5 Ways to Enjoy a Rainy Day at the Lodge

When the Rain Moves In, Slow Down

Not every vacation day needs sunshine to be special. At Lakemore Lodge, a rainy morning can feel like an unexpected gift. The sound of raindrops on the lake, the sway of tall trees just outside the window. It’s the kind of weather that tells you to pause, breathe, and stay in your slippers just a little longer.

Forget rushing into town. A rainy day permits you to linger. To pour a second cup of coffee, curl up on the couch, and watch the mist roll across Arbutus Lake. And with just a little creativity, this quiet kind of day can become one of your favorite parts of the trip.

Looking for ways to make the most of a cozy, gray-skied afternoon? Here are five simple, stay-in activities perfect for a rainy day at the Lodge.

1. Bring Out the Games

Rainy days and board games go hand in hand. At Lakemore Lodge, you’ll have plenty of room to gather. Whether it’s around the big dining table upstairs or down in the walkout basement.

Guests often come prepared with a few go-to favorites: fast-paced games to make everyone laugh, long strategy rounds for the competitive types, or maybe a giant puzzle that slowly takes shape throughout the day.

The best part? There’s no rush, or screens needed. You only need a little friendly competition, some snacks, and a relaxed pace that lets you reconnect. Play for the win or don’t keep score at all. Sometimes the best memories are made when the power goes to the person holding the snacks, not the highest score.

2. Movie Night, Rain Edition

Rainy days are great for slowing down, and this could include a laid-back movie night. At Lakemore Lodge, there’s plenty of room to spread out and watch something together. Some people take over the great room, others head to the walkout basement.

You can stream shows and movies using YouTube TV or log in to your apps. Or else, you could bring an HDMI cord to plug in a laptop or a second screen. It’s easy to set up a low-key movie marathon without leaving the house.

Grab some blankets, pop some popcorn, and let the sound of rain in the background turn a regular night into something kind of special.

3. Get Creative with a Craft

Rainy days leave a little extra space in the schedule, which can be a great excuse to do something creative. Some guests bring art supplies, while others use what’s readily available: pens, paper, maybe a notebook.

Coloring with kids, doodling a lakeside scene, or even jotting down a few vacation memories can be a fun way to pass the time.

The dining table works well for this, and there’s good light near the windows. No need to finish anything. Sometimes it’s just nice to sit and make something for a bit.

4. Order In and Stay Cozy

If you’re already comfy and the rain’s coming down, heading back out for dinner might not sound so fun. This might be a good time to keep it easy and grab takeout instead.

Peegeo’s Pizza & Pub is only about 12 minutes away. They’ve got solid pizzas, sandwiches, and wings, which are easy crowd-pleasers. Another great option is The Filling Station. It’s a bit farther, maybe 20 minutes, but they do wood-fired flatbreads and craft sodas that are worth picking up.

Bring it back to the Lodge, plate it up, and dig in. Eat around the table or out on the covered porch if it’s not too chilly. Rain in the background, warm food in front of you, something simple and good.

5. Catch Up on a Bookstore Find

If you picked up a book earlier in the trip, now’s the time to open it. Rainy days are excellent for reading, especially somewhere quiet with a view of the lake.

Maybe it’s something new from Brilliant Books, or a secondhand pick from The Bookie Joint. Doesn’t matter. You can find a cozy spot by the window, on the couch, under a blanket, and settle in.

There’s no schedule to keep, but a story you’ve been meaning to read and finally have the time for.

Let the Rain Slow You Down

At Lakemore Lodge, rainy days don’t interrupt the trip; they shape it. They invite you to pause, make space for slower moments, and enjoy the comfort of staying in. Whether you're playing cards around the table, reading by the window, or just listening to the lake settle under the clouds, there’s no rush to do anything more.

Some of the best travel memories don’t come from packed schedules, but from the days that feel like a deep breath.

Ready for a getaway that lets you slow down, rain or shine? View availability and start planning your next cozy escape at Lakemore Lodge.

Person holding a clear umbrella on a rainy day, surrounded by greenery and stone steps—perfect for a quiet-weather escape at Lakemore Lodge.

  • Families often enjoy simple card games, craft time, or a group movie in the main living area or walkout basement. There’s plenty of space to spread out and relax together.

  • While delivery is limited, takeout from nearby spots like Peegeo’s Pizza & Pub and The Filling Station Microbrewery is a great option. Both are within 15–20 minutes of the Lodge.

  • Yes. The Lodge has WiFi and access to YouTube TV, making it easy to stream movies or shows during your stay.

  • Guests often bring crafts, board games, or puzzles for quiet time inside. Cooking, journaling, or just enjoying the view from the porch are also perfect ways to spend a rainy afternoon.

Traverse City for Book Lovers

A Good Book & a Great View

There’s something about a quiet morning on Arbutus Lake that begs for a book in hand. Maybe it’s the soft knock of rain on the windows, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, or the way the trees hold still while you turn each page. It’s the kind of setting that makes slowing down feel easy, and reading feel essential.

For travelers who love the idea of pairing cozy lodge vibes with a stack of good reads, Traverse City is a hidden gem. This lakeside town has a thriving indie bookstore scene, where you can browse for your next story between coffee stops, wine tastings, or waterfront walks.

For book lovers, Traverse City offers the right mix of discovery and downtime. From independent bookstores filled with local gems to peaceful corners at the Lodge perfect for curling up with a novel, it’s a destination that welcomes slow mornings and page-turning afternoons. Whether you're browsing bookstores in Traverse City or settling in for some rainy day lodge activities, this trip is made for readers.

Where to Bookshop in Traverse City

Whether you’re heading downtown for lunch or looking for the perfect rainy-day outing, Traverse City’s independent bookstores are all within a short drive of Lakemore Lodge and well worth exploring. Each shop has its personality, and you could easily visit all three in a single afternoon.

Horizon Books

📍 243 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
🕒 Open daily (typically 9 AM–9 PM; check website for seasonal hours)
🚗 ~15-minute drive from Lakemore Lodge

A beloved downtown landmark since 1961, Horizon Books is a cozy, multi-level bookstore with something for everyone. You'll find new and used titles, a large kids’ section, regional history books, and even a tucked-away café. On gloomy afternoons, the upstairs window seats are ideal for diving into a new story while watching the rain drift over Front Street. It’s easy to spend an hour here and walk out with something unexpected.

Brilliant Books

📍 118 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
🕒 Open daily (generally 10 AM–6 PM)
🚗 ~15-minute drive from Lakemore Lodge

Modern, bright, and exceptionally well-curated, Brilliant Books is known for its selection of literary fiction, nonfiction, and thoughtful staff picks. The shop has a relaxed, gallery-like feel and is a favorite among serious readers. If you’re looking for something new, but not just a bestseller, this is the place to ask for a recommendation. They also offer gift subscriptions and special order services, so you can find just the right title for your mood (or mail one home).

The Bookie Joint

📍 204 N Division St, Traverse City, MI 49684
🕒 Hours vary; check Facebook page or call ahead
🚗 ~15-minute drive from Lakemore Lodge

The Bookie Joint is a used bookstore with rotating stock and plenty of personality. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find a classic you haven’t thought about in years or a paperback you didn’t know you needed. The shelves are full, the prices are great, and the vibe is unapologetically old-school. If you love the scent of old pages and the thrill of a $3 discovery, don’t skip this one.

Local Authors & Lake-Inspired Reads

Some books just belong in Northern Michigan. Whether you're sitting by the water or watching the rain roll in from the porch, these regional authors offer a sense of place that pairs perfectly with the pace of a lodge-side escape.

Jerry Dennis is one of the region’s most celebrated nature writers. His books, including The Living Great Lakes and A Place on the Water, explore the outdoors with clarity, heart, and a deep respect for Michigan’s wild spaces.

Mardi Link brings a different lens to the region, writing true crime and personal memoirs rooted in rural Northern Michigan. Titles like Bootstrapped and When Evil Came to Good Hart add grit and depth to your beach bag.

For something a little more literary, Jim Harrison’s work, often set in Michigan’s remote landscapes, offers poetic storytelling, layered characters, and a profound connection to place. His novella, Legends of the Fall, and novel Dalva are both worthy companions for quiet afternoons.

If you're drawn to the kinds of landscapes these authors explore, quiet woods, lakeshore trails, changing northern skies, you’ll enjoy our post on Spring in Northern Michigan: Trails & Wildflowers. It’s a gentle guide to some of the local nature that makes reading (or writing) here feel so rooted in place.

Reading Nooks at the Lodge

At Lakemore Lodge, reading doesn’t have to be a side activity. With its peaceful setting, natural light, and quiet, spacious interiors, the Lodge is made for slow mornings, page-turning afternoons, and stories that stay with you long after vacation ends.

Some of my favorite reading spots include the window seat overlooking Arbutus Lake, where the soft morning light and the sound of birds set the scene. On cooler or rainy days, the covered porch offers shelter without losing the view—bring a blanket and a hot drink, and the afternoon is yours. Indoors, the great room or basement lounge offers space to spread out with a book, whether you’re reading solo or taking turns with a group favorite.

If you’re looking for rainy day lodge activities that feel restorative rather than rushed, cracking open a book in a quiet corner of the Lodge might be all you need.

Bookstore Finds Make Great Souvenirs

There’s something satisfying about returning home with a book you discovered while traveling. It becomes more than a story; it’s a reminder of where you were when you found it. Whether it’s a signed novel from Brilliant Books or a used classic from The Bookie Joint, a local book makes for a meaningful souvenir.

Guests often leave behind a gently used book for the next reader. It’s a quiet, thoughtful gesture, and a lovely way to keep stories moving. If you’re looking for a practical keepsake, a Michigan field guide or trail journal is both useful and memorable. It might even inspire your next trip.

Turn the Page on Your Next Getaway

You don’t need perfect weather to have a perfect day at Lakemore Lodge. A good book, a quiet view, and time to slow down, that’s what makes a stay here special. Whether you're sitting on the porch with the rain tapping softly around you, or curled up inside while the lake fades into dusk, there's always a spot to settle in and read.

Whether you’re planning a quiet-weather getaway or just dreaming of your next lakeside read, we’d love to have you here.

Browse more Lakemore Lodge stories or check availability to book a stay that’s perfect for readers, rain-lovers, and lake-watchers alike.

  • Horizon Books and Brilliant Books are two must-visit shops in downtown Traverse City. Both carry new releases, regional authors, and offer warm, inviting spaces to browse—perfect for a rainy day.

  • Lakemore Lodge has several inviting reading spots, including lakeside seating, covered porches, and cozy indoor rooms with plenty of natural light.

  • The Lodge is perfect for relaxed afternoons, preparing a meal, enjoying the view, or simply spending time together indoors. For more inspiration, check out our post on spring in Northern Michigan.