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Getaway to Alpena, Michigan

A port in the storm. It’s what sailors have always searched for when the weather took a turn for the worst. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for in these days of shouting headlines? Our friendly, historic city may be just what the doctor ordered…we’ve turned the volume down and slowed the pace a bit so you can relax, rejuvenate and discover your family all over again. So turn your back to the wind and discover a place as close as a few hours' drive, but as far away as you’ll ever need to be.  

    

Maps

AlpenaEnjoy Alpena 
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Your Haven From the World - Alpena

Your Haven From the World - Alpena
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Nestled between a vast forest and an endless, clear-blue bay is the historic port city of Alpena. Explore 200 shipwrecks in the largest freshwater sanctuary anywhere and count the steps to the top of a lighthouse. 

Photo courtesy of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Thunder Bay Maritime Festival -- July 4th

Thunder Bay Maritime Festival -- July 4th
Celebrate Thunder Bay’s maritime heritage at the 10th annual Thunder Bay Maritime Festival. Enjoy live entertainment, tall ship tours, live scuba and more. Many fun and entertaining events in Alpena this summer—check it out!

Photo courtesy of Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center

Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
The new Exploring the Shipwreck Century exhibit at Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is described as kid-friendly and fun. Outdoors, stroll along the Maritime Heritage Trail to learn more about the region's maritime past.

Photo courtesy of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Have fun on the Lake Huron Shore

Have fun on the Lake Huron Shore
Come play on the our beaches with the crystal blue waters of Lake Huron. Build sandcastles, spend your day playing in the sand, relax, rejuvenate and reconnect in Alpena—your haven away from the everyday.

Photo courtesy of Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Glass Bottom Boat

Glass Bottom Boat
Alpena Shipwreck Tours and Green Planet Extreme Adventures Shipwreck/shallow water tour offers an adventure of Thunder Bay’s Shipwreck Alley. View shipwrecks, scenic shorelines and lighthouses.

Photo courtesy of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Snorkeling North Point Wreck

Snorkeling North Point Wreck
Incredible diving, kayaking and snorkeling in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This photograph shows the fantastic visibility at many of the wreck sites, particularly at the shallow wrecks along North Point in Thunder Bay. 

Photo courtesy of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Great Location

Great Location
Historic Downtown Alpena’s 200 businesses provide old-fashioned service and quality. Blooming gardens, planters adorning lightposts, a farmers market, and music carried on the breeze from Bay View Park greet summer visitors.

Photo credit: Downtown Development Authority
    

Discover Alpena

Attractions 
Walk, roller blade or bike a 16.5 mile path traveling through parks and beaches. Play at adventure golf, go-karts, disk golf, mini-golf and a free Skate and Bike Park. Visit a garden of dinosaur sculptures or a country winery. Deer and other wildlife are often seen by golfers on the area's four courses. Interested in the arts, enjoy live, professional theater, an annual Blues Festival, concerts, performances and events throughout the year. Browse a fine arts gallery showcasing the works of regional artists. Stroll our quaint downtown for one-of-a-kind boutiques and dining options. 

Maritime Heritage 
Hundreds of years of nautical commerce have created a rich landscape of maritime history and culture in the Alpena area. See shipwrecks on a glass-bottom boat or kayak tour, visit the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center with exhibits and programs,  the Besser Museum and seven area lighthouses. Take a walk along the Maritime Heritage Trail or a maritime tour designed to bring the stories of ship captains, sailors and lighthouse keepers to life.

Accommodations
Motels, bed and breakfasts, resorts, cabins and campgrounds offer a wide range of accommodations, amenities and inviting extras. Looking to save a buck or two on travel? We all are! Check out our deals and packages on lodging, golf and more!

Make A Splash 
If you love water, Alpena has plenty to share. Whether it’s scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, canoeing or kayaking- on a guided trip or on your own - you’ll find it here. Adventure can always be found on Lake Huron, the Thunder Bay River or on four of Michigan’s largest inland lakes. Beachcombers, sunbathers and swimmers will find miles of uncrowded beaches to relax and play on.

Events
It seems as though something special is always going on in Alpena. Festivals and events that celebrate Independence Day, art, antique steam engines, log cabins, wooden boats, shipwrecks, classic cars, lighthouses, Santa Claus and a fish called “Big Brownie” are just a smattering of the special events that take place in Alpena year ‘round. Come and see what we do for fun. 

    
 
© 2012 Michigan Economic Development Corporation. 300 N. Washington Sq., Lansing, MI 48913