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Experience the rich history of the Great Lakes by exploring the exhibits at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Feel the power of a Lake Huron storm while you walk the deck of a life-size schooner or "swim" over a shipwreck in the dive tubes! With over 10,000 square feet of exhibit space there is something for everyone, including families, tour groups, and students. The visitor center, open all year, is located in historic downtown Alpena along the Thunder Bay River. Admission is free of charge. Glass-bottom boat tours ticketing inside visitor center.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Bottomland Preserve map
Chris M | September 2026
Informative and fun
Nice, informative museum about the great lakes. Admission is free. Takes 1-2 hours to see the entire museum.
ScubaDave16 | August 2025
an interesting place for anyone interested in shipwrecks
I have been a shipwreck diver for over 40 years, but have not dived any of the wrecks around Thunder bay. This museum is an interesting way to showcase the shipwrecks and how and why the preserve...
AdicaArethusa | September 2024
Fun and Free
My daughter (5) had a lot of fun here. She kept wanting to go back on the ship on the main floor. The gift shop is reasonably priced. I got a nice lined rain coat, and my husband got a hoodie.
707LISAA707 | November 2023
Rainy day visit
My husband and I took a drive to Alpena and made a stop here. Very clean and well laid out, it was a very nice museum. It is donation based so be sure to leave a little something. It was a rainy day...
Jacky S | June 2023
Small but we'll done
Great video presentation. Saw live Lampreys and heard how this introduced species affects local fish. Museum is interesting, especially the wreck.
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