The Midwest is the No. 1 best summer destination, according to a new list.
Mackinac Island, located in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, has been named “No. 1 Best Summer Destination” in USA Today’s 2024 “Best 10” Readers’ Choice Awards.
The list was hand-picked by a “panel of experts” who selected “must-see destinations for your summer vacation,” the editors said.
We then had readers vote for their favorites to determine the Top 10 winners.
“Between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas you’ll find Mackinac Island, where you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride along car-free roads, see (and sample) fudge being made, and tour historic Fort Mackinac,” reads the island’s top-ranked entry. “This continental island in Lake Huron is also home to Mackinac Island State Park, where you can hike, bike, kayak, and photograph the local natural beauty, including the stunning limestone Arch Rock.”
A spokesman said it was the second year in a row the destination had taken the top spot.
“Winning the top award two years in a row speaks to how special a place Mackinac Island is to so many people,” Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Dowd said in a statement. “We want to thank the island community for their unwavering commitment to providing our guests with an unforgettable experience and extend our thanks to all the people near and far who voted for Mackinac Island.”
The island is also a past USA TODAY 10Best award winner, including coming in at No. 3 on the 2023 list of best fall travel destinations.
Another Midwest destination also made the list for summer 2024: Door County, Wisconsin, coming in at No. 7.
“With 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and every water sport imaginable, it’s hard to beat Door County, Wisconsin,” Door County’s entry reads. “Paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, water skiing, and even scuba diving around shipwrecks are all among the underwater activities you can enjoy in this Midwest destination.”
You can see the full list of 10 locations here.
