Sometimes you just need to escape. You can do that by traveling away from home. And you can do it by reading about distant times and faraway places.
Or you can escape by doing both – by reading a good book while visiting a great place.
Just setting foot on Mackinac Island makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale. The whole place is a like a good book that transports you to another world.
There also are special places on Mackinac Island that are even more magical, places of such beauty and solitude that it’s as if they were created just for you to escape all by yourself for a chapter or two.
When you visit Mackinac Island, pack a few books and indulge your need to get away from things for a while. There are refreshing places like these all over the island:
8 Quiet Places to Discover on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island Porches
This one here is the front porch of the historic Island House Hotel, which dates back to 1852 and overlooks the Mackinac Island marina. Mackinac Island’s historic architecture offers many other relaxing porches as well, including Grand Hotel’s 660-foot porch, the longest porch in the world. The Relaxing Porches of Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s East Bluff
The East Bluff high above Lake Huron is a breathtaking place to have a seat and curl up with a good book. (Actually, the view might be a little distracting.) After strolling past the impressive cottages along the road, there are several trails that run up and down the eastern lakeshore including the Tranquil Bluff Trail, which has many scenic spots to pause and take a break for a few pages. Immerse yourself in these serene hiking trails through Mackinac Island State Park
Scenic Pullouts on Mackinac Island’s M-185
Reading and riding isn’t encouraged on Mackinac Island, although the pace of life is slow enough that it can be done! Rent a bike on Mackinac Island, place a good book in the basket and pedal away to any number of nooks along car-free M-185 where you can pull off the road and read in peace and quiet. What to expect on the 8.2-mile trek around Mackinac Island
Between Two Trees in Mackinac Island State Park
Hang up a hammock or two on the west side of Mackinac Island with a view of the mighty Mackinac Bridge. (A reminder, overnight hammocking is not allowed on Mackinac Island.) Good luck reading more than a few pages as the combination of afternoon sun and refreshing lake breeze makes it oh so easy to close your eyes for just a second – or an hour. Sweet dreams! Best places to hammock on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s Marquette Park
Mackinac Island’s Marquette Park is the No. 1 picnic spot in Michigan, located right at the foot of historic Fort Mackinac and overlooking the Mackinac Island harbor. It’s also a pretty relaxing place to spend some time with a good book, all by yourself and a century-old statue of Father Jacques Marquette. Beautiful Places to go on Mackinac Island: Marquette Park
Mackinac Island Public Library and The Island Bookstore
In case you forget to pack a book, The Island Bookstore downtown on Mackinac Island has plenty to choose from. You also could pop into the Mackinac Island Public Library, which has a lovely sitting area right out back that’s right on the water. Great ways to unplug and relax on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island Cemeteries
Imagine reading a scary story and then walking through one of Mackinac Island’s historic cemeteries! Or reading a biography about a Mackinac Island pioneer after visiting their gravesite. Fascinating graves on Mackinac Island: ‘The Chaplain’s Lady’
Mackinac Island Landmarks Off The Beaten Path
Of course, books aren’t the only thing to read on Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island State Park is full of historic landmarks, each with its own incredible story. You could read the interpretive placards to learn about the natural wilderness that makes up 80% of Mackinac Island. 10 ‘supernatural’ sights to see in Mackinac Island State Park
Wherever you decide to sneak away to do some reading while on Mackinac Island, you can always step back into your own story and write a new chapter at any of the restaurants, shops, attractions and natural wonders all over the island. On Mackinac Island there’s so much to see and do! Find your place to stay and start planning a visit to Mackinac Island today.
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