Reconstructed 1715 French fur-trading village and military outpost, later occupied by British military and traders. Today features re-enactments from British 1770s occupation/American Revolution era. National Historic Landmark. Accredited by American Association of Museums.

Accurately, professionally restored 18th and 19th century British and U.S. military outpost with 14 original historic buildings. National Historic Landmark founded in 1780. Abandoned by the military, the fort became part of Michigan's first state park, Mackinac Island State Park, in 1895. From 1875-1895 it was America's second national park, Mackinac National Park, after Yellowstone. Accredited by the American Association of Museums. Open daily, mid-May to mid-Oct.

GarLyn Zoo is home to hundreds of native North American Animals including, Alligator, Badgers, Fox, Wolves, Bobcat, Whitetail deer, Javelina, Cougar, River Otter, Porcupine, Bison,as well as exotic animals from around the world, Siberian Tigers, Syrian Brown Bear (Grizzly), Patagonian Cavy, Ring-tailed Lemur, Camel, Reindeer, Sika deer, Sulcata Tortoise just to name a few.

The Headlands became an International Dark Sky Park in May of 2011, one of the first 10 in the entire world! What it means: The sky over the 600 acre Headlands park will be protected from the effects of light pollution, forever! Stargazers, astronomers, photographers and dark-sky enthusiasts visit the park knowing that they will have an undiluted night sky of the celestial wonders above. There are 2.5 miles of shoreline along this park, where visitors gather year round for programming and for independent stargazing. Headlands is located 2 miles west of downtown Mackinaw City; it is open every day, 24 hours a day, at no charge. Programs are held monthly and are also free.

Visitors can witness the power of the creek harnessed to cut timber into lumber at one of the oldest industrial sites on the Upper Great Lakes, then set out for adventure on a guided nature walk on more than three miles of groomed trails. Open Early May through August. Hours may vary seasonally.

 

Mackinac State Historic Parks - Experience Mackinac's Family Adventure! Explore and enjoy Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City. Open Daily from early May through mid-October.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse is just east of the Colonial Michilimackinac Visitor's Center in Mackinaw City near the south end of the Mackinac Bridge. Take Exit 339 off northbound I-75, turn left at Nicolet and right on Huron. The Lighthouse Information Center is in the 1907 Fog Signal House, a small brick building east of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Its steam-powered horn steered ships clear from shore in fog and darkness. The Mackinac Island State Park Commission purchased the Fog Signal House, a barn, and the lighthouse in 1960. Visitors toured exhibits there from 1972-1988.