Mackinac Island takes top Summer travel destination title for second year

Ben Raymond
·2 min read

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (WJMN) – It’s claimed by the Upper Peninsula, but treasured by both, word continues to spread about Mackinac Island a top place for vacationers.

The Island, which is situated on Lake Huron, earned the top spot on USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice list for 2024 as the Best Summer Travel Destination.

We talked with Steph Castelein about what makes the island experience so special.

“It’s cliche, but it truly is like stepping back in time. So our slow pace of life is so different for people today who are maybe in their cars or constantly on their phones. Here you have to walk and or bike and or maybe use a wheelchair to get around or the horse and taxi, and you have to go at a leisurely pace. You aren’t going anywhere quickly,” said Castelein.

Everything you need to know about the Grand Hotel

One of the sights to take in around the island, are the flowers. The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is coming up from June 7-16.

“We have 250 different species of lilacs on the island. That’s an incredible number no matter where you are.” Castelein continued, “What that looks like is we have the early bloomers, the middle bloomers and your late bloomer, so we don’t just get a week of lilac blooms, we get an extended period of time, usually a few weeks after the rest of the state where lilacs are blooming and it’s incredible.”

What to do with 24 hours on Mackinac Island

This is the second year in a row the island has earned this particular designation. It adds to a growing list of acknowledgment in recent years.

You can learn more about Mackinac Island and make travel plans, here.

One final note for fudge lovers. With 13 fudge shops on the island, the trademark treat of the island will end its Lilac festival on National Fudge Day, which is June 16.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com.