This article was written and paid for by Mission Point.
Any day spent on Mackinac Island is a special day, but there's something magical in the air each fall.
Why? Visitors say they love the casual, less-crowded feel on the island. It's a great time to try to score some deals as well, with the summer crowds officially a thing of the past.
Thinking about planning a trip this autumn? Let's go over five convincing reasons why you should seize the day -- and book this vacation before the season passes. After all, Mackinac is one of the most beautiful places to experience Michigan's iconic fall foliage.
1.) Hotels are so much more affordable.
Mission Point, for example, offers value-friendly rates during the shoulder season. The hotel is offering a Fall Foliage, Food and Wine package that includes wine and appetizers at Round Island Bar & Grill along with complimentary breakfast -- starting at $234 for two people. It even covers round-trip ferry tickets on Shepler's, along with your luggage transfer fees to and from the resort. The offer runs through Oct. 27.
2.) Fall makes for the perfect bike-riding weather.
What better place to rent a bicycle than Mackinac Island? Ride the perimeter of the island -- an 8.3-mile loop on the only state highway in the United States that's car-free -- and you might not even break a sweat if you keep a leisurely pace and the fall weather is right. The path along M-185 is pretty flat and accessible for almost any rider. It'll be gorgeous to see Arch Rock and Devil's Kitchen, a small cave on the island's southwestern shore, contrasted against the fall leaves and a pretty sunset on the Straits of Mackinac.
You have so many options, considering Mackinac Island boasts 60 miles of hiking and biking trails. Try one of the resort's famous, custom-made Mission Point bicycles crafted for the hotel by none other than Detroit Bikes. Pro tip: If you want to see for miles and miles, you simply have to check out Fort Holmes.
3.) It's just the right time to take in all the island's best sights and sounds.
Fall flowers are blooming, trees are changing colors and you'd embody the word "cozy" if you wrapped yourself up in a sweater and took in the crispness of the air and the smell of fall that surrounds you.
Make some time to watch the freighters go by on Mission Point's Great Lawn as you perch upon one of the resort's 81 Adirondack chairs. The freighters make for quite the sight! You'll be so glad you did.
4.) The food.
The fall menu at Chianti offers some of the best food on the island, hands down. Staff favorites include the pistachio-encrusted scallops, pumpkin gnocchi and lamb osso bucco, just to name a few. David is at the piano, and if you're lucky, Basil just might serenade you. The restaurant even has a deal on wine this fall when you order two entrees. We're hungry just thinking about it.
5.) It's fireplace season.
Who doesn't love a fireplace in the fall? At Mission Point, you can cozy up in front of the fireplaces with a glass of wine or grab a deck of cards and let the games begin in the main lobby. The hotel has the absolute best majestic log ceiling and architecture.
Did we convince you? What did we leave off our list? Let us know in the comments below.