News Up North

Grand Hotel History Weekend – October 17 – 19, 2025

Grand Hotel History Weekend

You’re invited to journey through time at Grand Hotel’s 16th Annual History Weekend and learn the story behind the hotel’s wooden structure built in 1887. Fall is a great time of year to experience Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel.

Join us as we explore the fascinating history of Grand Hotel – “The Building.” Learn about the hotel’s original design and how it was constructed in 1887. The highlight of the weekend will be a lecture and walking tour led by two of Michigan’s most respected historical architects. For over three decades, Tamara Burns & Gene Hopkins have carefully overseen the hotel’s restoration and expansion. They will explain the relevance of preservation and historic events in the evolution of the hotel. It’s a true survival story of this rare architectural treasure.

We hope to see you for this special event to celebrate the history of Grand Hotel.

Package Includes:

  • Breakfast and dinner daily 
  • All resort amenities  
  • Friday evening Welcome Reception 
  • Saturday morning History Lecture with Resident Historian Bob Tagatz 
  • Saturday afternoon History Lecture 
  • Admission to Fort Mackinac (one visit per room)

About Bob Tagatz, Resident Historian at Grand Hotel

Named an Historic Hotels of America Historian of the Year, Bob Tagatz is a natural storyteller. He will intrigue you with information about the hotel’s history and how the Island and the hotel came to be what they are today.

This Mackinac Island Grand Hotel History Weekend can also be booked by calling Grand Hotel Reservations at 1-800-334-7263.

View Grand Hotel Policies and Information >> to learn more about our evening dress code, luggage process, and more.  

View the Tentative Agenda below. Please note that the events, times and locations listed in the Tentative Agenda are subject to change.

*Subject to Michigan 6% sales tax, 3% Mackinac Island assessment, and a $15.00 per person, per stay, baggage-handling charge. Regular children’s rates apply. Extra charges apply for additional adults over double occupancy rates. Dates are subject to availability. A 30-day cancellation policy applies.

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

Grand Hotel On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Grand Hotel Page On Facebook.

<>

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

More Events From Grand Hotel

Additional Events From Grand Hotel >>>>

<>
 
 

Grand Hotel – Fall Murder Mystery Weekend – October 24 – 26, 2025

Grand Hotel - Fall Murder Mystery Weekend

Secrets are swimming and a murderer is among us at Grand Hotel! Join us in October for an interactive weekend brought to you by The Murder Mystery Company, founded in Michigan. The intrigue begins Friday night and the crime is solved Sunday morning.

This Halloween season, you’re invited to a party to die for! During the comedy show kickoff, cauldrons are bubbling, pumpkins are glowing, and jokes are flying… but someone has prepared a sinister surprise, and this party soon becomes more trick than treat. When the entertainer is murdered, it’ll be up to you and your fellow partygoers to gather the clues and solve the crime! Don your best Halloween costumes for this frightfully fun celebration.

Package Includes:

  • Grand Hotel accommodations
  • Breakfast and dinner daily 
  • All resort amenities  
  • Friday evening welcome reception
  • Friday after dinner event
  • Saturday morning and afternoon investigation sessions
  • Sunday morning “Who Done It” closing session

This Murder Mystery Weekend package is also available to book by calling Grand Hotel Reservations at 1-800-334-7263.

View Grand Hotel Policies and Information >> to learn more about our evening dress code, luggage process, and more.  

View the Tentative Agenda below. Please note that the events, times and locations listed in the Tentative Agenda are subject to change.

About the Murder Mystery Weekend

This invite comes from somebody with murder on their mind. Your invitation promises plenty of excitement and intrigue. However, beyond the glitz and glamor of this event lies something more sinister.

You and your party play the detective in this interactive game of mystery and murder behind the closed doors of Grand Hotel. Investigate the scene of the crime, interrogate suspects, and solve a murder. This one-of-a-kind event promises to be nothing short of a “Grand” ol’ time.

Upon check-in, receive your first packet of information and clues. Friday is the kick-off performance, which sets the tone of events and when the first murder takes place. On Saturday, there is a brief gathering with the Detective, who explains the hunt for clues. (This also allows you some time on your own to enjoy the beauty of Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel.)

Come back on Saturday afternoon, when Act II is performed and another murder takes place. The evening concludes with three interactive mysteries, where guests in different groups will be rotated into the mystery experiences. Sunday morning the mystery is solved!

Watch “Grand Hotel Presents The Murder Mystery Company” Video

*Subject to 6% Michigan sales tax, 3% Mackinac Island assessment, 19.5% resort fee, and a $15.00 per person, per stay, baggage-handling charge. Regular children’s rates apply. Extra charges apply for additional adults over double occupancy rates. Dates are subject to availability, 30-day cancellation policy applies.

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

Grand Hotel On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Grand Hotel Page On Facebook.

<>

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

More Events From Grand Hotel

Additional Events From Grand Hotel >>>>

<>
 
 

Grand Hotel – Close the Grand for the Season – October 26 – 27, 2025

Something different, something time-honored: You’re invited to join in the unique experience as we close Grand Hotel’s doors for the winter months.

This package includes a casual dinner buffet on Sunday evening and a continental breakfast Monday morning. Enjoy an informal atmosphere with no dress code Sunday – Monday as we clean out our pantries and wine cellar. Bob Tagatz, Resident Historian, will host a presentation explaining the process we go through to close the hotel, as well as fun facts and interesting information from the 2025 season. Monday morning we continue the tradition of ringing the bell to signify the end of our season, bringing in the rockers and honoring exemplary service with our Grand Legend Celebration. Take home a piece of Grand Hotel with a geranium from the Front Porch.

We look forward to you joining our staff in this annual end-of-the-year event that has become a tradition for so many.

Package Includes:

  • Grand Hotel accommodations 
  • Casual dinner buffet on Sunday evening  
  • Clearing of the Front Porch Rockers Rocking Chairs 
  • Final History Lecture of the season with resident historian, Bob Tagatz 
  • Breakfast buffet on Monday  
  • Monday morning Closing Ceremony
  • Geranium giveaway

The Close the Grand offer is also available by calling Grand Hotel Reservations at 1-800-334-7263.

View Grand Hotel Policies and Information >> to learn more about our evening dress code, luggage process, and more. 

*Subject to 6% Michigan sales tax, 3% Mackinac Island assessment, 19.5% resort fee, and a $15.00 per person, per stay, baggage-handling charge. Regular children’s rates apply. Extra charges apply for additional adults over double occupancy rates. Dates are subject to availability, 30-day cancellation policy applies.

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

<>

Grand Hotel – Close the Grand for the Season Photos on Facebook >>>

<>

Grand Hotel On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Grand Hotel Page On Facebook.

<>

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

More Events From Grand Hotel

Additional Events From Grand Hotel >>>>

<>
 
 

Mackinac Island Christmas Bazaar – December 1 – 3, 2023

Mackinac Island Christmas Bazaar

The Mackinac Island Christmas Bazaar is a fundraiser for the Mackinac Island Medical Center as well as St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Little Stone Church, Trinity Episcopal Church and the Mackinac Island Bible Church.

The annual Christmas Bazaar will be December 1 – 3, 2023.

There will be a Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday evening at 5:30 pm on Main Street, followed by a silent auction, live auction, 50/50 raffle, snowmobile raffle, crafts, bake sale, balsam pillows, ice cream and more throughout the weekend at Community Hall!

Friday December 2 :

Tree lighting at 5:30 pm

<>

<>

Visit Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau >>>>

<>

Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau On Facebook.

<>

<>

Visit Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau On Facebook >>>

<>

 
 

News Up North - News, Specials and Events - Northern Michigan - Upper Peninsula, Michigan - produced by North Guide Internet.