Are you looking forward to taking a new trip across the country? You should visit Gull Lake in Minnesota! Many – including us – love this spot for all the recreational activities you can do there. That, of course, setting aside the beautiful views it has.
We don’t want you to visit this place blindfolded, so we did this review for you to decide if it’s a good idea to go to Gull Lake, Nisswa. Below, you will learn about the restaurants, resorts, and recreational opportunities in the area.
Why Do People Go to Gull Lake?
With all the lakes and rivers in the U.S., you may wonder why people choose this option over others. There are actually many reasons for that. The first is all the things you can do there.
Generally speaking, the size of the lake and its clean water allow you to play watersports, such as jet skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. It’s a great place for sailing and fishing as well.
Gull Lake has sandy beaches, so you can go swimming with your family. Setting recreational activities aside, the scenic beauty makes it the ideal place for relaxing and connecting with nature.
This lake is often the venue for weddings, holiday celebrations, and other private reunions. Unlike other alternatives, Gull has themed activities in winter.
What Are the Best Gull Lake, MN, Restaurants?
If you are going to spend all day enjoying everything Gull Lake, Minnesota, has to offer, you need a reliable place to eat nearby. Fortunately, there are many of them, and we tried the best ones.
You don’t have to worry if you are a picky eater. We assure you there’s something for you in the area. These were our favorite picks:
Zorbaz
A must attend if you are day drinking or staying up late night! Zorbaz is a sprawling indoor and outdoor bar featuring a dance floor, games of skill like Hammerschlagen, and amazing food! The menu is heavily influenced on pizza and Mexican fare, but do know, that they do not use the letter “S” on the menu, instead they use “Z” in it’s place.
- Location: 801 Lost Lake Road, Lakeshore, MN 56468
- Contact: (218) 963-4790
Rafferty’s Pizza Nisswa
Rafferty’s Pizza Nisswa is a must when you go to Gull Lake. The first thing we will say about this place is that it’s vegetarian-friendly and has vegan options as well.
We loved the passion and detail the chef puts into preparing the pizzas here, from the crunchiness of the crust to the flavor of each ingredient. We recommend Rafferty’s Finest and the breadsticks the restaurant offers.
- Location: 25457 Main St Nisswa, MN 56468
- Contact: (218) 963-3023
The Iron Waffle
If you ask us, The Iron Waffle is one of the coziest restaurants in Minnesota. It’s perfect for breakfasts and brunches.
As its name suggests, this restaurant focuses on waffles. It has a wide variety of dishes, including sweet and savory options.
We tried the Full Monte waffle, and it has been our only pick ever since. Whether you choose indoor or outdoor seating, the ambiance is calm and comfortable.
- Location: 8785 Interlachen Rd, Lake Shore, MN 56468-8701
- Contact: +1 218-963-6317
Black Bear Lodge and Saloon
If you are looking for a log bar in Minnesota, you just found it. Black Bear Lodge and Saloon has a wide variety of dishes that range from lunch to dinner options. We often go at night, though.
The Shrimp Burger from this place is outstanding. If you don’t like how that sounds, try the Double Double Bacon alternative.
People say it’s also a great place to have some beers, hang out with your friends, and catch a game.
- Location: 14819 Edgewood Dr, Baxter, MN 56425-8455
- Contact: +1 218-828-8400
About Gull Lake Resorts
The best way to enjoy the full Gull Lake experience is to find a decent place to stay. Business owners around the place understand that, so there are many options available.
These are the Gull Lake Resorts in Minnesota:
Madden’s on Gull Lake
We will start with Madden’s on Gull Lake. Golf lovers will love this resort. It has four different golf courses available.
The resort also offers a spa, on-site dining options, and pools. Apart from golf, you can play tennis, croquet, and even watersports.
Madden’s on Gull Lake has free parking and Wi-Fi. If you don’t want to stop working out, you can hit the gym the resort has. As for the features each room offers, they have housekeeping, a tea/coffee maker, a flatscreen TV, and a refrigerator.
- Location: 11266 Pine Beach Peninsula Rd, East Gull Lake, MN 56401-2080
- Contact: 218-829-2811
Quarterdeck Resort
Do you want to live a luxurious experience while you visit Gull Lake? Then, you will love Quarterdeck. The owners of this place have stated that they want to make it one of the best boutique resorts in the area, and they have achieved that.
The resort has several suites with fireplaces, flatscreen TVs, and king beds. You will also love the indoor dining room there. Something important about the amenities Quarterdeck offers is that children stay free, which is a huge advantage over its competitors. Pets are allowed as well.
- Location: 9820 Birch Bay Dr. SW Cty. Rd. 77, Nisswa, MN 56468-2041
- Contact: 1-902-683-2998
Gull Lake Resort
Now, let’s talk about the Gull Lake Resort. The main advantage of this option is that it’s the closest to the actual lake. You can stay in a room or go camping across the 3,000 feet of lakeshore.
Most visitors have stated that this resort offers a charming and romantic atmosphere, and we can certify that. Here, you can engage in several activities, such as boating, fishing, tennis, or golfing.
- Location: 1304 Gull Lake Ln, East Gull Lake, MN 56401-3064
- Contact: (218) 829-1344
Recreational Activities in Gull Lake, Nisswa
As we mentioned before, there are many recreational activities to try in Gull Lake, Nisswa. They are what make this place so charming and the perfect spot for family vacations.
These were our favorite activities in Gull Lake:
Fishing
You will find a wide array of fish species here. We had the opportunity to catch walleye, northern pike, bluegill, sunfish, and crappie. There are many others, though.
Visitors can go open-water fishing during the summer or try ice fishing in winter. There are even tournaments here.
If you are interested in competing, you can sign up for the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza Tournament in January. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to fish, as there are local guides eager to help visitors out.
Boating and Water Sports
The scenic beauty of the lake makes it the perfect place for boating. You can rent speed and fishing boats nearby.
As for watersports, you can try wakeboarding, waterskiing, jet skiing, and tubing. Besides that, many visitors use the mornings for paddleboarding and kayaking.
Natural Exploration
People often visit Gull Lake to hike or explore the nature in the area. The Paul Bunyan Trail allows biking and inline skating as well. If you go in the winter, you can practice snowmobiling.
Nevertheless, what really caught our attention was the forests around the lake. If you like wildlife observation and photography, you will love them.
Golfing
Golfing is a highly popular activity in Gulf Lake, Minnesota. If you haven’t learned how to play, this is the perfect opportunity to do it. There are many excellent courses in the area, and they are affiliated with local resorts. These are the most important ones:
- Madden’s Classic Course
- Cragun’s Legacy Courses
- The Pines at Grand View Lodge
Final Thoughts
Gull Lake is more than just a lake. It’s all the things you can do around it. We are talking about the winter activities, restaurants, resorts, hiking trails, and golf courses. This place gives you an all-in-one vacation experience.
We really enjoyed our stay when we visited Gull Lake, Nisswa, and we would definitely go again. Are you interested in what this place has to offer? Make sure to check out the restaurants and resorts we mentioned here.
Do you want to visit other tourist spots in the country? Check out our website! We have several reviews like this one there.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
