Dustin's Guidebook
Pool, volleyball, and park
Warbler's Hideaway Associates
2704 Lovells RdSightseeing
Hartwick Pines State Park
3612 State Park DrThe Grayling Fish Hatchery is an historic site and current fishing spot for kids (and adults). This hatchery was a DNR site that serviced the area fish stocking needs. Now no longer used for stocking, it is an educational site ran by a local angler's association. You can buy (or catch) your rainbow trout and they'll clean and bag it for you.
The hatchery also has a pond on site filled with rock bass, blue gill, turtles and all sorts of warm water species. The pond is designated as a kids' fishing spot. They have free fishing poles to borrow and use and worms can be purchased for $1. This is the best place in the area to take young children.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Grayling Fish Hatchery
4890 W North Down River RdThe Grayling Fish Hatchery is an historic site and current fishing spot for kids (and adults). This hatchery was a DNR site that serviced the area fish stocking needs. Now no longer used for stocking, it is an educational site ran by a local angler's association. You can buy (or catch) your rainbow trout and they'll clean and bag it for you.
The hatchery also has a pond on site filled with rock bass, blue gill, turtles and all sorts of warm water species. The pond is designated as a kids' fishing spot. They have free fishing poles to borrow and use and worms can be purchased for $1. This is the best place in the area to take young children.
Fly Shop
Josh and his staff at the Gates Fly Shop are some of the most helpful guys on the Au Sable mainstream. They're extremely used to helping novice fly fisherman but are the go to shop for many pros. This is the place to rent gear! You can rent a rod/reel, and/or wadders and boots. Swing by to get up to the hour latest on what's hatching and what/how to fish the river system.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Gates Au Sable Lodge
471 S Stephan Bridge RdJosh and his staff at the Gates Fly Shop are some of the most helpful guys on the Au Sable mainstream. They're extremely used to helping novice fly fisherman but are the go to shop for many pros. This is the place to rent gear! You can rent a rod/reel, and/or wadders and boots. Swing by to get up to the hour latest on what's hatching and what/how to fish the river system.
The NBO is an historic Fly Fishing lodge and shop. Henry Ford, the Dodge Brothers and Edison were all guests of this lodge in their day. Stepping into the shop feels like stepping back in time, except with all the latest Orvis gear on sale. It is an Orvis retailer. They are very knowledgeable about the North Branch and can provide you with a great river report and recommend fishing locations. The river right in front of the shop is a phenomenal place to fish. You can park at the shop and access the river from there.
North Branch Outing Club
6122 E Co Rd 612The NBO is an historic Fly Fishing lodge and shop. Henry Ford, the Dodge Brothers and Edison were all guests of this lodge in their day. Stepping into the shop feels like stepping back in time, except with all the latest Orvis gear on sale. It is an Orvis retailer. They are very knowledgeable about the North Branch and can provide you with a great river report and recommend fishing locations. The river right in front of the shop is a phenomenal place to fish. You can park at the shop and access the river from there.
Food scene
Ray's is our favorite restaurant in town. Great BBQ served by the riverside.
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Ray's - BBQ, Brews & Blues
204 Ingham StRay's is our favorite restaurant in town. Great BBQ served by the riverside.
The food truck permenantly at Northbound Outfitter is a great place for street food. Great tacos and pulled pork.
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Northbound Outfitters
6041 M-72The food truck permenantly at Northbound Outfitter is a great place for street food. Great tacos and pulled pork.
Paddle Hard Brewing is a great place be to grab lunch or dinner. Its known for its craft beer but serves great artisan flatbread pizzas and paninis.
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Paddle Hard Brewing
227 Michigan AvePaddle Hard Brewing is a great place be to grab lunch or dinner. Its known for its craft beer but serves great artisan flatbread pizzas and paninis.
Although its known for its lodge and fly shop, the restaurant at Gate's is wonderful. Reservations recommended for evenings but there is lots of outdoor seating by the river and a walk up window for sandwiches. Dinners are well done. They have a phenominal chef.
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Gates Au Sable Lodge
471 S Stephan Bridge RdAlthough its known for its lodge and fly shop, the restaurant at Gate's is wonderful. Reservations recommended for evenings but there is lots of outdoor seating by the river and a walk up window for sandwiches. Dinners are well done. They have a phenominal chef.
Great breakfast spot. Local favorite. All of their bread is home made daily. Worth the drive up to Lewiston for brunch.
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Villager Restaurant
2935 Jensen StGreat breakfast spot. Local favorite. All of their bread is home made daily. Worth the drive up to Lewiston for brunch.
Groceries and shopping
Here are our top places to shop at
This is a close little grocery for the basic needs. They also have pizza and hand dipped ice cream. The family that owns/runs the shop are great folks.
Kelloggs Bridge Grocery
9439 E North Down River RdThis is a close little grocery for the basic needs. They also have pizza and hand dipped ice cream. The family that owns/runs the shop are great folks.
All things Michigan. Great spot for souvenirs and gifts as well as local dairy, drinks and Ashby’s Ice Cream.
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Tip'n the Mitten
212 Michigan AveAll things Michigan. Great spot for souvenirs and gifts as well as local dairy, drinks and Ashby’s Ice Cream.
Northbound Outfitters is Grayling’s own little REI type store. There is a bike shop in it as well as a ski shop in the winter. Large selection of Kayaks and all the gear. This is also a great spot to park at for the Grayling Bike Turnpike.
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Northbound Outfitters
6041 M-72Northbound Outfitters is Grayling’s own little REI type store. There is a bike shop in it as well as a ski shop in the winter. Large selection of Kayaks and all the gear. This is also a great spot to park at for the Grayling Bike Turnpike.
Family Fare Supermarket
2470 I-75BLSkiing
A must visit for cross country skiers or those looking to try it out for the first time. Great ski rentals for all ages ($14-16) and wonderful shop with knowledgeable staff.
They also rent pull behind sleds to take little ones with. Our kids have loved skiing here with us since they were barely walking.
The cafe/lodge has great food and the trappers cabin in the center of the trail network sells hot drinks on weekends.
Our #1 choice for cross country skiing.
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Cross Country Ski Headquarters
9435 N Cut RdA must visit for cross country skiers or those looking to try it out for the first time. Great ski rentals for all ages ($14-16) and wonderful shop with knowledgeable staff.
They also rent pull behind sleds to take little ones with. Our kids have loved skiing here with us since they were barely walking.
The cafe/lodge has great food and the trappers cabin in the center of the trail network sells hot drinks on weekends.
Our #1 choice for cross country skiing.
Hartwick Pines State Park
3612 State Park DrHartwick has groomed cross country trails.
Henson Hills has groomed cross country ski trails and rentals. They do not have the pull behind sleds for children.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Hanson Hills Recreation Area
7601 Old Lake RdHenson Hills has groomed cross country ski trails and rentals. They do not have the pull behind sleds for children.
Treetops Resort
3962 Wilkinson RdThree tops of the closest downhill ski resort 
Kayak, Canoes, and Tubes
Bear Paw Canoe and Kayaks are close to our place. They are a part of Kellogg's Grocery store right at the Kellogg's Bridge on the North Branch. Note that most of their renal options are for the Main Stream of the Au Sable river (not the North Branch). We've had some great reviews from previous guests.
Bear Paw Canoes at Kelloggs Bridge Grocery
9439 East North Down River RoadBear Paw Canoe and Kayaks are close to our place. They are a part of Kellogg's Grocery store right at the Kellogg's Bridge on the North Branch. Note that most of their renal options are for the Main Stream of the Au Sable river (not the North Branch). We've had some great reviews from previous guests.
Penrod's is the largest and most well known Canoe and Kayak livery in Grayling. I've used them multiple times and never been disappointed. Their equipment is great. All trips begin at their shop in Grayling and you choose where you wish to take out. You commit to being to the takeout at an agreed upon time.
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Penrod's AuSable Canoe and Kayak
100 Maple StPenrod's is the largest and most well known Canoe and Kayak livery in Grayling. I've used them multiple times and never been disappointed. Their equipment is great. All trips begin at their shop in Grayling and you choose where you wish to take out. You commit to being to the takeout at an agreed upon time.
Jim's Canoe Livery is located at Wakeley Bridge on the Main Stream of the Au Sable River. Trips begin anywhere upstream and end at their place. The great thing about this is that you are not committed to being at your takeout at a specific time.
Jim's Canoe Livery
1706 S Wakeley Bridge RdJim's Canoe Livery is located at Wakeley Bridge on the Main Stream of the Au Sable River. Trips begin anywhere upstream and end at their place. The great thing about this is that you are not committed to being at your takeout at a specific time.