Mackinac Bridge

The Mighty Mac is one of the best-known bridges in the United States, so crossing it by vehicle is any Michigan visitor’s rite of passage. You can drive from the Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula or vice versa. But the best way to see it is to pass beneath it; Mackinac Bridge tours and cruises take you the best vantage points on this epic structure. If you want something with a few more thrills, parasailing is the way to go.

• Bridge View Park and McGulpin Point Lighthouse, both in St. Ignace, are great spots for bridge photography.

• If you’re driving, there’s a designated scenic turnout along Interstate 75, just before the bridge on the Lower Peninsula side.

• The bridge’s toll rates are determined by the number of axles on your vehicle.

• The Mackinac Bridge Authority typically accepts both cash and credit/debit cards for toll payments, but it’s nice to have some small bills in hand just in case.

The majestic Mackinac Bridge is on Interstate 75. From the south, you’ll access it through Mackinaw City, while from the north, you’ll find it in St. Ignace. Both routes offer great views of the Great Lakes and the Straits of Mackinac; heading north during sunrise and south during sunset puts the sun on the passenger’s side.

The Mackinac Bridge is open year-round, though occasional closures can happen due to inclement weather (most likely in winter). For the most magical experience, drive south on a summer day when sunset is late, traffic is light, and the north-south bridge offers those orange-gold, glittering views to the west.

The Mackinac Bridge Walk has taken place every Labor Day since 1958—the Michigan governor leads hundreds of pedestrians across the Mackinac Bridge, which closes to vehicles from 7am to noon. It typically takes two hours to cross, but pedestrians can take their time in that window, enjoying the once-a-year on-foot view over the Straits of Mackinac.