by Dave Weiman
As soon as you walk through the front door of the Harbour View Inn, you will be immersed in the historic charm that has made Mackinac Island, Michigan, special!
Whether on your honeymoon, a romantic getaway, or spending time with the family or friends, the Harbour View Inn – located at 6860 Main Street (a short walk from downtown Mackinac Island) – will exceed your expectations for excellence!
The Harbour View Inn is comprised of four unique buildings designed for a variety of styles and tastes. The Chateau LaFramboise, the original mansion, is furnished in an elegant blend of French and Victorian décor; the Carriage House and Guest House are secluded behind the mansion, and feature a quaint summer cottage theme; and the Harbour View Bed and Breakfast is as its name implies. All accommodations offer views of either the magnificent harbor, exquisitely manicured courtyard or nearby heritage buildings.
Guests are greeted at the front door of the “Chateau LaFramboise.” Property manager, Michelle Dean, or front desk clerk, Larry Wood, or other staff, will check you in.
Like many of the properties on the island, the Harbour View Inn was once a single-family dwelling, owned by Madame Magdelaine LaFramboise, a woman who defied the odds to become one of the most successful fur traders in the territory during the 19th Century.
Madame Magdelaine was also a philanthropist and her good deeds have had a lasting impact on the island. Among her good deeds was donating land to St. Anne Catholic Church located next to her estate. She also dedicated herself to educating the island’s children. Madame Magdelaine died in 1846 and was buried at St. Anne.
Transportation To, From & On The Island
There’s only two ways to reach the island in the summer time – by ferryboat or by airplane. Automobiles are not allowed on the island. Either you walk, ride a horse, ride on or drive a horse-drawn carriage, or ride a bicycle once on the island. There are 500 horses on the island during the summer.
For those who have never flown to the island, you will be pleased with the airport (KMCD). The State of Michigan has made the airport one of pride and joy for tourism.
After you land and park your plane, walk into the small terminal building and pay your daily tie-down fee and the park ranger will call for a horse-drawn taxi to your
destination. While we have used the horse-drawn taxis over the years, Peggy and I now travel with our Montague folding bicycles and wear backpacks to haul our gear (https://midwestflyer.com/?s=montague). The Harbour View Inn also has bicycles for rent for your convenience.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac (MACK-in-awe) became one of the nation’s favored summer resort destinations during the Victorian era. Vacationers arrived in large lake excursion boats from Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit seeking the cooler weather on the island. They danced to Strauss’ waltzes at the Grand Hotel, listened to Sousa’s stirring marches, dined on whitefish and strolled along the waterfront and boardwalks of the downtown area. Today, visitors can enjoy a vibrate nightlife or relax on the patio at their hotel or along the docks.
A favorite restaurant and pub of ours is Mary’s Bistro at the Star Line Ferry, serving fabulous French Bistro for lunch and dinner with a view of the harbor. Mary’s Bistro features one of the island’s best wine lists and the Draught House with 50 taps of beer. Check Mary’s Bistro and The Island House online a www.theislandhouse.com/marys-bistro.
Historic sites to enjoy include Mackinac Island State Park, one of Mother Nature’s most awe-inspiring treasures with its natural wonders including soaring limestone bluffs, stunning vistas overlooking clear, but cool, sparkling blue waters; verdant rolling forests; and miles and miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and snowshoe adventures. The park is America’s second national park – established three years after Yellowstone – and consists of over 80% of the island’s entire landmass. It is open year round, free of charge!
Let your imagination go at “Fort Mackinac,” located on a bluff that overlooks the entrancing Straits of Mackinac.
Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution. The British captured the fort in the very first engagement on American soil in the War of 1812. The fort features 14 original buildings, cannon salutes, bugle music, daily reenactments, and interactive displays.
After the British and their allies captured Fort Mackinac, they quickly built a small outpost and called it “Fort George.” When the Americans regained the fort by treaty at the end of the war, it was renamed “Fort Holmes” after American Major Andrew Hunter Holmes who succumbed to wounds during a futile attempt to retake the fort from the British in 1814.
Since horses are a big part of Mackinac Island, the Mackinac Horsemen Association showcases the island’s unique horse culture with a compilation of photographs at the entrance of the Mackinac Community Equestrian Center (MCEC).
The newest museum on the island is the “Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum,” which is a three-level structure that focuses upon fine and decorative arts throughout the years. There are interactive displays, hands-on activities, exhibitions, and an art studio for kids.
The Surrey Hills Carriage Museum features antique carriages and a working blacksmith shop.
The Stuart House Museum illuminates the island’s history and is where John Jacob Astor made his living as a fur trader during the 1800s.
The Tower Museum not only offers the best view on the island – eight stories above ground level – but it is also a fascinating look at the past.
Some of the special events during the tourist season for 2015 include the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, June 5-14; Mackinac Island’s Star Spangled Fourth, July 4; Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac, July 11-14; and the Grand Hotel’s Labor Day Jazz Weekend, Sept. 4-7. For a complete events calendar, refer to www.MackinacIsland.org.
Reservations & Special Deals
You can find special deals and packages at the Harbour View Inn website at www.harbourviewinn.com. You can also make reservations by calling 906-847-0101.
EDITOR’S NOTE: 100LL and Jet A fuel are available across the bay from Mackinac Island at Mackinac County Airport (83D) in St. Ignace, Michigan. Consider topping off your tanks before landing on Mackinac Island in the event you need to depart the island IFR.
