Tourism season is winding down on Mackinac Island, but early Halloween festivities offer a spooky send-off this October.
The Mackinac Island Halloween Weekend will feature a lineup of family-friendly and adult-only events Oct. 23-25 across the island, offering activities for everyone, according to the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.
You can bring the kids downtown for trick-or-treating or test your stamina at the Great Turtle Trail Run, get creative with Halloween-themed crafts at Watercolor Cafe and traverse The Grand Hotel's haunted trail and maze on Saturday, Oct. 24. Top off the spooky celebrations with a night out at a Halloween costume party with live music at a local bar or pub on Oct. 24 and at the Island Appreciation Party at Gate House
After Dark Sunday night, Oct. 25.
Visiting Mackinac Island this fall? Book accommodations here
This weekend marks the closing of the island's iconic The Grand Hotel, Oct. 24-26, and Fort Mackinac, closing Oct. 24.
Ferries will continue running on limited schedules in late October for visitors to Mackinac Island.
Here's what to know about visiting Mackinac Island this weekend:
How can you celebrate Halloween early on Mackinac Island?
Families can enjoy trick-or-treating from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, as costumed children collect sweet treats from participating downtown businesses, the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau said.
If you're feeling adventurous, the Grand Hotel will feature a haunted trail and maze from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 24. The eerie quest will traverse a route including wooded paths, live actors and surprises, according to the tourism bureau. Admission costs $10, with proceeds going to Give Kids the World, a nonprofit providing vacations for critically ill children and their families, per the Grand Hotel.
The Arnold Transit Co. Main Dock will feature a pirate ship pop-up bar from noon to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24.
The Great Turtle Trail Run takes place Oct. 24. This year marks the 30th running of one of the most scenic trail events in the state. The event features both virtual and in-person races from 5.7 miles to half marathons, with more than 2,200 participants running and walking the inner trails of Mackinac Island.
The Watercolor Cafe will host Halloween crafts from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 24, with free entry.
Take your pick from among several establishments on the island for adult Halloween costume parties and live music, from the Pink Pony to Patrick Doud's Irish Pub and more, the evening of Oct. 24.
On Oct. 25, the Island Appreciation Party at Gate House After Dark will run from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Oct. 26, with entry after 10 p.m. Oct. 25 limited to ages 21 and above.
When does the Grand Hotel close?
The "closing" of the Grand Hotel will happen Oct. 24-26, capping off the resort's 140th season.
When does Mackinac Island's tourism season end?
Tourism season on Mackinac Island typically runs until October, the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau says, but the island remains open to visitors year-round. The Grand Hotel's closing weekend is one of the sure signs of the end of tourism season on the island.
How can you get to Mackinac Island?
Ferry services carry visitors to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula and St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula. You can also get to the island by private boat or cruise. Flight options include personal planes, commercial flights or Fresh Air Aviation's air taxi service from St. Ignace.
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry is operating on limited fall routes until Oct. 25, then will further cut back routes for its Oct. 26-31 schedule.
Until Oct. 25, last trips are 5:30 and 6 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 and 7 p.m., and finally there will be six hourly ferries in late October with the last ferries at 4:30 and 5 p.m.
Arnold Transit Company ferries run about once an hour from 7:30 and 8 a.m. and then 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the evening.
Starting Oct. 26 until Oct. 31, there will be only six ferry trips from Mackinaw City, with departures from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and back to the mainland starting at 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Where is Mackinac Island?
Mackinac Island is located within the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron. It's a few miles offshore from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.
Do people live on the island?
Yes, Mackinac Island is home to around 500 year-round residents, the tourism bureau notes.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Celebrate Halloween early on Mackinac Island. See festivities
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