20 Hours on Beaver Island: Planes, Magic, and a Forgotten King

When you tell people you’re going to Beaver Island, half think you’re joking and the other half ask if it’s near Mackinac. It’s not. And it’s not trying to be.

Ashley and I recently spent just under 24 hours on Michigan’s most remote inhabited island, and what we found was equal parts charming, strange, peaceful, and unforgettable. This wasn’t a vacation, it was a micro adventure with tiny planes, fresh-caught fish,bright stars, strange kings, local art, and some of the kindest people we’ve ever met.

A Plane Ride, Amazon Packages, and Total Stillness

To get to Beaver Island, you don’t drive. You take a small plane from Charlevoix over miles of Lake Michigan. There's also a ferry....next time. On the way there, it was just Ashley, me, and a stack of Amazon packages. (Truly. Just us and the cargo.) On the way back, we had some strangers with us, fellow travelers heading back to the mainland after their own island chapter.

That flight sets the tone. This place is calm, quiet, and cut off from the buzz. It’s not flashy. It’s not touristy. It’s not Mackinac. That’s the charm.

Local Life, Slower Pace, and Big Skies

Landing felt like stepping into a scene that time gently forgot. There are no traffic lights. No fast food chains. Just peaceful roads, small shops, and people who wave like they know you.

We stayed in an Airbnb next to a local gallery, featuring work entirely by Beaver Island artists. We even brought home a handmade clay heart, one of those small tokens that ends up meaning more than it should. It hangs in our dining room.

One Day, Dozens of Stories

Here’s what we fit into our 20 hours on Beaver Island:

• We stopped by the Beaver Island Historical Society Museum, where I saw the original printing press used by James Jesse Strang: a man who declared himself King of Beaver Island in the 1850s, was elected twice to the Michigan House of Representatives, banned alcohol and bare ankles, and was eventually assassinated on the dock. True story.

• Had lunch at The Shamrock, where I ordered a whitefish Reuben that I'm still thinking about.

• Explored the shops on the main street, grabbed dessert at Captain Frank’s Ice Cream, and wandered down to the lighthouse (also my hair didn't fall).

• Performed "the most attended show of the year" at the Beaver Island Community Center, where the crowd felt more like extended family than strangers. Big laughs, good energy, and one of those shows that makes you grateful you said "yes".

• Grabbed a drink at Whiskey Point Brewing Company, Michigan’s most remote brewery.

• Picked up snacks a McDonough's Market, ran into half the audience from the show, and waved to almost everyone we passed.

Stargazing, a Swing Set, and a Moment That Hit Me

That night, we looked up and couldn’t believe the sky. No streetlights. No city glow. Just an ocean of stars stretching over the island. Beaver Island is a certified Dark Sky Sanctuary, one of the largest dark sky parks in the U.S. and if you’ve never felt the full weight of the universe in your chest, you haven’t seen it from here. Ashley and I sat together on a swing set overlooking the bay, and the stars were so bright we saw multiple shooting stars within minutes. It was completely silent except for the water and the wind. One of those rare moments when everything just clicks, the kind of moment that makes you stop, breathe, and say, this is why we do this.

I get to do this. For my job. It’s the freaking best.

Until Next Time…

I came to Beaver Island to do a show. I left with stories about a Mormon monarch, a clay heart, and a deep appreciation for how stillness can surprise you. I hope to return for another show soon and that you get a chance to discover this wild little corner of the world for yourself.

Planning a Visit?

• Island Airways — fly in like we did

• Beaver Island Tourism — learn more, book lodging, browse things to do

• Beaver Island Community Center — shows, events, live music, and magic

• And if you’re looking for unforgettable live entertainment in Northern Michigan…

  I might know a guy. ›