Get away from the city — Mackinaw City is less than an eight-hour drive from Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee and Toronto — and dive into historic shipwrecks in Lake Huron and Lake ­Michigan. Pass by the hilarious oversize hot dog at ­Wienerlicious when you’re topside, and indulge in your choice of fudge from ­either Devon’s Mackinac Island Fudge Company or Original Murdick’s Fudge.

IF YOU HAVE ONE DAY

The Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve maintains an underwater ­museum of more than a dozen historic wrecks for divers to safely enjoy. Of these, the SS Eber Ward is a notable wooden wreck. Cold, fresh water enables the preservation of these wrecks, though they are all covered by zebra mussels. In 1909, this wooden cargo ship sank upright to the lake bottom at 140 feet, allowing you to dive the bow and observe two historic anchors: a traditional and a mushroom anchor. Finish the day warming up with local comfort food and handmade pies from Darrow’s Family Restaurant.

IF YOU HAVE TWO DAYS

Keep the wreck trek rolling at the ­William Young, where you can steer from a still-standing wheel at 100 feet for an ­early-morning dive. Artifacts such as deadeyes remain intact on this schooner barge lost to leaky seams in bad ­weather in 1891. Complete your schooner experience with the violently sunk Sandusky, in shallower water. Many artifacts ­remain on this ship, including the topmast and a replica figurehead on the bow ­below the jib boom. The ­original is protected in the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck ­Museum in the Old Mackinac Point Light, a worthy post-dive tour. The lighthouse guided ships through the ­foggy channel until the Mackinac Bridge was built.

IF YOU HAVE THREE DAYS

Complete your tour of the straits by ­visiting two very different wrecks. The Cedarville is a sizable steel freighter that collided in fog with a Norwegian ­vessel and rolled over, sinking upside down. Though penetrating the wreck can be disorienting, the three decks are visually compelling. Dive the shallower William H. Barnum, a 218-foot wooden freighter, for a quick penetration into the bow section. Afterward, hop aboard a ferry for an evening cruise to see more lighthouses and learn more about the maritime history. The ferry also takes guests to the expansive and historic Grand Hotel and Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island.

Need to Know

When to Go: Charters run during summer when weather permits.

Dive Conditions: Drysuits are necessary to spend time in 47-degree-F water, and ­seasick medication is recommended because conditions can become choppy.

Operators: Shipwreck Explorers offers charters and can provide tanks and weights. Northern Michigan Dive Charters leads trips and can rent all needed equipment.