Mackinac Island
Showing remarkable advanced sensitivity to global warming, the inhabitants of Mackinac Island banned motorized vehicles in 1898 – a prohibition that exists to this day with limited exception for emergency and service vehicles. But there are still plenty of eco-friendly horse-drawn carriages to be seen. Photo by: strizich
The island covers 9.8 sq km and belongs to the US state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron’s Straits of Mackinac, commanding the passage between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Much of the original character remains gives such a good effect that the entire island is now a National Historic Landmark, with 80 per cent also conserved as the Mackinac Island State Park. Most of the tourists are people form Michigan. They are drawn by the island’s natural beauty and powerful old-fashioned charm, with little or no building in intrusive modern styles. Photo by: jfsl3
The island is a home of several galleries and many cultural events, featuring an annual show of 19th century American art from the Masco Collection. The Mackinac Arts Council organizes an outstanding programme each summer. Photo by: Tomcio77
When to go: June to August sees a huge visitor influx, so why not be completely different and make a winter visit across the frozen lake by snowmobile. Population: 523. How to get there: High-speed ferry from Mavkinaw City or St Ignace, private boat or light aircraft. You should know: No visit is complete without sampling the nationally famous Mackinac Island Fudge, so popular that visitors are nicknamed ‘fudgies’. Photo by: Juan Silva
