Two Michigan destinations are gaining national attention as places to visit this fall.
The Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island offer different ways to experience the season, from scenic drives through colorful forests to carriage rides and seasonal events.
“The vibes are just right on Mackinac Island each fall,” USA TODAY wrote. “Crisp, sunny days with vibrant foliage give way to a slower pace of life in this resort town.”
The publication also pointed to carriage rides, downtown trick-or-treating and Halloween events as some of the island’s seasonal attractions.
“With around 7 million acres of forest abutting the shores of three different Great Lakes, changing leaves are the main event each fall in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,” USA TODAY wrote.
The region has 10 fall color routes covering nearly 1,500 miles, USA TODAY said, offering visitors opportunities to explore the area by car during the season.
The recognition continues a pattern of national attention for both Michigan destinations.
The Upper Peninsula has repeatedly ranked among USA TODAY’s top fall destinations, including No. 1 rankings for fall colors in 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020 and 2018. It also ranked No. 1 for snow destinations in 2025, 2024 and 2023 and No. 1 for golf destinations in 2026.
Mackinac Island also ranked No. 1 as a fall destination in 2025 and as a summer travel destination in 2025, 2024 and 2023. It has appeared on several other USA TODAY 10Best lists, including rankings for historic small towns and Michigan attractions.
USA TODAY 10Best experts first selected the destinations for each category, and readers then voted to determine the winners.
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