Mackinac Island Self-Guided East Bluff Walking Tour

Discover Mackinac Island’s East Bluff on a self-guided walking tour through a neighborhood of elegant summer cottages. Starting outside the Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence, follow a scenic route of just over a mile along quiet roads lined with private Victorian and Edwardian homes. With audio stories to guide you, explore at your own pace and learn how the bluff became a retreat for prominent families.

Along the way, hear about the Hamilton sisters: one introduced generations of Americans to Greek mythology, while the other became Harvard’s first female faculty member. The walk ends at Cedar Hill cottage, with views of Fort Mackinac. You’ll also learn about the fort’s strategic position and the vulnerability British forces exploited during their nighttime invasion in 1812.

Use the VoiceMap app for offline access to audio, maps, and geodata. Bring your own smartphone, download the app before you arrive, and use the code on your confirmation ticket. Choose this Mackinac Island self-guided walking tour for a relaxed way to take in East Bluff’s architecture, history, and scenery.