In some ways Mackinac Island feels like a theme park. Visitors enter at the ferry dock, stroll through downtown and explore other areas including the Mission District, Stonecliffe and Mackinac Island State Park. As such, you might expect that the whole place opens for business at a certain time in…
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From the scenic lighthouses of Door County, Wisc. to the fine food and wine culture of Traverse City, Mich., the Great Lakes region is full of delightful travel destinations. It’s home to major international cities including Chicago and Toronto, wonders of the world such as Niagara Falls and…
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Every once in a while, the Aurora Borealis pushes far enough south to create a striking display of dancing colors on the horizon off Mackinac Island. During peak solar activity, you can see the cosmic phenomenon even more often than normal. In fact, we’re currently in a phase of the sun’s cycle that…
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Most people reach Mackinac Island by hopping on a ferry. Even in the cold months, when the flow of tourists nearly disappears, Arnold Transit continues running boats so residents, workers and essential supplies can move between the island and the mainland. But many winters bring a solid freeze to…
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Mackinac Island often gets described as “lost in time.” After all, with streets full of horse-drawn carriages and lined by Victorian architecture, the car-free destination looks like it belongs in the 1800s. That’s a big part of Mackinac Island’s perpetual charm. And yet, the 19 th century is…
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Psst. Here’s a little secret: There are actually lots of motor vehicles on car-free Mackinac Island. Not during visitor season, of course. But when there’s snow on the ground, many residents get around on snowmobiles. Mackinac Island residents take gas-powered sleds to the grocery store, for…
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The 4 th of July is a big deal on Mackinac Island with old-fashioned family games, the oldest stone skipping competition in the country and two fireworks displays at dusk. In 2026, the 4 th of July will be bigger than ever, commemorating the semi-quincentennial of the July 4, 1776, signing of the…
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As the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination three years running, it’s no wonder Mackinac Island attracts a wide range of visitors. The car-free paradise is an historical immersion, a horse lover’s dream and a bicyclist’s delight. It’s also a hiker’s playground, a foodie’s fantasy and a water…
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Honored as the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination three years in a row, car-free Mackinac Island offers a charming, one-of-a-kind experience for visitors from all walks of life. Yet, Mackinac Island also caters to guests seeking a more exclusive getaway highlighted by upscale resorts, delectable…
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Back-to-back-to-back honors as the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination. That’s a big one, yet far from the only honor bestowed upon Mackinac Island in 2025. Travelers also voted Mackinac Island the USA’s Best Place To Visit For Fall, one of the USA’s Best Historic Small Towns and one of the Best…
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