I know you probably read that as Mackinack but it’s actually pronounced Mackinaw. Originally named Michilimackinac (which means ‘Great Turtle’) and founded in 1857. I didn’t know that until after we left so the whole day I was wondering why I kept seeing giant turtle statues scattered about lol.

Okay. This place is better than Disney World as a seven-year-old. Despite it being THE tourist spot in Michigan, it exceeds expectations. To get there, you board a ferry that takes you to the island in under 20mins. You get a great view of the Mackinac Bridge on the way.

There are no cars allowed on the island. Just bikes and horse carriages. I know, adorable right?

This little island is filled with history, sweets, and flowers. Churches with stained glass windows, fudge factories, green parks on the shoreline, original hotels/inns, and a well-preserved Fort Michilimackinac and homes that scream the American Dream. I have to give a shout-out to the locals and landscaping crew because damn.

We of course rented bikes and peddled the 8.25 miles around the island. On the other side of the bay, there is a small hike up to a lookout point and once again I thought I was looking out into the ocean. We jumped in the water halfway through the ride for a refresh before returning our bikes. The pebble-filled shoreline, cool breeze, and old homes hidden in the trees made this a bike ride I will always remember.

I also have to say that Butters was a complete celebrity on the island. Nearly every minute, someone would tell us how cute he was or ask to pet him and even ask to take a picture. We should have started charging people for pets lol. I also heard so many un-asked stories about other people’s dead corgis. All elderly people whose corgis had passed away.

For everyone who thought I was going to end up an old crazy cat lady. You are wrong. I will become an old crazy corgi lady. Ha!