1. Sinkholes
A region of dense karst topography lends itself to these “sunken
Leer Rd, near Posen. Rockport State Park also has trails leading to
several sinkholes. Use caution, and stay away from the edges.
2. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Glass Bottom Boat Tours & Great Lakes
Maritime Heritage Center
Explore the shipwrecks of Thunder Bay without getting wet from
aboard the Lady Michigan, Alpena’s glass bottom boat. Make sure
to tour The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The museum
features hands-on exhibits, and interprets the region’s rich maritime
history.
3. Besser Museum
Home of Alpena’s cultural past and present. Learn Alpena’s story
and more.
4. Fossil Hunting
The Great Lakes are a gift from prehistoric glacier movement,
and treasures have been left behind throughout the area. Hunt
for fossils dating back 400+ million years to the Devonian Period.
Rockport State Recreation Area includes an abandoned limestone
quarry, where visitors are allowed to take up to 25 pounds of fossils
home with them per year for personal use.
5. Lighthouses
Northeast Michigan is home to seven spectacular lighthouses that
helped guide ships to safe harbors in the early days of our nation’s
formation. The collection includes the tallest accessible lighthouse
on the Great Lakes and the oldest accessible lighthouse on the
Great Lakes. Most lighthouses are open mid-May through mid-
October.
6. Winter Sports
Michigan is draped in beauty when the winter months come calling.
Alpena is a popular location for winter sports such as snowshoeing,
than 100 miles of groomed trails and more than 43,000 acres of
who love to bundle up and head out into the refreshing outdoors.
7. Movies / Music in the Park
family and friends at Summer Movies by the Bay and Concerts in
the Park. Located near the boat harbor, at the Alpena Band Shell.
8. Art Galleries
Alpena is home to several art galleries, all being unique and located
galleries and displays by talented local artists. Don’t forget to check
out the art murals sprinkled on buildings throughout the community.
9. Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary
Paddle the 500-acre Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary or hike the trails on
Island Park. Don’t forget your binoculars, it’s a great place to bird
watch.
10. Theater
Catch a live performance at either of Alpena’s two live theaters,
comedies, and dramatic productions. The State Theater downtown
shows popular movies, and the B Royal Movie Theater, located
next to Bob’s Bullpen comic shop, is a favorite location to catch cult
classics.
11. Dinosaur Gardens
Wander through a pre-historic forest with more than 26 dinosaur
statues at Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo in Ossineke. Don’t
leave without climbing into the belly of a brontosaurus or taking in
a round of mini-golf.
Above Left: Violet at Dinosaur Gardens, Courtesy Claire LaFleur
Above Right: Nikki Gentile yoga in winter at Rockport, Courtesy Troy Rondeau Background: Sailing, courtesy Chuck Ingle
Right: Peter Pan, courtesy Thunder Bay Theatre
10 Sanctuary of the Great Lakes Far Right: Hiking Island Park, courtesy Joanne Gallagher