Northern Michigan destination among best in Midwest. See the rankings
Northern Michigan's Mackinac Island, nestled among the Great Lakes, is one of the Midwest's best small towns, according to USA TODAY readers.
A popular spring and summer vacation destination, Mackinac Island was ranked fifth in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards among the top 10 best small towns in the Midwest. A trip to the island offers a tranquil getaway, with its car-free atmosphere and around 500 year-round residents, according to the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.
People walk along Main Street on Mackinac Island on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.
Nestled on the Great Lakes in northern Michigan, the island draws more than 1 million tourists per year, and will mark its opening day for the season on May 1.
Vevay, Indiana, won best small town in the Midwest in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards.
Here's what to know about Michigan's best small town in the Midwest, according to USA TODAY readers.
What award did Mackinac Island win?
Mackinac Island took the No. 5 spot among the top 10 best small towns in the Midwest in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards.
"A Midwestern bucket-list destination, car-free Mackinac Island is filled with Victorian charm, historic sites, horse-drawn carriages, and world-famous fudge. Visitors have their choice of take-it-easy activities like Fort Mackinac exploration, biking around the island, or sampling a meal with a gorgeous view at the Grand Hotel’s elegant dining room," the 10BEST website says.
Mackinac Island was recognized previously in the 10Best awards, including 7th in 2025 and 9th in 2023.
The island also has been recognized for best U.S. island, best under-the-radar romantic destination, best winter wonderland, best historic small town, best Michigan attraction, best coastal small town, best place to visit for fall and best summer travel destination.
What were the other best small towns in the Midwest?
Here is the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards ranking for best small towns in the Midwest:
- Vevay, Indiana
- Madison, Indiana
- Sister Bay, Wisconsin
- Winona, Minnesota
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Middlebury, Indiana
- Council Grove, Kansas
- Worthington, Ohio
- Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- La Porte, Indiana
Where is Mackinac Island?
Mackinac Island is located within the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron. It's a few miles offshore from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.
When does Mackinac Island open for the 2026 season?
Mackinac Island's opening day for the 2026 tourism season is May 1, according to the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. The island offers tourists prime lodgings, horse-drawn carriage rides, downtown shopping and dining, historic tours, lakefront biking, a butterfly house and more.
Where can you stay on Mackinac Island?
The island offers more than three dozen hotels, resorts, condos, cottages and bed and breakfasts, including the famous Grand Hotel, many reopening this spring, the tourism bureau says.
How can you get to Mackinac Island?
Ferry services take visitors to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula and St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula. You can also get to the island by private boat or cruise. Flight options include personal planes, commercial flights or Fresh Air Aviation's air taxi service from St. Ignace.
If you're traveling by ferry, Arnold Transit Company offers year-round service from St. Ignace, though it's temporarily suspended. Service from Mackinaw City begins April 21 for the tourist season. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry will start its regular ferry routes from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City on April 21, the tourism bureau said.
Fresh Air Aviation offers year-round flights to Mackinac Island from St. Ignace.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: [email protected].
