Colonial Michilimackinac Admission

Overview

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.

City: Mackinaw City

Sun 13 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $16.00

Make a reservation

Sun 13 Apr

Starting at $16.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

All Galleries, Exhibits, and Demonstrations

Route and map

Meeting point

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Mackinaw City
800 N Huron Ave

Visit the admissions counter inside the Colonial Michilimackinac Visitor's Center.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

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

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.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (9)

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Sharon J

Sep 2024

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.

Response from Host

Sep 2024

Thank you for the wonderful review! We often tell people that they may be surprised at how long they spend in the site. We're glad you enjoyed the demonstrations and our historic interpreters, and we hope to see you again soon!

ProfessorPooky

Aug 2024

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.

Response from Host

Aug 2024

Thank you for the amazing review! We work hard to make Michilimackinac as authentic an experience as possible while showing what life was like on the British frontier in the 1770s/1780s. We hope you visit us again soon!

lakes218

Aug 2024

I really enjoyed this stop. We stopped at both Fort Mackinac and Michilimackinac, and I would say I liked the latter better. Michilimackinac was both a French and then British fort, prior to the British burning it down to move to Mackinac Island. They have done archeological excavations every summer since 1959, and it is still an active dig site. The buildings are recreations of what the fort looked like. The living history staff are awesome, and a huge reason I enjoyed this visit so much. There are a few exhibits underground where you can see original building foundation ruins, and a great exhibit on archeology.

Response from Host

Aug 2024

Thank you for the wonderful review! The archaeological dig is certainly something that sets Michilimackinac apart. We're out there every summer, so we hope you stop by and see us again soon!