Location
Mackinac Island is located in the Great Lakes, right off the coast of its home state of Michigan.
Long History
The Europeans visited the island, whose first inhabitants were Native Americans, in the 1600s. During the Revolutionary War, Fort Mackinac was established, and later on, it was the site of a few War of 1812 battles.
Summertime, and the Living is Busy
Mackinac Island is bustling in the summer (thanks to the Mackinac Island State Park and the Mackinac Island Butterfly House); the population soars with seasonal employees and tourists. For the rest of the year, the pace is quite slow.
Walk the Walk
Mackinac Island is one of the few places in America that doesn't allow cars, but bikers, pedestrians, and horse and buggies are welcome. With ocean all around and lots of Victorian architecture to explore, sightseeing on foot is a favorite activity.
Weather
Summers are balmy, with cool mornings and evenings. Winter gets rather cold, though, and even ushers in the local ski season.
