As part of our amazing Michigan road trip this summer, we stopped by Mackinac Island, one of my favorite places anywhere. Who couldn’t be charmed with an island full of horse-drawn carriages and bicycles as the main form of transportation? The main reason for our trip was to experience the new renovations at Mission Point Resort. The resort, located on 18-acres on the sunrise coast of Mackinac Island, is the perfect place to call home when staying on the idyllic island. Here’s everything you need to know about Mission Point Resort before you go.

Disclosure: Our family was provided a complimentary stay at Mission Point Resort.  I was not required to express a particular point of view, and all opinions are my own.

Getting to Mission Point

The easiest way to get to Mackinac Island is by ferry. On this particular trip, Shepler’s Ferry brought us to the island. Choose to leave from St. Ignace or Mackinaw City. Don’t forget to count the number of bags you bring. Once you exit the ferry, slow down and breathe. Walk a few steps and you’ll be right in the middle of downtown Main street. You’ll be greeted with the smell of fudge (and horse poop.) Don’t worry about your luggage, as the ferry will transport it to the resort.

Tip: Make sure you pack a bag with essentials just in case it goes “missing” or don’t get to it right away.

Mission Point Resort is located on the East End of Mackinac Island, opposite from the famous Grand Hotel. If you want to take it easy, you can use the Mission Point Resort horse shuttle or a horse taxi to get to the resort. If you don’t mind hoofin’ it take a right and walk about a mile. After passing through downtown, you’ll immediately notice everything slow down.  Embrace the “island” life!  Pass by charming homes, cottages, St. Anne’s Church until you see a wide green space full of socially distant spaced Adirondack Chairs. You definitely cannot miss it!

Checking in at Mission Point 

As you enter the lobby at the Main Lodge, you can’t help but look up and notice massive log beams forming the ceiling. In the lobby you’ll find the front desk, the concierge‘s desk, a bellman, Round Island Bar & Grill.

Fun fact: Did you know that Mission Point Resort was originally built as a conference center for a peace organization? The first building built was the 800-seat theater. It eventually became a college but then was sold off to become what it is today.What a rich history!  

Connected to Main Lodge is also Boxwood Coffee, the Boutique store, and the majority of guestrooms. As far as staying safe, Mission Point did an excellent job. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere, all staff (including porters) had face masks on. 

Tip: Stop by the Concierge desk and say hello to Nick, the super adorable resident Mission Point dog. 

Our room

Sunsets at Straits Lodge

Guests have the choice of staying either at Main Lodge or the Straits Lodge. We stayed in the Straits Lodge in a Family Suite. The huge benefit of having a family suite meant that the kids could have their own room, and mom and dad could finally have their own. Our recently renovated rooms were fresh and bright with whites and pops of denim blue. The vintage Mackinac Island posters and the Mission Point Resort pennants were a nice touch. The rooms were absolutely gorgeous, a job well done for sure! We never wanted to leave.

Tip: The Straits Lodge is about a few minutes walk away from the Main Lodge. It was nice to be in a quieter section of the resort. 

Epic sunrises

Staying at Mission Point Resort give you a huge advantage – prime location for epic sunrises. I’ll let the photos do the talking.

Tip: My favorite spot was just down past the resort (by the Mackinac Island State Park sign.) A nice secluded spot that juts out into the water.  

Arch Rock all to myself!

Get your coffee on

Every morning after watching the sunrise, I made a beeline straight for Boxwood Coffeeshop, Mission Point’s newest coffee shop. While they had a nice outdoor patio in front, I walked a few extra steps to sit at the Adirondack Chairs right by the shore. This was THE perfect to start the day! FYI, there is another coffee shop at the Straits Lodge but it wasn’t open when we visited.

Rent a bike

A visit to Mackinac Island is not complete without a bike ride around the island. Mission Point not only rents out the coolest bikes made from Detroit Bike Company but you can ride in style! Featuring wicker baskets, stitched leather handlebars and seats, these bikes are truly one of a kind. 

Put your put put skills to the test

Once the kids spied the putting green, they couldn’t wait to play. At the Greens of Mackinac, the family can enjoy putting their golf skills to the test with 18 holes. Not only do golfers get prime views of the lake but they’ll find art and sculptures along the way. For a fun experience try golf during the evening with Glow Golf. Tip: Adults can feel free to order a drink at the bar at the Bistro then bring their libation in a plastic cup on the course.

  Enjoy the green space 

It would be a crime not to spend time at Mission Point Resort’s Great Lawn where the Adirondack chairs are calling your name. It’s the perfect place to sit and relax. During the mornings, I headed here to enjoy my cup of coffee. During the evening, we had the most memorable family picnic. (We grabbed food from Doud’s Market that included sushi!) With 18 acres of lawn space, it was super easy to social distance ourselves from everybody. While my husband and I were finishing our cheese, crackers, and wine, the kids were happy running around. Not to mention, this is a fabulous spot enjoy the sun going down.

Tip: Other options for a picnic include take-out from Round Island Bar & Grill or Bistro on the Greens or grabbing sandwiches and drinks from Boxwood Coffeeshop & Cafe.

Grab a souvenir

Final Thoughts About Mission Point Resort

Nitty Gritty:

Website: https://www.missionpoint.com/
Location: One Lakeshore Drive, Mackinac Island,Michigan