Mackinac Island is located between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. The island is east of the Mackinac Bridge, which means it is the waters of Lake Huron. A visit to the island requires a short, pleasant ferry ride from the mainland to the island.

It’s a good idea to check the ferry departure times online before you leave home. Plan to arrive at the dock at least 45 minutes before your desired scheduled departure. Departure times vary throughout the season, becoming more frequent during the peak of the summer season in July & August. You may leave from the Lower Peninsula at the Mackinaw City dock or St. Ignace in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Upon arriving at the dock, the parking attendant will direct you to overnight parking services.

When packing your luggage, remember that it, too, is traveling. To prevent items from falling out, use bags with zippers or latch closures. Plan to hand-carry electronics, chargers, medications, medical equipment, car keys, and anything fragile, valuable, or irreplaceable.

The ferry service provides baggage handling to and from the mainland. Upon arriving at the dock on the mainland, have all luggage you wish to be transported to the hotel tagged for the Island House Hotel. From there, they will load it onto the ferry for you. All checked items must be zipped or sealed. Multiple services will be transporting your luggage; for this reason, Island House Hotel cannot assume responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage or its contents. Verify that you receive a baggage claim tag for each piece of luggage before boarding the ferry. You must present these tags to claim your bags at the hotel.

Once you arrive on Mackinac Island, an Island House Hotel porter will take your luggage and direct you to the hotel. Luggage transfer times to the hotel vary; if you need something right away, you should transport it along with anything you consider fragile, valuable, or irreplaceable.

Upon arrival at the hotel, present the luggage claim stubs you received at the ferry dock to the desk clerk at check-in.

Guest transportation to and from the hotel is not included in your nightly rate. You may walk, bike, or take a horse-drawn taxi to the hotel. Mackinac Island Taxi reservations are required 30-60 minutes in advance by calling 906-847-3323.

Island House Hotel is located at 6966 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, directly across from the marina. You will see our stately hotel to the right as the ferry circles the lighthouse and enters the bay.

Island House Hotel is just around the bend from the historic downtown on Mackinac Island. As you leave downtown, you’ll turn a gentle corner, passing the Marquette Park on your left and the Mackinac Island State Harbor on your right. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself at the drive leading up to the stately Island House Hotel.

Our historic estate has the perfect Mackinac Island location. It is on the edge of downtown, away from the bustle. You are close enough to downtown to get back into the action anytime that suits you. Alternatively, you could always rent a bike outside at Island House Bikes and head in the other direction for an around-island bike adventure.

One of the featured favorites of our location is the porch overlooking the harbor. Pull up a chair and rock away the day. In the evening, watch a sunset-painted sky fade into a starry island night while sitting by a cozy chiminea fire on the lawn. You don’t get stars like these in the city, so kick back and enjoy the allure of an evening on Mackinac Island.