A Guide to Gaylord, Michigan, for Outdoor Enthusiasts, Golfers and Families Looking For Fun

If the Texas summer heat is getting to you,  here’s an idea . . . Why not pull a reverse snowbird?  Leave the Texas heat behind and head north to Gaylord, Michigan, for fresh air, cooler temps, beautiful scenery and sparkling lakes. Gaylord is known as “America’s Summer Golf Mecca,” and is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

I’m speaking from experience, as I spent a week playing golf in Gaylord this past June.  I was there with a group of golf writers to try some of Gaylord’s premiere courses, stay at two of its most popular resorts (shoutout to The Lodge at Treetops Resort and The Hilltop Lodge at Otsego Resort), and wine and dine our way through the area.

Our mission was to experience the magic of Gaylord and see why so many people flock to this destination all year long. I think you’re going to like what I discovered, and I’ll bet that by the end of this piece, you’ll be asking Siri about flight prices to Michigan. 

Easy In, Easy Out – Getting to Gaylord, Michigan

Gaylord is located in the center of northern Michigan, just about an hour’s drive from Traverse City and the Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport (TVC).   Both Dallas and Houston airports offer direct flights to Traverse City Airport (TVC), and you’ll find many other non-stop and one-stop services available from major hubs around the country. Ground transportation at the airport can hook you up with a car rental to get to Gaylord.

Accommodations Galore 

Whether you’re coming for the golf, outdoor activities, or just a cool place to recharge,  Gaylord has amazing options when it comes to lodging. In addition to the resorts associated with Gaylord’s 16 Golf Mecca Courses (such as Treetops Resort, Otsego Resort, and Garland Lodge and Golf Resort), Gaylord has plenty of places to stay. The most recent additions include Tru by Hilton and the Comfort Inn & Suites/MainStay Suites. Plus, the area offers vacation home and cottage rentals for a true “North Woods” experience.

Come for the Temps, Stay for the Fun

Comfortable temperatures make summertime activities ultra enjoyable in Gaylord. With the Great Lakes only 50 minutes away, you’ll feel cool breezes and summer temps averaging around 80 degrees. Plus, Gaylord is in the Eastern Time Zone, offering additional hours to enjoy the sunlight, spend more time on the trails or play more golf. (Golfers have been known to finish rounds as late as 10:00 p.m.!)  

If autumn is more your speed, Gaylord is absolutely spectacular in September and October with temps in the 60s and brilliant blue skies, deep green fairways and fall colors that will knock your socks off. (Spring and winter are great times to visit as well!) Gaylord takes “Outdoor Playground” to the next level – from golfers to cyclists to bird watchers

Golfers… Gaylord is for you.

If you’re a golfer, let’s start with the fact that Gaylord is known as “America’s Summer Golf Mecca.” Part of what makes Gaylord’s golf so remarkable is the fact that Gaylord has the highest elevation in Michigan’s scenic Lower Peninsula, so many of the rounds of golf come with stunning views. However, several of its courses are built in the Pigeon River and Sturgeon River Valleys . . . resulting in dramatic valleys, rolling greens, and classic parkland style courses. 

In total, the promotional arm of the area tourism bureau, Gaylord’s Golf Mecca consists of 16 participating championship courses.  Treetops Resort is a favorite, with five award winning courses designed by Tom Fazio, Rick Smith, and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Plus you’ll find a premiere resort, day spa and space for special events. Our group stayed and played at the Treetops Resort, and enjoyed breakfast at The Legends on the Hill (shoutout to the staff for going the extra mile to provide gluten free options), box lunches (great salad!) between 9’s, and dinner from the Treetops Sports Bar. It felt like a true North Woods getaway, complemented with outstanding golf and lodging that went above and beyond. It was great to have breakfast, lunch and dinner all available on the property – perfect if you want to just kick back after a day of golf. 

The Hilltop Lodge at Otsego Resort was perfect for our group of 8, and I enjoyed playing one of its two courses, The Tribute (named the 8th best public course in Michigan) by Gary Koch. We also played the nearby The Pines Course at Michaywé for a parkland style layout. Sidenote, I found The Pines to be a delightful course that was challenging yet very accessible.

If you’re looking for amazing greens and fabulous old-school golf, don’t miss the Gaylord Golf Club (my personal favorite). More beautiful courses include the Garland Lodge and Golf Resort  or the award winning Black Lake Golf Club. In addition, Indian River Golf Club (called “the friendliest club in the North”) and the par 3 Threetops at Treetops, commonly known as “America’s best par 3,” are great options if there’s a beginning golfer in your foursome. 

Gaylord is an Outdoor Playground with Something for Everyone

Beyond golf, Gaylord has a list of activities that doesn’t stop. Gaylord is home to over 90 inland lakes, miles and miles of trails, campgrounds, forestlands, and so much more.  Did you know you can even find spots for elk viewing?

Let’s start with the trails where you can hike, bike, or run for miles. Hop on the North Central State trail to find 62 miles of trails that stretch all the way to the Mackinac Bridge. You’ll be surrounded by farms, forest, and open fields . . . plus beautiful lakes, rivers, and marshes, and so much wildlife! In addition, the area offers trails of all lengths and difficulty levels so there’s an option regardless of age or skill level. Gaylord also offers hiking trails, piers, and beaches and parks with accessibility options. 

Water activities for everyone

Is the water calling you? With 90 inland lakes and five premier rivers, the stage is set for nearly any water activity.  Kids and adults will appreciate options for paddling, kayaking, rafting and swimming in and around Gaylord. Maybe take the crew to Otsego Lake State Park and have access to lounging at the beach, playing a game of volleyball, or taking a dip in the lake. Or, rent a board, boat, or kayak and head to one of the many lakes for a refreshing day on the water.  If fishing is more up your alley, you’re in luck, because Michigan is also known as “Fishigan.” 

But wait, there’s more . . . Have you heard of Gaylord’s Alpine Village? 

Beyond outdoor activities, Gaylord is known for its charming downtown, a quaint Alpine Village that resembles its sister city in Pontresina, Switzerland. Here you’ll find chalet-style architecture and a Main Street with eateries, shops and nightlife. 

Don’t miss the legendary Alpine Chocolat Haus featuring artisan chocolate (the chocolate-covered potato chips are to die for), homemade fudge, candy apples, and of course, ice cream.

With all of this activity, you’ve got to fuel up

I promise you won’t go hungry when you visit Gaylord. The area features dining to appeal to all palettes, but there are a few classics you can’t miss. First, for a down-to-earth dining experience with exquisite cuisine and delightful cocktails, head to Bennethum’s Northern Inn. This family-owned restaurant offers a relaxed yet refined dining experience with a warm and friendly staff that define “Midwest Hospitality.”

If you’d like to sample local brews, head to the Big Buck Brewery. Here you’ll feel you’re truly on vacation – the atmosphere is relaxed, the food amazing (great apps for sharing)  and the motto is “Go Big or Go Home.”  

Finally, the Alpine Tavern is a great spot for casual dining, live music, and a fabulous happy hour Monday – Friday from 3-5 p.m.

“Midwestern Hospitality” elevates to the Next Level in Gaylord

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from my trip to Gaylord was the hospitality I felt everywhere I went. When I say the people in Gaylord were nice, I mean… they are genuinely nice people to their core. Many residents are “lifers” and don’t just welcome visitors, they make them feel like family. Take the folks at The Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau – the staff goes above and beyond to promote the area… not because it’s their job, but because appreciating and loving Gaylord is their life. As a visitor, you feel welcome and appreciated in restaurants, shops, theaters, golf courses, and hotels. After a trip to Gaylord, you leave with a bank full of memories, and a town full of new friends. 

With that in mind, I can’t think of a better place to escape the heat yet leave with a warm feeling than Gaylord, Michigan. 

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 Cover photo courtesy The Lodge at Treetops Resort

Abbey Algiers is a freelance writer specializing in golf, travel, Spain, and lifestyle. She writes regularly for the LPGA Women’s Network and has written for GoNOMAD.com, including an account of her trip along the Camino de Santiago – one of GoNOMAD’s “Best of 2022.” Find more about Abbey on her website or in her weekly lifestyle newsletter.