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I was wondering what island in the US that isn't connected by bridge is the best in the country. The Hawaiian Islands and Puerto Rico do not count. I was thinking along the lines of Nantucket or Santa Catalina. Has to be inhabited to count. It can be anything from off the coast to in the middle of a lake.
So which do you feel is the best? You can use this criteria if you'd like...
Weather
boating
transportation from and to the island (airport/ferry boats)
transportation on the island (road quality/public transportation)
resorts/tourist destinations
hospitality
architecture (houses/businesses/public structures)
quality of life
recreation
services on the island (restaurants, stores, healthcare, schools, etc...)
commerce (the island's significance to its state/region/etc...)
beaches
military significance (naval base/air base)
proximity to land
My favorite is Orcas Island, Washington. It's a geographically diverse island with bays and mountains. At 2,409 ft. tall, Mt. Constitution within the 5,000 acre Moran State Park is one of the tallest island mountains in the lower 48. Orcas Island is linked to Anacortes, Sidney, BC (on Vancouver Island near Victoria), and the other major San Juan Islands by the Washington State Ferries.
The most populated non land-linked islands in the contiguous U.S. over 20 sq. miles large are:
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts - 16,535
Vashon Island, Washington - 10,624
Nantucket Island, Massachusetts - 10,172
San Juan Island, Washington - 6,894
Orcas Island, Washington - 5,240
Santa Catalina Island, California - 4,096
Lopez Island, Washington - 2,383
Vinalhaven Island, Maine - 1,165
Drummond Island, Michigan - 1,028
Washington Island, Wisconsin - 939
Notable islands smaller than 20 sq miles:
Shelter Island, New York - 2,392
Harsens Island, Michigan - 1,490
Block Island, Rhode Island - 1,051
Anderson Island, Washington - 1,037
Lummi Island, Washington - 981
Peaks Island, Maine - 845
Mackinaw Island, Michigan - 492
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke
Kauai
Oahu
Molokai'i
Big Island of Hawaii
Maui
Take your pick.
I definitely pick Big Island, so much to do, so laid back, desert & lava rock landscapes alongside rainforests & waterfalls, sea cliffs, white sand/black sand/green sand beaches, rocky shores, high sea cliffs, beautiful culture, cattle ranches and pastoral landscapes, amazing array of sea life, astronomy, high mountain summits, volcanic craters, 11 of the worlds 13 climates zones all in an island the size of Connecticut and very friendly and hospitable to boot. Big Island is dreamy.
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