Location: Alpena
Top Things to do in Alpena
What to do and see in Alpena, Michigan (MI): The Best Things to do Good for Kids
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. Island Park & Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By D4694WYsarahp
Beautiful! We loved the BoyScouts created info plaques along the trail. Short hike, less than a mile.
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 National Marine Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a 4,300 square-mile marine protected area dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes and their rich history. The cold, fresh water of Lake Huron has preserved a nationally significant collection of nearly 200 historic shipwrecks in and around the sanctuary. Dive in and begin your sanctuary exploration at the visitor center - the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Michigan - or visit the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail, a network of unique outdoor experiences along the sanctuary’s coastline. Experience the individual shipwrecks of Thunder Bay through recreational diving, snorkeling, and paddling at many of the shipwreck sites. Thunder Bay also provides an opportunity for anglers to target many fish species. Commonly caught fish in this area include walleye, bass, northern pike, yellow perch, trout, salmon, and whitefish. Come learn about the rich history of the Great Lakes region at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary!
4. Alpena Shipwreck Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Explore the shipwrecks of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The crystal clear waters and our large ‘glass bottom’ viewing wells allow you to dive the wrecks – without getting wet. During our 2 hour cruise you will experience the magnificently preserved shipwrecks and the scenic shorelines of Thunder Bay. Learn the exciting tales of many famous ships and the history, legends and lore of Lake Huron.
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. Alpena Bi-Path
7. Mich-e-ke-wis Park
8. Starlite Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Travelinklan - Frankenmuth, United States
We bought ice cream from the Dairy Queen and went back to the beach to eat our ice cream and enjoy the view. Always a well-kept beach with plenty of room to spread out. Because we visited in September, only a few people were there. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the beach and spectacular view.
9. Rockport State Park
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