Posted in Michigan Attractions, Small Towns March 15, 2023 by

What Life Is Like Inside The Tiny Town In Michigan With No Cars

Have you ever gone on vacation to a quaint little resort town and wondered what it would be like to actually live there? In America’s unique and celebrated resort towns life is certainly interesting and fun. But we’ve never seen a resort town like this that doesn’t allow motor vehicles. Step inside this small town and see some of the available things to do on Mackinac Island, Michigan, one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. — and all-around best small towns in the U.S.!

Flickr/Jasperdo
Mackinac Island is home to a year-round population of about 600 residents, some of whom live in the heavily-trafficked tourist area of downtown.
Flickr/Jasperado
In season, the daily population of Mackinac Island soars to a whopping 15,000 people.
Flickr/Jasperado
Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to this small island in Michigan without cars annually to get a taste of this walking city, the history, the fudge the island is so famous for, and the unique resort flair.
Flickr/Jasperado
Even without cars to help transport travelers, there are still so many fun things to do in this Michigan town without cars.
Flickr/Jasperado
Visitors to Mackinac Island love the novelty of being in a quiet place without the chaos caused by motorized vehicles. This makes it a favorite among Michigan resort towns.
Flickr/Michael Patterson
Residents love it too! Mackinac Island is a car-free town in Michigan that placed a ban on motor vehicles way back in 1898 and makes an exception only for emergency responders and snowmobiles. Golf carts are allowed on golf courses. Other than that, residents here get around just like the tourists: by foot, by bike or by carriage.
TripAdvisor/ALil'Irish!
Life in this tiny car-free town brings a wealth of benefits.

Living in a resort town means access to scores of world-class restaurants any day of the week. Are the weekends too busy with tourists? If so, try a Tuesday or Wednesday night.
TripAdvisor/degermer182
It doesn't matter what day you go, the view and the food are going to be the same every day of the week. For instance, The Carriage House Inn Restaurant offers breathtaking views. Locals happen to love the views as much as the tourists!
Flickr/ejtman45
Mackinac Island is three miles long and two miles wide. Sometimes it's just too far to walk from one point to the other. If you live on Mackinac Island, then you've got to be willing to pay the piper for taxi rides when necessary.
Flickr/Jasperado
In fact, if you live on Mackinac Island and want to have that new recliner delivered from the mainland, then you'll need a carriage mover to do that!
Flickr/Sarah Razak
Living in a resort town without cars means many tourists will be passing by your place on foot. Unless you're willing to hear the door knob jiggle all day long by people who think you must be a business without a sign, you'll need to find a way to let them know you're not open for business.

The same goes for fending off curiosity seekers. Unless you're willing to scoot down your stairs in your nightie at ten o'clock in the morning and find a curious tourist peeping in your windows (I've had this happen!) you'll need to find some way to let them know your home is a private residence. A tasteful sign at the end of the walkway usually does the trick!
Flickr/Michigan Municipal League
On this small Michigan island town, you'll need to be enthusiastic about sacrificing the convenience of getting from point A to point B from the comforts of door-to-door delivery via your own car.

On Mackinac Island you'll need to take a ferry back and forth to the mainland and then walk everything you buy all the way back to your door, unless you have your bike or take a carriage.

There is one saving grace though. In the winter, the water freezes over to form the "Mackinac Ice Bridge" between this island and St. Ignace. Then you can travel back and forth all you want in your snowmobile for free!
Google Maps [streetview]
What about kids and school? Mackinac Island has that covered, too. The one public school here has about 67 students from grades K through 12. The graduating class of 2020 reportedly had four students.
Jessica E/TripAdvisor
In the spring and fall students travel to school by bike and by foot. But in the winter they get to break out skis and snow mobiles!
Flickr/Jasperado
Life in the small town of Mackinac Island is pretty normal, for the most part. Even though there are no cars or motor vehicles, except snowmobiles, people still do the same things we do everywhere else.
TripAdvisor/ML T
People go to church just like they do everywhere else. There are a handful of churches around the island including the gorgeous white Sainte Anne Catholic Church.
Flickr/mackinacislandgal
They take a taxi to go get provisions or just to get around town when needed, although their taxis are carriage rides in Michigan.
Google Maps [streetview]
They live in normal houses in quiet little neighborhoods. Here, they're located on the interior of the island. But they don't have a need for driveways. Did you notice there aren't any driveways in the photo above?
Flickr/Meghan Weber
And somewhere around town, there's always a giant holiday tree to celebrate the season.

No matter where you live, the convenience of a car probably seems relatively important to you. Life for the residents of Mackinac Island seems pretty special to be free of this necessity.

Have you been to this car-free town in Michigan and did you travel by foot, bike, or carriage? We’d love to know what your favorite things to do on Mackinac Island, Michigan are, and see your photos in our comments on Facebook!

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Address: Mackinac Island, MI 49757, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Michigan Islands

March 08, 2021
Melissa Mahoney

What is the most scenic island in Michigan?

 

There are so many scenic islands in Michigan that it’s hard to pick just one. The 55-square-mile Beaver Island has miles of coastline and untouched natural scenery that you don’t want to miss. The aptly named Belle Isle has a long history, beautiful views, and a conservatory with architecture that stands out among the landscape. You should also plan a visit to Bois Blanc Island, which has roughly 70 year-round residents, no paved roads, and is unlike anywhere else you will visit in the state.

What other resort towns can I visit in Michigan?

  • Antioch
  • Grafton

 

Mackinac Island isn’t the only resort town Michigan has to offer. There are several others offering anything from unique accommodations to unique experiences, but all of them are excellent choices to rest, relax, and get away from the grind of daily life. Antioch is one of the more popular destinations and sits along a bluff by the Wisconsin border. This resort town is surrounded by nature and is a popular place for outdoor activities like hiking and biking. At the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers is Grafton which happens to be home to Raging Rivers Waterpark. This resort destination is an excellent choice for those who have children.

What are the best beaches in Michigan?

Some of the best beaches in Michigan are:

  • Christmas Cove Beach in Northport, it delivers crystal clear blue water and unspoiled views. It’s truly stunning.
  • Twelve Mile Beach in Grand Marais which is a great choice for those who love to go camping. There are campsites right along the shore.
  • Sterling State Park which has beaches along Lake Eerie and is a place where you can camp, fish, and swim
  • Hoeft State Park which has 300 acres of land and access to Lake Huron along its sand-dune beaches.