Gaylord is a well planned cross-roads community in the geographic center of Michigan. Families and friends come from all over the country to enjoy its thick forests and sparkling waters.
The town’s Alpine theme was first embraced in the 1930s and continues to distinguish it architecturally from other resort communities. The downtown shopping area is very unique,as is the local ‘Alpinefest’ celebration in July.
Downtown Shopping
Gaylord MI‘s downtown shopping district is unique and makes you feel like you are in a Swiss old town. This area is full of great shops that sell sporting goods,kitchen items and specialty foods. There are also a number of restaurants that serve North cuisine,alternative dishes or international food.
The Alpine Tavern serves gourmet pizza,chicken,fish and sandwiches. The restaurant is family-friendly and has a great alpine theme. The menu also features homemade pies and sundaes. The restaurant is spacious and has plenty of seating.
Alpine Chocolat Haus offers chocolates,candies and caramel corn. There is also a bakery in the store. The store is located downtown Gaylord,and it offers a wide variety of sweets to satisfy any sweet tooth. It has a modern,casual ambiance with a variety of foods. The restaurant is well-known for its warm hospitality and monthly specials.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca
With first-class accommodations,a bevy of golf courses,and spectacular Fall Colors,Gaylord Michigan is the PERFECT Fall Golf Destination.
The Mecca’s flagship resorts offer a wide range of lodging options and 17 golf courses including a Jones Masterpiece,Tom Fazio and Rick Smith designed courses and the iconic par-3 Threetops.
Black Bear offers 18 fun holes to players of any handicap and is conveniently located off I-75. This course is often overlooked,but it’s a great layout. It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery of Northern Michigan while getting some exercise. This semi-private golf club was founded in 1924 and meanders its way through the hills,hardwoods,and other natural features west of Gaylord. It features private club conditions,strategic bunkering and arguably the best green complexes found in northern Michigan. Accuracy off the tee is a must. Many of our travellers chose this course as their favorite.
Otsego Lake State Park
A popular family park,Otsego Lake State Park is shaded with large oak,maple and pine and encompasses 62 acres of lakeside recreation. The campground is large with more than a half mile of sandy beach and large sites near or within sight of the lake. Most of the RV and tent campsites with partial or primitive hookups are large,flat,and shaded.
The day-use park area includes a swim beach that is universally accessible,a fishing platform and grilling areas. The park also has a boat launch that is ADA compliant. The Iron Belle Trail,which runs through the park,offers opportunities for biking and walking as well as snowmobiling.
The campground is divided in two loops. The North Campground has a gentle rise to it overlooking the lake,while the South Campground has sites that are lower and nearer the water. It also boasts one of the newest shower buildings in the entire state system. The campground is pet friendly but pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times.
Otsego County Historical Society
The Historical Society is a group of people interested in Otsego County’s history. It collects any material that helps to establish or illustrate the history of the county and makes it available for examination.
Early Otsego County was a center for lumbering with towns such as Quick,Hallock,Salling,Arthurville,Logan,Klingensmith,Sparr and Brown’s Dale forming around the industry. The logging business declined and these communities died out.
The county also benefited from railroad transportation. The Michigan Central,Grand Rapids and Indiana,and Boyne City,Gaylord and Alpena railroads all traversed the county.
The Otsego County Museum chronicles the county’s history from as far back as 1800. The museum opened on September 24,2004,in a brand new building. The dedication was attended by hundreds of guests,including Kevin Feuka,Capital Consultants Engineers,Craig Sisson of the Historical Society and other speakers.