Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
On Mackinac Island – located on Lake Huron, one of the United States five Great Lakes – visitors will find no cars and (almost) no motorized vehicles. They’ve been banned since 1896 because the first cars to roll up there seriously spooked the island’s many horses. And on Mackinac Island, they really do seem to love horses. A horse-drawn carriage is a classic way to tour the island. Said horse-drawn carriage even appears in the island’s official logo. There’s a Grand Stable Museum to peruse and a number of working horse stables, including Jack’s Livery Stable and Cindy’s Riding Stable. Along with the equine connection, just stepping through its streets and seeing the architecture will transport you back into the past. Expect to also sample slices of the island’s iconic Murdick’s Fudge – made there since 1887.
The state of Michigan is home to what many call a national treasure: Mackinac Island. Without cars to get travelers from Point A to Point B, they can rent a bike, walk, or, better yet, take a horse-drawn carriage. It's about as wonderfully old-school as it gets, yet it's just a 16-minute ferry ride from the mainland. Today it’s a popular summer resort that attracts families, nature lovers, and history fans. With only bicycles and horse-drawn carriages for transportation, the island has a decidedly vintage Americana feel. Just a few of the other activity options on the island include garden tours, The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, biking, horseback riding, golf, tennis, swimming, and spa treatments.
