Explore St. Ignace, Michigan

This historic city is located at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge
in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Motels, Hotels, Cabins, Cottages, Resorts, Campgrounds, and other Businesses
Recreations and Attractions

Information on the Mackinac Bridge
Bridge Driving Conditions and Bridge Web Cam

One of the oldest cities in Michigan, St. Ignace welcomes travelers to the beautiful Upper Peninsula. Stay at one of our comfortable lodgings, browse the unique shops, or take the ferry to historic Mackinac Island. We offer interesting museums, parks, a casino, and a delightful boardwalk along the waterfront as well as hosting many interesting events throughout the year.

LODGING NEAR ST. IGNACE in the Upper Peninsula

Cedarville, MI (the Les Cheneaux Islands, Lake Huton. 35 miles northeast of St, Ignace)

Hills Point Resort on Lake Huron offers Cabin Rentals and Boat Rentals in the Les Cheneaux Islands, only 35 miles from the Mackinac Bridge.  Newly renovated two and three bedroom cabins on a sandy Lake Huron beach. Cable TV. Wi-Fi. New owners have made many updates to the cabins. Pets welcome. Hills Point Resort, 484 S. Hill Island Road, Cedarville, MI 49719. Phone: 906-236-2449

Mackinac Island A wonderful vacation on Mackinac Island can be made through Vacations Made Easy, an online travel site that provides arrangements for lodging, activities, and attractions during your visit. Vacations Made Easy also offers vacations at the Wisconsin Dells and throughout the country. Phone 1-800-987-9852 or 417-823-0981 to speak with one of our experienced representatives.

WAWATAM LIGHTHOUSE and MARINA. The Wawatam Lighthouse stands at the entrance to the St. Ignace Marina guiding mariners and snowmobilers to the city. This lighthouse was originally built in 1998 and displayed at a Michigan Welcome Center. It was moved to St. Ignace in 2006 where is was established in its new home at the end of the breakwater at the Marina. The lighthouse is named for the late railroad ferry, Chief Wawatam, which used the same dock from 1911 through the mid 80s. The Wawatam light is shining brightly and is visible for more than 13 miles over Lake Huron and is an official aid to navigation. The lighthouse is also lit during the winter to guide snowmobilers across the frozen lake.

 

RECREATION and ATTRACTIONS

BRIDGE VIEW PARK: Located just west of the Mackinac Bridge Plaza, this lovely park offers an observation building and a picnic area with a large parking lot.

Cedarville, MI
Les Cheneasx Historical Museum and Maritime Museum. Open Memorial Day weekend until one week after Labor Day weekend and by appointment. Phone: 906-484-2821

CAMPING: Straits State Park
Straits State Park has 255 modern sites with electrical service, a minicabin, and modern restrooms. This park features fantastic views of the Mackinac Bridge and the boat traffic going under the bridge on the Straits of Mackinac. The park offers a picnic area, playground, hiking trail, and waterfront area along Lake Huron. There is an observation platform overlooking the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinac. The Father Jacques Marquette National Memorial is located in the park telling the story of the Jesuit priest who established Michigan's first permanent settlement. Today, Father Marquette is recognized as one of the great explorers of the North American continent. Straits State Park is located on Church Street, in the City of St. Ignace, south of US-2. (906) 643-8620.

DeTour Reef Light Tours. The DeTour Reef Light is located 1 mile off-shore at the mouth of the St. Mary's River in northern Lake Huron between DeTour Village and Drummond Island in the far Eastern Upper Peninsula. This light was built in 1931 to replace the 1861 DeTour Point Light Station. The 3 1/2 order Fresnel lens is on display at the DeTour Passage Historical Museum in DeTour Village. The DeTour Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society is restoring this light and offers a 2 hour guided, narrated tours on Saturday or Sunday during June, July, and August. Charter boat leaves from DeTour Harbor Marina. Sorry, no children under 12 for safety reasons. Entrance to light is by climbing a 20' ladder. Safety harness provided. Tour limited to 6 people. Phone 906-493-6609 for information and reservations. St. Mary's River Tour from DeTour to Sault Ste. Marie on Father's Day. Call for information on Lighthouse Keeper Weekends.

MACKINAC BRIDGE, opened to traffic in 1957, connects the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with the Lower Peninsula. Previous travel between the two parts of Michigan was on a vehicle ferry that traveled the Straits of Mackinac between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.  The bridge is 5 miles long including approaches and is the 4th longest suspension bridge in the world.

MACKINAC ISLAND: The ferry to Mackinac Island makes many trips daily to visit this historic island. Plan to include a visit to this beautiful spot where travel is by foot, bicycle or a horse pulled carriage.

Mackinac Island in Lake Huron overlooking the Straights of Mackinac. Ferry boats leave from Mackinaw City in Lower Michigan and St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula or you can travel by boat or plane. Visit Ft. Mackinac, stroll the back streets, have a delightful lunch, or take a carriage ride around the island. Rentals of horses, bicycles, buggys, and electric carts available.

Marquette Mission Park and Museum of Ojibwa Culture. Experience how Ojibwa and Huron Indians and the French lived in the Straits area over 300 years ago. The museum shares the culture of the Ojibwa people, the Huron life, and how the French Jesuit Missionary, Jacqiues Marquette influenced the indian life. Park and outdoor exhibits. Located in downtown St. Ignace at 500 N. State, St. Ignace, MI 906-643-9161

Straits Underwater Preserve. Scuba dive on some of the sunken ships off the St. Ignace waterfront.

Enjoy your visit to St. Ignace, Michigan

Upper Peninsula Towns and Cities
Eastern Upper Peninsula, Lodging and Businesses
Upper Peninsula Traveler Home Page

Photos: Mackinac Bridge by Jim Martin.
Other Photos by Sheldon Minsky & Sharon Schmeltzer

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