Fort Mackinac is Michigan‘s oldest building, standing on a bluff above the Straits of Mackinac on car-free Mackinac Island.
You can book your admission ticket in advance through Viator.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 7127 Huron Rd., Mackinac Island, MI 49757 |
| Season | June 6 – October 24, 2026 (hours vary by period) |
| Adult admission | $17.50 |
| Child admission (5–12) | $10.50 |
| Nearest transport | Passenger ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace (no cars on the island) |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours |
Why book Fort Mackinac tickets?
- 🏛️ Michigan’s oldest building: Alongside 13 other restored historic structures on a bluff above the Straits.
- 🎟️ A special America250 season: 2026 brings a new daily program on “The Changing Face of Fort Mackinac.”
- 🌿 Live cannon and rifle demonstrations: Fired multiple times daily, alongside a Changing of the Guard program.
- 📜 One ticket, five museums: Admission also covers the Mackinac Art Museum, Biddle House, Blacksmith Shop, and Fur Co. Store.
- 💰 Fire the cannon yourself: A bookable, one-of-a-kind experience unique to a Fort Mackinac visit.
Fort Mackinac opening hours
From June 6 to September 6, 2026, the fort is open 9:30am to 7pm, with last admission at 6pm. From September 7 to October 4, hours shorten to 9:30am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. From October 5 to October 24, hours run 9:30am to 4pm, last admission 3pm, and admission is only available through the North Sally Port entrance during this final stretch.
Fort Mackinac ticket prices
Admission covers the fort itself plus four more Mackinac Island sites.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $17.50 |
| Child (5–12) | $10.50 |
Your ticket also includes The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum (May 8–October 4), Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, the American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum, and McGulpin House (included only June 6–August 22). Combination and season pass options are also 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 Fort Mackinac
Mackinac Island is entirely car-free. Visitors arrive by passenger ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace (or by private boat or small plane), then reach the fort on foot, by bicycle, or by horse-drawn taxi from the docks. The fort has two entrances: the South Sally Port, via the ramp off Fort Street, and the North Sally Port, off Huron Road.
Parking at Fort Mackinac
There’s no parking on Mackinac Island itself, since cars aren’t permitted. Ferry companies offer parking at their terminals in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.
How long to spend at Fort Mackinac
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the 14 restored buildings and catching a demonstration or two.
Accessibility at Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac occupies a historic 1780s hilltop site, and its bluff-top setting includes some uneven terrain and stairs typical of its age. Check the official accessibility page or contact the park ahead of your visit to plan around specific needs.
What to see at Fort Mackinac
Along with the likes of Fort McHenry in Baltimore and Fort Matanzas in St. Augustine, Florida, Fort Mackinac is one of the most impressive colonial forts in the US.
All 14 restored buildings are open to the public, furnished with period settings or themed exhibits, including A Military History of Fort Mackinac, Mackinac, An Island Famous in These Regions in the Soldiers’ Barracks, Military Medicine at Mackinac: 1780–1895 in the Post Hospital, the hands-on Kids’ Quarters, the Post Guardhouse, and War! 1812 in the North Blockhouse, which plunges visitors into the British capture of the fort.
Live demonstrations run throughout the day, including rifle and cannon firings, a Changing of the Guard program, an Infantry Exercise, and a Drill Demonstration visitors can join.
Two short films, The Heritage of Mackinac and A Pride of Purpose: The Story of Mackinac National Park, alternate in the Soldiers’ Barracks.
Visitors can also fire the opening cannon salute themselves, or go deeper with a 90-minute Curator’s Tour covering the fort’s military history.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book your ferry first | Mackinac Island has no cars, so factor in ferry time from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. |
| Catch a live demonstration | Rifle and cannon firings run several times a day. |
| Your ticket covers more than the fort | It includes four more Mackinac Island museums in Historic Downtown Mackinac. |
| Check the McGulpin House dates | It’s only included with admission from June 6 through August 22. |
| Watch for the fall entrance change | From October 5, admission is only through the North Sally Port. |
Fort Mackinac FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | June 6–Sept 6: 9:30am–7pm. Sept 7–Oct 4: 9:30am–5pm. Oct 5–24: 9:30am–4pm, North Sally Port only. |
| How much does admission cost? | $17.50 for adults and $10.50 for children 5–12; includes four more Mackinac Island museums. |
| How do I get to Fort Mackinac? | By passenger ferry to car-free Mackinac Island, then on foot, bike, or horse-drawn taxi up to the fort. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | The fort sits atop a bluff with some historic, uneven terrain; contact the park ahead for specific needs. |
| How long should I plan to visit? | Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the 14 buildings and demonstrations. |
Things to do near Fort Mackinac
Mackinac Island State Park, surrounding the fort, protects natural landmarks including the limestone formation Arch Rock.
Historic Downtown Mackinac, included with your fort ticket, gathers the Biddle House, Art Museum, Blacksmith Shop, and Fur Co. Store within walking distance.
Main Street, along the harbor, is lined with fudge shops and departure points for horse-drawn carriage tours.
The Grand Hotel, famous for the world’s longest porch, is a short walk from the fort and open to day visitors for a fee.
Mackinac Island’s 8-mile shoreline road, popular with cyclists, offers a full loop of the car-free island’s coastline.
What to visit tomorrow
Colonial Michilimackinac, across the Straits in Mackinaw City, is the natural companion site — an 18th-century fort and fur-trading village run by the same organization, reachable by ferry back to the mainland. The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse is nearby.
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.
