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Wondrous West Bluff Cottages: A Mackinac Island Self Guided Tour

1.0(1)Rated 1.0 out of 5 from 1 reviews1 hFree cancellationBy VoiceMap Audio Tours
Wondrous West Bluff Cottages: A Mackinac Island Self Guided Tour

About this activity

Mackinac Island's West Bluff is one of the Midwest's finest collections of Victorian architecture, built by industrialists escaping the heat and grime of post-Civil War cities. On this self-guided walking tour, you'll trace the stories behind eleven of these grand cottages, from the lumber barons and meat-packers who built them to the governors and immigrants who shaped their legacy.

The tour starts at the Walter C. Newberry Cottage, the first home past the Grand Hotel. You'll walk along the bluff, passing Queen Anne turrets, wraparound verandas, and shingle-style facades, while hearing how wealthy families competed for leases on this National Park land starting at just $25 a year. Along the way, you'll discover how business partnerships, family dynasties, and architectural rivalries played out side by side on this single stretch of shoreline.

What's included

  • ✓Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
  • ✓Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • ✓Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • ✓App for Android and iOS
  • ✓Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour

Not included

  • ✕Smartphone and headphones
  • ✕Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
  • ✕Food and drink
  • ✕Transportation

Meeting and pickup

  • This tour starts at the Grand Hotel, Grand Avenue. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

Good to know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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