Last month, Mackinac Island was named the best island in the Continental U.S. by Travel and Leisure magazine. The road trip is only about four hours (not including your ferry ride) from Metro Detroit, so when my friend invited me on a girls’ trip to the island, I couldn’t say no. My parents took my brother and me there when we were kids, but I don’t really remember it, and we all know visiting a location as a kid and as an adult are vastly different.
So, after spending a weekend on the island, do I think it deserves being named this year’s best Continental U.S. island? Absolutely! Mackinac Island is absolutely beautiful and has everything an outdoorsy person would be into. Hiking, biking, kayaking, camping and horse rides. We rented bikes and rode the entire island (8.2 miles) twice. Honestly, we tried to go horseback riding, but they were booked for the weekend. (I would recommend booking a horseback ride before your trip if you want to do it.) It also has everything for those who want to party all weekend! Great restaurants, low-key bars, the Maze of Mirrors and The Haunted Theatre. We spent more time at the bars and restaurants, and I will say that the Maze of Mirrors is definitely for kids. All that being said, we frequented the Seabiscuit Café, Pink Pony and even got to check out the beautiful porch at the Grand Hotel.
Overall, I 10 out of 10 would recommend checking out Mackinac Island for a weekend. I don’t know that I would spend more than a weekend unless you really want to go inland and explore the island. (Keep in mind, the incline is STEEP, and if you’re not that into biking it’s going to be rough.) The other note I’d make is that if you stay downtown be aware of what hotel you’re at. We stayed at the Bicycle Street Inn, and while the views and distance to all the activities were great, we were right by the ferry dock. That boat horn is a lot louder than you realize!!
READ WHAT TRAVEL + LEISURE HAD TO SAY ABOUT MACKINAC ISLAND
