Location: Alpena
Top Things to do in Alpena
Top 7 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Alpena, Michigan (MI)
Alpena /ælˈpiːnə/ is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census. The population swells with a large number of visitors in the summer.
Restaurants in Alpena
1. Thunder Bay Theatre
2. Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 128 reviews
The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is a visitor center for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, featuring exciting exhibits for all ages. The exhibit, "Exploring the Shipwreck Century", includes a full-size replica of a wooden Great Lakes schooner and a shipwreck where visitors can walk the decks, feel a Great Lakes storm, and touch the massive timbers of the boat resting on the lake bottom -without getting wet!
Reviewed By AlpenaBill - Alpena, United States
Great place to visit with or without children. Lots of information about Great Lakes history. Very interesting and we will visit often.
3. Thunder Bay Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By moorea1999 - Mason, United States
Spent the afternoon enjoying a flight of delicious Alpena wines in a comfortable and relaxing open air setting. I prefer sweet wines so chose my four wines based on fruits and one solely on the name...Starlite Beach. All were very delicious, and I ended up purchasing the Devil's River which has a wonderful grape taste, something that is surprisingly rare in many of the wines I've tried over the years. If you're interested in food, the winery has a selection of desserts from the bakery across the street, local meats and cheeses, or the option to order in from the neighboring restaurant, The Fresh Palette. In addition to tasting, you can also order and enjoy wine by the glass or bottle. Thunder Bay Winery was a wonderful find!
4. Stoney Acres Winery
5. Besser Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan is an educational institution dedicated to providing the public with enriching cultural experiences in art, history and science. The Museum’s eight-acre campus offers a modern 42,000 square foot facility containing a collection of over 47,000 artifacts. The Museum houses a full dome planetarium and a two-story Foucault pendulum. Besser Museum also offers the unique opportunity to dig and keep all the Devonian period fossils you find in our outdoor Lafarge Fossil Park exhibit. Besser Museum art exhibits rotate through an extensive collection of fine art with works from local, regional, national, and world renowned artists such as Dali, Cezanne, Renoir, Picasso, Warhol, Rivera, Chihuly, Clewell and more!
Reviewed By D4694WYsarahp
We visited while on a drive through Alpena. We weren’t expecting much. A $5 per person hodge-podge of art, history, and a planetarium? Strange. I was so wrong. This place is a gem. Husband and I had a blast here. It is exactly a blend of history, art, and science. We did the planetarium show (an extra $5 per person). This is a must-do. The astronomer in residence is knowledgeable, funny, and candid. We watched the “Michigan Skies” show and learned a tiny bit of what we see every night in our home state. It was fascinating. We spent three hours there!
6. Art In the Loft At Gallery 109
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By biz_travlr007
Ok, it's not really hidden because it's the largest building downtown, but make time to stop in and browse! This is a wonderful shop with local artists and historic charm.
