For the times you want the island life without the chlorine pool and overly sweet cocktails.

By Michael Milhim

Sugar Island Apparently in 1945 Sugar Island was one possible location for the headquarters of the United Nations. That has to mean something. Take a trip here after going a bit east to Sault Ste. Marie since the island cradles the thumb. Photo via Water Winter Wonderland Michigan
Beaver Island This island has a history with Mormonism. Makes sense since it’s located right between the U.P. and L.P. in Lake Michigan — it might as well be in the middle of nowhere. Founder Joseph Smith died on the island in 1844, and after Brigham Young was made the next leader of the church a group of people chose to split and make James Strang the true leader of the LDS. Strang went on to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. Photo via the Friends of Beaver Island Facebook
Drummond Island Did Andre Drummond buy an island already? Nahh, I don’t think A.D. would be a big fan of the east U.P., or maybe he would. Photo via the Drummond Island Michigan Facebook
Grand Island 47 people — that’s the whole population. I mean, some of these islands have equally as small populations, but damn, 47? I have triple the number of contacts in my phone than this island’s population. I wonder what community dynamics are like there. Hop on over here right after visiting very nearby Munising. Photo via the Hiawatha National Forest Facebook
Gross Ile Finally, we have an island in the metro area! Maybe this isn’t far enough away for you to consider it a vacation, but maybe it can be your new weekend walking place instead — a personal weekly vacation. Take Jefferson downriver to get to this metro area extension. Photo via the Gross Ile Township Facebook
Isle Royale Is it Roy-Al or just like saying royal? I’m pretty sure it’s the second, but who cares. Once you’re that far north, I don’t think pronunciation matters that much anymore because you aren’t going to be interacting with too many people. It’s basically the northernmost place in Michigan. Photo via the Isle Royale National Park Facebook
Mackinac Island Of course, he had to put Mackinac on the list. Well what if a non-Michigander was looking at this? They wouldn’t even think this is the most common vacation spot in Michigan if I didn’t say so. They wouldn’t know that it you go to the place where the lower peninsula and the upper peninsula connect to get to Mackinac Island. Photo via the Mackinac Island Facebook
Neebish Island Since I’m a journalism person I saw this and thought it was the word “nebbish” as the island’s name, but I’m glad to report that this island is much better than said adjective. Go here right after you go to Sugar island since Neebish is just south of Sugar (did that sound dirty?). Photo via the Neebish Island Leaflet
Cockburn Island I understand tradition and maturity is a thing, but it’s Cockburn island. I can’t imagine how many jokes have been made about this island. Anyway, go here right after you go to Drummond because Cockburn is just a hop eastward into Canadian territory from Drummond Island. Photo via Creative Commons user P199
Manitoulin Island This is such a Canadian name that I want real maple syrup and a copy of Views. Keep going eat from Cockburn and make this a nice little island hop vacation. Photo via Manitoulin Island, Ontario Facebook
Gordon/Barrie Island I’m not really sure why, but I really like this one. Maybe it’s because their Facebook page had pictures of old people playing jazz, which is super cute. Plus, it’s right next to Manitoulin, so your island hop continues! Photo via Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island Facebook
Harsens Island Speaking of Facebook pages, I got a weird vibe from this island’s page, not like bad or anything, just weird. They have a militia, which may not be what we think it is, plus they play some game called Seabiscuit and have shared the old White Obama meme. Harsens is right across the northern part of Lake St. Clair, so I guess that makes sense now. Photo via Harens Island Michigan Facebook
Middle Bass Island Isn’t bass supposed to be lowest? Ohhhhh, it’s probably the fish, ok, yeah. It is in Erie, so that would make sense. Also, I’m pretty sure this is Ohio territory, so be warned. Photo via Creative Commons user Dizzledan
Pelee Island> This is the southernmost populated place in Canada, so it’s basically Michigan, right? It’s right across from Middle Bass, so the line between Canadian and American is quite thin. Photo via Pelee Island Facebook

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