This Popular MI Summer Travel Spot Earns Top Ranking Again

Mackinac Island was named the No. 1 best summer travel destination in USA TODAY's 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

This is the fourth straight year the popular island has earned the top spot in the ranking.

The car-less island settled between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas offers plenty of opportunities for summer fun, including beaches, horse-drawn carriage and a beautiful 8-mile bike ride around the island.

The island is also well known for its fudge, as well as several museums and tours of Fort Mackinac, which is open all summer.

"This Lake Huron-based continental island is also home to Mackinac Island State Park, where you can hike, bike, kayak, and take photos of the local natural beauty, including the stunning limestone Arch Rock," USA Today wrote.

The top ten USA Today travel destinations include:

1. Mackinac Island, MI
2. Indianapolis, IN
3. Ocean City, NJ
4. Madison, WI
5. Gatlinburg, TN
6. Saratoga Springs, NY
7. Spokane, WA
8. Tybee Island, GA
9. Branson, MO
10. Bellevue, WA

Read more about each spot at USA TODAY's 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.