The Best of Michigan for 2005

Sports & Recreation: UP NORTH

Best hunting store

Jay’s

150 Dale Dr., Gaylord (989) 705-1339

Second place: Cabela’s

110 Cabelas Blvd. E., Dundee (734) 529-4700

Third place: Gander Mountain

43825 W. Oaks Dr., Novi (248) 380-4000

Elizabeth Conley / The Detroit News Readers say the best way to break up a drive to Northern Michigan is with a stop at the Sugar Bowl restaurant in Gaylord.

Best restaurant to stop on your long journey north

Sugar Bowl Restaurant

216 W. Main St., Gaylord

(989) 732-5524

Second place: Schlangs Bavarian Inn

3917 Old US Highway 27 S., Gaylord

(989) 732-9288

Third place: Tony’s I-75 Restaurant

8781 Main St., Birch Run (989) 624-5860

Best fudge shop

Joann’s Fudge

460 Main, Mackinac Island

(906) 847-3707

Second place: Murdicks Fudge Shoppe

209 St. Joseph St., Suttons Bay (231) 271-4445

Third place: Ryba’s Fudge

Cadotte, Mackinac Island (906) 847-6226

Best demolition derby

Cheboygan County Fair

Cheboygan (231) 627-9611

Second place: Onaway Speedway

(989) 733-4644

Third place: Armada Fair

(586) 784-5488

Best county fair

Otsego County Fair

Gaylord (989) 732-0541

Second place: Upper Peninsula State Fair

Excanaba (906) 786-4011

Third place: Cheboygan County Fair

Cheboygan (231) 627-9611

Best deer head bar

The Antler Bar

283 N. Hancock St., Pentwater

(231) 869-2911

Second place: Sportsman Bar & Grill

126 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw (616) 657-5615

Third place: Ma Deeters

2262 Deeter Rd., Luzerne (989) 826-5558

Best restaurant for whitefish

Chippewa Hotel

Mackinac Island (800) 241-3341

Second place: 1852 Grill Room

Mackinac Island (800) 399-0403

Third place: Audie’s Restaurant

314 Nicolet St., Mackinaw City (231) 436-5744

Best ferry to Mackinac Island

Sheppler’s Mackinac

Island Ferry

556 E. Central Ave., Mackinaw City

(231) 436-5025

Second place: Star Line Mackinac Island

587 N. State St., St. Ignace (906) 643-7635

Third place: Arnold Mackinac Island Ferry

220 Huron St., Mackinac Island (906) 847-3351

Best beef jerky

Cabela’s jerky/sticks

110 Cabelas Blvd. E., Dundee (734) 529-4700

Second place: Gustafson’s Smoked Fish

Brevort (906) 292-5424

Third place: Michigan’s Jerky

& Wild Game Connection

11255 Moorfield Dr., Freeland (989) 695-4736

Best antique store

Now & Then

136 Butler St., Saugatuck (616) 857-3036

Second place: Past Tense Antiques

1965 Farnsworth Rd., Lapeer (810) 664-5559

Third place: Etc. Etc.

42 Trimountain Ave., South Range (906) 482-9171

Best favorite island

Mackinac Island

Second place: Drummond Island

Third place: Beaver Island

Best restaurant

Mustang Lounge

8 Astor St., Mackinac Island

(906) 847-9916

Second place: Tapawingo

9502 Lake St., Ellsworth (866) 588-7881

Third place: Pink Pony Bar & Grille

Mackinac Island (866) 847-6575

Mode’s Bum Steer

125 E. State St., Traverse City

(231) 947-9832

Best cozy bed and breakfast

Staffords Bay View

2011 Woodland Ave., Petoskey

(800) 258-1886

Second place: Cottage Inn of Mackinac Island

Market St., Mackinac Island (906) 847-4000

Third place: Springbrook Inn

565 W. West Branch Rd., Prudenville

(989) 366-6347

Best ski resort

Nubs Nob

500 Nubs Nob Rd., Harbor Springs

(800) SKI-NUBS

Second place: Boyne Mountain

1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls

(800) GO-BOYNE

Third place: Treetops Resort

3962 Wilkinson Rd., Treetops Village

(888) TREETOPS

Best secret summer resort

The Homestead

Wood Ridge Rd., Glen Arbor (231) 334-5100

Second place: Great Wolf Lodge

3573 North US 31 S., Traverse City (800) 559-9653

Third place: East Bay LAKEFRONT Lodge

125 - 12th St., Prudenville (989) 366-5910

Best bait to catch the prize-winning fish

Worms

Second place: Minnows

Third place: Peanut butter

Best vineyard

Chateau Chantel

15900 Rue de Vin, Old Mission Peninsula

(231) 223-4110

Second place: Black Star Farms

10844 E. Revold Rd., Suttons Bay

(231) 271-4970

Third place: Leelanau Wine Cellars

12683 E. Tatch Rd., Omena (231) 386-5201

Elizabeth Conley / The Detroit News Albies Pasties in Gaylord, Michigan.

Best pasties

Albies Pasties

Gaylord (877) 725-2437

Second place: Mackinac Pastie Shop

516 S. Huron, Mackinaw City (231) 436-5113

Third place: Dobber’s Pasties

827 N. Lincoln Rd., Escanaba (906) 786-1880

Best sporting good shop

Jay’s

150 Dale Dr., Gaylord (989) 705-1339

Second place: Cabela’s

110 Cabelas Blvd. E., Dundee (734) 529-4700

Third place: Bass Pro Shops

Outdoor World

4500 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills

(248) 209-4200

Best lighthouse

Round Island Lighthouse

Straits of Mackinac

Second place: Whitefish Pointe Lighthouse

Whitefish Bay

Third place: Poe Reef Lighthouse

Cheboygan