Mackinac Island sits in Lake Huron just east of the Mackinac Bridge, reachable only by ferry or small plane. Private motor vehicles have been banned since the early twentieth century — everything moves by horse, bicycle, or on foot, and the clip-clop of hooves on the main street sets the pace for the whole island.
Eighty percent of Mackinac is undeveloped state parkland, laced with paved roads and unpaved trails that lead to caves, rock formations, and sweeping views of the Straits. Fort Mackinac sits high on a bluff overlooking the harbour, with excellent exhibits and historical interpreters covering the island's role in the fur trade and the War of 1812. Several other restored buildings and small museums dot the island.
Mackinac is famous for its fudge — every shop on Main Street seems to make it — and for its lilacs, which bloom spectacularly in June. The Grand Hotel, with its enormous front porch, claims to be the world's largest seasonal hotel. Bicycle rentals are everywhere, and a ride around the island's eight-mile perimeter road is one of the best things to do on arrival.