Mackinac Island Named Best Fall Destination in America

There really is something special about Mackinac Island in the fall, and apparently the rest of the country agrees.

Mackinac Island Wins Best Fall Destination Again

Mackinac Island has been named the No. 1 Best Place to Visit for Fall in the United States in the 2026 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. And this is back-to-back. Mackinac Island also won the award in 2025, making it the best fall destination in America for the second year in a row.

And there’s more. Earlier this year, Mackinac Island was also named the No. 1 Best Summer Travel Destination by USA TODAY 10 Best. So, Michigan's little island getaway is apparently having quite a year. The fall appeal is pretty easy to understand. Crisp, sunny days, cooler temperatures, colorful leaves and a slower pace make Mackinac Island a pretty incredible place to visit this time of year.

Why Fall on Mackinac Island Is So Special

USA TODAY 10 Best specifically highlighted the island’s horse-drawn carriage rides, fall foliage and Halloween weekend, when kids can trick-or-treat at downtown shops and adults can enjoy costume parties. And, of course, there’s the fudge.

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Mackinac Island beat out several other popular fall destinations, including Sleepy Hollow, New York, Burlington, Vermont, Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Allegany County, Maryland. The USA TODAY 10 Best winners are selected through reader voting after destinations are nominated by a panel of travel experts.

Mackinac Island has now collected quite a list of recent honors, but winning both the summer and fall categories in 2026 is pretty impressive. Michigan has plenty of beautiful places to visit, but Mackinac Island just keeps getting national attention.