Bridge Museum at Mackinaw City (#39)

Originally, we had planned to stop at Mackinac Island and spend a couple of nights there, then one night, and then none at all. With all of our changes due to our delays, there was no room for us at the marina.

This is Mackinac Island bay in the distance.

We decided to go to the Mackinaw City Marina where many people take their ferries to the island. On our trip over while we were at Drummond Island, we took the St. Ignace ferry over.

The night before we left Mackinaw City, we realized we could have taken a tour of this US Coast Guard museum you can see in the distance but that was right next to our boat. Our boat looks to be right in front if it, but is on the T-head of the marina.

We went to dinner for Pizza and found we were in the Mackinaw City Museum where we learned all about the massive construction effort it took to build the 5 mile suspension bridge. There was a fascinating video with interviews from the workers in the early 2000s. They had only 5 deaths for this massive undertaking, even though 1 death is too much. Looking at the videos, it looks terrifying.

You could actually have your pizza upstairs in the museum while you look around.

Stay: 1 night

Review:

Straights State Harbor, Mackinaw City

Pros: Protected, Close to Mackinac Island Ferry, Clean Docks, Clean Restrooms, Merrill Store Outlet (we bought shoes at a great discount), easy booking on Michigan DNR system

Cons: Touristy

Rating: 4 stars