arts & life travel An Island GetawayLynne Konstantin | Arts & Life Editor A horse-drawn carriage guides visitors through the historic streets of Mackinac Island. here are few places you A vital hub of trade along the guides in period costume. Stroll upscale yet relaxed experience, in then called the Inn on Mackinac. can travel to that grace Great Lakes, the island became a Downtown Mackinac Island’s the spirit of an old-school summer In 2014, current owners Dennert T you with the feeling of summer tourist destination in the boutiques, galleries — and world- camp. and Suzanne Ware purchased the being in a specific and special 19th century. The entire island famous fudge shops, a tradition The resort’s original structure, resort and embarked on a multi- place on the globe. Take a walk or is a National Historic Landmark, since the late 19th century. Ride Mission House, was built by a million-dollar renovation and a bike ride, and the bridge beyond with more than 80 percent of it the trails on a horse from Cindy’s Protestant missionary to house upgrade — completed just in time — connecting two pieces of land preserved as the Mackinac Island Riding Stable, drive a carriage and teach Native American chil- for this season’s visitors. Along distinct from your island — rein- State Park. It is also notable from Jack’s Livery Stable or take dren (later, he established Mission with a massive facelift, Mission forces your disconnect from the for its prohibition, since 1898, a private or group carriage Church, one of the Midwest’s Point Resort now includes a fit- rest of the world. On Mackinac of motor vehicles — meaning tour of Mackinac State Park with first Protestant churches). As a ness center and the Lakeside Spa Island, you’re not Up North — visitors are required to explore its narrated tours of Surrey Hills, result, the entire southeast end of & Salon (try the Lilac Facial & you’re away, secluded, yet also exquisite shoreline with pristine Arch Rock and more. Have some Mackinac Island become known as Body Treatment, using the island’s standing in the middle of an blue waters, lush forests, fur- watery fun: Rent a kayak or Mission Point. historic varieties of lilacs, or a Great entirely open, spacious blue land trade era homes and shops and paddleboard, charter a fishing In the 1950s, the property was Lakes Stone Massage). of its own. And it’s only a four- grand Victorian cottages by foot, boat, take a sailing tour or para- built up, adding a still-used the- Many of the 239 rooms and hour drive from Metro Detroit. bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. sail. Take in historic paintings, ater with 50-foot trusses made of suites offer Jacuzzis and grand Home to Native Americans It also means an island vacation maps and photographs and Native Norway Pine from nearby Bois views of Lake Huron. With four before 17th-century European can be as energetic or laid-back, American art at the Richard and Blanc island, a main lodge with a on-site restaurants to choose from exploration, the 3.8-square-mile romantic or family-friendly as Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art five-foot marble-encased fireplace — kids 12 and under eat free at island in the Straits of Mackinac, you choose. Museum, housed in the historic — and a movie-production sound Round Island Bar & Grill or Bistro where Lake Huron and Lake Indian Dormitory. stage, which Universal Studios on the Greens — Mission Point Michigan meet, is all about its WHAT TO DO leased for the 1979 summer season has created a comprehensive farm- impressive and gorgeous history Visit Fort Mackinac, established WHERE TO STAY to produce the dreamily iconic film and water-to-table menu, using while still catering to its modern by the British in 1780, for a tour Sprawling across 18 bucolic acres, Somewhere in Time. The entire cast local Native American fisheries visitors. of its 14 original buildings led by Mission Point Resort offers an and crew were hosted at the resort, for its signature whitefish. Try the 32 July 7 • 2016 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Mackinac’s Grand Hotel Main Lodge at Mission Point, including the elegant Chianti res- taurant in the left bay An aerial view of Mission Point Resort Sadie’s ice-cream shop is in the foyer of the Grand Hotel Grand Hotel’s 660-foot porch is the longest in the world. The Grand’s massive Main Dining Room crafted-on-property frozen fudge ANOTHER OPTION the Grand Hotel in 1960 — the restaurants is the 1,000-seat horses, golf on the 18-hole and check out weekly culinary Lush, luxurious — and very Musser family has owned the Main Dining Room overlooking Jewel course plus FootGolf on events, including the DIY Cocktail grand — the Grand Hotel is hotel since 1979. the picturesque porch, where the Grand nine. Cool off with a Program in the Cocktail Garden. steeped in elegant history. The Grand Hotel offers 390 guests (men require a jacket poolside snow cone at the ser- Towering majestically on a guest rooms and suites, each and tie) sup on a five-course pentine-shaped Esther Williams WHILE YOU’RE THERE bluff overlooking the Straits of uniquely designed by the famed dinner served on the hotel’s Swimming Pool, named after Mission Point Resort offers every Mackinac, the hotel’s famous Carleton Varney, the president of gold-trimmed signature china. the bathing beauty who filmed imaginable activity: Lounge on 660-foot porch beckons to visi- Dorothy Draper & Co., the oldest Or venture into the wooded inte- This Time for Keeps with Jimmy the beach, take in a movie at its tors approaching the island by established interior-design firm rior of the island by horse-and- Durante at the Grand Hotel historic theater, a dip in the pool or ferry. in the country. Varney’s credits carriage to Grand-owned Woods, in 1947. Partake in the Grand play a round of golf, croquet, bocce Since opening the summer include New York’s Plaza Hotel a Tudor mansion dressed in Hotel’s 100-year tradition of or tennis. Relax on the expansive of 1887, when vacationers from and the Breakers in Palm Beach. opulent Bavarian-lodge fashion. Afternoon Tea, with fresh- lakefront Great Lawn with a picnic Chicago, Montreal, Detroit and Who has rested their head in the Save room for a thick shake or baked scones, sherry and cham- basket prepared by the property’s across the continent arrived hotel’s vibrantly colored, floral- built-to-share sundae served in a pagne, petite finger sandwiches Cafe or catch a film under the by lake steamer or rail for a $3 patterned rooms? Since Mark dog bone-shaped bowl at Sadie’s, and tea served in the Parlor. stars. Rent Mission Point’s bikes per night stay, the Grand Hotel Twain lectured in the casino in named after the Mussers’ Best in And, of course, take in some of for the whole family, play a night- has delighted visitors with its 1895, the Grand Hotel has hosted Show Scottie. the legend that is Somewhere time game of glow golf, or join opulence and still-impeccable the luminous likes of Thomas in Time, starring Christopher the Sun-Up Sessions for a light service provided by 700 staff Edison, Jack Benny, Rosemary WHILE YOU’RE THERE Reeve, Jane Seymour and group hike to view the sunrise over members. In 1919, W. Stewart Clooney, John F. Kennedy, In addition to lawn games Christopher Plummer and Lake Huron, followed by a picnic Woodfill was hired as a desk Hillary Clinton, Robert De Niro including bocce ball and cro- filmed on location at the Grand breakfast of whitefish benedict clerk; in 1933, he became the and Madonna. quet, guests can try their hand Hotel and around the island. and house-make croissants with hotel’s owner. Woodfill appoint- A shining highlight of the at a round of Pickleball on the Rates start at $304 per person; Michigan peach jam. Rates start at ed staff member (and nephew) Grand guest experience is din- only clay court in Michigan, kids 12 and under stay and eat $229. Missionpoint.com. R.D. (Dan) Musser president of ing. Among the multiple on-site duck pin bowling, saddle for free. Grandhotel.com. * July 7 • 2016 33.