With an area of just 1.5 square miles and about 600 year-round residents, Mackinac is a unique destination where internal combustion engines have been banned since 1898 after an incident that caused horses to panic.
Since then, the island has maintained its old way of life, with 600 horses doing everything from collecting trash, delivering goods, to ferrying visitors. Cycling and walking are other popular modes of transportation, with around 1,500 bikes available for rent, and even golf carts are banned.
In addition to its rare tranquility, Mackinac is also notable for its long history and rich indigenous culture. The island still has many ancient burial sites dating back 3,000 years, along with the Native American Museum and a well-preserved historic fort.
In the late 19th, the island became a summer retreat for wealthy century industrialists from Chicago and Detroit. The Grand Hotel, opened in 1887 and with the world's longest lobby, still retains its Gilded Age style and is a popular tourist destination.
More than 1.2 million visitors a year arrive in Mackinac via a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland to enjoy the clean, quiet air and natural surroundings of Mackinac State Park, which covers 80 percent of the island. Here, visitors can hike, bike or ride a horse-drawn carriage to see sights like Arch Rock or stargaze from Fort Holmes.
Although harsh winters sometimes leave the island isolated by ice, many residents choose to live year-round to maintain a peaceful pace of life.
(Translated from BBC)
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