Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
Built in the World War II years to haul heavy materials during the winter months, the Icebreaker Mackinaw stayed in service for 62 years. When she was decommissioned, she moved to her namesake community--Mackinaw City.
Commissioned 10 days after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw WAGB-83 was built in Toledo, Ohio at a cost of $10 million. She was launched in 1944 and served from Cheboygan, Michigan.
With a length of 290 feet and a beam of 74 feet, four inches, the Mackinaw is the largest icebreaker serving the Great Lakes. When the Mackinaw was commissioned, she was the most powerful icebreaker in the world. Her unique icebreaking capabilities had her in working every December through April to keep the Great Lakes shipping channels open.
She was built wider and longer than other vessels which was effective in her efforts but her width prohibited her from entering the Welland Canal leading into the ocean so the Mackinaw never left the Great Lakes.
Now a maritime museum, the Mackinaw offers tours of the engine room, captain's quarters, ward room, bridge, and mess while learning about the ship's long career. The Ship's Store includes Mackinaw items and Great Lakes icebreaking information. Located on the Eastern end of the old rail dock in downtown Mackinaw City, the Mackinaw is open for visitors from June to December.
The Mackinaw welcomes the community to an open house the second Saturday in June. Fireworks and a celebration take place on July 4th and throughout the summer, Music on the Mack brings musicians on board. Explore the Mackinaw!
Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
131 S Huron Ave
Mackinaw City, MI 49701
231-436-9825
For more Things to Do in the Mackinaw City area, visit:
Mackinaw City Calendar of Events
Harbor Springs, Michigan -- Harbor Springs is the place to try new things! Rent a bike or a kayak, go snow tubing, attend a concert or an art fair, or play a round of golf with friends.
Petoskey -- There's so much to do in Petoskey from the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, to Petoskey State Park, to biking, golfing, hiking, and more.
Charlevoix, Michigan -- Visiting Charlevoix in Northern Michigan is a fun-filled vacation with great beaches, boating, skiing, fishing and year 'round family fun.
Things to Do in Boyne City, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like Boyne City in Northern Michigan with camping, boating, skiing, year 'round outdoor activities, and of course, the morel mushroom!
Lots of Activities in Mackinaw City, Michigan -- Explore Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan for history, the International Dark Sky Park, and outdoor activities.
Mackinac Island -- Take a step back in time and find lots of things to do when you visit Mackinac Island by horseback or bike--no cars allowed!
Northern Michigan Activities & Things to Do -- Northern Michigan offers many fun things to do for the entire family whatever the season, whatever the reason!
Commissioned 10 days after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw WAGB-83 was built in Toledo, Ohio at a cost of $10 million. She was launched in 1944 and served from Cheboygan, Michigan.
With a length of 290 feet and a beam of 74 feet, four inches, the Mackinaw is the largest icebreaker serving the Great Lakes. When the Mackinaw was commissioned, she was the most powerful icebreaker in the world. Her unique icebreaking capabilities had her in working every December through April to keep the Great Lakes shipping channels open.
She was built wider and longer than other vessels which was effective in her efforts but her width prohibited her from entering the Welland Canal leading into the ocean so the Mackinaw never left the Great Lakes.
Now a maritime museum, the Mackinaw offers tours of the engine room, captain's quarters, ward room, bridge, and mess while learning about the ship's long career. The Ship's Store includes Mackinaw items and Great Lakes icebreaking information. Located on the Eastern end of the old rail dock in downtown Mackinaw City, the Mackinaw is open for visitors from June to December.
The Mackinaw welcomes the community to an open house the second Saturday in June. Fireworks and a celebration take place on July 4th and throughout the summer, Music on the Mack brings musicians on board. Explore the Mackinaw!
Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
131 S Huron Ave
Mackinaw City, MI 49701
231-436-9825
For more Things to Do in the Mackinaw City area, visit:
Mackinaw City Calendar of Events
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More Northern Michigan History...
- Rendezvous in Mackinaw
- The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
- Fort Mackinac is Filled with History
- Heritage Village Celebrates Mackinaw's History
- Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
- Mackinaw City Historical Pathway
- Celebrate at Historic Castle Farms in Charlevoix
- Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park
- Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City
- Earl Young's Unique Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix
Uniquely Mackinaw City...
- Rendezvous in Mackinaw
- Mackinaw City Michigan Travel Information
- Say it Mackinaw or Mackinac?
- The Mighty Mackinac Bridge in Northern Michigan
- International Dark Sky Park
- Explore the Dark Sky Park Discovery Trail Near Mackinaw City
- McGulpin Rock Has Helped Mariners Since 1615
- Wilderness State Park on Lake Michigan
- Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City
- Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in Northern Michigan:
Harbor Springs, Michigan -- Harbor Springs is the place to try new things! Rent a bike or a kayak, go snow tubing, attend a concert or an art fair, or play a round of golf with friends.
Petoskey -- There's so much to do in Petoskey from the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, to Petoskey State Park, to biking, golfing, hiking, and more.
Charlevoix, Michigan -- Visiting Charlevoix in Northern Michigan is a fun-filled vacation with great beaches, boating, skiing, fishing and year 'round family fun.
Things to Do in Boyne City, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like Boyne City in Northern Michigan with camping, boating, skiing, year 'round outdoor activities, and of course, the morel mushroom!
Lots of Activities in Mackinaw City, Michigan -- Explore Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan for history, the International Dark Sky Park, and outdoor activities.
Mackinac Island -- Take a step back in time and find lots of things to do when you visit Mackinac Island by horseback or bike--no cars allowed!
Northern Michigan Activities & Things to Do -- Northern Michigan offers many fun things to do for the entire family whatever the season, whatever the reason!