Things To Do

A Northern Michigan Weekend

Northern Michigan in June is everything the start of summer should be: long lake days, slow mornings, and golden sunsets. If you have some free time or are turning the weekend into a getaway, here is our guide to our favorite spots around Gaylord and beyond.

Traverse City Getaway

Guests coming through Cherry Capital Airport may want to turn the weekend into a mini getaway in beautiful Traverse City! Walk downtown along Front Street, visit wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula, swim in Grand Traverse Bay, or catch a stunning sunset over the water. Traverse City has the perfect mix of relaxed + refined. Monica and Scott visited last June and had a great time eating every cherry-flavored treat in sight, all the samples at American Spoon, catching views from the rooftop at Hotel Indigo, and grabbing a hard cider flight at Taproot Cider House. Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: ~60 miles (about a 1 hour 15 minute drive west)

Road Trip Pit Stops (South to North)

Birch Run, MI (~2 hrs south of Gaylord) Tony’s I-75 Restaurant: A classic highway diner famous for giant portions, huge sundaes, and their iconic 1-lb bacon BLT. Frankenmuth, MI (~2 hrs south of Gaylord) Little Bavaria & Bronner’s: Great for a longer lunch stop to enjoy family-style chicken at Bavarian Inn and tour Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland (the world's largest Christmas store). Pinconning, MI (~1 hr 15 mins south of Gaylord) Sporty's Wing Shack (A Monica & Scott Pick!): We stopped here on our way home from Traverse City and loved it! Amazing wings, smoked BBQ, and casual tavern vibes. Grab some local cheddar at the Pinconning Cheese Store nearby before getting back on I-75. Grayling, MI (~20 mins south of Gaylord) Hartwick Pines & Local Brews: Walk off the drive beneath 400-year-old virgin pines on a paved trail, or grab a quick craft beer at Paddle Hard Brewing right before reaching town.

Lake Time

Dixon Lake — On-Site at Sojourn Lakeside Resort All of our wedding guests are welcome to enjoy Dixon Lake throughout the weekend! Please check the Events. Otsego Lake — Located just minutes from downtown Gaylord and nearby hotels. Rent kayaks, paddleboards, or a pontoon, pack a picnic at Otsego Lake State Park, and catch sunset over the water. Distance from Gaylord: ~5 miles (~8-minute drive) Torch Lake —Famous for crystal-clear, turquoise water that looks straight out of the Caribbean. Spend the day floating near the sandbars, cruising on a pontoon, or wading along shallow white-sand shores. Distance from Gaylord: ~35 miles (~45-minute drive west) Petoskey State Park — Features a mile of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, rolling sand dunes, and clear water. It's one of the premier spots in the region for swimming, beachcombing, and hunting for fossilized Petoskey stones. Distance from Gaylord: ~37 miles (~45-minute drive northwest)

Downtown Gaylord Food Recommendations

Just 5–7 minutes from local hotels and the venue: Brennan’s Up North: Great morning spot for artisan coffee, craft espresso, and fresh breakfast pastries. Rise and Dine: Classic, cozy diner serving hearty breakfasts and fluffy pancakes. Snowbelt Brewing Co.: Small-batch Michigan craft beers, ciders, and gourmet flatbreads right on Main Street. Big Buck Brewery: Northern Michigan staple known for massive rustic lodge vibes, local brews, and smoked BBQ. Karma Taproom: Lively downtown spot with dozens of Michigan craft beers on tap and patio seating. Alpine Chocolat Haus: Hand-dipped chocolates, homemade fudge, ice cream, and famous chocolate-covered potato chips.

The Landing Zone Bowling

Gaylord’s local bowling center with lanes, pool tables, arcade games, and a full-service bar and grill. If the weather happens to not go as planned, we can almost guarantee we’ll be taking a trip here!

Gaylord City Elk Park Viewing Area

Just minutes away near downtown Gaylord, this viewing area offers an up-close look at the city's resident herd of Rocky Mountain elk. It’s a great, free, 15-minute stop on your way into town! Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: ~3.5 miles (about a 6-minute drive)

Sturgeon River Paddlesports

Float down Michigan’s fastest-flowing river on a tube, raft, or kayak. They provide rentals and shuttle service for an easy, fun afternoon on the water. Distance: ~20 miles north of Gaylord (~20 minutes)

Golf in Gaylord

Gaylord has dozens of world-class courses within minutes of our venue! If you are traveling with your clubs, consider visiting nearby favorites! Tee times fill up quickly in the summer, so be sure to reserve yours in advance!

Otsego Resort

Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: ~5 miles (about a 10-minute drive)

Michaywé Pines Golf Course

Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: ~5.5 miles (about an 8–10 minute drive south)

Loon Golf Resort

Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: ~4.5 miles (about an 8-minute drive)

Treetops Resort

Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort is 8 miles (about a 12–15 minute drive)

Outside of Gaylord Adventures

Ocqueoc Falls

A true Blair family classic! Monica grew up coming here and still loves jumping off the waterfall. Located under an hour away, it's the only named waterfall in the Lower Peninsula, featuring limestone rapids, shallow wading areas, and scenic trails. What to Bring: A picnic blanket, cooler, towels, bug spray and water shoes. Don't forget some warm layers—even if the June sun is out, the water is sure to wake you up! Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: ~48 miles (about a 50-minute drive)

Headlands International Dark Sky Park

One of the premier designated Dark Sky Parks in the country, it sits right along the shoreline of Lake Michigan with zero light pollution—giving you spectacular, crystal-clear views of the Milky Way, constellations, and occasionally even the Northern Lights! Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: ~60 miles about a 1-hour drive straight north on I-75 / US-31.

Explore Mackinaw City & Mackinac Island

One of Michigan's top destinations is just an hour away! Mackinaw City: Check out the views of the iconic Mackinac Bridge, explore the historic Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, or stroll through Mackinaw Crossings. Mackinac Island: One of Monica's favorite places! Take a quick ferry across the Straits of Mackinac into a historic, motor-free oasis. Rent bikes for the iconic 8.2-mile loop along Lake Huron (M-185), take a carriage tour, and don't forget to bring home some world-famous fudge, Joanns is the best! Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: ~60 miles about a 1-hour drive to Mackinaw City!

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Experience one of the nation’s most stunning natural wonders on a day trip to Lake Michigan’s western shore. Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: 85 miles about 1 hour and 45 minutes drive.

Tahquamenon Falls & Pictured Rocks

If you’re extending your stay into a full Northern Michigan road trip, take a drive across the iconic Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula! Two of Michigan’s crown jewels make for an unforgettable adventure: Tahquamenon Falls State Park: Home to the famous "Root Beer Falls"—the Upper Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, spanning 200 feet across with a dramatic 50-foot drop. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Marvel at towering, multicolored sandstone cliffs, sea caves, and turquoise Lake Superior waters. We highly recommend booking a boat cruise out of Munising or renting kayaks for the best views. Distance from Sojourn Lakeside Resort: > * Tahquamenon Falls: ~125 miles (~2 hours north) Pictured Rocks (Munising): ~175 miles (~3 hours northwest) Make a day loop out of it by visiting Tahquamenon Falls first, then heading west along Lake Superior to Munising!