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Gaylord

· Gaylord, MI

Why you should go…

Gaylord markets itself as an outdoor playground at the top of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, with forest trails, winding rivers, and more than 90 inland lakes nearby. It's a year-round hub for golf, hiking, and biking in summer and skiing and snowmobiling in winter, with elk-viewing tours in the surrounding forests come fall.

  • #northern michigan
  • #skiing
  • #snowmobiling
  • #golf
  • #elk viewing

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Gaylord, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Petoskey State Park

    Under $25

    A Lake Michigan beach where visitors comb the shoreline for Michigan's official state stone.

    33 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Amon Orchards

    Under $25

    Wagon tours through cherry orchards with u-pick fruit and fresh cherry treats.

    34 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Museums
    Quirky Fun

    Music House Museum

    Under $25

    A collection of antique automated music machines, from player organs to a theater pipe organ.

    35 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Charlevoix

    Free

    A storybook harbor town of mushroom-shaped cottages and a working drawbridge.

    37 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    Under $25

    An 1852 lighthouse at the tip of Leelanau Peninsula, now a maritime museum with a climbable tower.

    46 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Traverse City

    Free

    Northern Michigan's Cherry Capital, wrapped around Grand Traverse Bay with wineries and sandy beaches.

    48 mi awayMore like this