Father Marquette National Memorial
Overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, the Memorial and 15-station interpretive trail depict the period of European contact with American Indians of the Upper Great Lakes region. Open Memorial Day weekend through Mid-September. Located on Boulevard Drive in St. Ignace. (906) 643-8620.
Fort de Buade Museum
With more than 3,500 relics, this is the largest museum in the U.P. See the cultural impacts of the Michilimackinac area through the eyes of the Anishinaabe people. Huge selection of Native, French, British, and American artifacts. Displays on St. Ignace history with artifacts from the city’s logging, fishing, and railroad days. Come view the Newberry Tablet as seen on History Channel’s “America Unearthed” and rare, complete McKenney and Hall lithograph collection of Native American dignitaries. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, beginning May 25th. 334 N. State Street. (906) 643-6627.
Mackinac Bridge
This great bridge offers a spectacular view of the historic Straits of Mackinac. It has the world’s longest total suspension span between cable anchorages.
Marquette Mission Park and Museum of Ojibwa Culture
Learn how the Ojibwa, the Huron, and the French lived in the Straits area 300 years ago. The museum shares the culture of the Ojibwa people. Outdoor exhibits explain Huron life here. A park and exhibits show the French-Indian contact period and how the French Jesuit missionary, Jacques Marquette, influenced the lives of early residents. A museum store and gift shop feature locallymade Indian arts and crafts and educational items. An outside park features the grave of Father Marquette, who founded St. Ignace in 1671. Open daily, Memorial Day weekend through early October. 500 N. State Street. (906) 643-9161.
Mulcrone House
Envision life in the mid-19th century through this exhibit of authentic furniture, clothing and artifacts of a local family. Hours vary based on season — Please call ahead, (906) 643-6627. Located at 198 McCann Street.
St. Anthony’s Rock
St. Anthony’s Rock is a limestone formation in downtown St. Ignace. These formations are common in the St. Ignace area and are known as sea stacks. Native Americans used these formations as lookouts and performed ceremonies on or around them because they were considered sacred. In the late 1800s, it was also used as a concert bandstand. Restrooms and benches available at St. Anthony’s Rock Park. 396 N State Street.
Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve
Some of the best preserved shipwrecks in the world lie on the bottom of the Straits of Mac kinac near St. Ignace. There are more than 100 major wrecks, including the Sandusky and Cedarville. The 110-foot Sandusky went down in a storm in September, 1856. One of the more recent wrecks, the Cedarville, sank in 1966 after a collision with a Norwegian vessel. A large portion of the Straits is an official underwater preserve. Three shore-access dive sites in St. Ignace can be reached by swimming from shore. For more information on diving excursions, call the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce at (906) 643-8717.
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