Travel and Leisure names historic Michigan island one of the top 15 in the country

It’s not just an island. It’s like taking a trip in a time machine back to the 1800s where motorized vehicles are not allowed and the only way to get around is by walking, biking, riding a horse or in a horse and buggy.

Travel and Leisure has just listed Mackinac Island as one of the top 15 islands in the continental U.S.

Mackinac Island comes in at No 3, just behind the Golden Isles in Georgia (Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, St. Simons Island) and Amelia Island in Florida.

To come up with its list, Travel and Leisure says every year for its World’s Best Awards survey, it asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the world and to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more.

Islands were specifically rated on these criteria:

• Natural attractions/beaches
• Activities/sights
• Restaurants/food
• People/friendliness
• Value

When it came down to the top 15, Travel and Leisure says its readers had one main commonality: How beloved the islands are among travelers.

“We love the fact that there are no cars — just horses and bikes,” said a reader about Mackinac Island, which just had one of its roads receive a speed limit and where America’s oldest grocery store just celebrated 140 years.

Here are the top 15 islands from T + L and their scores:

1. Golden Isles, Georgia

Reader Score: 90.29

2. Amelia Island, Florida

Reader Score: 86.93

3. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Reader Score: 86.73

4. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Reader Score: 84.17

5. Florida Keys, Florida

Reader Score: 83.48

6. Cumberland Island, Georgia

Reader Score: 83.20

7. San Juan Islands, Washington

Reader Score: 83.10

8. Nantucket, Massachusetts

Reader Score: 83.06

9. Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 82.61

10. Sanibel Island, Florida

Reader Score: 82.32

11. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 81.97

12. Mount Desert Island, Maine

Reader Score: 81.33

13. Fire Island, New York

Reader Score: 81.03

14. Captiva Island, Florida

Reader Score: 80.78

15. South Padre Island, Texas

Reader Score: 80.54