I just visited Mackinac Island on October 11th and it was a blast. We stayed overnight at a great b&b, The Cloghaun www.cloghaun.com which has been in the same family for over 4 generations. It's an Irish b&b and so perfectly situated just one block off of the Main Street on Market Street a block from the ferries. An overnight stay at this time of year is about $160 for two people.We took Shepler's ferry over to the island www.sheplersferry.comand walked to the b&b with a porter who gladly helped us with our bags all the way into the room for a tip only! There are some great gift finds on the island right now at 40% to 75% off in order to get rid of merchandise as the island pretty much closes down by the end of October for the winter season.

Restaurants that I would recommended now are the Seabiscuit Cafe www.seabiscuitcafe.com or the Carriage House at the Iroquis Hotel on Main Street. Bars that are fun include Good Fellows www.lake-view-hotel.com at the Lakeview Hotel, Horn's Bar www.hornsbar.com or Mustang Lounge.

What's there to do there right now? Well, if you like to have adventure try riding a horse from Cindy's Riding Stable on Market Street. After being guided part way to the trails on the island, the staff will let you ride alone through the woods if you can convince them that you're an average to skilled rider and can handle a horse. I rode mine through the woods alone and she was very responsive and would trot or gallop with the least bit of coaxing. It was thrilling! The horses know the way back to the barn, so don't be afraid that you'll get lost. The best fudge on the island - and you have to have fudge if you go to Mackinac Island as the entire Main Street smells like fudge cooking - is Murdick's www.murdicks.com. I love the maple walnut fudge with a passion. If you're on a diet or watching your weight don't resist buying it as it's delicious and you can share with friends. The entire island right now is a treat so whether you take a bike ride around the perimeter (about 8 miles), or walk through the streets down on the harbor front, or through the inner island roads, this place is a must-visit during the Autumn season!

About Halloween: The Island holds a big Halloween Party where EVERYBODY dresses up and walks around to all of the restaurants and pubs. The pubs are very generous as it's the last weekend before they close and they want to "run out of" all of their beer, wine and liquor prior to the season ending. This year the party, called the Samhain (summer's end) Weekend is October 24th - 26th. There's the Great Turtle run/walk event, whishing stone toss (what's this? Please tell me!) trick or treating, and great grown up Halloween parties at all the pubs.

Check out more information on the Mackinac website at www.mackinac.com.By next season before the Island opens I'll have all of the great places to stay, eat, have fun and more on www.greatfoodandtravel.com. Stay tuned....