Two places in Michigan have been named on a list of top destinations for storybook-inspired escapes.
HomeToGo, a vacation and rental website, compiled a list ranking 30 whimsical, affordable destinations to visit in the U.S. and abroad.
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The two Michigan spots that earned a place on the list were Saugatuck and Mackinac Island.
Saugatuck ranked No. 9 on the list of U.S. destinations, and Mackinac Island ranked at No. 12.
“This year, travelers aren’t just booking vacations. Instead, they’re chasing escapes. As emotions continue to influence how and why people travel, demand for otherworldly, storybook experiences that allow travelers to step out of their own storylines and press pause on everyday pressures is growing,” said Eleanor Moody, HomeToGo Spokesperson and Travel Expert. “With HomeToGo’s Storybook Travel Report, we aim to help travelers find locations in which to unwind that go beyond traditional favorites — spotlighting uniquely charming destinations such as Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, and Essaouira, Morocco — where escape and affordability overlap.”
Located along the shores of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck is known for its vibrant arts scene and postcard-worthy harbor views.
The charming small town offers an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere and features boutiques, art galleries, wineries and more. Visitors can check out Oval Beach, rolling dunes and the historic downtown.
Mackinac Island, set in Lake Huron, is the perfect place for a relaxing and scenic trip. Cars are not allowed, so visitors travel around the 1,800-acre island by foot, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage.
This, along with the historic sites (like Fort Mackinac) the iconic Grand Hotel with its sweeping front porch, fudge shops, and the ancient limestone rock formations (like Arch Rock), give the island a fairy-tale feel.
Lilac-lined streets in the spring and the slower pace of life year-round further enhance Mackinac Island’s reputation as a whimsical, storybook destination.
These two cities also ranked highly on the list due to their affordability, and according to HomeToGo’s ranking, the median nightly price per person for Saugatuck is $142, and for Mackinac Island, $158.
To see all of the destinations that made the list, visit here.
To compile the Storybook Stays list, destinations with available 2026 price and search data were evaluated for their picturesque reputation and frequency of appearing alongside terms like “storybook,” “enchanting,” “fairytale,” and “whimsical” in publicly visible online content, before being ranked according to accommodation affordability, according to HomeToGo.
Search and price insights are based on observed searches on HomeToGo between Aug. 1 and Nov. 15, 2025, for 2026 check-in dates.