midwest!
And within the Midwest, I honestly think Michigan has some of the best fall colors in the country. (There, I said it!)
This photo, for example, isn’t from New England, but rather is from Mackinac Island, a popular summer resort island in Michigan. While Mackinac isn’t known for its fall color (its delicious fudge and ban on cars are way more famous), there are nevertheless lots of colors to enjoy this time of year.
So I guess my point is... don’t write off the Midwest when it comes to fall color! (Also, expect lots more fall color photos in the coming weeks 😬.)
Would you have ever guessed this photo was taken in Michigan? Also, what else would you like to know about Mackinac Island? I’ll share more info about this quirky spot in my next post.](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Most people associate stunning fall colors in the US with New England, but completely overlook another incredible option: the Midwest! And within the Midwest, I honestly think Michigan has some of the best fall colors in the country. (There, I said it!) This photo, for example, isn’t from New England, but rather is from Mackinac Island, a popular summer resort island in Michigan. While Mackinac isn’t known for its fall color (its delicious fudge and ban on cars are way more famous), there are nevertheless lots of colors to enjoy this time of year. So I guess my point is... don’t write off the Midwest when it comes to fall color! (Also, expect lots more fall color photos in the coming weeks 😬.) Would you have ever guessed this photo was taken in Michigan? Also, what else would you like to know about Mackinac Island? I’ll share more info about this quirky spot in my next post.
Magnificent Mackinac — a pedestrian’s paradise with Victorian vistas 💛🚲💙🐴 #michigantrip2023 #puremichigan #onlyinmichigan #mackinacisland #thisismackinac #mackinacmoments #visitmackinac #visitmichigan #TLpicks #fortmackinac #travelblog #travelblogger #travelgram #blogger
![Magnificent Mackinac — a pedestrian’s paradise with Victorian vistas 💛🚲💙🐴
#michigantrip2023 #puremichigan #onlyinmichigan #mackinacisland #thisismackinac #mackinacmoments #visitmackinac #visitmichigan #TLpicks #fortmackinac #travelblog #travelblogger #travelgram #blogger](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Magnificent Mackinac — a pedestrian’s paradise with Victorian vistas 💛🚲💙🐴 #michigantrip2023 #puremichigan #onlyinmichigan #mackinacisland #thisismackinac #mackinacmoments #visitmackinac #visitmichigan #TLpicks #fortmackinac #travelblog #travelblogger #travelgram #blogger
Views from The Fort Mackinac Tea Room. Breathtaking! 🙌
One month from today! #thisismackinac #mackinacstatehistoricparks #fortmackinac #mackinacisland #mackinacislandstatepark
![One month from today! #thisismackinac #mackinacstatehistoricparks #fortmackinac #mackinacisland #mackinacislandstatepark](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
One month from today! #thisismackinac #mackinacstatehistoricparks #fortmackinac #mackinacisland #mackinacislandstatepark
Walking up the steep hill to Fort Mackinac is worth it for the view of the harbor. We’ve been so lucky with beautiful weather each day too. I definitely don’t want to go home tomorrow! #mackinacisland #mighigan #fortmackinac
![Walking up the steep hill to Fort Mackinac is worth it for the view of the harbor. We’ve been so lucky with beautiful weather each day too. I definitely don’t want to go home tomorrow! #mackinacisland #mighigan #fortmackinac](http://www.mackinacisland.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Walking up the steep hill to Fort Mackinac is worth it for the view of the harbor. We’ve been so lucky with beautiful weather each day too. I definitely don’t want to go home tomorrow! #mackinacisland #mighigan #fortmackinac
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