Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, Michigan, has guided ships through the treacherous Straits of Mackinac since 1889, earning its nickname, the “Castle of the Straits.”
This guide was updated in August 2026. You can book your admission ticket in advance through Viator.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 526 N. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City, MI 49701 |
| Season | June 6 – October 11, 2026 (hours vary by period) |
| Adult admission | $11.00 |
| Child admission (5–12) | $7.75 |
| Nearest transport | Free on-site parking, just off I-75 |
| Typical visit duration | 1–1.5 hours |
Why book Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse tickets?
- 🏛️ A beacon since 1889: Known locally as the “Castle of the Straits” for its distinctive turret-topped keeper’s house.
- 🎟️ A brand-new exhibit: Optics, lenses, sound, and fog signals are now explored on the main floor.
- 🌿 Climb the tower: For sweeping views of the Mackinac Bridge, the Straits, and Mackinac Island itself.
- 📜 The Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum: Tells the story of the many wrecks that dot these waters, included with admission.
- 💰 Free parking right at the entrance: Just off I-75 in Mackinaw City.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse opening hours
From June 6 to September 6, 2026, the lighthouse is open 9am to 5:30pm, with the last ticket sold at 5pm. From September 7 to October 11, hours shorten to 9am to 4:30pm, last ticket 4pm, and the site is closed on Monday, October 5.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse ticket prices
Admission covers the keeper’s house, tower, and Shipwreck Museum.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $11.00 |
| Child (5–12) | $7.75 |
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 Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse sits within Michilimackinac State Park, just off I-75 in Mackinaw City, just east of the Mackinac Bridge. The Fog Signal Building serves as the site’s entrance.
Parking at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Parking is free, in the main lot adjacent to the site entrance, with additional parking available along Huron Avenue and near the Colonial Michilimackinac entrance.
How long to spend at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Most visitors spend 1 to 1.5 hours exploring the keeper’s house, tower, and Shipwreck Museum.
Accessibility at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Certain rules apply for climbing the lighthouse tower itself; check the official tower page before your visit. For broader accessibility questions, check the official accessibility page or contact the park ahead of time.
What to see at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
The Fog Signal Whistle Demonstration, led by a historic interpreter, runs four times daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm, in front of the Fog Signal Building.
The Castle on the Straits Walking Tour, also led by an interpreter, explores the lighthouse’s 65-year role as a maritime landmark, departing at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.
The Keepers’ Quarters contains three rooms restored to their 1910 appearance, alongside a gallery on the lighthouse’s history with hands-on displays and original artifacts. A new exhibit on optics, lenses, sound, and fog signals now sits on the main floor, and the second-floor Marshall Gallery tells the story of Keeper George Marshall, his wife Maggie, and their family, in two bedrooms restored to their 1910 appearance.
The Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum, in a reconstructed warehouse, uses audiovisual displays and original artifacts to tell the story of the numerous shipwrecks in these waters.
Two films, Shipwrecks of the Straits and the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Tower Tour, alternate throughout the day in the Barn.
Like other US lighthouses, such as the Key West Lighthouse in Florida and the Highland Lighthouse on the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, it is possible to climb the tower. However, there’s a 51 step wrought iron staircase to navigate, and tackling it is at your own risk.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Catch a Fog Signal Whistle demonstration | Held four times daily, at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. |
| Join the free Castle on the Straits Walking Tour | Led by a historic interpreter at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. |
| Check tower-climbing rules before you go | Certain restrictions apply; see the official tower page. |
| Don’t skip the Shipwreck Museum | A separate reconstructed warehouse exhibit, included with admission. |
| Watch for the October 5 closure | The lighthouse is shut that Monday during fall hours. |
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | June 6–Sept 6: 9am–5:30pm. Sept 7–Oct 11: 9am–4:30pm, closed Monday, October 5. |
| How much does admission cost? | $11 for adults and $7.75 for children 5–12. |
| Can I climb the tower? | Yes, though certain rules apply; check the official tower page before your visit. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, free parking is available right next to the entrance. |
| What’s new at the lighthouse? | A new exhibit on optics, lenses, sound, and fog signals has recently been added to the main floor. |
Things to do near Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Colonial Michilimackinac, right next door within the same state park, pairs naturally with a lighthouse visit for a full Mackinaw City day.
McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site, a short drive away, is another restored Straits of Mackinac lighthouse with its own log cabin and grounds.
Bridge View Park, close by, offers one of the best photo spots for the Mackinac Bridge.
Downtown Mackinaw City, a short walk or drive, is packed with fudge shops, restaurants, and souvenir stores.
The Mackinac Bridge itself, visible from the lighthouse grounds, remains one of the world’s longest suspension bridges between two main towers.
What to visit tomorrow
The Cheboygan Crib Light and Cheboygan River Front Range Light, about 20 to 25 minutes away, offer weekend tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day along the Cheboygan River.
The Old and New Presque Isle Lighthouses, near Alpena, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away, stand about a mile apart on Lake Huron; the older light now houses a museum, and the newer 113-foot tower is one of the tallest on the Great Lakes.
Fort Mackinac on car-free Mackinac Island, a short ferry hop from Mackinaw City, is the oldest building in Michigan.
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.
