Few People Know Michigan Actually Has Two Mackinac Bridges

The Mighty Mack is Michigan's most iconic structure, recognized nationwide for its signature green color. Measuring 5 miles in length, the bridge is the 7th-longest suspension bridge in the world, according to the Mackinac Bridge Authority. Millions of people cross the bridge each year, and walking across it is considered a rite of passage for many Michiganders.

But getting to the bridge can be quite the trek for many people, and sometimes the wait to cross it can take hours. But what if I told you there is an alternative to crossing the bridge that few people are aware of: the Mini Mac.

Saint Louis' Mini Mackinac Bridge -  8200 N Begole Rd, St. Louis, MI 48880

Located on an unnamed road just off M-46 in St. Louis, Michigan, fittingly behind the Mini Mac Storage Center, you'll find an exact replica of the Mackinac Bridge, albeit significantly smaller. It still gives you the feeling of crossing two peninsulas, as the bridge crosses a small pond onto a plot of land shaped exactly like the lower peninsula. 

READ MORE: 67 Years Ago, A Man Flew An Airplane UNDER The Mackinac Bridge

Chris Darling, who built the bridge in the mid-90s, owned the bridge on and off until 2020, when he sold it to the current owner, Corey Edgar, according to MLive. Corey maintained the lawn around the bridge for years before taking ownership of the bridge.

Todd Makes Videos provides an excellent aerial view of the bridge, fully showcasing how the lower peninsula portion of the bridge resembles the shape of Michigan, and the ponds look like lakes Michigan and Huron.

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Unlike the real Mackinac Bridge, which can be crossed only once a year on foot, the "Mini Mac" is open from April to November and free to cross. While the real bridge at its peak is 210 feet above the water, the Mini Mac is a far less intimidating 15 feet above the pond. Visitors are invited to feed the fish and turtles in the pond.