# USCGC Mackinaw, United States: what it is and when to go

> USCGC Mackinaw is a former Coast Guard icebreaker, now a museum ship in United States (Mackinaw City). Interests: History and Museums and art. The best time to visit is March to October. In June there are 15 h 30 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 30. It has articles in 5 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in United States: one to enjoy at a calmer pace. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/u-s-coast-guard-cutter-mackinaw/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-08
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **What it is:** Former Coast Guard icebreaker, now a museum ship · History, Museums and art
- **Where:** United States · South Huron AVe 131, 49701, Mackinaw City
- **Best time:** March to October.
- **Nearest airport:** ORD Chicago, 494 km as the crow flies
- **Website:** [themackinaw.org](https://www.themackinaw.org/)
- **Run by:** Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
- **Coordinates:** 45.77969, -84.72032

## What it is and where

USCGC Mackinaw is a former Coast Guard icebreaker, now a museum ship in United States (Mackinaw City). It has articles in 5 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in United States: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter MACKINAW WAGB-83 is known as the “Queen of the Great Lakes” and “The Largest Icebreaker on the Great Lakes”. She was built during World War II to meet the heavy demands of war materials and transportation during the winter months.

It is in [Mackinaw City](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/mackinaw-city/), where this site lists 16 more places to see, 2 m from the centre.

Its coordinates are 45.77969, -84.72032; the nearest main airport is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD, Chicago), 494 km as the crow flies. How to get around United States (train, car, bus) is covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/#moverse).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=45.77969%2C-84.720322)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.77969%2C-84.720322)

- **Run by:** Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum

It is one of the [History](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/historia/) and [Museums and art](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/museos/) places in United States. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

## When to go

The best time to visit USCGC Mackinaw is **March to October**.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Possible | 8 h 51 |
| February | Possible | 10 h 08 |
| March | Best time | 11 h 37 |
| April | Best time | 13 h 18 |
| May | Best time | 14 h 44 |
| June | Best time | 15 h 30 |
| July | Best time | 15 h 11 |
| August | Best time | 13 h 57 |
| September | Best time | 12 h 18 |
| October | Best time | 10 h 40 |
| November | Possible | 9 h 13 |
| December | Possible | 8 h 30 |

In June there are 15 h 30 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 30. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

| What you come for | Best time | Possible |
| --- | --- | --- |
| History | March to October | November to February |
| Museums and art | March to October | November to February |

It is not the same trip whatever you come for: USCGC Mackinaw has a different season depending on what you want to do here, and [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) puts it in the right month for you.

When to go to United States in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/#cuando-ir).

## Before you go to United States

To enter United States there are 9 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Book national parks and cars in advance”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the United States checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/#antes-de-salir). Currency: US dollar (USD); plugs: Type A and B · 120 V · 60 Hz (you need an adapter, and check your devices' voltage); emergencies: 911 for everything.

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

## What is nearby

- [Fort Michilimackinac](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/colonial-fort-michilimackinac/): Fort on the south side of the straits · 1.4 km
- [Mackinac Bridge](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/mackinac-bridge/): Suspension bridge connecting Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas · 3.6 km
- [Cedarville (Wrack)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/cedarville-wrack/): Shipwreck · 3.9 km
- [McGulpin Point Light](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/mcgulpin-point-lighthouse/): Lighthouse in Michigan, United States · 4.2 km
- [Dousman's Mill](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/dousman-s-mill-state-historic-site/): State park in Michigan, USA · 5.8 km

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the United States guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/).

## More in United States: History

- [Empire State Building](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/edificio-empire-state/): skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
- [Golden Gate Bridge](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/puente-golden-gate/): suspension bridge on the San Francisco Bay
- [Yellowstone National Park](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/parque-nacional-de-yellowstone/): first national park in the world, located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho in the United States
- [Mount Rushmore](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/mount-rushmore/): mountain in South Dakota featuring a sculpture of four US presidents
- [Central Park](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/central-park/): public park at the center of Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States
- [Yosemite National Park](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/yosemite-national-park-2/): national park in California, United States

Every United States place under History, each with its season, is on [its page](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/historia/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is USCGC Mackinaw?

It is a former Coast Guard icebreaker, now a museum ship in United States. It has articles in 5 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in United States: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

### When is the best time to visit USCGC Mackinaw?

March to October. In June there are 15 h 30 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 30.

### How do you get to USCGC Mackinaw?

The nearest main airport is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 494 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.77969%2C-84.720322) opens the route on the map, and how to get around United States is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/#moverse).

### How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the United States map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

### What else is around here?

Nearby you have [Fort Michilimackinac](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/colonial-fort-michilimackinac/), [Mackinac Bridge](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/mackinac-bridge/), [Cedarville (Wrack)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/cedarville-wrack/). The rest is in [the United States guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/america/estados-unidos/).

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/166392310), licensed under the ODbL, and from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7866132), CC0. More about USCGC Mackinaw on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Mackinaw_(WAGB-83)). Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).