MACKINAC ISLAND – Planning a trip north to view the fall colors, look no further than Mackinac Island.
USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards asked its readers to vote for the best places to visit. Voting closed on Sept. 9 and the winners have been announced.
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When it comes to beautiful scenery, fantastic weather and fall activities, these are the 10Best places to visit this fall:
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Allegany County, Maryland
- Lafayette, Louisiana
- Estes Park, Colorado
- Saratoga County, New York
- Loudoun County, Virginia
- Columbus, Ohio
- Cody, Wyoming
- Branson, Missouri
Mackinac Island moves closer to 1st place compared to last year. Gatlinburg, TN ranked No. 1 the past two years, while Allegany County was bumped down to 3rd after taking 2nd last year.
In 2023, the island earned 3rd place on the “Best Fall Travel Destination” contest while the island came out on top in the “Best Summer Travel Destination” for the 2nd year running in 2024.
Each autumn Mackinac Island slows down and the destination transforms into an idyllic oasis with a colorful showcase of fall foliage making it a storybook place to visit.
According to USA Today 10Best, “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.”