by DANIELLE DEVOTA

Fudge, horses, beautiful scenes, and not a car in sight— that’s Mackinac Island in a nutshell! The island is known for so many iconic things; it’s hard to pick just one. It had been several years since I visited the island, so the time seemed right for a trip back. That’s one of the great things about Mackinac Island— while some things do change, at its heart, it stays so much the same.

The island is unique in the fact that there are no cars allowed, meaning a walk, a leisurely bike ride, or a whimsical horse-drawn carriage are the best ways to get around. While most people are generally familiar with the iconic Grand Hotel, for this visit, I decided to stay in the equally beautiful and iconic Island House Hotel. It’s right on the waterfront, with some great Victorian architecture that transports me to another place in time. Plus, it’s close to the downtown area. After dropping my bags, I went in search of some food and some the island’s world-famous fudge.

Mackinac Island might seem like a surprising place to find Jamaican food, but that’s exactly what Kingston Kitchen is bringing to visitors. I had to get the Jamaican jerk chicken, and it did not disappoint. On the way back to my hotel, I grabbed some fudge from Original Murdick’s Fudge, one of the best-known fudge shops on an island known for its mastery of the rich, sugary treat. 

The next day, I was up bright and early to tour the island and caught a horse-drawn carriage ride to the island’s natural limestone arch known as Arch Rock. Something new to the Arch Rock experience is the Milliken Nature Center. The center is home to an exhibit all about Arch Rock, with historical images and a timeline of how it came to be. There also are fascinating details about the other geological formations of the island, explaining how the island formed and why its rock formations are so prevalent. It’s a great destination spot to stop and learn more about the island’s natural history.

After this, I headed to Fort Mackinac for some history and outstanding views, as the fort sits on the bluffs of the island. I got to see some of its demonstrations, including rifle and cannon firing. I opted for the Historic Downtown Mackinac ticket, which includes access to Fort Mackinac, as well as entry to several other historic buildings on the island, like the Mackinac Island Native American Museum and Benjamin Blacksmith Shop. There was still so much more to see and explore, but I’ll save it for another time!

PHOTOS ORIGINAL MURDICK’S FUDGE, ISLAND HOUSE HOTEL