Best Small Towns in the MidwestRecently, USA Today put together another one of its top ten lists, this time ranking the 'Best Small Town in the Midwest' for 2026. There is something so different and special about Mackinac Island that even native Michiganders make it a point to visit the island. READ ALSO: See How Google Maps Surveyed Mackinac Island Without a CarAnd this isn't the only accolade that Mackinac Island has to brag about...Mackinac Island was also recently named the "No. 1 Summer Travel Destination in the U.S." All that said, it might be time to plan your trip to Mackinac Island. 11 Lessons Learned Growing Up in 'Small-Town,' Michigan Growing up in a small Michigan town as a Gen Xer was basically “Survivor: Great Lakes Edition.”