Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI, is so special to me because it’s a place I’ve visited my entire life. I grew up running through these halls, and when I moved on to swimming in the Esther Williams swimming pool and then dancing at night to the nightly music in the ballroom, the way I perceived it and what I packed grew too. The hotel is a unique place with a dress code (more on that later), so I must ensure that I pack the right things. Packing for Grand Hotel is a celebration unto itself, and it’s one of my favorite rituals before visiting #AmericasSummerPlace! Here’s what I packed for a visit to Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
Evening Attire
This falls in line with the dress code I mentioned earlier. Grand Hotel is a celebration of life, fun, and special occasions. Ergo, guests must adhere to their dress code (read about it here) after 6:30 pm each night. Since my gowns and dresses occupy more space in my luggage than anything else, I pack these first. Each night is an excellent opportunity to break out your favorite fun outfit from the back of your closet, put on your finest jewelry, enjoy an incredible meal, and dance the night away to live music. I bring at least one dress for each evening I’ll be staying, along with coordinating jewelry, shoes, a handbag, and other accessories.
Athletic Clothing
A major draw for visiting Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island is the appeal of nature. Biking, hiking, jogging or running, and many other fitness opportunities abound. I make at least one lap around the island by bike each day of my stay. Most recently, we began a few days by riding around twice!
As such, I pack workout clothing, a swimsuit for swimming in the hotel’s newly remodeled pool, tennis shoes, athletic socks, a tennis racket, golf clubs for golfing on The Jewel, and anything else I might need. We always brought bikes and bike repair kits when we lived in Michigan, but now we save ourselves the trouble by renting bikes. I also bring a backpack or water-resistant bag for hiking and exploring the island.
Weather Appropriate Clothing
Weather in Northern Michigan changes quickly. So, I always bring a warmer jacket and a raincoat when I visit. Sometimes I’ll also bring a poncho or umbrella if the forecast calls for rain. Grand Hotel has a great selection of clothing and athleticwear should you forget anything else or in case the weather takes a turn. I picked up a couple of sweatshirts and tees on our most recent visit, and they’re so soft and comfortable.
Personal Care Items
Of course, I couldn’t forget my personal care items and toiletries! Read How I Pack My Cosmetics When I Travel and check out my full Packing List.
Photography Equipment
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve noticed I love taking photos. Every photo you see on my website was taken by yours truly! As such, I bring my favorite camera gear with me when I visit the island, including my Instax, to capture polaroids for my travel collection. When people ask me what I packed for Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, I always tell them I pack my camera gear first! Read all about The Travel Photography Gear I Use.
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Morgan Adams says
I absolutely love the gold bangles!
Daniela says
Love all these options! Thank you!