Hotel at a Glance: Mission Point

This resort on the shore of Lake Huron features newly renovated lake-view king rooms and the addition of Reserve at The Marketplace. The property also includes Lakeside Spa & Salon and the resort has plenty of diverse dining options—guests can dine on Italian food at Chianti or grab a late-night bite at Round Island Bar & Grill. With dates available into October, this getaway offers a chance to experience Mackinac Island, a place where life slows to a pace and cars are entirely absent.

• Accommodations: Main Lodge garden queen rooms and Straits Lodge garden double rooms have free WiFi and views of landscaped gardens. The Main Lodge lake-view king rooms are also newly renovated for the 2017 season.
• Go for a swim in the outdoor pool, or relax in one of the hot tubs.
• Fun and games: tennis courts, croquet and bocce ball lawn, 18-hole putting course, video-game arcade, movie theater
• Explore the island: The resort has tandem bikes and cruisers available to rent.
• Treat yourself to a couples massage or sauna session at the Lakeside Spa & Salon.

Mackinac Island, Michigan: Quaint Island with Historic Attractions on Lake Huron

One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive on Michigan’s Mackinac Island is the absence of cars—they’ve been banned since 1898. It’s part of the isle’s Victorian charm and a major draw for visitors as well as the island’s 500 permanent residents. Nestled in the strait between Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas, Mackinac Island (pronounced “MACK-in-awe”) looks like a postcard from another century, replete with pastel-hued Victorian mansions and horse-drawn carriages. The 4-square-mile island was formerly a fur-trading and fishing outpost before it reinvented itself in the mid-19th century as a summer resort for the well heeled.

It’s incredibly scenic, too. Roughly 80% of the island is considered Mackinac Island State Park—America’s second national park, after Yellowstone (though the park was eventually handed back to the state of Michigan). More than 70 miles of hiking trails thread through stunning boreal forest here, and a popular 8-mile bicycle path called Lake Shore Boulevard circles the island. Along the route, you’ll see one of the island’s most photographed icons, Arch Rock. The limestone formation soars nearly 150 feet into the air and offers sweeping views of Lake Huron.

You can soak in some of the island’s history at Fort Mackinac, the first American military outpost captured by the British in the War of 1812. Grab a seat near the Parade Ground, a large open field in the center of the fort, to see soldiers dressed in period garb march in formation and fire off their rifles.

No trip to Mackinac is complete without sampling some of the island’s famous fudge from one of the 15 candy shops on Main Street. Inside several of the shops, the fudge-making process is a spectator sport. Confectioners use a hand paddle to push and flip the molten chocolate on cool marble slabs until it hardens into a solid log of fudge.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.