If you’ve never been to the hub of the Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace, then 2021 is the perfect time to plan a trip. The area boasts plenty of activities from history buffs to bird lovers, scuba divers to sunset lovers, sledheads to campers, outdoorsmen to families looking for fun – all will find new events and adventures to embark upon. Here are 10 reasons why you need to visit St. Ignace, Michigan, in 2021.
1. The Magic of Mackinac Island
Visiting Mackinac Island is like taking a trip back in time. To get there you’ll need to hop on a ferry. Luckily, St. Ignace offers two ferry services running to and from the island daily. Mackinac Island is quaint town full of amazing experiences like world-famous fudge, historic landmarks, and ways to relax. Naturally, with such limited real-estate, many choose to stay in St. Ignace instead of on the island. The frequent, scenic ferries make traveling a breeze, and its reasonable accommodations are a fantastic way to visit the island without breaking the bank.
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2. Happy Campers
Campers love St. Ignace and its five fantastic campground options. Choose from beachfront camping, Native American grounds, and secluded spots to sites with everything the modern camper needs. You’ll discover tons of amenities like free Wi-Fi, a heated pool, a mini golf course, laundromat, and even cable hook-ups at some sites. St. Ignace has you covered no matter what style of camper you may be.
3. Super Ordinary Ways to Cross a Bridge
Many of you have likely crossed the 26,273-foot-long bridge with the waters of two great lakes churning below plenty of times. Crossing the bridge is a remarkable experience! There are many special events throughout the year that can provide you with a unique way to scoot across. Consider making the voyage on your Antique Snowmobile, rolling across on your vintage tractor, or traveling with a caravan of Jeeps or Porches. During special events you can travel on your own UTV, ATV, S x S, 3-Wheeler and/or Off-Road Motorcycle! Watch the Event Calendar for these special events happening throughout the year.
St. Ignace Major Events
4. The Straits of Mackinac
St. Ignace is located at the point between two Great Lakes called the Straits of Mackinac. This means that there is ample opportunity to enjoy the water. There are beautiful swimming spots, sandy beaches, world-class fishing for bass and salmon, boating opportunities, kayaking, and even parasailing. Visitors to the area can also explore shipwrecks by scuba-diving and snorkeling. After a day on the water, relax at the end of a long day with nightly Music by the Bay. On the weekends enjoy outdoor Movies By The Bay and the Saturday Night Fireworks by the water.
5. The Best Lakeside Events
The summer is filled with a variety of events in St. Ignace. Make plans to attend annual events like Fish Feast and the Brews & Blues event. New in 2020 is the U.P. Jamboree on Labor Day weekend which includes a cornhole tournament, highland games, Farmers’ Market, a dockside art show, and fireworks. Of course, if you’re a car enthusiast, you can’t miss the Annual Car Show Weekend in late June. You can see hundreds of all makes and models of cars and trucks. You might even be able to win a cash prize for your special car!
6. The 350Th Anniversary Celebration on August 19-22, 2021!
Can you believe it? St. Ignace is turning 350 years old! The biggest event of 2021 in St. Ignace is happening the second to last weekend in August that will celebrate St. Ignace history with 4 days of workshops, demonstrations, parades and much more. As it’s known today, the city was first founded in 1671, and has some fascinating stories to tell. We can’t wait to share them with you. Stay tuned for details by signing up for our monthly newsletter!
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7. Interactive History & Heritage
This year, you’ll have plenty of chances to celebrate indigenous culture and experience life in St. Ignace as it was over 350 years ago. At the free Native American Festival in July, you can see the expressive dances, smell sacred medicines, and taste traditional food of the Anishinaabe people. Similarly, the Rendezvous at the Straits Powwow in late August features traditional dancing and hand-made arts & crafts. The Fort De Buade Museum and Museum Of Ojibwa Culture & Gift Shop offer great learning opportunities as well!
8. Fall Routes by Color
Fall colors will be here before you know it! You absolutely must drive the color tour routes along the Great Lakes. They are simply stunning. We’ve created 3 extraordinary routes categorized by color for your next adventure: the Violet Tour, the Gold Tour, and the Crimson tour. Discover hues from bright golds to wine-dark reds. Also, as the Straits of Mackinac are a major migration point, we also recommend bird-watching while you’re here.
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9. Incredible Winter Fun
There are so many reasons why St. Ignace is a great place to embrace the beauty of winter. You can cross-country ski across snow-covered dunes with views of Lake Michigan, snowshoe to the Eben Ice Caves, or go sledding without the climb. You can check out the “Ice Bridge” to Mackinac Island or follow trails to the frozen waterfalls of Tahquamenon Falls State Park on your own or a rented snowmobile. You can even go golfing on the ice of Lake Huron in March.
10. The Hidden Gems
Take a hike along the picturesque St. Ignace to Trout Lake Trail, grab a delicious burger from the old-fashioned drive-in, Cyde’s, and explore Mystery Spot. St. Ignace is full of hidden gems. If you love animals, be sure to explore Oswald’s Bear Ranch to pet a bear cub, GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park to visit exotic animals, and Deer Ranch to feed the deer!
This year is the perfect time to get out of the house and plan your next St. Ignace getaway. To help you plan, order our free visitor guide for more information on your trip or use our new Visit Widget Planner.
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