Mackinac Island, voted one of the Best Historic Small Towns by USA Today this year, is a timeless place that will transport you back to another century. We were only there briefly, but I was so happy to get a glimpse of this beautiful town. And my boyfriend and I almost missed it altogether because of the rain!
Main Street
Because everything is so picturesque, and because of the classic look of all the buildings, being on Mackinac almost feels like being in a theme park, but better. It’s like being at the Magic Kingdom, if the Magic Kingdom was real, or like being inside a Disney movie. But unlike the show buildings you find in theme parks, the historic buildings on the island are the real deal.
Part of what keeps Mackinac looking so pristine is the fact that there are no cars allowed on the island! To get around, you must walk, bike, or hitch a ride on a horse-drawn carriage. Because of this, Mackinac’s roads are in excellent condition. And they make sure to keep the roads clean and clear of litter (unless you count the inevitable horse manure).
Good Eats
Another thing to love about Mackinac is that it is a fudge-lover’s paradise. There is another fudge shop every few yards on the main street. And sometimes the same shop is right across the street from itself! That’s how much fudge there is in this place. I got myself some pumpkin spice fudge from Joann’s. What a treat that was!
As I mentioned, and as you can see from my pictures, it was a rainy day. We got thoroughly drenched and decided to wait out some of the rain at Millie’s On Main. I had the Yooper Beef Pastie (pronounced PAST-ee, not PASTE-ee–that’s something else). And I am still thinking about that lunch. I kept eating long after I was full because it was so good.
Being an island, you’ll find many great views of Lake Huron, the five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge, and the Round Island Lighthouse.
Beautiful Homes
If you’re as smitten with old Victorian homes as we are, Mackinac is a dream come true! Everywhere you look, candy-colored dollhouses line fanciful lanes.
We had a lot of fun speculating about what it must be like to actually live here, even just for a summer, like Michigan’s Governor does. Do residents live off of fudge and pub food? I mean, I’ll order in before I sit in 45 minutes of traffic to go to the grocery store in Jacksonville. I can’t imagine if I had to wait for a ferry there and back again!
We were there for such a short time as we had to be back in Saugatuck the next day, but we could have spent days walking the island and taking in all the sights! I would love to go back to Mackinac Island someday.
Mackinaw City
You have to catch a ferry to the island somewhere! Mackinaw City is a fun place to do it. It has a cute tourist stop with lots of shopping and still more fudge!
