I visited Mackinac Island, voted the No. 1 travel destination this summer. No cars are allowed on the dreamy Midwest spot.

24.05.2024 - 13:39 / insider.com

On Wednesday, USA Today announced its No.1 Best Summer Travel Destination as part of its 10Best Readers' Choice awards for 2024. Topping the list is one of the most beautiful islands in the Midwest: Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island — pronounced "mack-in-awe" — sits in Lake Huron, directly between Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas. 

To get to the island, you fly into the small airport, or take a ferry from Mackinaw City and get dropped off downtown. From there, you can walk on foot, rent a bike, or take a horse-and-carriage "taxi."

Mackinac only has about 500 year-round residents, and over 1 million people visit each year. It's also home to over 500 horses because motorized vehicles have been prohibited since 1898 because they scare the horses. 

Keep reading to see what it's like. 

Grand Hotel is one of the few remaining wood-frame hotels in the US and is a National Historic Landmark.

The property overlooks the lake, and its porch, at roughly 660 feet in length, is said to be the longest in the world.

The property, where no two rooms are decorated alike, was built by steamship and train companies in the late 19th century.

Back then, the hotel catered to the ultra-elite, wealthy guests who would spend their entire summers on-site. 

In honor of the historic site's grand history, there's still a dress code after 6:30 p.m. — guests must wear a coat, tie, slacks, dress, skirt, or pantsuit in the common areas. 

If you spend a night on-site, you'll have the chance to attend a spectacular three-course dinner in the grand main dining room.

Related stories

There's also a high tea in the parlor each afternoon. 

Visitors can also check out Surrey Hill, home to attractions like the Grand Stables, where the Grand Hotel's current working horses reside. 

It's also a museum with antique carriages and sleighs on display dating back hundreds of years.

Some have been previously owned by prominent figures of the 19th century, like William Vanderbilt. 

Across the way is the Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory, which hosts hundreds of native and tropical butterflies.

The area also houses historic landmarks, like Fort Mackinac, the oldest building in Michigan, founded in 1780. 

The cluster of military buildings sits high on a coastal bluff and is no longer active, but it still serves as a historical attraction open to the public. 

You can also rent a bike and pedal around the outer rim of the island. The flat, leisurely 8.2-mile route hugs the coastline and offers gorgeous lake views. 

It's also worth visiting Mackinac Island State Park, which offers miles of walking trails, woods, and the signature limestone Arch Rock formation.

When you're downtown, grab some famous Mackinac Island fudge at one of the sweet shops