Summer is the peak season at the fabulous Flint Farmers’ Market – the facility attracts visitors from all over in search of luscious local fruits, veggies, baked goods, cheeses, fresh eggs and meats – but that isn’t all you’ll find there. The Market is home to many restaurants and eateries that will tantalize your taste buds. My City Magazine spent a day talking with the restaurant owners and sampling delicious food.
Stepping foot on beautiful Mackinac Island feels like stepping back to a time when life was simpler in some ways without the hustle and bustle of the city or a busy schedule directing you this way and that. For many, summer is just as busy as the rest of the year; however, a planned Mackinac Island getaway offers the opportunity to bring family together, strengthen old friendships, rekindle romances and remind you that true inspiration can be found just a ferry ride away within the Straits of Mackinac.
Pharlon Randle knows all about the power of words when they’re matched with a good beat. Since the inception of his songwriting and recording program Studio on the Go in 2006, Pharlon and his team have witnessed the impact of his program on thousands of Flint-area youth from elementary age to high school: better retention of academic concepts, improved self-confidence, better public speaking skills and a lot of smiles. All this comes from metered phrases put down on paper by youth during songwriting workshops held at several area schools and youth centers.
At the picturesque, family-oriented Mission Point Resort, you can be pampered in 242 guest rooms and suites and enjoy a variety of dining choices, including the experience of its signature restaurant, Chianti, serving upscale Italian fare with an extensive wine list and one-of-a-kind martini bar. The resort also offers lakefront dining at Bistro on the Greens and for a more casual sports bar feel, Round Island Bar & Grill has an extensive beer selection and lake view bar. Lakeside Marketplace is the resort’s casual counter-service restaurant and is great for grabbing a quick bite or to take a meal outside and enjoy the Lake Huron breezes on the expansive lawn. Guests can also enjoy the resort’s 18-hole greens, a putting green, museum and theater. The resort is proud to partner with Wawashkamo Golf Club, one of Michigan’s most historic golf courses.
Each year the Kearsley Park Players proudly bring a little theatrical flair to Flint’s historic Kearsley Park and to other area parks that host the popular Theatre in Our Parks Program.
The minute you step off the ferry, you’re greeted by the delicious scent of Mackinac Island fudge! Its aroma is ever present – there are several different shops and more than one of each scattered around the island. They include Murdick’s Fudge Kitchen, JoAnn’s Fudge, Ryba’s Fudge, May’s Candy Shop and Murray Hotel Fudge Company. The rich, creamy and decadent treat is one of the island’s most popular attractions and a must-have during your visit. With so many flavors to choose from, the only problem is deciding which one your taste buds will love most.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Mackinac Island during the summer months – but what is it like on the island during the winter?
Most people get to Mackinac Island on one of the ferries that will scoot folks across the Straits quickly and safely. Arnold Mackinac Island Ferry, Shepler’s Ferry and Star Line Ferry are available services. It’s possible to get there by air as well from Pellston Airport, about a 15-minute drive from the island, or from Great Lakes Air in St. Ignace.
In addition to touring the island on your own or with a guide, visit these wonderful museums that detail the area’s past from its religious culture to its horse and carriage history.
Established in 1895, Mackinac Island State Park was Michigan’s first state park. It is this magnificent park that encompasses so much of the island’s natural beauty appreciated by Michiganders and out-of-state tourists alike. It is home to Fort Mackinac, founded during the American Revolution, as well as the historic site of the British Landing in July 1812 and several great art and history museums.
The Grand Hotel whispers of history and romance. Since 1887, it has beckoned guests to a bygone era of quaint hospitality and charm. Family owned for three generations, this National Historic Landmark is one of the finest summer resort hotels in the world. Guests enjoy the old-world hospitality with afternoon teas in the parlor, croquet on an endless lawn, dancing the evening away or sitting in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch enjoying stunning views of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. The Grand Hotel was the setting for the romantic 1980 film Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer.
