Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Mackinac Island, MI
Year Listed: 2003
Like many other good things in life, Mackinac Island is not easy to reach - but its stunning beauty and rich history make the effort worthwhile. Accessible only by ferry and with a circumference of just eight miles, Mackinac Island is a car-free paradise. Families clip-clop around the island in horse-drawn carriages, and hopeless romantics hop tandem bikes as they take in the breathtaking scenery and intricately detailed architecture.
The world's largest front porch at the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan.
Credit: Timothy Putman
Striking natural wonders, including limestone formations such as Arch Rock, Skull Cave and Devil's Kitchen, help to explain the island's appeal as a scenic summer resort for wealthy Midwesterners -- but the town also boasts a rich history that shouldn't be overlooked. Fort Mackinac, built by the British in 1780, is now a National Historic Landmark boasting 14 original buildings. Children will enjoy the cannon- and rifle-firing demonstrations, mock courtmartials and Victorian games presented by costumed interpreters. The downtown area offers a number of buildings that testify to the island's role as an early 19th-century fur-trading center. The centerpiece of the island is the world-famous Grand Hotel, built in 1887 and now a member of the National Trust's Historic Hotels of America. The hotel claims the world's longest porch, the perfect place to unwind at the end of a great Mackinac day.
