We all love our Green Spaces, but sometimes a Green Space can take the form of a favorite getaway.

Picture this - being taken back in time by a 15 minute ferry ride from the mainland of northern Michigan, arriving at a beautiful 3.8 square mile island, with Lake Huron on one side, Lake Michigan on the other. Add to this a uniquely temperate summer climate where motorized vehicles of any kind are outlawed so everything, and everybody, moves by foot, bike, or horse carriage.

This is Mackinac Island, known by many as a special summer resort destination and it’s famous Mackinac Fudge. However, the gardens on Mackinac Island are rapidly becoming the draw. Beautiful hanging baskets line the streets, window boxes adorn most business fronts, and showcase cottage gardens are at every turn. Hotels and bed & breakfast properties come alive with colorful gardens. Seemingly an entire day can be consumed walking along roads lined with stunning landscaped gardens within turn-of-the-century cottages and carriage houses.

The island’s iconic property is Grand Hotel, famous for the movie ‘Somewhere In Time.” And now the island is home to two unique showcase Proven Winners Signature Gardens. The stunning gardens at historical Hotel Iroquois was the nation’s first such designation. Mackinac Island’s award-winning Jack Barnwell creatively designs these stunning gardens every season. Jack has almost single handedly inspired much of the island’s garden showcases.

And the recently designated beautiful gardens at the Mission Point Resort represent the island’s second Proven Winners Signature Garden. Talented Grounds Manager, Doug Darga, who created and designed The Gardens of Matter Park in Indiana, designs these extensive gardens. Both properties are must-see stops on this island visit.

Make the most of this island Green Space by enjoying a walking tour, or jump on a bike stopping to enjoy every garden along the way. Make time to see another side of the island with an eight-mile bike ride around the island’s perimeter. You’ll enjoy unbelievable lake views, the beauty of the island forest, amazing natural island features such as Arc Rock, and picturesque views of the Mackinac Bridge.

Then continue your ride, or even rent a horse, to the island’s interior. Mackinac Island State Park, with trails, woods and the limestone rock formations, covers most of the island’s interior.

Only 492 persons reside here year-round. But thousands enjoy this as their special summer Green Space getaway.