Gaylord, Grayling and Cheboygan are all home to charming downtowns with cozy Up North shops and Northern Michigan restaurants. Spend your day skiing or snowshoeing on the local trails and hit any of these towns afterward to warm up with some holiday shopping, merry sips and delicious dishes.
2021 Gaylord Holiday Guide
The Swiss-themed downtown of Michigan’s “Alpine Village” fittingly lies in the state’s snowbelt snowbelt, where an average of 140-plus wonderfully fluffy inches of snow fall each year.
Shop Local in Gaylord
Main Street is a can’t-miss shopping hub with Hogan’s Jewelers, The Rusty Pelican Wine Shop and White Birch Outfitters. On Otsego Avenue, visit Isabella’s Copper Pot for gourmet foods and kitchenware and Old Spud Warehouse for out-of-the-ordinary home décor.
Gaylord’s Merry Sips
Next door to Old Spud is the Bearded Dogg Lounge, an eclectic eatery with an impressive craft cocktail menu, including a cocktail sampler. Sit, stay and sip!
Santa’s Secret Gaylord Gift
Surprise someone with a winter getaway at Treetops Resort. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sledding with an Iditarod pro, a skiable feast—even the Grinch couldn’t resist. Or book a stay at Otsego Resort where families have been making traditions since 1939.
Gaylord’s Winter Wonderland
Tucked just beyond Gaylord’s downtown, 100-acre Aspen Park has a groomed two-mile trail that’s lit for skiing after dark and there are more challenging outer routes for Nordic skiers and snowshoers.
Holiday Events in Gaylord
Visit the MyNorth Events page, the Gaylord Chamber website and gaylordmichigan.net for Santa sightings, tree lightings and more. And find everything you need for a Gaylord outing on our Gaylord, Michigan page.
Ultimate Gaylord Gift Guide
This year’s Gaylord gift guide features Isabella’s Copper Pot, White Birch Outfitters and Old Spud Warehouse. From outdoor clothing and accessories to indoor home decor, these shops have everything you need for the outdoor lover or homebody in your life.
Photo by Dave Weidner
White Birch Outfitters is located at 302 W. Main St. in Gaylord and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This shop carries outdoor lifestyle clothing, local gifts, books and maps- all items for the outdoor lover in your life!
Here are the White Birch Outfitters gifts in our 2021 Gaylord holiday guide:
- Kavu Mini Plaid Rope Bag in Oatmeal, $60.00
- 32 oz Wide Mouth Hydroflask Water Bottle, Color: Alpine, $29.99
- Life is Good Kids Sunny Guitar Long Sleeve Crusher Tee, $19.99
Photo by Dave Weidner
Old Spud Warehouse is located at 314 S. Otsego Ave. in Gaylord and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This shop features new, trendy and out-of-the-ordinary furniture, clothing, home decor, jewelry and much more. This must-stop shop with gifts for all will make holiday shopping easy!
Here are the Old Spud Warehouse featured gifts in this year’s guide:
- Alcoholic Cocktail Gummies, $28.99
- Faygo-Scented Candle, $14.99
- Faygo-Scented Air Freshener, $6.99
- Cannabis Drinks Book, $19.99
- Beer Yoga Game, $12.99
- Beer Snob Book, $9.99
- Crap Taxidermy Book, $12.99
Photo by Dave Weidner
Isabella’s Copper Pot is located at 118 N. Otsego Ave. in Gaylord and is open Monday to Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. This shop carries everything from locally made Michigan goods to kitchen supplies and food.
Here are the items from Isabella’s Copper Pot featured in the 2021 gift guide:
- Lake Michigan Goodwill Supply Co. Candle, $24.99
- Compostable and reuseable ‘Soak it Up’ Dish Cloths, $6.99
- Eco Dryer Balls 3-Pack, $9.99
- Map of Michigan Serving Dish, $29.99
- Michigan Home Pillow, $40
- Set of 2 Window Cleaning Cloths E-Cloths $14.99
Grayling Holiday Guide 2021
This city is a charmer. Our recommendation: Spend a day outdoors at Hanson Hills. Then head downtown to warm up, do a little holiday shopping and grab a bite.
Photo by Traci Cook
Shop Local in Grayling
Tip‘n the Mitten is the spot for Michigan-made gifts; The Curator is a go-to for hard-to-shop-for friends; The Sweet Life has treats, but also lots more, and outdoors lovers rejoice at Northbound Outfitters and Old AuSable Fly Shop.
Merry Brewery in Grayling
Over on Norway Street, Grayling’s century-old ice house is now home to Rolling Oak Brewing Co. Order delivery from a local restaurant, add the peanut butter porter and raise a toast to winter.
Santa’s Secret Grayling Gift
AuSable Artisan Village is an arts destination, featuring works by 30-plus artists—beautiful paintings, sculptures, jewelry and so much more. It’s a must-see and a great spot for one-of-a-kind gifts.
Celebrate Graylings Winter Wonderland
Take your pick from downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing or 35 km of groomed Nordic ski trails at Hanson Hills. Get out there!
Grayling Events this Holiday Season
Visit our MyNorth events page, the Grayling Chamber website and grayling-mi.com for Santa sightings, tree lightings and more. And find everything you need for a Grayling outing on our Grayling town page.
The Ultimate Grayling Gift Guide
This year, our featured Grayling shops in our 2021 holiday gift guide are Tip’n The Mitten, The Curator and Northbound Outfitters. From outdoor gear to Michigan-themed goodies, these three shops will help make your holiday shopping for the entire family a breeze.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Tip’n The Mitten is located at 212 Michigan Ave. in Grayling and is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This shop features Michigan-made goods including beer, wine, cheese, books, gifts and so much more.
Here are the Tip’n The Mitten gifts featured in our 2021 Grayling gift guide:
- Set of 4 Iconic Detroit Coasters, $10 each
- Michigan Beach Rock Resin Serving Dish by Great Lakes Driftwood Art, $50
- Sauce Gus and Grey ‘Sassy Santa’ Cranberry Cinnamon Sauce, 8.99.
- Michigan Shaped License Plate Bottle Opener, $50
Photo by Dave Weidner
The Curator is located at 200 Michigan Ave. in Grayling and is open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. They feature items from artisans around Michigan and the country including natural-based products, lifestyle accessories and gifts for even the hardest friends and family members to shop for this holiday season!
This year we’re featuring these items from The Curator in our 2021 Grayling gift guide:
- Life of the Party Cocktail Dispenser in Paradise Punch, $85
- Drink-Themed Outdoorsy Tea Towel, $12
- Simply Sadie Handmade Bows, $15
- A. Marie Handmade Mini Doll, $15
- A. Marie Overall Pants, Maroon, 0-3 months, $30
- Moxy Copper Baby Shoes, $24
- Coffee & Cream Boss Backpack Diaper Bag, $160
Photo by Dave Weidner
Northbound Outfitters is located at 6041 M-72 in Grayling and is open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This shop features everything you need for your outdoor adventures in Northern Michigan including kayaks, canoes, bikes, cross country skis, and an expansive collection of outdoor gear and accessories.
The Northbound Outfitters gifts featured in our 2021 Grayling gift guide:
- Garmin eTrex 10 Handheld Hiking GPS Navigator, $110
- Hydroflask 8L Lunch Tote, Color: Alpine, $45
- Grand Trunk Trunk Tech Double Hammock, Color: Cabo, $70
- Hydroflask Large Insulated Lunchbox, Color: Sunflower, $52
- Unsalted Coast Crewneck, $54
2021 Cheboygan Holiday Guide
Winter in this quaint city on the shore of Lake Huron brings the promise of thick powder for snow sports and plenty of cozy shops, many just steps away from the Cheboygan River, for warming up.
Photo by Cheboygan Main Street DDA
Shop Local in Cheboygan
On Main Street, bop into Bittersweet for personalized gift baskets and holiday cookies. Two doors down, visit Simply Marcella for pearl jewelry and women’s apparel, Stormy Kromer Cap & Ale House for outdoor gear and a beer, and The Pig ‘N’ Whistle for retro candy stocking stuffers.
Merry Sips from this Cheboygan Brewery
Stop into Cheboygan Brewing Co. to try the Michigan Pilsner, brewed with Michigan hops and only available on draft December–February. Or find the brewery’s flagship Blood Orange Honey on tap at The Queen’s Head Wine Pub, where a cozy, warm fireplace awaits.
Santa’s Secret Gift in Cheboygan
The Creation Station DIY Studio & Right Brain Toys offer paint-your-own pottery and lots of seasonal crafts that make awesome gifts, plus they specialize in creative toys and science and art kits.
Explore Cheboygan’s Winter Wonderland
Black Mountain Recreation Area has more than 30 groomed miles of cross-country ski trails in a beautiful forest setting, with four separate parking lots providing access to loops that best suit your abilities.
Local Northern Michigan Holiday Events
Visit MyNorth.com/Events and cheboygan.com for Santa sightings, tree lightings and more.
Holiday Shopping in Cheboygan
Searching for holiday gifts, shopping destinations and more in Cheboygan? Check out this article: The Costin Effect: 5 Thriving Cheboygan Businesses to Visit.
Give the Gift of Traverse Magazine this Year!
Searching for the gift that keeps on giving? Send an annual, 12-month gift subscription of Traverse Magazine to someone you love for under $25. If you order before November 30 you can receive the January issue. Orders placed after this date will come with a complimentary postcard announcing your gift! And new for 2022? This gift subscription to Traverse includes the coveted MyNorth Weddings, a $6.95 value.
