Restored 19th-Century Hotel on Historic, Car-Free Island

After stepping off the ferry to Mackinac Island, you may notice the absence of a familiar sound: traffic. An 1896 ban on automobiles, put in place by vacationers who fiercely guarded their island's serenity, is still in effect today. Daily ferries from mainland Michigan dock within two blocks of the Island House Hotel, a grand Victorian inn that overlooks both the harbor and the island's quaint Main Street.

A State of Michigan Historic Landmark and Historic Hotel of America, the Island House dates back to an age of socialites, high tea, and ballroom dancing. There’s even an onsite bike shop to set you up with the island’s preferred mode of transportation.

To sweeten the deal, this getaway comes with a half pound of award-winning fudge from Ryba’s Fudge Shop, as well as a $40 dining credit valid at the onsite restaurant, the 1852 Grill Room. Named for the year the house was built, the elegant restaurant serves breakfast and dinner from a menu that includes prime rib and baby-back ribs alongside locally caught fish. For a more casual experience, try the Ice House Bar & Grill, where you can chase a BLT with a tasty cocktail.

The hotel's traditional rooms are outfitted with charming furnishings and down quilts. On a warm day, there are few better places to catch the lake breeze than from one of the rocking chairs lining the long front porch. When the temperature drops—as it occasionally does in northern Michigan, even in summer—head for the hot tub and sauna adjoining the heated pool inside.

Mackinac Island, Michigan: Quaint Retreat with Deep American Roots

The Island House is not only Mackinac’s oldest hotel but also the only one that falls inside the boundaries of Mackinac Island State Park, America's second national park when it was established in 1875. Encompassing roughly 80% of the island, the park is laced with more than 70 miles of hiking trails through stunning boreal forest. A popular bicycle path skirts the coastline's limestone bluffs.

Soak in the island's history along with its scenery at Fort Mackinac, thought to be the first American military outpost captured by the British in the War of 1812. Admission to the fort includes access to a number of other sites in the island's historical downtown, including a preserved 18th-century home and the natural cocoa springs that produce the island's famous fudge.

No-shows will be charged total Groupon rate; no refunds, rescheduling, or rebooking allowed. Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.