As summer bids farewell and autumn begins to paint the landscape in fiery hues, many parts of the United States truly come alive in color, and Michigan’s Mackinac Island is no exception. A top summer destination on Lake Huron, it also offers a sanctuary in fall for those looking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in stunning outdoor scenery. In fact, stepping onto its welcoming shores is like stepping into another world—one where cars don’t exist and the main modes of transportation are bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and your own two feet.
Since automobiles aren’t allowed on the island, you’ll have to seek alternative transportation there. If flying in to Michigan, the closest airports are Pellston Regional, fifteen miles south of Mackinaw City, and Chippewa County International, thirty-five miles north of St. Ignace. You can then take a shuttle to either city, where you can catch a ferry to Mackinac; trips leave every thirty minutes or so during primary tourist season (through the end of October). Parking is available at the docks for those driving in.
Another option is to take a charter plane from St. Ignace, which will deliver you right to Mackinac Island Airport in under ten minutes. Private boats can also dock at the island’s marina through mid-October; you may just want to make a reservation for a slip since there are only eighty in the public harbor.
Mackinac Island transforms as the seasons change, with vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges taking over the landscape, and you certainly aren’t bereft of options for savoring the views. Consider, for instance, biking the popular Lake Shore Drive, an 8.2-mile road that takes you around the perimeter of the entire island. Along the way, you can catch breathtaking scenes of the surrounding water, tall limestone bluffs, and more. You can even stop and take a rest on the sandy beaches if the temperature isn’t too low.
For those looking to venture beyond the coastline, there are also seventy miles of hiking trails in Mackinac Island State Park waiting to be explored, many of which are accessible by bike. Whether you prefer to venture on foot or via pedaling, you can traverse through dense cedar forests, over gentle hills, and past historic landmarks, all while enjoying the peaceful serenity of nature. One must-see spot is Arch Rock, a natural limestone arch towering more than 140 feet above the water. The short hike to the top is well worth the effort, rewarding you with a panoramic view of Lake Huron.
Of course, biking and hiking aren’t the only ways to explore the island. Embark on a horse-drawn carriage tour—or drive one yourself!—to see the autumnal sights, or saddle up for a horseback adventure, which is allowed everywhere the carriages are as well as on several trails. You can also take a kayak around the coast, paddling along the southern shoreline to see the soaring cliffs and lighthouses standing watch over the Straits of Mackinac. For an unforgettable water-sport experience, time your excursion for sunrise or sunset, when the sky is painted in soft pastels and the island is bathed in a warm, golden glow. Just be prepared for cooler weather in the early mornings and evenings!
Beyond its natural beauty, Mackinac Island is steeped in history, going back to precolonial times. The name actually derives from “Michilimackinac” (translation: “place of the great turtle”), which the area’s Indigenous people called the island. You can learn more about them, as well as one such family from the 1830s, at the Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum.
Fort Mackinac, meanwhile, offers a glimpse into eighteenth-century military life. Walk through its fourteen historic buildings, where you’ll find exhibits detailing the island’s role in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Further, you can watch demonstrations of what life was like in the fort and, if you’re lucky, get a chance to conduct the first cannon firing in the morning.
Often overlooked due to sitting at the island’s northern tip, British Landing is an equally great place to get a glimpse into the island’s past. This quiet shoreline marks the site where British troops landed in 1812 to capture Fort Mackinac, a pivotal moment in the War of 1812. Today, visitors can explore the area’s rich military history, enjoy treats like fried pickles at Cannonball Oasis, and learn about native plants and wildlife at the British Landing Nature Center.
Ultimately, one of the most rewarding aspects of visiting Mackinac Island this time of year is the slower, more relaxed pace. The peak-season energy has faded, leaving behind a retreat that feels almost like a well-kept secret. Without the massive crowds, you can fully appreciate the quiet moments of watching the sunrise over the lake, hearing the leaves crunch beneath your feet on a wooded trail, and simply sitting on a bench by the water.
Evenings on the island are especially magical. As the sun sets, the town’s historic buildings glow under the soft light of streetlamps, and the sound of waves hitting the shore creates an almost meditative atmosphere. Take a quiet stroll along the boardwalk running west of Main Street, or sit back and gaze at the clear night sky. You could even embark on a late bike ride with the moon as your guide.
As a bonus, many of the island’s businesses shut down by the end of October and offer steep discounts on products throughout the month in hopes of clearing their shelves before closing for winter. You may also find reduced rates at locally owned B and Bs and hotels, including the famous Grand Hotel, making a stay at this popular destination more affordable than during summer.
For those looking to blend adventure with tranquility, Mackinac Island in fall is the best of both worlds. Its cooler temperatures make outdoor activities more enjoyable, while the thinning crowds allow for a more intimate experience with nature. However you choose to spend your vacation, a trip here will encourage you to slow down and truly appreciate your surroundings.
For more info, visit mackinacisland.org
Comfort food and autumn go together like sweaters and scarves—each is wonderful on its own, but together they make the ultimate cozy pairing. That’s the feeling you and your loved ones will get from these Blk + Vegan cookbook recipes, which deliver both wholesome ingredients and amazing taste.
You can’t go wrong with waffles to start a chilly fall day, and these kick up the taste and health quotients with cinnamon, applesauce, flax seeds, and more.
Cookie dough—healthy? Have no fear with this recipe! It’s made with a chickpea base and can be whipped up within an hour as a delicious treat.
Reprinted with permission from Blk + Vegan by Emani Corcran. Page Street Publishing Co. 2023. Photo credit: Monika Normand.
Growing up, my aunt would make the absolute best spiced waffles. In my family, spiced waffles involve a ton of cinnamon and maybe even a clove or two. Waking up on Saturday morning and following the smell of cinnamon and vanilla to the kitchen was my absolute favorite part of the weekend. Here’s my version of those delicious spiced waffles, made with love—oil-free and absolutely delicious.
Serves 4
This edible cookie dough is simply addicting! We all know eating cookie dough out of the package is a big no-no, but this cookie dough will keep you fueled and satisfied. It’s made from chickpeas, which doesn’t sound dessert-friendly, but I promise I would never steer you wrong. It’s so good that I store it in my fridge for whenever I get a sweet tooth craving. This is the dessert to fool a vegan skeptic—be sure to tell them what’s in it after they tell you how delicious it is.
Serves 4
When it’s time for you to get active, you may have your enjoyable standby, like taking a hike, dancing, or jumping rope. But fitness expert Matt Ryan (pictured below) explains why weight training should be an essential component of virtually any adult’s overall wellness plan.
Tell us about your fitness experience:
I began competing in natural bodybuilding competitions at age nineteen before eventually founding Heavy Mettle Fitness in Austin, Texas, in 2019. As the fitness director and lead trainer, I am tasked with heading a team of expert personal trainers and offering exercise and nutrition services to our clients. We personalize each one’s fitness program to address their specific wishes and goals and provide structured weekly workout routines they can implement inside and outside our studio sessions. Earlier this year, I also obtained a Functional Training Specialist certification from the American Council on Exercise to better address people’s training needs.
What are some of the key health benefits of adopting a weight-training routine?
Regular weight training promotes a stronger and more resilient body, and not just through gains in strength and muscle mass—although these are fantastic results of a properly structured and executed regimen. It also promotes mobility and longevity by enhancing bone density and strengthening tendons and ligaments. As a result, it can help prevent conditions like osteoporosis and reduce the risk of injuries from everyday activities.
In addition, performing weight-lifting exercises consistently aids in weight maintenance because it burns many calories. Plus, the more muscle mass you have, the faster your metabolism generally is, which also aids in weight loss.
Why is weight training uniquely beneficial compared to other workouts?
While conducting any form of routine exercise is better than not exercising at all, anyone who is serious about improving their overall strength, muscle mass, or body composition should consider incorporating weight training into their routine too. That’s because these results require a consistent regimen focused on progressive overload, or gradually increasing weight resistance and intensity over time. And cardio exercises simply don’t offer that the way a properly designed weight-training routine can.
That’s not to say someone wouldn’t see positive progress—perhaps in the form of minor weight loss or improved cardiovascular endurance—by transitioning from a more sedentary lifestyle to participating in, say, a frequent Zumba or kickboxing routine. However, there would be little-to-no gains in muscular strength and development.
Even still, I often recommend mixing various workouts into a weekly routine. Yoga, for instance, is a specific activity we suggest to our clients at Heavy Mettle Fitness. Consistent, long-term weight training can lead to tighter muscles, and incorporating stretching and mobility exercises can help mitigate this and also promote longevity. But I emphasize that they should still prioritize their weekly strength-training regimen.
How do you suggest someone start such a program?
I advise beginners to start with two or three weight-training sessions per week up to sixty minutes each, addressing multiple muscle groups with two or three separate exercises in sets of three or four. However, you should make sure to establish proper form and technique before attempting to lift very heavy weights. You can even consider starting with resistance bands if weights seem too challenging. To supplement these sessions, try to incorporate cardio exercises like jogging on the other days, which can help you stay active throughout the week.
In addition, monitor your hydration, nutrition, and recovery every day. Doing so will encourage long-term adherence to the regimen and reduce your risk of injuries.
What are the advantages of weight training with professional guidance?
A personal trainer can offer unique benefits that are hard to find when using online workout videos or programs. For instance, when our clients first sign up, 99 percent of them say they want someone to motivate them and hold them accountable. We can also be an excellent resource to those who need help structuring a routine or establishing proper form and technique, especially elderly individuals who may experience decreased mobility and a greater risk of getting hurt during exercise. And, in a similar vein, a trainer can help assess when it’s appropriate to increase the weight or overall intensity of a specific workout.
What’s the key to winning at weight training?
It’s important for beginners to set realistic expectations. Many of the sought-after physical results that come from weight training can take months or even years to obtain depending on your starting point and how ambitious your goals are. Nothing kills motivation faster than not achieving a lofty target in a short time frame. It’s unfortunate because I’ve seen people with enormous potential give up on their fitness routines after four months or so when they didn’t see the results they wanted. Consequently, they felt that they would never achieve their goals—almost as if to say, “Why even try?”
If you’re working out properly, you will see consistent progress over time; even if it seems slow, it still indicates that you’re moving in the right direction. Combine that with a patient mindset and commitment to making weight training a part of your long-term routine, not just a temporary solution, and you’re already winning!
For more info, visit heavymettlefitness.com
*Consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen.
From “self-care Sunday” to “Sunday reset,” a lot of trendy terms have been given over the years to the practice of using this day to prioritize relaxing downtime and savor a touch of indulgence. But what does that actually look like in action? The answer is simple: it’s totally up to you!
Self-care is about more than just what’s on the surface, going beyond face masks and hair treatments to encompass engaging in whatever activities bring you joy and peace. That could even mean completing essential tasks, whether you finally tackle a chore you’ve been wanting to get to all week or organize your upcoming schedule. Here are a few tips to help you determine the best ways to make the most of your Sundays and better ensure that you’re reenergized for the busy days ahead.
Arguably the best part of the weekend is the opportunity to lounge in bed a little later than usual. Unless you have an early-morning obligation like your kid’s sports game, take a few extra minutes to let your body wake up slowly. Breathe deeply, and perform some simple movements to loosen up the stiffness in your muscles; good ones include rolling your ankles, wiggling your toes, and curling your biceps.
When you’re ready to rise, ease into the rest of your wake-up routine as well. It might sound silly, but appreciating how washing your face, brushing your teeth, and other basic steps help you feel refreshed can go a long way toward setting the right tone for the rest of the day.
It was 2011 when the phrase “treat yo self” first blew onto the cultural scene, and it has since become a mantra of self-care. While you don’t have to be quite as lavish as the characters in the Parks and Recreation episode that popularized the concept, your end goal should be the same: allow yourself say “yes” to whatever will bring you happiness. There’s no need to feel guilty about skipping out on laundry or organizing your closet—those things can wait while you focus on you.
For instance, are you a bit of a foodie? Make Sunday the day when you indulge a little in your favorite treats. If you’re a chocaholic, throw a few dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs in your morning oatmeal or on a smoothie bowl. If there’s a popular brunch spot down the street you’ve been dying to try, invite some friends for a bite or even grab a meal by yourself.
Likewise, think about which activities would bring you the most fulfillment. Some people crave a lazy afternoon on the couch watching football or bingeing their favorite show, giving them a mental break after a long workweek. Others, meanwhile, prefer the vigor of getting out in nature or trying something new. And you don’t have to do the same thing every Sunday; what you need to recharge may look different from week to week. As long as it eases your stress, it counts.
All that said, make sure to keep your budget, health, personal goals, and responsibilities in mind. For instance, overspending or putting off a task that will be hard to complete another day could wind up causing more anxiety down the road. But with the right moderation and balance, prioritizing yourself at least in some way will help provide a valuable reset.
On that note, you may actually find that the best form of self-care is knocking out tasks whose completion will bring you greater peace of mind. This could include any number of chores and projects. Perhaps you’ve grown frustrated with your messy kitchen cabinets but haven’t had the time to properly organize them; setting aside an hour to straighten them out could bring immense satisfaction that continues every time you open them in the following days. Or maybe deciding what to eat for dinner every night is a constant merry-go-round discussion, making meal planning a potentially worthwhile Sunday endeavor. Either way, getting it done may give you the sigh of relief you’ve been craving.
While many people espouse the benefits of journaling every day, doing so may be tricky amid a busy schedule or even feel tiresome after a while. However, reflecting on how your week went can be great therapy, so try to set aside at least ten to fifteen minutes every Sunday to jot down your thoughts using pen and paper, your computer, or your phone. It can help you remember the highs and work through the lows, enabling you to explore why you felt the way you did in a certain moment. In the process, you may be able to reconcile the event so you can put it past you and move forward with a better outlook.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong way to practice self-care on Sundays, whether you prefer to focus on fun, tackle chores, or do a mix of both. What’s most important is that you end the day feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever lies ahead.
