Colonial Michilimackinac is an 18th-century fort and fur-trading village in Mackinaw City, Michigan, reconstructed from historic maps and more than 60 years of ongoing archaeology.
This guide was updated in August 2026. You can book your admission ticket in advance through Viator.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 102 W. Straits Ave., Mackinaw City, MI 49701 |
| Season | June 6 – October 11, 2026 (hours vary by period) |
| Adult admission | $17.50 |
| Child admission (5–12) | $10.50 |
| Nearest transport | Free on-site parking, just off I-75 |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours |
Why book Colonial Michilimackinac tickets?
- 🏛️ Reconstructed from real archaeology: An 18th-century fort and fur-trading village built from historic maps and 60+ years of excavation.
- 🎟️ A special America250 season: 2026’s “Michilimackinac 1776: First Strike” program marks the nation’s 250th anniversary.
- 🌿 Watch real archaeologists at work: On-site through one of North America’s longest-running digs, most summer days into mid-August.
- 📜 Slavery at the Straits: Added in 2024, this exhibit explores a part of the fort’s history many older guides leave out.
- 💰 Free parking right off I-75: With the Visitor’s Center entrance under the Mackinac Bridge.
Colonial Michilimackinac opening hours
From June 6 to September 6, 2026, the site is open 9:30am to 7pm, last admission 6pm. From September 7 to October 1, hours shorten to 9:30am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. Fort Fright, a separate ticketed evening event, runs October 2–3 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Regular hours then resume from October 6 to October 11, 9:30am to 5pm, last admission 4pm.
Colonial Michilimackinac ticket prices
Admission covers the full 16-building site.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $17.50 |
| Child (5–12) | $10.50 |
Combination and season pass options covering multiple Mackinac State Historic Parks sites are available at checkout. Groups of 12 or more should contact the park’s group travel coordinator for rates. Book in advance through Viator to secure your ticket ahead of time.
How to get to Colonial Michilimackinac
The site sits just off I-75 in Mackinaw City, on the shore of Lake Michigan, with the Visitor’s Center entrance under the Mackinac Bridge.
Parking at Colonial Michilimackinac
Parking is free, in the main lot adjacent to the Visitor’s Center off Straits Avenue.
How long to spend at Colonial Michilimackinac
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the 16 buildings, demonstrations, and exhibits.
Accessibility at Colonial Michilimackinac
Colonial Michilimackinac is an outdoor historic site with natural, sometimes uneven terrain typical of an open-air 18th-century fort. Check the official accessibility page or contact the park ahead of your visit to plan around specific needs.
What to see at Colonial Michilimackinac
This is a reconstructed outdoor history museum, along the lines of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and the Pioneer Living History Museum in Arizona.
All 16 buildings are furnished with period settings or themed exhibits, including Slavery at the Straits, added in 2024 to explore its role at the Straits of Mackinac through the 17th and 18th centuries; France at Mackinac, 1670–1760; Treasures from the Sand, an underground exhibit on the process of historical archaeology; Redcoats on the Frontier, now with a new interactive space; the subterranean Powder Magazine and Firearms on the Frontier; and the Commanding Officer’s House.
Ongoing archaeology, conducted each summer since 1959, is one of the longest continuously running excavations of its kind in the nation; archaeologists are typically on site from early June through mid-August, weather permitting.
Two films run throughout the day: Michilimackinac: Crossroads of the Great Lakes, a 15-minute overview screened every 20 minutes in the King’s Storehouse, and Attack! at Michilimackinac, playing continuously in the Trader’s House.
Visitors can fire the opening cannon salute, try the hands-on Guns Across the Straits experience firing four black powder weapons, or go deeper with a 90-minute Curator’s Tour on the site’s role in the American Revolution.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time your visit for the archaeology season | Active excavation typically runs early June through mid-August. |
| Catch a firing demonstration | Artillery and musket firings run several times daily. |
| Try Guns Across the Straits | A paid, hands-on experience firing four black powder weapons. |
| Check dates for Fort Fright | A separate, ticketed evening event held October 2–3, outside normal hours. |
| Parking is free and easy | Right off I-75, next to the Visitor’s Center under the bridge. |
Colonial Michilimackinac FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | June 6–Sept 6: 9:30am–7pm. Sept 7–Oct 1 & Oct 6–11: 9:30am–5pm. Fort Fright Oct 2–3: 6:30–9:30pm (special ticket). |
| How much does admission cost? | $17.50 for adults and $10.50 for children 5–12. |
| Can I really watch archaeologists at work? | Yes, during the main season, roughly early June to mid-August, weather permitting. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, free parking is available right next to the Visitor’s Center. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | It’s an outdoor historic site with some natural terrain; contact the park ahead for specific needs. |
Things to do near Colonial Michilimackinac
The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, a short walk away, offers a combination ticket with Colonial Michilimackinac and panoramic Straits views.
Bridge View Park, right by the site, is the best nearby spot for photos of the Mackinac Bridge.
Downtown Mackinaw City, a short drive or walk away, is packed with fudge shops, restaurants, and souvenir stores.
The Mackinaw City public beach, along Lake Huron, offers a place to relax after a morning at the fort.
The Mackinac Island ferry docks, also nearby, make it easy to continue on to the island the same day or the next.
What to visit tomorrow
Fort Mackinac, on Mackinac Island and reachable by ferry, is the natural companion site — an 18th-century military fort run by the same organization.
More Michigan travel
Other Michigan travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Discover Michigan’s past at the Detroit Historical Museum.
- Explore one of the world’s great Art Deco buildings – the Guardian Building in Detroit.
- What to expect at the Belle Isle Aquarium and Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit.
- What to see and when to see it at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
- Seeing the Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford in Dearborn.
