Tour Groups | Weddings | Conventions & Reunions | Youth groups Schools | Parking
Tour Groups
Discover the Shepler’s Difference…
From arrival to departure and all points in between, you can trust us to manage the details of even the most complicated plans. Each tour that we plan is customized to your group’s interests, needs, and budget. From carriages to boat rides to grand lunches, whether it is located in Mackinaw City to Sault Ste. Marie, we will take care of every detail.
60 Years of Experience
Over the decades, we’ve learned firsthand what it takes to do this job to the highest of standards. Let us put six decades of experience to work for you.
Attention to Detail
A Shepler’s representative meets every coach upon arrival and assists tour escorts with tickets, scheduling, luggage and communications. Nothing is left to chance.
Groups of 20 or more
Get the red-carpet treatment. Enjoy pre-boarding and choice seats when traveling with Shepler’s to Mackinac Island. Special needs are cheerfully accommodated.
Motorcoach Services
- Free Parking for all Coaches
- Available Coach Wash & Lavatory Services
- Coach Rescue Service (Stranded within 50 miles? We’ll come pick up your group!)
For assistance in planning your visit to Mackinac Island, please call our Group Sales Department at 800-828-6157 (US only)or 231-436-5023 or email: groups@sheplersferry.com.
Testimonials
”I believe that we are more than a ferry service. We are in the business of making lasting memories and we want to make your guests feel welcome and appreciated. We pride ourselves on our red carpet service. Need more proof? See what our guests say!”
-Misty Martinchek, Group Sales Manager
Sheplers Mackinac Island Ferry
” In 1989 I made the decision to make Shepler’s our exclusive Mackinac Island ferry transportation partner. The thousands of satisfied Tauck guests Shepler’s has pleased over the subsequent years have emphasized what an excellent decision it was to include Shepler’s on our itinerary.”
-Phil Otterson, Executive Vice President
Tauck World Discovery
“Shepler’s truly is the Gateway to Mackinac Island, they make all of our trips to Mackinac Island Magical.”
-Bob Buesing, President
East Coast Touring Co.
“The Mackinac experience doesn’t begin on the Island – it starts on the mainland. We owe a great deal to Shepler’s Ferry Service for helping our travelers begin that experience in a most exciting way.”
-John Stachnik CTP, CTC, President
Mayflower Tours
Weddings
Your gateway to a perfect Mackinac Island wedding! Weddings on the Island are always magical events, but the ceremony is only part of the whole picture. To make your wedding an event you’ll never forget, rely on Shepler’s for your big day.
We offer custom cruises that are perfect for rehearsal dinners and receptions. Even cruise directly beneath the mighty Mackinac Bridge. A Shepler’s Lighthouse Cruise provides a fascinating and relaxing diversion, before or after the wedding.
And naturally, we’ll get you to the church on time!
Let Shepler’s make your wedding planning a piece of cake! For assistance in planning your Mackinac Island wedding, please call our Group Sales Department at 800-828-6157 (US only) or 231-436-5023 or email: groups@sheplersferry.com.
We’re making your Destination Wedding easy! Now your guests can take care of their Mackinac Island travel arrangements online and save time when they get to the dock.
Now leave your car and your worries behind. If you’re staying overnight on Mackinac Island, you’ll have to make overnight parking arrangements for your vehicle. By making advanced arrangements now, you will bypass the ticket office and go directly from your car to the boat!
The Top 11 Reasons Why Brides and Grooms Choose Shepler’s (Because 10 just wouldn’t cut the cake!)
- Wedding package available for the bride and groom with groups of 20 or more.
- Free daily & overnight parking.
- Free shuttles from area hotels & campgrounds.
- New! Your guests can purchase discounted tickets and make parking arrangements online. Click here for find out more.
- Valet and secured parking available.
- Discounts for the weddings of 20 people or more.
- Full service Espresso Bar (Mackinaw City only).
- Special late night departures available. Please call for pricing.
- Freight – carried free of charge. Freight hours are Monday – Friday 5am – 5pm. Saturday 5am – 12pm. Need to have supplies to St. Ignace either the day prior within regular hours or by 5am the morning of the day the supplies need to be on the Island. For Sunday, supplies should be there by Friday at 5pm to go across Saturday. Smaller amount of supplies can be loaded on luggage carts in both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.
- Wireless hot spot offered on our docks in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Free of charge!
- Private Cruise can be arranged. Please ask for information from the cruise coordinator if you are interested in hosting one of our spectacular sunset cruises.
Conventions and Reunions
From sizable corporate gatherings to intimate retreats, experience Shepler’s award winning quality service. Let our cast members exceed your expectations.
The Top 11 Reasons Why Conventions Choose Shepler’s (Because 10 just wouldn’t cut it!)
- Free Secured luggage handling.
- Free daily & overnight parking.
- New! Your attendees can receive special discounts and make parking arrangements online.
- Valet & Secured parking available.
- Discounts for conventions of 20 people or more.
- Covered waiting areas.
- Full service Espresso Bar (Mackinaw CIty only).
- Shepler’s will provide a reception table at the ticket office area for Convention staff to greet guests as they arrive (upon request).
- Freight – carried free of charge. Freight hours are Monday – Friday 5am – 5pm. Saturday 5am – 12pm. Need to have supplies to St. Ignace either the day prior within regular hours or by 5am the morning of the day the supplies need to be on the Island. For Sunday, supplies should be there by Friday at 5pm to go across Saturday. Smaller amount of supplies can be loaded on luggage carts in both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.
- Wireless hot spot offered on our docks in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Free of charge!
- Private Cruises can be arranged. Please ask for information from the cruise coordinator if you are interested in hosting one of our spectacular sunset cruises.
Please call 1-800-828-6157 or email groups@sheplersferry.com for more information.
Scouts, Summer Camps, Youth Groups
Looking for a fun day on the Island? Let Shepler’s help you create an action-packed island adventure. Perhaps you will enjoy the challenge of “Captain Shepler’s Mackinac Island Scavenger Hunt” or check out our available, downloadable games and fun travel ideas.
Group discounts available with reservation. For more information or to begin your adventure call 1-800-828-6157 or email groups@sheplersferry.com.
For more great ideas visit our Private Cruises page.
Creative Cruises
Scout troops are always calling asking for fun activities to do in the area. Why not have your Bridging Ceremony under the Mackinac Bridge? Several troops every year make the passage into the next level of scouts under the Mighty Mac. Contact our cruise department at 1-800-828-6157 (US only) or 231-436-5023 or email us at cruises@sheplersferry.com.
Schools
MAKE MACKINAC YOUR CLASSROOM! Shepler’s offers more than just a boat ride to Mackinac Island. We provide an exciting educational adventure for students of all ages. See what we can do for your student group.
- Fun and educational information packets for teachers. We will send you a curriculum based packet after you have made a reservation with us. It will include lesson plans, puzzles, and a scavenger hunt that your students can do while on the Island.
- FREE package planning. Leave the planning to us! We customize each Island package to your group’s needs. Fort Mackinac visit, carriage tour, butterflies, and more – we can handle it!
- We offer comps! Receive one free adult ferry ticket for every 12 paid students!
- Priority boarding. Your group will be the first to board the vessel for Mackinac Island, so your students will stay together.
- Luggage tags for your Mackinac Island hotel can be pre-shipped to your school.
- To honor your school group, your school name will be posted on our welcome board the day you arrive.
Call one of our field trip coordinators at 1-800-828-6157or email us at: groups@sheplersferry.com for info or to reserve your spot in history!
We look forward to helping you teach your students more about the cultural and environmental heritage of Michigan. Start your educational adventure today by calling one of our student group experts about your fieldtrip to Mackinac Island!
Cool links for teachers and students: Mackinac for Kids at the Mackinac State Historic Parks
http://kids.mackinacparks.com/
This is a wonderful site for both students and teachers. There are interactive activities for students and it features a fantastic teacher resource section, including lesson plans and instructional materials that will help you with your Michigan history unit and it will aid you as you prepare your students for their Mackinac Island fieldtrip.
DiscoverySchool.com
http://school.discovery.com/
This Discovery Channel related website includes many different free resources for teachers in subjects ranging from science to social studies. It features a great Puzzlemaker tool for both word and number puzzles, lesson plans and teaching ideas, a Clip Art gallery, and Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators that has helpful links to other educator websites.
Michigan Historical Markers
http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm
This site lets you search for historic markers around the state. You can loacte markers by topic or county.
TEACH Great Lakes!
http://www.great-lakes.net/teach/
This is a great website that has a wealth of information about the Great Lakes and how we must work to preserve this important natural resource. Topics range from the environment to history and culture, geography to pollution.
Lake Carriers’ Association
http://www.lcaships.com/
For information about shipping on the Great Lakes, the freighters that ply our waters, and the issues facing this industry.
Teach-nology.com
http://www.teach-nology.com/
This site allows you access to lesson plan ideas, worksheets, and rubrics. There is some advertising associated with this site but you still may find some of their offerings helpful as you develop new lesson plans or classroom worksheets.
Parking Information
NEW! Arrange your parking online!
Mackinaw City – Free daily and overnight parking in our open, unfenced lot!
$5.00 per night for fenced, outside lot
$10.00 per night for indoor lot
$5.00 valet for overnight guests
St. Ignace – Guaranteed on-site parking in our open, unfenced lot for daily and overnight guests!
$5.00 per night for fenced, outside lot
$10.00 per night for indoor lot
$2.00 valet for overnight guests
Special Parking rates:
Motorcycle parking – indoor – $10.00 per night (FREE for the day)
Motorhome/ Camper – outdoor – $1.00 per foot per night
Vehicle with Trailer – outdoor - $5.00 + $1.00 per foot of trailer per night
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