Gaylord, Michigan travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Gaylord is a small city of 3,700 people (2019) in Northern Michigan. Gaylord styles itself as an "alpine village" and the city center features many buildings with Tyrolean traverse style motifs. Receiving abundant snowfall and experiencing mild summer temperatures, the area around Gaylord has long been known for its many skiing and golf resorts, one of the largest such concentrations in the Midwest. It is the seat of Otsego county.

1 sights · 3 things to do · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Gaylord

St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral

A small Catholic cathedral.

Alpenfest

Alpenfest encourages participants to dress in traditional Swiss fashions. Carnival rides and games, music, shops, and a local 'Queen's Pageant'. A parade takes place on the final day.

Otsego Lake State Park

Gaylord Cinema West

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Traverse City)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
PLN Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County Airport, Pellston — 38 mi away. Directions
TVC Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City — 49 mi away. Directions
GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 154 mi away (major hub). Directions

Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and East Lansing, Michigan.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Alpenfest
Afternoon Gaylord Cinema West, Otsego Lake State Park
Evening Snowbelt Brewing Co.

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

By bicycle

Go North Central State Trail

Bike trail.

⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

By private plane

Go Gaylord Regional Airport (GLR)

A general aviation airport.

⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

By car

I-75 passes to the west of the city and connects with the Mackinac Bridge to the north and Saginaw and Detroit to the south
BL I-75 is a loop route that runs through Gaylord then returns to I-75.

By bus

Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and East Lansing, Michigan.

See

See St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral

A small Catholic cathedral.

⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps

Do

Do Gaylord Cinema West

☎ +1-989-731-9766⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Do Alpenfest

Alpenfest encourages participants to dress in traditional Swiss fashions. Carnival rides and games, music, shops, and a local 'Queen's Pageant'. A parade takes place on the final day.

🕒 Annually during the 3rd week of July⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps

Do Otsego Lake State Park

southern outskirts of the county⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps

Much of the old rail system has been converted to trails for biking or snowmobile riding. The North Central State Trail north to Mackinaw City is a Rails to trails converted remnant of a spur line of the Michigan Central Railroad that used to serve Gaylord.[21]

Fall colors and snowshoeing are highlights in several of the local parks.

Cross-country skiing is an important tourist activity near Gaylord. With two of the top-rated cross country venues in Michigan, namely Hartwick Pines State Park Trails and Mason Tract Pathway nearby. Forbush corners in nearby Frederic, Michigan is a world-recognized center for education and training in cross -ountry skiing, and benefits from early and late snow due to a 'snow belt micro climate.'
Downhill skiing and snowboarding: There are several resorts in the area.
Water skiing, wakeboarding, and jetskiing are available on Otsego Lake.