Area Attractions
Castle Rock
Castle Rock is considered to be one of the oldest lookout points near St. Ignace and was known as “Pontiac’s Lookout” by the Ojibwa Tribe. It rises an astonishing 195 feet above water level offering a scenic and inspiring view for up to 20 miles, featuring Mackinac Island, Lake Huron, downtown St. Ignace and wildlife habitat. The lookout point is equipped with viewing binoculars for a spectacular view of the area. Our gift shop features a birch bark ceiling and walls hand crafted by local Native Americans in the early 1950’s.
Deer Ranch
The Deer Ranch was opened in 1950 and is the oldest live whitetail exhibit in North America. They feature dozens of native whitetail deer, white deer and even albino deer. You may see young bucks with velvet on their antlers earlier in the season when you visit or does laying hidden in the grass. There is a fawn barn where you can fawn over the little ones and even pet them. They do bottle feed the fawns and if you call ahead to find out times, you may even be able to help bottle feed!
Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours
Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours provides an educational tour of historic Sault Ste. Marie and an engaging experience of passing through the Soo Locks. Proudly operating since 1959, Famous continues the tradition of highlighting history and attractions for a relaxing and memorable experience for locals and visitors. Our yellow and blue boats, the Nokomis and LeVoyageur, accommodate 150 passengers and feature a full snack bar with beer, wine and hard seltzers.
Our tours feature live narration. Our knowledgeable narrators will share the many interesting sights and history of the area as you cruise the beautiful St. Mary’s River and up bound and down bound lockage through the Soo Locks.
Father Marquette National Memorial
On a rise overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, the Father Marquette National Memorial tells the story of that 17th-century missionary-explorer and the meeting of French and Native American cultures deep in the North American wilderness.
Garlyn Zoo Wildlife Park
GarLyn Zoo sets on the top of Lake Michigan nestled in the mature pines of the U.P. Family fun for over 20 years. A great place to bring the whole family.
A child friendly zoo with people friendly animals located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan just 40 minutes west of the Mackinac Bridge. Enjoy feeding the deer, goats, llama and even the bear. You will see tiger, cougar, wolves, bobcat, river otter, camel, alligator grizzly bear and more. Check out the gift shop filled with wildlife related gifts and souvenirs for all ages.
Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tours
America’s first and today’s best Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tour since 1992! Take an excursion back in time to the industrial ages of American shipping History. Let us introduce you to Lake Superiors natural underwater museum featuring a rare, fully intact, wooden sailing ship that was built before the Civil War and sits only a few feet from the surface of the lake.
The trip takes about 2 hours, visits two different shipwreck sites, rock cliffs & caves, a historic lighthouse, and the exquisite beauty of Grand Island and Munising Bay.
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located at Whitefish Point, Michigan, just an hour’s drive from St. Ignace. Upon arrival at Whitefish Point, visitors are introduced to a self-guided tour of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum building featuring displays, artifacts, models, and interpretive panels about Lake Superior Shipwrecks, including the bell of the famous Edmund Fitzgerald, appropriately displayed as a memorial to her lost crew of 29 men. Visitors next attend the Video Theatre, to see a 20-minute presentation about the raising of the bell. After that, visitors are treated to a professionally guided tour of the 1861 Lightkeepers Quarters as restored to the 1920’s era, when Capt. Robert Carlson was keeper at Whitefish Point. A tour of the 1923 U.S. Coast Guard Surfboat House concludes the guided tour portion of your visit.
Haunted Theatre
Haunted Theatre is not a theater of movies, but a haunted house of three dimensional monsters. Within these halls you will encounter horrors of the past….Artist’s conceptions of monsters from Mackinac’s History.
Kewadin Shores Casino
Kewadin Shores Casino and Hotel is located on Mackinac Trail just north of St. Ignace. Tribal owned casino offering Vegas style gaming: Black Jack, Craps, Roulette, Money Wheel, Slot Machines, and more. Open 7 days a week, year around. Free shuttle service to and from local hotels and campgrounds.
Mackinac Bridge & Bridge View Park
The setting – the Straits of Mackinac. This beautiful park consists of an observation building, picnic pavilions and lots of paved parking. Bridge View Park is located just west of the Mackinac Bridge Authority fare plaza.
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
The “World’s Largest Horse & Buggy Livery.” 1-hour and 45 minute narrated, historic and scenic horse drawn tour. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours is located downtown area next to Visitor’s Bureau.
Mackinac State Historic Parks
Fort Mackinac and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and Historic Mill Creek in Mackinaw City. Visit Mackinac State Historic Parks for more information.
Mackinaw Manor Haunted Mansion
Mackinaw Manor Haunted Mansion is a fully automated haunted house, using the latest in animatronics, special effects and state of the art sound technology creating a frighteningly haunting experience for you and your friends.
Mackinac Parasailing
Parasailing is an exciting water sport for all ages. Come view the “Straits of Mackinac” from a new perspective. Our custom boat enables the parasailer to take off and land directly from the flight deck, making for a smooth, safe, and dry parasail flight.
Museum of Ojibwa Culture
City operated, the museum and park portray life over 300 years ago when Ojibwa, Huron and Odawa Indians and French lifestyles met here. National Historic Landmark.
Museum Ship Valley Camp/Tower of History
The 1917 Museum Ship Valley Camp features fascinating maritime exhibits through out its entire 550 feet. The 210′ Tower of History offers a 20 mile panoramic view.
Mystery Spot
Voted Michigan’s #1 unusual attraction. Enjoy guided tours through an area where gravity seems to have gone haywire! Also, mini-golf and maze in the woods. 5 miles west on US-2. Visitors to the Mystery Spot also have the opportunity to ride a new ZIP LINE offering views of the Mackinac Bridge.
Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House
The Butterfly House is a tropical garden with over 850 butterflies in free flight. Behind St. Anne’s Church. Perfect family attraction, photographer’s paradise. Beautiful, breathtaking and educational. A must see on your Island visit.
Oswald’s Bear Ranch
See bears in three natural habitats at Oswald’s Bear Ranch. Cubs, 23 large bears. $10 per car. Open 10am-6pm. Memorial Day weekend-September 30.
Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises
Join us on a breathtaking, 2 1/2 to 3 hours Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise. The crystal clear, blue-green waters of Lake Superior have created masterpieces of colors and rock formations found nowhere else in the world. Come join us for an experience you will never forget.
Soo Locks Boat Tours & Dinner Cruises
Soo Locks Boat Tours offers Lock Tours, Dinner Cruises and Lighthouse Cruises — narrated excursions that will actually take you through the locks, right alongside the freighters. Don’t miss this experience — great family fun!!
St. Ignace Lakefront Parks
New Chief Wawatam Park – Picnic area, splash pad, fishing pier. Located on the Huron Boardwalk, on your way out to the Wawatam Lighthouse.
Kiwanis Beach Park – Picnic area, pavilions, swimming area, located on the Huron Boardwalk, just south of the Star Line Main Dock.
City Park – Dock #3: Picnic area, pavilion, playground, restrooms, viewing pier, boat launch. Located on the sound end of town, along South State Street.
American Legion Park: Picnic tables, pavilion (tables and grills), playground, beach area, and restrooms available. Located south of the St. Ignace Marina.
Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat Tours & Toonerville Trolley
Soo Junction Tour #1 – 6.5 hour train and boat tour to Tahquamenon Falls. Tour #2 – 2 hour, wilderness train ride. Call for rates and schedules.
Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum
Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum is the latest addition to the small fishing village of Naubinway. The Museum is a spin-off of the Antique/Vintage Snowmobile Show held the third week in Feb. since 1993. The Museum has displays of race sleds, rear-engine and unique one-of-a-kind sleds, plus other memorabilia. You can also shop for a souvenir or books about snowmobiling history. If you come by car or groomed trail, go 2 blocks south of the blinking light off US 2 for a step back into the good old days of snowmobiling. Hours: Sept-May, Thursday-Monday 12-5pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day, Thursday-Monday 11-6pm. 906-477-6298, or call for after hours appointment 906-477-6192.