Colonial Michilimackinac Admission

Overview

Mobile ticket

Colonial Michilimackinac is a National Historic Landmark, and is home to North America's longest ongoing archaeological dig. Costumed interpreters portraying British soldiers, merchants, voyageurs, Native Americans, and other tradespeople are on site daily, providing demonstrations, tours, and programs. Colonial Michilimackinac also offers unparalleled views of the Straits of Mackinac, Mackinac Bridge, and Mackinac Island. During the summer months, weather permitting, archaeologists are on site, digging through the layers of soil, pulling out bits of history in front of you.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What‘s Included

All Galleries, Exhibits, and Demonstrations

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Colonial Michilimackinac

800 N Huron Ave Mackinaw City United States

End points

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Colonial Michilimackinac

Treasures from the past come to life at this 18th-century fort and fur trading village, reconstructed based on historic maps and more than 60 years of archaeological excavations. As you walk through the site, you are stepping back in time to 1781, when local and global forces uprooted the community as soldiers and civilians relocated to Mackinac Island. After six decades as a thriving economic hub, Michilimackinac came to an end. Historical interpreters representing voyageurs, British soldiers, and French-Canadian merchant families are stationed throughout the fort to answer your questions and perform demonstrations. The past and present blur into a fascinating and unmatched experience at Colonial Michilimackinac. Watch smoke billow from cannons, mortars and muskets and see residents prepare food and tend the gardens. At one of the longest ongoing archaeological excavations in North America, archaeologists are on site throughout the summer, pulling history from the soil, bit by bit.

Admission Included

Options

Colonial Michilimackinac Admission

Reviews

4.86

14 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A Great Educational Experience Not to Be Missed!
Bruce428,
Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
This was a great educational experience and the staff that we there gave an exceptional tour, musket presentation, etc. We were so glad that we planned this tour. This should be a must for everyone!
live history
WisconsinHunter,
Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very interesting history and demonstrations Easy to spend half a day touring the fort. Would highly recommend . Was a lot of fun talking to the reenactors.
Loved this place
Barrynof,
Jul 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Loads to see and do here, even on a crummy, rainy day. Definitely make time to talk with the blacksmith and see a demonstration of his craft. Lots of people dressed in period garb, giving information about the people who used to live here. You could spend hours here. Great place to see.
Great place to visit in the Mackinac area!
L C,
Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This fort is an amazing place. The staff is very helpful and answers questions so professionally. We learned so much about the history of this location and are so glad we stopped to visit. We highly recommend it.
This is a great bit of...
Daniel B,
Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This is a great bit of Michigan history. My grandson thoroughly enjoyed the stories from the in-character staff.
Best parts were the natives coming into, and going out of the gated off portion of the camp.
Travelinglizarded,
Oct 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was my second visit. The first was last fall so some of the natives in dress had some harvest items and things were a little more colorful pertaining to that season. late July, The scenery was gorgeous and so were the gardens. they’re also were some students working the dig, actively and profusely in the heat. My daughter made a comment to her college friend that we were traveling with, and said ‘that could be us someday!’ it was really great to come through a second time and enjoy the buildings again and all the exhibits. I was sad that there was nobody outback as I left through the back gates. I feel this is the most important part because that is where the history started. And if you don’t promote it now, when will we really ever recognize the roots of this nation? exiting through the back gates, was the best part of the exhibit last fall. Because of the native woman standing there and because of her dress and how much she embodied the spirit of that camp. She wanted to show me everything and I was interested. Consider funding to always have somebody or two, there. To educate, or just stand as a symbol, After walking through that British camp.
History comes alive.
edyeh2020,
Oct 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
As a family we love history and this fort doesn't disappoint. We have been to many forts across the country and this fort is truly unique. Would recommend highly.
A Walk-Through Michigan's History
WinddancerDT3230CW,
Sep 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Anyone interested in Michigan's history, would be amiss if they didn't visit this Fort! It's a wonderful place for families, school field trips and anyone interested in history. We're thankful for this fort and others in our state that is keeping history alive! We highly recommend visiting Fort Michilimackinac.
Group tour
Sharon J,
Sep 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a great place to visit . Plan on spending a few hours. They do reenactments of cannons and period costumes are worn through out.
Taking a Step Back in Time
ProfessorPooky,
Aug 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great opportunity to experience life in a British frontier fort of the late 1700s. The enactors were very knowledgeable about the history of the area. It was like taking a step back in time. This is the site of the longest ongoing archaeological dig in the U.S. and maybe in North America. You can watch the excavations while experiencing the flavor of history.