Every year the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island holds a Titanic weekend. I've been to several of these weekends, the last with Jay and Ashley, so this will be a bit of a compilation of all of them.
But first there;s a bit of a background story regarding Titanic and I...
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Ever since I was about 4 years old I've had am inexplicable fascination with ships and shipwrecks - Titanic in particular. I never told a living soul about this fascination with Titanic. How could I when I didn't even understand it myself?
Most of my friends are psychic mediums like myself. One day my friend, Lisa and I were chatting when she began to read me:
"Patty? I'm getting a ship associated with you. You were on this ship with a male. Younger brother. I'm seeing the flag of Sweden. I think the two of you were from Sweden? You were 3rd class passengers, traveling from Sweden to America. Something happened to this ship...it sank...and you and your brother were lost in the sinking.
They never found you or if they did, no one ever identified you. I'm getting the name Johanna. Your name was Johanna, your last name began with an A I think. (Long pause) OMG PATTY! THEY'RE SHOWING ME THE TITANIC! YOU DIED WHEN THE TITANIC SANK!"
Even though I'm a psychic medium myself I always take any psychic information with a grain of salt. My curiosity got the better of me. I looked up the Titanic steerage passenger list. And there she was!
Lisa had nailed it. She'd gotten everything right. Johanna was from Sweden, was traveling with her brother Johan in 3rd class (ticket #7546). Both were lost in the sinking, their bodies either never recovered or never identified if they were recovered.
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But it gets more WOO WOO yet...
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My grandmother was from Sweden. She and her brother, Alben traveled to America on a ship. (Theirs didn't sink)
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My grandmother settled in the same Minnesota city Johanna had.
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Johanna's husband was in the dairy business. My cousin, Lisbeth in Sweden owns a dairy farm.
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Johan's last name was Petterson. It was very common for Swedish immigrants to change the spelling of their last names when they arrived in America. Petterson for example, would likely have been changed to Peterson. Peterson was my last name at birth.
My Swedish Grandmother
The more I compared my grandmother's and Johanna's lives the more synchronicities I found. Coincidence?
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​Had I been Johanna? Well, there's no way anyone could ever say for sure. At most, it would make an interesting topic of conversation. But it would explain a lot of things that never made sense to me, especially my inexplicable fascination with Titanic.
Every year Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel hosts a Titanic weekend the last weekend of May.
The Titanic weekend is as grand as the hotel itself is. Well, at least until someone in hotel management, who was obviously tripping on something, hired Carleton Varney, a protégé of 'legendary' interior designer Dorothy Draper to redecorate the hotel in a manner I can only call ABSOLUTELY HIDEOUS! (Carlton...you don't have to use all 64 crayons in your Crayola box, sweetie.)
I wasn't the only one who had a problem with the new decor. When we walked into our suite the first thing out of Jay's mouth was "OMG Did we get the Suite For 4 Year Old Girls?!!"
Me the entire time I was inside
the Grand Hotel
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Way to completely ruin a classic old hotel. Nightmarish decorating aside...
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From the Grand Hotel website:
Titanic Weekend
Available Friday, May 29, 2026 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
Description
Step back in time to 1912 and embark on an unforgettable journey aboard the legendary Titanic, reimagined with all the elegance and grandeur that only Grand Hotel can provide.
Throughout the weekend, immerse yourself in the splendor of a bygone era with live music, elegant ballroom dancing, and lavish first-class dining inspired by the ship’s historic menus. Discover the true stories behind the “Unsinkable Ship” during captivating presentations and enjoy a special screening of the Oscar-winning film that brought its legacy to life.
Authentic period costumes, immersive performances, and stunning surroundings will transport you to another time for a weekend of beauty, nostalgia, and timeless romance you’ll never forget.
Extend your stay with additional nights at a special rate.
Package Includes:
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Grand Hotel accommodations
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Breakfast and dinner daily
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All resort amenities
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Friday evening Bon Voyage party and reception
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Friday evening themed entertainment
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Saturday morning History Lecture with Resident Historian Bob Tagatz
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Saturday afternoon presentation
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Saturday dinner inspired by the last meal served on the Titanic
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Sunday morning wrap-up
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Admission to the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
Titanic Weekend is also available by calling Grand Hotel Reservations at 1-800-334-7263.
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When you arrive you're given the identity of a Titanic passenger and you won't know until the end of the weekend whether you survived the sinking or not.
Friday night kicks off with a welcome reception with live music and dancing. Everyone is in Edwardian formal dress and "in character" with their Titanic First Class passenger.
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​(Which essentially means we went around bragging to each other about how rich we were and whether we were old money or new money.)
On Saturday you start with breakfast, then a Titanic historian does a presentation on Titanic, followed by a showing of the movie Titanic.
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I've researched Titanic for over 25 years now and we'd seen Titanic like a gazillion times so we skipped out to explore downtown Mackinac instead, returning late afternoon to get cleaned up and dressed for dinner.
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A word about 1912 dining before we get into the dinner...
Dinner was not dinner like we eat dinner now. It was a 10 course meal social event that began around 5 pm and ended somewhere around midnight or later.
Titanic First Class Dinner Menu the night of the sinking
Heck, one needed a PhD just to know what silverware went to what!
So we get all dressed up in our fancy Edwardian duds...
This seems an appropriate place to mention The Grand Hotel does have a dress code after 5 pm. Shorts, tank tops, flip flops a big no no. You dress up after 5 pm no matter where you are inside the hotel. Not a problem for our group as we were in Edwardian costume all but Sunday morning.
Now this event was run by an immersive theater group, pictured below.
I mention that because as many Titanic events as I've been to (a LOT of em) never before had I seen happen what happened that night.
Everyone was in a festive party mood when dinner began. But the closer the time to the "sinking" we got, the more quiet and somber everyone gradually began to get. In my experience this is usually the norm at Titanic events.
But when these 3 immersive actors made everyone realize the ship was sinking and there weren't enough lifeboats for everyone, they evoked a very realistic display from us of every emotion those Titanic passengers must've experienced that night on Titanic's decks. Those 3 actors played our emotions like a violin. All hell broke loose. Yes, we were still "in character" but it was more than that. It went much deeper is the only way I can explain it. I knew what Johanna must've felt that night.
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Had she and Johan been trapped below decks as so many steerage passengers had been? Had they made it up to the boat deck and jumped into the freezing water and gone into cardiac arrest from hypothermia? Had they jumped overboard before the ship went down or did they go down with it, sucked under as it did, only to drown?
I didn't know...but somehow I knew that she knew she and Johan were going to die that night.
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Those in spirit can manipulate a psychic's emotions, make the psychic physically feel their deaths just as they felt their deaths themselves. I've had it happen countless times. Was Johanna making me feel her emotions? It's possible.
I kept thinking of a pair of boots I'd seen lying in the silt in the Titanic debris field and wondering who'd been wearing them.
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After the "sinking" was over, I asked the gal actor how they'd whipped everyone into an emotional frenzy as they had.
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She told me "We practiced it over and over, dozens of times until we got it right and got the reaction we wanted."
Kudos to those actors! Brilliant, brilliant job!
Sunday morning we all met up for a send off breakfast, ending with a champagne toast to all who'd been on the Titanic that night - both those who survived and those who perished.
It seemed a very fitting way to end the event and weekend.
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Titanic's survivors are all gone now. Milvina Dean, the last of the Titanic passengers passed away in 2009 at the age of 97.
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If you get a chance to attend the Grand Hotel's Titanic weekend by all means do it.
It's phenomenal!
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While we're on the subject of the Grand Hotel, add it to your list of things to see on Mackinac Island - even if you're not attending Titanic Weekend. You don't have to be an overnight guest of the Grand to go in or wander its grounds to look around. You can even dine at one of its restaurants. Just remember to bring your Raybans along.
While there, be sure you take a walk through their gardens and have your camera at the ready. Their beauty will leave you awestruck.
There are no motor vehicles allowed on Mackinac Island. There are three ways you get around: walk, bicycle or horse drawn carriage. You arrive on the island by ferry.
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​Two ferry companies service Mackinac Island - Shepler's and Star Line. Ferries to Mackinac Island depart from docks in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.
Mackonac Island ferry dock
We encourage you to bring your own bicycle. We'll get to that more in a bit.
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There are 3 ways to transport your luggage to your accommodations:
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Transport it yourself, walking
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Hire a horse drawn taxi to transport your luggage. You'll find these taxis at the ferry dock.
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If you're staying at The Grand, they'll transport your luggage for you and you'll have it delivered to your room, bicycles and all. The fee is $9.
No two ways about it, lodging on Mackinac Island is expensive but I'll give you luxury, mid range and budget options.
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LUXURY
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The Mackinac House is a boutique inn. Located just minutes from downtown Mackinac Island, this hotel is perfectly placed for those wanting to get stuck right into the action and it delivers a "home away from home" vibe.
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The Hotel Iroquois is a sophisticated hotel that mixes in a good dash of charming. The interior design is great.​
Located on the waterfront, this is one of the Mackinac Island hotels that feels serene and welcoming.
The landscaping of the garden surrounding it is breathtaking.​
On site waterfront dining is available in the Carriage House.
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What sold me on Mission Point Resort was not only quality but what it had to offer as far as the kids - with everything from a ‘Kids Eat Free’ policy and complimentary kids’ activities on offer. They even offer a complimentary Kids Club for children ages 5-12.
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​The Resort has 2 lodges - The Main Lodge (A) and the Straits Lodge (B).
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A. Main Lodge amenities
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Four restaurant and eateries
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Mission Point marketplace
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Lobby and check-in
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B. Straits Lodge amenities
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Dog-friendly guest rooms ($100 more)
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Grab-and-go cafe
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Closer to downtown
MID RANGE
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If you’re after views of the marina, then The Island House Hotel is an excellent pick. Almost every room has clear views over the harbor. It's close to town so the location is ideal and the hotel has its own bike rentals.
​​ There's an on site restaurant, the 1852 Grill Room.
The hotel is a member of Mackinac Island's 906 Rewards Club so be sure to sign up to receive exclusive deals.
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This hidden gem is tucked away in a quiet spot on Bogan Lane, just minutes from downtown. Pine Cottage B&B has hosted the likes of Ernest Hemingway and baseball great, Ty Cobb. It's actually one of Mackinac's oldest hotels. It's decorated in Victorian Farmhouse so has a very welcoming, quaint vibe.
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Located right on Main Street is the ever popular Lake View Hotel. Although it's not the most luxurious hotel on my list of the best Mackinac Island hotels, it is one of the most reliable options out there.
If there's a drawback to the Lake View it's that in the middle of the atrium is the pool so you'll get some pool noise during the day if you're spending the day in your room. The pool closes at 10 om so there shouldn't be any noise after that.
The hotel's upsides are it's located right in downtown and it offers shuttle service to its guests to get their luggage from the ferry dock to the hotel. Also, be sure to check out the Specials section on their website.​
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This is where we stayed after checking out of The Grand. We had no complaints with Murray Hotel whatsoever.
The Murray Hotel is right on the main street in downtown Mackinac. It had a nice spa pool behind the hotel, a really good Mexican restaurant and a fudge shop in its lobby. The room was very clean and comfortable and unlike our suite at The Grand, didn't look like a fairy garden in which a box of 64 Crayola crayons had exploded.
Our room in the Murray Hotel
BUDGET
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If you’re on the hunt for a cheap hotel that is extremely well-reviewed, look no further than Breakers Resort & Beach Bar. ​​Located only 10 minutes from the St. Ignace Mission, this is one of the Mackinac Island hotels that’s perfect for sightseeing. In addition to free Wi-Fi and soundproofed rooms, this Mackinac Island hotel also offers a bowling alley and indoor pool!
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Holiday Inn Express hotels are always reliable, budget options for travelers. Although they’re on the cheap side, they are always clean, well-equipped, and simply get the job done. Holiday Inn Express St. Ignace is one of the most budget friendly motels and good for those who aren't planning to spend a lot of time in their room.Offering breakfast at no extra charge, great Wi-Fi, and complimentary coffee and tea.
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Only 10 minutes from the ferry terminal, Inn on Mackinac will have you checked in and settled in record time. It doesn’t offer any major extras, but it does provide a free breakfast, high-speed Wi-Fi, and an amazing Spa Pool! But one of the best parts about this Mackinac Island hotel are the warm bedtime cookies that guests receive each night.
Downtown Mackinac Island
While Mackinac downtown is very easily walkable, the best way to get the lay of the island is to start with a horse drawn carriage ride.
There are a couple of ways you can do this. You can take a guided tour or you can can rent a drive-it-yourself carriage and take your own self-guided tour. (We liked the carriage ride so much we did it both ways and on our second trip let Ashley take the carriage reins.)
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Mackinac Island Carriage Tours offers horse-drawn rides from early May through late October, and no reservations are taken. The ticket office for Mackinac Island Carriage Tours is right in downtown Mackinac Island on Main Street, near the ferry docks. No reservations are needed. Just buy your ticket and off you go!
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This is a fairly comprehensive tour in that you'll go through downtown, past the Grand Hotel, then you'll make a stop at Surrey Hill. This is where you’ll transfer from a two-horse carriage used in town to a 3-horse hitch for the main part of the tour. But before boarding the next carriage, feel free to explore the history of horse-drawn transportation on Mackinac Island at the Surrey Hill Carriage Museum. (Below) The Butterfly House is also there.
From Surrey Hill, the horse-drawn carriage tour takes you through Mackinac Island State Park past sights including Skull Cave and Post Cemetery where Fort Mackinac soldiers, their families and “The Chaplain’s Lady” are buried.
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The next stop on a horse-drawn carriage tour is the picturesque Arch Rock.
You'll also pass the Governor's Mansion before proceeding on to Fort Mackinac.
You'll pass the Governor's Mansion...
Then, once back at Surrey Hill, you’ll switch carriages again for the return to town. If you prefer, you can end your tour at Grand Hotel.
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Want to take the reins yourself? Here's everything you need to know:
Take the reins with a drive-it yourself horse carriage tour of Mackinac Island
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In addition to paved roads traveled by horse-drawn carriages, Mackinac Island is home to many miles of dirt trails that are perfect for horseback riding. It costs about $70 per hour to ride a saddle horse. Both Jack’s Livery Stable and Cindy’s Riding Stable offer guided and unguided trail riding through Mackinac Island State Park or even right through town.
By far the best way to get around Mackinac in general is by biking it and you'll save a considerable amount of money bringing your own bike vs. renting one on the Island.
Bike rentals on Mackinac Island are generally around $15–$17 per hour for most adult bikes, with rates varying slightly by shop and bike type. Prices can range from about $10–$18/hour depending on the style and availability.
Typical Hourly Rates (examples from shops):​​
Single-speed cruiser: $12–$17/hour; all-day ~$55–$70
3-speed bike: $14–$17/hour; all-day ~$70–$90
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By comparison it will cost you only around $19 to transport your bike round trip on the ferry.
What to Know About Bringing Your Own Bike to Mackinac Island
As you can see, bringing your own bike to the island will put you way ahead financially.
Not only that, your bike is already set up for you as its rider, it's already equipped with for example, baskets or a bike rack to carry things, which is invaluable on Mackinac, especially if you want to do any shopping.
​Then there's the fact that most of us are used to riding with more than 3 speeds! The bikes you rent on Mackinac are bare bones and that's something you want to consider being you'll
likely be biking every day of your stay!
However, if you want to rent a bike: Bike Rentals on Mackinac Island
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Mackinac Island offers over 70 miles of bike trails, ranging from easy 8-mile loops along the coast to challenging inland routes with scenic overlooks and historic landmarks.
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Popular Trails
Perimeter/Outer Loop Trail: Also referred to as the M-185 Loop. This is the island’s most famous and accessible route, an 8-mile flat loop around the coastline. It offers breathtaking views of Lake Huron, the Mackinac Bridge, and historic forts, making it ideal for casual riders and families with children. The trail is well-paved and takes about 1.5–2 hours to complete.
East Bluff Trail: A 2-mile round trip that climbs to one of the island's highest points, providing panoramic views of
the surrounding waters and the Mackinac Bridge. This trail is paved but steeper, suitable for riders seeking a moderate challenge.
Arch Rock and South Bicycle Trail: Starting near Fort Mackinac, this route passes the Mackinac Island Botanical Trail and leads to Arch Rock, a 146-foot natural limestone arch. Along the way, riders can explore Skull Cave,
Fort Holmes, Sugar Loaf, and several historic cemeteries. This trail combines scenic beauty with historical landmarks.
Inland and Mountain Biking Trails: For more adventurous cyclists, the island has single-track and backcountry trails through dense forests, limestone formations, and high cliffs. These trails vary from beginner to advanced levels, with some steep descents and technical sections near Fort Holmes and Eagle Point Cave.
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​Rentals: Multiple shops offer cruisers, multi-gear mountain bikes, tandem bikes, and e-bikes. E-bikes are recommended for longer or steeper routes.
Tag-along attachments and baby carts are available for young children.
Gear Recommendations: One gear is sufficient for the flat perimeter loop, but mountain bikes are better for inland trails.
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If you don't bike regularly I recommend you start with the M-185 Outer Loop Trail. (Below)
The Mackinac Island Bike Trails:
Hands down Fort Mackinac is my favorite place to visit on the island. There's just something about having the ability to fire a cannon and wake the entire island up in the process.
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Seriously though, we spent an entire day at Fort Mackinac and were never bored for one minute. There's so much to see and do at the Fort and with the enactors all dressed in period attire, you feel like you've stepped back in time while you're there.
The oldest building in Michigan and 13 other historical structures boast exhibits explaining everything from military training and battles to medical treatments to family life within the fort.
Walking tours of the fort include learning about the changing face of the fort, the people who lived and worked at Fort Mackinac, and what equipment was distributed to soldiers stationed there.
Take a tour of Fort Mackinac with a historic interpreter while learning about the various people who called Fort Mackinac home. Daily at 12:30 p.m. Program included with regular Fort Mackinac admission.
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​Learn about the contributions of the women who lived and worked at Fort
Mackinac in the 1880s.
Whether they worked as servants, laundresses, hospital matrons, or were married to soldiers stationed at Fort Mackinac, the women of Fort Mackinac played a vital role in the Fort’s culture as they navigated the difficulties of army life.
Daily at 2:30 p.m. Included with regular admission to Fort Mackinac.
The Post Hospital
Embark on a short tour of Fort Mackinac with an historic interpreter and take a deeper look at the army of the 1880s. Daily at 11:30 a.m. Program included with regular Fort Mackinac admission.
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A really interesting building within the Fort is the hospital and the story of the Hospital Corps and how surgeons (what few there were available) cared for the wounded soldiers. (We thought Jay's eyes were going to pop out of his head when he learned one surgeon would care for 50 to 100 soldiers at any given time and the only help the surgeon would have would be one enlisted man under him who served as a Hospital Steward, acting more like a pharmacist caring for medicines and supplies.
Fort Mackinac’s 1860 Post Hospital prior to 1887.
Today, the Post Hospital is open to the public as part of the Fort Mackinac museum complex. It is used for special exhibits, including Military Medicine at Mackinac: 1780–1895, which explores 19th‑century medical practices and the role of the hospital in the fort’s operations. The Hospital Corps at Fort Mackinac. The building itself is one of the 14 original structures preserved inside the fort’s walls.
Be sure to check it out, it's fascinating! You'll wonder how any wounded soldier survived the war!
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Admission:
If you're going to spend several days on the island, we found the most economical way to see everything was purchasing a 7 day pass that provides admission to all historic sites. Tour the gardens of Colonial Michilimackinac, gaze out at the Straits of Mackinac from the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Tower, smell the sawdust as sawyers cut timber into lumber at Dousman’s Mill, experience the boom of the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon, and stroll through Mackinac Island’s fur trade past in Historic Downtown Mackinac.
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If you want to have lunch while at the Fort, pop into the Tea Room Restaurant.
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This bluff-side bistro merges the spirit, history, traditions, and inspirations of the Straights of Mackinac with the comfort of well-known American cuisine. The light, simple, yet unexpected menu offers something for everyone, while serving up incredible views of Mackinac Harbor.
7029 Huron Rd, Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island State Park is Michigan's first state park, established in 1895. For twenty years before that it had been Mackinac National Park, the United States’ second national park.
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Mackinac Island State Park encompasses more than 80% of Mackinac Island. There are multiple ways to enter the park. A host of major landmarks reside within Mackinac Island State Park: Fort Mackinac, Marquette Park, Arch Rock, Sugarloaf Rock, British Landing, Fort Holmes, and many more.
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Mackinac Island State Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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The Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center is located downtown, with helpful staff, exhibits, and information, along with restrooms and the official state park store.
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Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center:
May 8 – June 5, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
June 6 – September 6, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
September 7 – October 4, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
7406 B Market Street, Mackinac Island
The Biddle House is located on Mackinac Island within the boundaries of Mackinac Island State Park, on Market Street near the intersection of Astor Street.
Step into the home of Agatha and Edward Biddle, merchants who moved in around 1830. The 1830s were critical to the Biddles in that as an Anishnaabek woman, Agatha and other indigenous people witnessed their culture subjected to immense changes, a sort of "marrying" of the two cultures - Anishnaabek and Michigan’s modern indigenous culture.
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Not only can you see a live demonstration of typical family life back then, the Biddle House also features the Native American Museum.
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Seasonal Hours
June 6 – August 22, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Last admission 5:30 p.m.
Admission Rates
Adult $10.75
Child (Age 5-12) $7.00
A Historic Downtown Mackinac ticket includes admission to The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum (May 8 – October 4) and Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, the American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum, and McGulpin House (June 6 – August 22). Admission to the Biddle House is also included with a Fort Mackinac ticket.
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Click here for more information, to purchase tickets, or to learn about weekly passes.
The American Fur Company Store sold a variety of general merchandise. It was at this site, on June 6, 1822, that French Canadian voyageur Alexis St. Martin was accidentally shot in the stomach from a distance of three feet. Fort Mackinac surgeon Dr. William Beaumont managed to keep St. Martin alive, but the hole in his stomach never properly healed. Through this hole, Dr. Beaumont conducted experiments, observed the workings of the human stomach and discovered much about the digestive process.
The Benjamin Blacksmith Shop is a unique one. Operating since 1885, this little museum is a fascinating attraction.
Visitors can take an immersive tour of the old shop and see the process through which the metal items are forged. When at the park, visit the shop to learn the method of crafting metal items, observe the blacksmith at work as he crafts intricate candle holders, horseshoes, and other objects, and try pounding metal yourself.
It's a good thing your admission ticket gives you in and out privileges for the entire day because Ashley loved this place so much we were there in the morning, back in the afternoon and back yet again in the evening.
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The best time to go if you want good photos is in the morning when the butterflies aren't as active and flying all over the place. Also be aware the butterfly house is kept warm for the butterflies, so if you go when the sun is beating down on the glass roofed house you'll be "well done" by the time you leave.
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There's also live displays of insects and amphibians in Insect World, which is part of the Butterfly House.
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For the 2026 season, The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House & Insect World will charge the following admission rates:
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Adult Admission (12 years and above): $8.50
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Child Admission (5–11 years old): $14.00
These prices are for a single visit and are non-refundable. Tickets are valid until October 12, 2026 and must be purchased online in advance. Upon arrival, you can redeem your ticket by showing your name or confirmation number/email to staff.
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If you plan to return to the island, you can purchase a wristband with your ticket for unlimited visits while staying on Mackinac Island.​
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, you can purchase tickets directly through the official website: originalbutterflyhouse.com
Mackinac Island is known for its fudge. Just walk through downtown and you'll smell it wafting out of the various fudge shops. The island features numerous fudge shops, each offering their unique flavors.
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Fudge is made using traditional recipes and methods. Visitors can watch the fudge-making process through windows while enjoying samples. Flavors range from classic chocolate to creative combinations.
Downtown shops make 10,000 pounds of fudge each day in season.
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How To Get Free Fudge On Mackinac Island
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Currently there are 7 different fudge shops on the island so make the rounds for free samples! Your waistline may not love your for it but your kids will!
Joann's Fudge of Mackinac Island
After the British and their allies captured Fort Mackinac during the War of 1812, they quickly built a small outpost and called it Fort George. When the Americans regained the Fort by treaty at the end of the War of 1812, it was renamed Fort Holmes after the American Major Andrew Hunter Holmes who succumbed to wounds during a futile attempt to retake the Fort from the British in 1814.
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You'll climb somewhere around 144 steps to get up there, but once up there it's pretty nice as it's the highest point on Mackinac Island.
Relatively few tourists...we pretty much had the place to ourselves, and there is no admission charge...just walk right in. Information about the fort's history is posted on the walls. It will only take you about 15 to 20 minutes to see the place.
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Picnicking is permitted to make your visit more enjoyable.
The Sip 'n Sail sunset cruise was one of the most enjoyable things we did on Mackinac Island, savoring the beauty of the Straits of Mackinac while sipping on our favorite beverage and watching the sun set.
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The cruise includes live music.
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This is their most popular cruise so make reservations early as it books up fast.​
The 2026 cruise price is the same for adults and kids at $63 per person. Infants 1 and under free.
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Mackinac Island Cruises depart fromArnold Freight / Coal Dock(Located between Seabiscuit Cafe and Taxi Office)
The Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum is very interesting. It's located at the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse within Mackinac Island State Park.
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The Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of shipwrecks in the Straits of Mackinac, a notoriously dangerous area for navigation. The museum features a variety of original artifacts from local shipwrecks, including items from notable vessels such as the Eber Ward, Cedarville, and William H.
Barnum. Visitors can explore models of these ships, showing their appearance while afloat and their current
condition on the lake bottom.
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Visitors can engage with audiovisual displays that narrate the stories of the shipwrecks that have occurred in the
area, enhancing the educational experience. There are also displayed artifacts brought up from the various shipwrecks.
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Admission:
While the provided Mackinac Parks exhibit page does not list a specific 2026 admission fee, the museum is part of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse complex. In past seasons, admission to the lighthouse (which includes the museum) has typically been $11.00 per adult and $5.50 per child.
Join Haunts of Mackinac for their guided ghost tour.
For those intrigued by the supernatural, joining a guided ghost tour is a thrilling experience. Mackinac Island is home to various ghostly legends and tales that date back centuries. Tours often take visitors through haunted sites while sharing spine-chilling stories.
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An experienced guide will narrate spooky legends, local folklore, and hauntings. Walking through the historic streets at night adds an air of mystery to the experience. It’s a fun activity for both history buffs and those seeking a little scare.
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Guided ghost tours offer a unique and entertaining way to explore the darker side of Mackinac Island’s history.
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If interested, get your tickets online as soon as possible. This tour sells out most of the time during peak season.
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THE TOUR BEGINS AT A NEW LOCATION IN FRONT OF THE ISLAND BOOKSTORE DOWNTOWN IN THE LILAC TREE HOTEL. MAKE SURE YOU NOTE THE NEW LOCATION. IT STARTS IN THE ATRIUM OF THE LILAC TREE HOTEL. PLEASE ARRIVE 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO TOUR DEPARTURE TIME. THE TOUR CONCLUDES NEAR MISSION POINT RESORT. The tour lasts about 90 minutes.
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If a ghost tour isn't your thing, Nocturnal Excursions will take you on a night hike with military grade night vision goggles to make sure you don't miss a thing!
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That wraps up our tour of Mackinac Island. It's a beautiful place where time seemingly stands still.
I've thrown a few Titanic parties in my day, for both adults and kids.
Our first adult Titanic party was such a hit that it became an annual tradition. My late husband and I would throw one every year.
Invitations
We had so much staging to do that we kept invitations simple and used ready made.
We printed out copies of actual Titanic boarding passes and tickets. Guests were instructed to come in Edwardian/Titanic costumes and to bring their tickets and boarding passes to gain entrance to the party.
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With each invitation we included a role playing card
with a photo and biography of an actual Titanic passenger on it. This would be the character each party guest would play during the party.
When issuing your bio cards, keep in mind your staging! What passenger class are you staging? Our was 1st class so all bio cards were for actual 1st class Titanic passengers.
We also included guests should come in Edwardian costume.
Staging props were easy for us...it was putting everything together and the actual staging that was a bit time consuming. We wanted guests to feel as if they were actually boarding the Titanic at our house entrance, then on the actual ship once they were inside the house.
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I live in a lake house so we'd already planned to build the nautical fence bridge, had all the materials to do it, we just hadn't gotten around to doing it so we finished that project. The crates and barrels are corrugated cardboard from another party. The suitcases are old ones that were in our basement. I made the boarding sign out of corrugated and hemp rope. The bell had always hung there.
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One of our neighbors/friends bore a good resemblance to Capt. Smith so he played Capt. Smith, greeting guests at our front door as they arrived for the party.
Another friend played 1st Officer, Murdoch, who collected guests boarding passes.
Costumes: We made somewhat authentic costumes working off Titanic photos. One of my friends owned a large vintage clothing store, which was a great help in getting the needed jackets, etc.
But we also scavenged costumes - for example, we refashioned my dad's Naval uniform into a Titanic officers jacket.
Military surplus stores are the best place to find items needed to make uniforms. Replica Titanic uniform buttons were ungodly expensive so we used gold anchor buttons instead.
Same with replica officer caps - ungodly expensive. So we bought iron on White Star emblems for $8 each.
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When you go through the front door of my house you're in a hallway with wood walls.
The hallway wall lights look something like this so it really does look like you're in a ship hallway. I enhanced this by adding a couple of removable porthole wall decals.
Yup - showing an iceberg.
As guests entered that hallway they were greeted by a waiter offering them a glass of champagne. We added an icebreaker to this. We had the waiter ask each guest if they'd like to answer a Titanic trivia question to win a prize.
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Didn't matter if they got the question right or not, he'd award each guest a roll of Lifesavers, telling them "You may need these later."​​
From the hallway the guests entered the living room where we had my friend, Colanna playing with her string quartet. We used a deck backdrop on that wall.
I had to laugh the first time I walked in and saw Colanna and her quartet. They'd made Titanic lifejackets and were wearing them over their formal wear. That was so unexpected but a nice touch.
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The quartet played music actually played on Titanic the night it sunk - including Nearer My God to Thee.
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We wanted to stage the Titanic without having to tear our whole house apart so it seeemed logical the living room would become the First Class Lounge so our furniture could remain where it was.
We hung a photo backdrop of the Grand Staircase and pulled the sofa out from the wall so it gave the appearance one could walk behind the sofa to walk up the Grand Staircase. We covered the sofa with a more antique style sofa cover. The lamps were my grandmothers. The pewter coffee/tea service was my husband's retirement gift from the company he'd worked for.
On the wall the windows overlooking the lake are on, we hung different drapes and used the furniture we used every day. We found the lamp at a secondhand store. The table came from our downstairs furniture.
The main floor of my house is open concept and this presented a bit of a problem. Our friend Emil (master chef from Germany) was going to be preparing the dinner and the modern kitchen being in full view of the First Class Lounge and First Class Dining Room just wasn't going to work without spoiling the whole aesthetic.
Bless hubby's heart, he always was a great problem solver. He built 2 stage walls. The largest one attached to the outside edge of the kitchen island. This made the walkway between the counter and antique sideboard look like a ship's hallway.
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On either end of the kitchen he built 2 more stage walls that could be removed when the party was over and that prevented guests from seeing the kitchen, yet still gave Emil (our chef) plenty of room to work in. He found 2 pair of decorative batwing doors at Habitat For Humanity Restore that he installed in those 2 end walls.
That dining area became the First Class Dining Room.
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​My dining set is antique (looks just like the one at right) so worked perfectly.
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​We were also feeding those who were playing roles but weren't actually guests, so we set up a round table for them in one corner of the living room.
The last room we needed to stage was our guest bedroom into the Marconi room. This was for a later party activity.
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Again, didn't want to have to tear everything apart and since the furniture in that room is antiques, it took very little on our part to stage the room.
The Titanic Marconi operators had a room attached to the Marconi room that had a bed in it so we left everything intact and I just changed out the bedspread for an old white Chenille bedspread I had.
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The only other piece of furniture in the room not shown above is a dresser like the one at left. I placed an old mirror tray on it holding an old hairbrush, shaving items, etc.
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Hubby built the secretary into his Marconi station, complete with working telegraph he built.
He built the Marconi contraption above the secretary out of an old stereo speaker that was bound for the town dump.
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I added another porthole decal to the wall and our staging was complete.
Believe it or not, all of the above staging took us under 2 days to complete. Add 1 full day to that for the stage walls hubby built to hide the kitchen.The most labor intensive part of the entire party was refashioning the uniforms into somewhat Titanic replicas!
We left that up to Chef Emil, only specifying we wanted authentic Titanic recipes used.
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He prepared an exquisite 5 course meal off Titanic's menu for the last 1st class dinner guests ate before the ship sank.
We covered the main dining table with an Irish lace tablecloth left to me by my grandmother.
On the round dining table for the "help" we used a plain white round tablecloth.
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We'd received silver candleholders as wedding gifts, we used those on both tables.
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I borrowed my sister's formal silverware.
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For some unknown reason hubby and I were the beneficiaries of all of our elders china and other dishware. We have more sets of dishes than we knew what to do with, that maybe saw the light of day once a year if that!
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I was going to use our set of white china...until hubby surprised me with
a 16 person set of Titanic replica dinnerware for Christmas!
(Probably because by then our Titanic parties had become an annual affair)
I did print out a menu of what Emil was serving and put one on every plate, just as they did on Titanic.
Marconigram
This was the biggest hit at the party. I printed out a pile of replica Titanic Marconigram forms.
On the invitations we included a note that encouraged anyone who wanted to play this game to bring some dollar bills with them.
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Hubby knew Morse code like the back of his hand so he was dressed as our Marconi operator.
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You may not know this, but on the Titanic the 1st class passengers flooded the Marconi room with telegrams because back then, if you had the money to send a Marconigram it was representative of being rich - and they spent their time flaunting their wealth to their fellow millionaires. For example, during dinner they'd casually drop "I sent a Marconigram this morning to my stock broker..." or "I sent a Marconigram to my assistant to tell him to have my private train waiting for us in New York."
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In their own way, these 1st class passengers helped with the sinking of Titanic. Had Phillips and Bride not been deluged with a backlog of these frivolous Marconigrams, Phillips would not have told the Californian's wireless operator to "Shut up, I'm busy!" - caus ing the Californian's wireless operator to shut down their Marconi for the night, thereby missing the sinking Titanic's messages for help. At any rate...
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Each guest was instructed to write out a telegram that included 3 things no one knew about them. They put a dollar in the pot for each telegram they sent. They then went into the Marconi room, where hubby actually typed out their telegram in Morse code, then placed their telegram on a spindle.
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When every guest had sent their telegram hubby came out and read them to all the guests. The guests had to guess by the information in the telegram which guest had sent that telegram. Whoever guessed all of them right won the pot. If no one guessed all the right answers, the money in the pot rolled over into the next round's pot.
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For the last round whoever had the most correct answers won the pot. We ended up playing more rounds than we'd planned on because our guests all wanted to keep playing to win the pot! (By the end of the game the pot was over $100)
You can't have everyone dress in their Edwardian best and not have a costume contest!
Our guests were pretty creative with their Titanic costumes...so I was glad we'd scheduled a costume contest.
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We awarded our 1st place winners an actual piece of coal off of the real Titanic.
Our second place runners up got an hourglass containing coal recovered off the Titanic.
And our third place couple got a 3rd class replica blanket.
Our 1st place winners won by unanimous vote, dressing as Jack and Rose, both white and covered in icicles, she wearing a cardboard painted door on the front of her, he wearing a sign that said "I froze to death because she wouldn't share the door!" (Brilliant!)
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The Heart of the Ocean necklace that was featured in the 1997 movie, Titanic, is actually fictitious. It was prominent in the film and is often associated with the Titanic.
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Get a necklace (party favor type) that is similar in look to the necklace in the movie. Hide the necklace somewhere in the party area. A treasure chest, a dresser drawer or an old-fashioned suitcase would be a good hiding spot. Create clues that guests must follow in order to locate the necklace. The guest who locates the necklace first is declared the winner.
Our guests came up with this one on their own, wanting to dance while the quartet was playing. Whenever guests come up with something they want to do, I roll with it because they wouldn't be having a good time if they hadn't come up with doing it in the first place!
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I hope that gave you some ideas for your own Titanic party! And you can always put a different spin on it if you make it an annual affair like we did. One year we did a murder mystery Titanic party, for example.
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You can go as simple or as complex as you want as far as staging.