USA Today names Mackinac Island named No. 2 best fall travel destination

MACKINAC ISLAND — Mackinac Island has been named the No. 2 Best Fall Travel Destination in the 2024 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest.

According to a Sept. 18 news release, the award is a testament to Mackinac Island’s dedication to providing unforgettable experiences for visitors.

“This award is more than a recognition it’s a reflection of the dedication our members pour into making Mackinac Island a place that offers unforgettable memories,” Executive Director of Mackinac Island Tourism Tim Hygh said. “We are truly humbled to be named a top fall destination and are grateful to all our guests for letting us be a part of their special moments on the island. As we celebrate this achievement, we are inspired to continue creating experiences that resonate in the hearts of everyone who visits for years to come.”

Per the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, most travel to Mackinac Island on a ferry boat departing from either Mackinaw City at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula or from St. Ignace at the southern tip of the Upper Peninsula. From either location, it’s about a 16-minute ride to the ferry docks on Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island has been car-free for over 100 years. Instead, Mackinac Island runs on authentic horsepower.

Each spring, some 600 horses come to Mackinac Island to take visitors on carriage tours, taxi guests to and from various points of interest and pull drays to deliver luggage and everything else that needs to move around.

In addition to horse-drawn carriages, bicycles populate the streets of Mackinac Island. There are several bike rental shops on Mackinac Island offering single bikes, tandem bikes, tagalongs, e-scooters and more.

The four hiking and biking trails to explore on the island crisscross the forest and take visitors past 200-year-old cemeteries, legendary caves and Mackinac Island rock formations.

Michigan hadn’t yet become part of the United States when the British relocated Fort Michilimackinac from the mainland to Mackinac Island. Eventually, the fort became known simply as Fort Mackinac and it remains open for tours and demonstrations.

Featuring the oldest public building in Michigan, Fort Mackinac gives visitors a look into what life was like for both soldiers and civilians during the 18th and 19th centuries.

For sports enthusiasts, the historic 9-hole golf course designed by two-time U.S. Open champion Alex Smith is a relative newcomer. Mackinac Island’s Wawashkamo Golf Club is the oldest continuously played golf course in all of Michigan and is also the site of the 1814 Battle of Mackinac.

Currently, there are 500 year-round residents on Mackinac Island and over 1.2 million people visit the Island each year.

Mackinac Island was also recognized as the No. 3 Best Fall Travel Destination in 2023.