colonial michilimackinac

This historical site is very informative and well staffed by people who enjoy their work. It's a nice place to roam around ask questions and view history with their demonstrations from the past. No pressure to attend the demonstrations and you can do everything at your leisure . A great gift shop too !!

I visited for the first time in June. I preferred our visit here to Fort Mackinac on the island, which I wasn't expecting. We arrived about an hour before closing on a weekday, and the woman selling us our tickets marked them so they would be valid for the next day as well. this site is very informative and entertaining, for those who are 18th century history fans (me) and those who aren't (my partner). We spent several hours here and weren't bored at all. My partner enjoyed the cannon and black powder firing demos. The walking tour gave us a great layout of the fort and the staff were all friendly and happy to discuss things in more detail. The bakery area was particularly neat, and it was fun to be able to sample the bread. The archaeological excavation area was also very cool. Overall, we really enjoyed our visit and I would definitely return. I'd recommend this site to all ages (families and children included). If you are going to Mackinac Island, definitely take the time and stop here first. It will give you a better understanding of the overall history of the area, and it is worth the extra time and $. It is definitely *the thing* to visit on the mainland before going to the island, and you'll be disappointed if you skip it as it will really enhance your visit to the island the historic sites there.

This year I took my 8 year-old daughter and 10 year-old son to Fort Fright at Fort Michilimackinac and we were not disappointed. There were scary parts for those wishing to be scared and slightly spooky places for those wishing just a tad of fright. We did the "Demon Walk" before dark and it was appropriate for the kiddos, but my daughter would have been terrified if we'd waited till after sunset. My son loved the "Haunted House" but my daughter refused to even attempt it. It wasn't too scary; adults may have found it on the campy side, but my son was thrilled with it and wanted to go again. He also loved the skeleton-faced redcoat who demanded we tell him a joke before we would be allowed to leave the fort.Hands down both my children agreed that the stories were their favorite part of the night. Both inside and outside the fort there were campfires and stationed at each fire was a storyteller - each armed with at least two old French Canadian tales. The storytellers were amazing - each of them had all the kids (and some of the adults) sitting on the edge of their seats. We will definitely be making Fort Fright a family tradition. If you plan to do this with younger kids, I strongly suggest heading in early while it is still light out. Once the sun sets, the fort gets quite dark and seems much scarier.

Really nice rebuit fort with people showing how they lived in the fort since 1750. Must see for kids with live musket and cannon firing, this is a living museum.

Very impressive. This was a pleasant and unexpected addition to our itinerary. Lots of information presented by excellent interpreters.

My Husband and I visited the fort on a foggy day, but was well worth it. They have many reenactments throughout the day. Everyone was very helpful in answering any questions and it was educational. They explain their part of the fort from that time period. It is very cool that they grow their own veggies and fruit. They even cook them in their demostrations. We would go back here again next time in Northern Michigan.

Liked this better than the fort on Mackinac Island. It had more archeological artifacts. Make time to go to this fort. Would also recommend the lighthouse and the historic saw mill. You can purchase a combo ticket for all three and save money. If you're a vet or active military, be sure to ask for your discount.

Very historic and educational. It's great how they show you the "way of life" for settlers back then. Great place to take pics of the Fort, Bridge and Lighthouse

It has been more than 10 or even 15 years since we brought our children here to experience life the way it was. The fort and the great actors (staff) faithfully recreate life in the late 1600,s to the demise of the fort 150 years later. The reconstruction is excellent. The displays and artifacts are fasinating. Add the rain and the cold wind of October and you get to experience what our ancestors went through to help forge this nation.

Had a very nice visit to Fort Michilimackinac. The exhibits are well done and the re-enactors are good people. The archaeologic exhibit underground is very well done. We were there on a cold, late season morning and had a run of much of the place to ourselves. Good, affordable stop for families and kids. Recommendable.

Although the day we visited was cold, windy (more lake gale-force!) and sleeting on and off, we loved this historic place. Everything is painstakingly uncovered and reconstructed, which gives a feel of "living history". A place to be explored over and over!

We absolutely loved this place. There was so much to see and watch. The staff are in costume. It is set up like it was in history's past. My daughter absolutely loved it here.

I love history and visiting the fort was great. The artifacts on display were fascinating. The staff did a great job of recreating scenes. It would have been best to visit during the summer when the archeologists are there digging.

Costumed interpretors to answer questions. Archaeologists working on site. Gives you the feel of the life, the first settlers to Michigan indured.

If you want to see a live demonstration of a British Soldier firing his gun this is the right location for you. On the hour a live demo is held in the Fort center courtyard.