Skip Europe This Summer: This Park in Michigan Is Just as Cool as Portugal

Once Memorial Day hits, I trade in my daydreams of bluebird ski days for lacing up my hiking shoes and napping on the beach. As someone who currently lives between the Midwest and Germany (quite a difference, I know), I'm uniquely equipped to point out excellent "European dupes" in the United States. One such dupe is Mackinac Island State Park in Michigan. If you've been considering a transatlantic flight to see Portugal's famous beaches and arched rock formations, save yourself the jet lag and take a Michigan road trip to this 1,800-acre state park.

My German friends like to give me a lovingly hard time about how Americans love to drive places. However, on your trip to Mackinac Island State Park, you'll need to trade in your four-wheel drive for some bike tires. Mackinac Island has been a car-free zone for more than 100 years. Getting around the state park will be entirely on two wheels or two feet. (Horse-drawn taxis are also an option.) The island is almost exclusively accessible by boat or ferry, though private planes do make arrivals. Mackinac Island State Park is just a 15-minute bike ride from the ferry port.

The jaw-dropping "Am I in Portugal?" moment comes at Arch Rock. This 15-story-high natural limestone formation will leave you feeling like you're at Praia da Marinha. Additionally, you can take a dip in the blue waters of Lake Huron at Mackinac Island State Park Beach.

There are a few excellent hiking trails that provide adventurers with fantastic views of Arch Rock and the Great Lake. Mackinac Island Outer Loop is an 8-mile trail that takes visitors around the entire perimeter of the island. If you're short on time, the 2-mile Arch Rock trail leads you directly from where the ferries dock to the iconic formation. Plus, there are more than 70 miles of bike trails to explore. 

Mackinac Island State Park was originally a national park. It was the country's second national park before transitioning to Michigan's first state park in 1895. Today, the park makes up more than 80% of Mackinac Island.

When you're done exploring the great outdoors, meander over to downtown Mackinac Island. Here, you'll find a plethora of cafes and outdoor seating that transport you to the streets of Portuguese beach towns like Ferragudo. At the end of the day, you can catch a ferry back to the mainland or spend the night at places like the Grand Hotel. This iconic hotel was built in 1887 and offers luxurious accommodations, beautiful gardens, and unbeatable views of the island.

While a European geo-location may make your Instagram post look cool, Mackinac Island State Park is well worth a tag. After just a few moments at the state park, it's easy to see why this surprising dupe for Portugal has been attracting tourists for more than a century. What other places in Michigan are a great substitute for that sought-after Euro summer? Let us know by filling out our nomination form so we can start packing our suitcases.