Colonial Michilimackinac

A few weeks ago, I wrote about our visit to Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island. Well, there's another fort nearby that also has a lot of history. In fact, it was the original Fort Mackinac!!

I'm talking about Colonial Michilimackinac.

It's the "First Fort", as I titled my layout, because Fort Michilimackinac was built by the French in 1714-1715. It eventually changed hands to the British, who moved the whole thing over to Mackinac Island during the American Revolution and changed the name to Fort Mackinac. 

Much like Fort Mackinac, Colonial Michilimackinac features re-enactments of musket firings, cannon firings, and old-timey games. You can also take walking tours to learn about specific portions of the fort's history. (If you take the tour about the Native American attack on the fort, beware. Depending on your guide, it can get kind of graphic. Our guide registered the look on my mom's face and knew to turn it down a notch.)

If you purchase a three-park ticket, you get admission to Fort Mackinac AND Colonial Michilimackinac. It's a pretty great deal. Plus, you don't have to visit both parks on the same day, which is convenient because while Fort Mackinac is on Mackinac Island, Colonial Michilimackinac is in Mackinaw City, Michigan. So after we finished our two days on the island, we spent the next day driving down to Mackinaw City for the lighthouse and this fort.

I've still got lots more to share with you from last year's summer vacation. If you've been following along with my Mackinac Island posts and you're thinking this sounds like a good vacation for you this year, then get planning now!! It's a pretty popular tourist destination, and the good hotels will start selling out. You can see my hotel recommendation here.