For three years running, travelers have voted Mackinac Island the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination. And it’s a pretty good place for an autumn escape, too!
In fact, vacationers nationwide ranked Mackinac Island No. 2 on a list of the USA’s Best Places to Visit for Fall.
There are lots of reasons why fall is special on Mackinac Island, from changing leaves and pumpkin spice fudge to the epic Mackinac Island Eight Mile road run and the iconic Mackinac Island Halloween Weekend. Why not come experience the beauty and wonder of fall on Mackinac Island this year?
As you plan your visit, you’ll discover there is so much to see and do in September on Mackinac Island and in October on Mackinac Island that it can be hard to know where to start! Well, below is an outline for a two-day fall itinerary that offers ideas for how to make the most of the “perfect season” on Mackinac Island:
Ideas For A Fall Trip To Mackinac Island
- Day 1, Morning: Visit Arch Rock by horse-drawn taxi, then hike the Tranquil Bluff Trail on the cliff edge high above Lake Huron or walk along the paved Leslie Avenue for breathtaking fall color. If the leaves are changing, then check out one of these other best Mackinac Island hikes for fall color. When you're done, take a break in one of the many Adirondack chairs on the scenic Great Lawn at Mission Point Resort.
- Day 1, Afternoon: Have a picnic up at Fort Holmes amid the panoramic vistas stop Mackinac Island’s highest point. Then, make your way to Point Lookout and Sugar Loaf for incredibly scenic views on your way back down. For an in-town option with stunning views of the harbor, spread out a blanket in Marquette Park, right at the foot of Fort Mackinac.
- Day 1, Evening: Get dinner at one of the many great restaurants on Mackinac Island, then grab a slice of world-famous Mackinac Island fudge or an ice cream cone and enjoy a sunset walk on the boardwalk near Windermere Point. If you’re a night owl, head to one of Mackinac Island’s unique nightlife hotspots for live music.
- Day 2, Morning: Ride a bike all the way around Mackinac Island on the only car-free state highway in the USA. As you pedal around, make stops at these top spots for stoneskipping and pretend you’re Dana “Launching Panda” Olson, Mackinac Island’s reigning stoneskipping champion. Take a break halfway around at British Landing, where you can grab a snack from Cannonball Oasis, and make a detour to The Straits Lawn at the Inn at Stonecliffe for a breathtaking view of the Mackinac Bridge.
- Day 2, Afternoon: Take a relaxing horse-drawn carriage tour past Mackinac Island’s most famous landmarks, or get up into the forest of Mackinac Island State Park on horseback to discover fascinating rock formations. If you love finding a great deal, explore Mackinac Island’s unique storefronts and get some holiday shopping done early.
- Day 2, Evening: Join a Haunts of Mackinac walking tour and hear spine-tingling storytelling about the island’s spookiest sites. Then, if you dare, stay up late for Mackinac Island’s spectacular dark-sky stargazing.
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