Travel + Leisure names Mackinac Island No. 1 island in United States

Thanks to the Detroit News for this:

Mackinac Island in Michigan is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the USA. It features the Grand Hotel, carriage rides, Victorian houses on the West Bluff, limestone sea caves, busy Main Street, and tons of great walking and biking sites, and no motor vehicles.

Travel + Leisure recently named Mackinac the best island in the continental United States as part of its 2022 World’s Best Awards.

The annual awards are based on a survey of Travel & Leisure’s 9 million readers of favorite destinations, hotels, properties and more. Hilton Head, South Carolina was last year’s best island winner (Mackinac was No. 9).

Measuring less than five square miles, Mackinac is known for its charm, horse-drawn carriages, natural landmarks, fudge and much more. Cars have been banned on Mackinac since the late 19th century and it was actually designated as the country’s second national park.

Full list

https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/best-islands-in-the-us-2022

Jobbie Crew’s Recommendation of Things to Check out:

Island

Mackinac Island-rent a bicycle from Mackinac Island Bike Shop (7421 Main Street) and cruise the entire 8-mile loop around the island

Mackinac Island-Great Turtle Kayak Tours (7395 Main Street) take a kayak around the entire island!

Mackinac Island-The Pink Pony (7221 Main St) c. 1948 waterfront lounge hidden behind the Chippewa Hotel. Sit outside and drink bloody mary’s and eat whitefish tacos.

Mackinac Island-Chuckwagon (7400 Main St) best burger on the island; cheeseburger, olive burger, rattlesnake burger, get pretzel bun

Mackinac Island-Doud’s Supermarket (7200 Main St) c. 1883; USA’s oldest supermarket 

Mackinac Island-The Butterfly House (6750 McGulpin St) over 1,200 live butterflies inside a tropical sauna that you can walk through

Mackinac Island-Skull Cave (Rifle Range Rd.) old Ojibway Indian burial ground for over 4,000 years. Hippies also used to party here until it was dynamited in 1972

City (mainland)

Mackinaw City-Rusted Spoke Brewery (810 S. Huron Ave) definitely try the BBQ tater tot nachos, Michigan cherry salad, and Chin Diaper beer (6.5% American IPA)

Mackinaw City-Keyhole Bar (323 E. Central St) c. 1893 bar plastered with over 18,000 keys. They also have some of the best hot wings we’ve ever had anywhere. 20 wings for $25.

Mackinaw City-Darrow’s Restaurant (301 Louvingney St) best whitefish and chocolate peanut butter pie

Mackinaw City-Mackinac Bridge Museum on 2nd floor of Stillwell’s Mama Mia Pizzeria (231 E. Central Ave) Been here since 1958. The pizza is so-so but the museum is fascinating.