Seasonal Travel
No matter which season you choose to visit St. Ignace, you will find enjoyment and relaxation in the many fun things to do. The beauty of the Mackinac Bridge, the crystal clear waters of Lakes Michigan and Huron, and an historic waterfront village awaits returning and new visitors alike. It's always the perfect season to experience the feeling of tranquility which greets travelers as they view the Straits of Mackinac. We're confident that once you're here, you won't want to leave!
Spring
As longer days of sunshine turn snow to slush and then to running rivulets, the first signs of spring cross the lands and lakes. The ice breaks up in great floes that drift away to the southeast and the earth emerges from the snow. The sight of the Mackinac Bridge in the midst of the sheets and bergs out-flowing through the Straits is an extraordinary one you will never forget. Birds traveling from the south arrive in great flocks on their northern migrations: robins, bluebirds, gulls, herons, hawks, ducks and geese and many more fill the skies. All return to through the Straits of Mackinac as they have for thousands of years, continuing their roles in the great circle of life. As the ice releases her grip on the rivers and streams, fish also begin their unseen breeding migrations. Smelt are one of the most popular of the spring fish, with early anglers dipping their nets at the local creek banks by night. Smelt parties and jamborees celebrate the arrival of spring across the region. Soon after, trout fisherman will haunt those same banks, checking their favorite holes and bends for their elusive and tasty prey. As the weeks go by, the land dries bringing furry friends out from hibernation: bear, skunk, raccoon, groundhog and squirrel emerge from their dens. Does give birth to pairs of speckled fawns, birds build their nests and compete in plumage and song. Leaves blossom on the trees and bushes turning the once gray forest to green again. Mid May, the mushroom hunters take to trails in search of the mysterious morels, a delicacy prized by cook and gourmands all over Michigan. Flowers abound in varieties of color and fragrance: dogtooth lily, trillium, violets, dutchmens breeches, pink and yellow ladyslippers provide the rainbow shades so pleasing to the female eye. Sunsets come later each evening and the breezes warm the air, bringing spectacular cloud formations, born from the mighty waters. How sweet is the renewal of life, Upper Michigan in spring.
Summer
The summer season in St. Ignace is a fun time for locals and visitors. So much to see and do! Our town takes great pride in hosting events of many kinds, inviting visitors to join us for shows, festivals and celebrations of every kind. Our area also has many opportunities for outdoor recreation in pristine wilderness and shoreline settings.
Whether you have a few days or a week or two, St. Ignace makes the perfect hub for the perfect get-away. The beaches and wind-swept dunes west of town rival anything the Caribbean has to offer, plus the water is PURE! No salt, no stinging jellies, no sharks. Just clean soft sand and crystal fresh water, horizons stretching out for miles with not a building in sight. Let the little ones dig and build castles, have a picnic lunch, and bring the lotion for the warm rays of the sun. Fishing enthusiasts will find many ways to satisfy their quest: rent a charter fishing boat for day, dip your line from the many piers and docks, or put your own boat in at our launch sites. Visiting the local parks and museums from Fort Mackinac on the Island, Fort deBuade downtown or perhaps the Mackinac Bridgeview may satisfy your curiosity about our history and area. Music lovers will find concerts on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Marina throughout the summer weeks. Entertainers for a variety of tastes have been booked.
Autumn / Fall
You can't really say that St. Ignace's summer beauty begins to fade when fall beckons; trees around the lakes burst into breathtaking colors due to cooler, crisp days of autumn. Whether you choose to witness the grandeur of color season from the town of St. Ignace or out in the countryside, the vivid golds, plums, reds and oranges will simply amaze you. This is the perfect season to take a hike in the Hiawatha National Forest, fish for salmon in the lakes, or stroll along the slower-paced boardwalks of downtown St. Ignace. Experience all of the adventure and activities available in the summer months at a more relaxed, casual pace. The same fine dining opportunities and shopping excursions are available during our fall color season, with a less bustling aura. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of St. Ignace in autumn!
Winter
St. Ignace is one of the Mid-west’s top winter destinations. Snow quietly blankets our area starting in November, offering the soft, white world of winter fun to young and old alike.
Groomed snowmobile trails lead from town to sleeping forests and fields, crystalline shores and frozen waters. The trails are maintained by our local snowmobile club and kept in tip-top condition. Our new trail-locator-system in Mackinac County adds a layer of safety for all users. Local lodgers offer hospitality to snowmobilers with all the amenities for your get-away. For current trail conditions, visit Straits Area Snowmobile Club.
The finest cross-country skiing can be found just minutes away at the Sand Dune Trails of the Hiawatha National Forest. Skiers can choose long or short routes for a quick tour or an all-day adventure.
Snowboarding, skiing and tubing down the local slopes are found at Silver Mountain Hill on the west side of town. The return tow-rope for tubers makes it all fun and no work! Concessions are available to keep the whole family happy.
Yellow perch, walleye, pike and muskellunge lurk beneath the ice of the Great North, providing that winter challenge to anglers of all types. Local advice, bait and supplies can steer you to a successful outing on the best lakes and bays.
St. Ignace hosts a leg of the MSXRA races during February at Kewadin Shores Casino. This sanctioned event features snowmobile racers on a course of incredible difficulty: hills, dips, hair-pin turns and every challenge imaginable.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the annual Frozen Yooper Softball Challenge for registered teams along with Ice Bowling, the Ice Chip Golf Scramble and other activities. The weekend of February 19-21, 2010 will see the 4th Annual U.P. Pond Hockey Championship on the wild ice of Moran Bay!