Mackinac Island is known around the Midwest as the “Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes.” The one-of-a-kind vacation paradise is a national gem, too, named by USA Today as the Best Summer Travel Destination in both 2023 and 2024.
After expert panels curated short lists of must-see summer vacation places in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, people voted Mackinac Island No. 1 two years in a row!
10Best praise for Mackinac Island highlights car-free roads full of horse-drawn carriages, historic Fort Mackinac, world-famous Mackinac Island fudge and Mackinac Island State Park, “where you can hike, bike, kayak and take photos of the local natural beauty, including the stunning limestone Arch Rock.”
The writeup might just as well have mentioned Mackinac Island’s charming Victorian architecture, the happy atmosphere of Main Street, the relaxed vibe of Mackinac Island’s unique places to stay and the people who come from all over the world to provide extraordinary customer service and make Mackinac Island one of the Most Tourist-Friendly Cities.
The list of reasons Mackinac Island makes for a magical vacation experience goes on and on. Come see for yourself why the Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes is the country’s Best Summer Travel Destination.
Here’s just a glimpse of what you’ll find when you visit, and why USA Today readers voted Mackinac Island No. 1 again:
Horses everywhere on Mackinac Island!
Mackinac Island has been car-free for more than 100 years. Most visitors arrive by ferry boat and get around on foot, horse-drawn carriage or bicycle. Ding, ding!
- Why there are no cars on Mackinac Island
- 7 sights to see on a horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island
- Rent a bike on Mackinac Island or bring your own?
- Tips for visiting Mackinac Island with limited mobility
Mmm. World-famous Mackinac Island fudge!
Watching fudgemakers ply their trade using wooden paddles and marble slabs is a Mackinac Island tradition. There’s no way you can breathe in the sweet scent without trying a bite (or maybe an entire loaf!).
- How Mackinac Island became fudge capital of the world
- How to get free fudge on Mackinac Island
- Order Mackinac Island fudge online
History ‘round every corner of Mackinac Island
From the imposing Fort Mackinac overlooking the harbor to Fort Holmes atop Mackinac Island’s highest point, the Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes not only feels historic. It is historic!
- Things to do at Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac
- More fun on Mackinac Island for history buffs
- A look back at Mackinac Island through the centuries
Mackinac Island’s spectacular geologic sights
Arch Rock gets a lot of attention, but Mackinac Island State Park is full of intriguing rock formations shaped over the eons. And because Mackinac Island covers fewer than 5 square-miles, it’s easy to see them all in a single trip.
- 10 ‘supernatural’ sights to see in Mackinac Island State Park
- Legends of Mackinac Island: The history of Sugar Loaf
- 5 things you have to see in Michigan’s original national park
Fantastic Mackinac Island Festivals and events
From celebrating the world’s largest lilac stems during the Lilac Festival in June to hosting the best costume parties you’ll ever see during an epic Halloween Weekend, Mackinac Island is renowned for extraordinary events.
- A look at Mackinac Island’s annual events
- 4 unique road races on Mackinac Island
- Why there are so many beautiful lilacs on Mackinac Island
- 5 Mackinac Island events to plan your vacation around
An electric atmosphere in downtown Mackinac Island
From day-trippers browsing downtown shops to overnight visitors dancing the moonlight away, there’s always a buzz on Mackinac Island’s Main Street.
- Mackinac Island nightlife: 5 things to do after dark
- Where to get a drink on Mackinac Island
- Mackinac Island’s unique food and wine scene
- The Ultimate Mackinac Island Shopping Guide
Charming places to stay on Mackinac Island
There are no chain hotels on Mackinac Island. Each place to stay is a unique destination with a fascinating history and a stunning setting on the No. 1 Best Island in the Continental U.S.
- Choosing where to stay on Mackinac Island: B&Bs, condos, cottages, hotels or resorts
- Mackinac Island places to stay with 5 or more people
- How many nights should you stay on Mackinac Island?
- Why Mackinac Island’s Victorian cottages are so darn big
As you can see, Mackinac Island is a spectacular summer hot spot not just for one kind of tourist or another. It’s popular among a wide range of travelers, from foodies and fudgies to outdoor adventurers and history buffs, from couples and families to singles and seniors.
No wonder the honors and awards keep rolling in! There are so many Mackinac Island accolades that it’s hard to remember them all. But when you visit Mackinac Island, your experience will be unforgettable.
