This Place Was Just Named Best Spot to Visit This Fall—And It’s Not in the Northeast

For the best fall feels, you might need a ferry pass. Mackinac Island, known for its horse-drawn carriages, homemade fudge and slower pace of life, is one of one of the Midwest's top tourist towns. Now, USA Today just named the idyllic Michigan island its preferred fall pick .

"The vibes are just right on Mackinac Island each fall. Crisp, sunny days with vibrant foliage give way to a slower pace of life in this resort town," writes USA Today.

The newspaper's expert panel narrowed down a list of top fall destinations and then had readers vote on their picks. Favorites were chosen thanks to beautiful scenery, fantastic weather and wealth of things to do and see.

Related: 20 Most Stunning Destinations for Fall Foliage This Year

Mackinack Island beat out other top contenders, including Northeastern destinations known for leaf-peeping, including Burlington, Vermont. New York was featured twice on the list.

The full list of picks included the following:

• 10. Burlington, Vermont

• 9. Branson, Missouri

• 8. Sleepy Hollow, New York

• 7. Saratoga County, New York

• 6. Yakima Valley, Washington

• 5. Allegany County, Maryland

• 4. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

• 3. Lafayette, Louisiana

• 2. Rochester, New York

• 1. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Related: The Maine Beach Town That's Perfect for Fall Too

For the best ways to explore this quaint and charming town, USA editors say "a carriage ride is one of the best ways to peep those leaves, and Halloween weekend is always a fun event. Kids can go trick-or-treat at the downtown shops while adults enjoy grown-up costume parties at local establishments later in the evening."

According to Parade's guide to Mackinac, April through October is the best time to explore. That's when the Grand Hotel—open since 1887—is still open for visitors, and carriage rides can take you through car-less streets just as the leaves are changing colors.

You'll also want to try the fudge—known as "The Fudge Capital of the World"—Mackinac has 13 different fudge shops on Main Street. Stop into Murdick's, Joann's and Sander's for tastings.

Get a sense of history at Fort Mackinac, explore the 70 miles of hiking trails or just sit on the porch (the longest in the US!) at the Grand Hotel and take in the lake breezes as countless visitors have been doing for more than a hundred years! Mackinac truly is an ideal fall destination for families—and you'll experience less crowds than summertime too.

Related: 19 Best Things to Do on Mackinac Island—a Gorgeous Getaway in the Midwest

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.