If you really want the inside scoop on lilacs, master gardener Jeff Young, who serves as the horticulturalist for the festival, offers guided walking tours. Tours with the Mackinac Island lilac expert give visitors a chance to see lilac trees up close and take lots of great pictures.
Events at the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival have varied from year to year. But, festival mainstays include the coronation of a Lilac Queen, a lilac poster contest, the lilac parade through downtown Mackinac Island, and a 10K run and walk.
Once you take a ferry trip to the island, you’ll find lots of lodging opportunities at places that are family owned. If you plan to stay for a few days during the festival, book your room early because they fill up fast.
Everything on Mackinac Island is unique, and the food is no exception. Like the hotels on the island, you won’t find chain restaurants, but you will find eateries packed with personality.
If you love history, pay a visit to Fort Mackinac. This fully restored, former military post is made up of more than a dozen different buildings that allow visitors to take a trip back in time.