Gaylord, MI – The Crossroads Community
Gaylord,located in the geographical center of Michigan,is a planned community. Families and friends come from all over the country to enjoy its thick forests and sparkling waters.
The Alpine theme of the town was adopted in 1930 and is still a distinctive architectural feature. 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. It also has a selection of restaurants serving North cuisine and alternative or international dishes.
The Alpine Tavern serves gourmet pizza,chicken,fish and sandwiches. The Alpine Tavern is a family-friendly restaurant with a wonderful alpine theme. On the menu,you can also find homemade pies and desserts. 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. It is located in downtown Gaylord and has a variety of desserts that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. The restaurant has a casual contemporary ambiance and offers a wide range of food. 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.
Guests can also play at Black Bear,which offers a fun 18 holes for players of all handicaps and is located right off I-75. The course is overlooked but has a fantastic layout. It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery of Northern Michigan while getting some exercise. Founded in 1924,this semi-private club meanders through the hills and hardwoods west of Gaylord. The course is a semi-private club with private club conditions. It also features strategic bunkering,and perhaps the best green complexes in northern Michigan. It is important to be accurate off the tee. 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 has a large area with a sandy beach of more than half a mile and many large sites that are near or in sight of the lake. The majority of the partial and primitive hookup RV and tent sites are large,flat and shady.
The park’s day-use area features a universally accessible swim beach,a fishing pier and picnic areas with grills. A boat launch is also available in the park that is ADA-compliant. The Iron Belle Trail runs through the park and offers biking,walking and snowmobiling opportunities.
The campground is divided into two loops with the North Campground gently rising to overlook the lake while the South Campground sites are lower and closer to the water. The campground also has one of the newer shower buildings in the 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 brings together people who are interested in history,especially the history of Otsego County. It collects any material that helps to establish or illustrate the history of the county and makes it available for examination.
Otsego County’s early history was marked by the lumbering industry. Towns such as Quick and Brown’s Dale were formed around this industry. These communities were wiped out when the logging industry declined.
Railroad transportation also played a role in the county’s development. 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. It opened in a new building on September 24,2004. Hundreds of guests attended the dedication and heard speeches from the master of ceremonies,Craig Sisson,the president of the Historical Society,Kevin Feuka of Capital Consultants Engineers and others.