Explore St. Ignace attractions, roadside favorites and family traditions near the Mackinac Bridge.
Long before highway road trips or social media check-ins, visitors flocked to the St. Ignace area every summer. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, railroads made it even easier for travellers to reach Northern Michigan. When heading north, people often came as far as they could by train, crossed the Straits by ferry and then settled in at one of the area’s growing collection of summer resorts.
In 1957, the Mackinac Bridge opened, and a new generation of road trippers began rolling north by car. The bridge and expanding highway system brought even more travellers seeking cool breezes, lakeside vacations and a taste of the Northwoods. Local business owners responded with creative attractions that quickly became must-see stops along the journey.
Along with community traditions such as the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk and the St. Ignace Car Show Weekend, these businesses helped to cement the city’s reputation as one of Michigan’s most beloved destinations. Remarkably, many of these nostalgic attractions and seasonal events are going strong, even today!
Sometimes, the drive along US-2 around St. Ignace feels a bit like stepping back into the golden age of the American road trip, when the best vacation memories began with a hand-painted sign and a spontaneous stop.
Here are a few of our favorite nostalgia-inducing experiences to add to your St. Ignace itinerary:
Climb Castle Rock (and Visit the Souvenir Barn)
Some attractions ask you to simply look around. Castle Rock asks you to climb! Rising high above the landscape, this towering limestone formation has been a landmark and lookout for centuries. Visitors have long made the journey to the top, chasing a sweet reward waiting at the top: unforgettable views of the local forests and waterways.
While you’re there, be sure to say hello to another local favorite: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Created by local folk artist Ralph McCary and added to Castle Rock in 1959, the towering lumberjack and his blue ox companion are the kind of quirky photo stop that turns a quick detour into a real vacation memory!
Located at the base of Castle Rock, don’t miss the Souvenir Barn, a quirky shop that offers gifts, souvenirs, and tons of charm.
Splash and Play at Chief Wawatam Park
For a fun stop on a warm day, head to Chief Wawatam Park, where visitors can enjoy the shoreline, fishing pier, lighthouse views and a splash pad. Improvements and updates are planned as part of the park’s continued revitalization, so make sure to check back throughout the summer.
Chief Wawatam was an 18th-century Odawa leader remembered for his courage, and his name later became associated with the SS Chief Wawatam, a storied railroad ferry that crossed the Straits of Mackinac for decades.
The Wawatam lighthouse, located at the park, has a unique journey as well. It was originally built in 1998 as a decorative landmark far from the open water. Then, it found a new home in St. Ignace years later after being moved north in pieces and rebuilt along the waterfront. It’s a little bit of a St. Ignace plot twist: a one-time roadside attraction that found a second life as a working lighthouse!
Defy Gravity at the Mystery Spot
Few roadside attractions have mastered the art of making visitors stop and wonder quite like the Mystery Spot.
Since becoming known in the mid-20th century, mystery spots have fascinated visitors with strange angles, optical illusions and places where things seem to defy logic. At the St. Ignace Mystery Spot, guests enter a world where gravity appears to misbehave, with tilted perspectives, unusual sensations and plenty of thought-provoking moments.
Beyond the famous guided tour, visitors can also enjoy mini golf, a wooded maze and an exciting zip line for a little extra adventure.
Strike Up Some Fun at Alley Yoop’s
When the weather turns rainy, or when you’re ready for a break from outdoor adventures, Alley Yoop’s offers a classic way to have some fun indoors.
This family-friendly bowling alley brings together lanes, games, tasty food and friendly competition. Challenge the family to a few frames, let kids burn off some energy, or meet up with friends after a day of exploring. Anyway you have it, Alley Yoop’s is an easygoing stop in St. Ignace that is full of personality.
Cruise Back in Time at Clyde’s Drive-In
Along US-2 in St. Ignace, Clyde’s Drive-In is a reminder of those road trip days when getting there was half the fun. Pull in, grab a spot and enjoy a meal at a drive-in that has been serving up favorites forever.
The menu covers all the classics, from burgers like the famous Big C to hot dogs, grilled cheese, fried shrimp, fresh whitefish and perch. It’s the kind of place where families stop after a day of exploring, travelers take a break from the highway and everyone gets a taste of a true Up North tradition.
Climb the Tower at Curio Fair
Some roadside stops are impossible to miss. Located along US-2 west of downtown St. Ignace, Curio Fair has been welcoming curious road trippers since the early days of the Mackinac Bridge era. Its distinctive observation tower and collection of Up North treasures have made it a long-time local favorite.
The Curio Fair was designed to catch the eye of passing motorists, and you really can’t miss it as you head west out of town. You can still climb that big white tower to see sweeping views of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge, then browse souvenirs for a major slice of nostalgia.
👉 Climb the Curio Fair Tower in St. Ignace
A Wild Stop Along Highway 2: GarLyn Zoological Park
A little wild adventure awaits in Naubinway at the GarLyn Zoological Park, where visitors can get an up-close look at animals from around the world.
GarLyn began as a small family-run wildlife attraction in 1994, and has grown into a main stop along the eastern Upper Peninsula’s travel routes. The zoo is home to a variety of animals, including big cats, primates, wolves, reptiles and other exotic species.
Beyond animal exhibits, visitors can stroll the grounds, browse the gift shop, and simply enjoy the charm of peacocks and other birds wandering freely throughout the park. It’s a family-friendly stop that offers a chance to slow down, explore and experience a little bit of the wild right here in the Upper Peninsula.
Meet Benny the Beard Fisher in Germfask
Just a short day trip from St. Ignace, you’ll find another roadside attraction: Benny the Beard Fisher, a 30-foot-long,14-foot-tall wooden troll.
Created by celebrated artist Thomas Dambo, Benny is an extra-large wooden troll built from locally-reclaimed materials. With his flowing beard and playful personality, Benny brings whimsy to the Upper Peninsula woods. Benny is located along the Manistique River at Northland Outfitters Campground in Germfask, and there is a per-car entrance fee to view Benny.
Celebrate Winter at the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum
Located along Highway 2 in Naubinway, the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum is a great stop for anyone curious about experiences that helped to define winter in the Upper Peninsula.
Snowmobiling grew from a practical way to travel across snowy landscapes into one of Michigan’s favorite winter pastimes. As trails expanded and machines evolved, snowmobiling became a tradition that brought families and communities together during the long winter months.
Inside the museum, visitors can explore a collection of vintage snowmobiles, memorabilia and stories celebrating the people, machines and adventures of winter.
Quirky, Classic and Unmistakably St. Ignace
Whether you’re climbing a limestone landmark, puzzling over gravity at the Mystery Spot, spotting wildlife along Highway 2 or tracking down quirky roadside attractions, St. Ignace delivers the kind of experiences that make vacations memorable.
With so much to see and do, why rush through? Stay awhile, explore a little longer and discover how St. Ignace has been creating unforgettable vacation memories.