Get in the Spirit with “Spirit of the Blues” at Alpena Blues Fest!

Posted on June 10th, 2021

Picture it…Alpena 2021. The soothing tunes of the blues dances in your ears, a Michigan craft cocktail in hand on a warm, sunny day in June. You’re in Downtown Alpena at the Blues Fest! Alpena Blues Festival headliner, Thornetta Davis Since taking the 2020 season off (the year we do no…

Your Summertime Guide to Outdoor Dining in Alpena

Posted on June 3rd, 2021

Summertime….and the living is easy in your Sanctuary of the Great Lakes! Throwback to when Sasquatch himself enjoyed outdoor dining in Alpena for the filming of Major League Fishing. Nothing like relaxing on the patio with some good eats and a cold beverage! Want to skip the effort and mess of…

Aerial view of Rockport by Brandon Patterson

A Complete Guide to Alpena Area Michigan State Parks

Posted on May 27th, 2021

No trip to Alpena is complete until you’ve checked off all three of our Michigan state parks! While all 3 state parks are designated dark sky preserves, each one offers its own unique experiences for hiking, biking, stargazing, and swimming in Lake Huron. In no particular order: Rockport Sta…

Rockport State Recreation Area sinkhole by Joe Gall Photography

8 Reasons to Put Alpena, MI on Your Summer Bucket List

Posted on May 12th, 2021

There are way more than 8 reasons why you should put Alpena, Michigan on your summer bucket list! For the sake of saving precious time, we’ve narrowed it down to 8 adventures that you absolutely MUST see and do during your Alpena vacation. Save this list to your summer 2021 “must-dosR…

The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt

Posted on April 28th, 2021

The Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has partnered up with other CVB’s all across Michigan to bring you The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt! #MIPowerofTravel The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt is on! Keep a close eye out for hidden treasures this upcoming week (May 2nd-8th) when y…

Making Waves with Great Lakes Great Responsibility

Posted on April 20th, 2021

Alpena local and environmental community leader, Meag Schwartz, is making waves for a positive and cleaner future. Meag is the creator and founder of Great Lakes Great Responsibility (GLGR), a non-profit organization whose purpose is to empower and educate individuals to take action to protect…

Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse & Saving Station

Posted on April 13th, 2021

Lighthouses are a major part of Alpena’s history with shipping and logging industries, today for #ThrowbackThursday, the spotlight is on Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse. Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse was built in 1832 on Thunder Bay Island, about ten miles east of Alpena, Michigan. Congre…

Austin Brothers Beer Company Cycle Racing team

Spring is Here, Watch for Cyclists!

Posted on April 9th, 2021

Spring is here and you know what that means? Baby animals, sunnier days, and cyclists! Many motorists on the road are unaware of the laws regarding cyclists and bike lanes. So, with the help of Tommy Dowd from Harborside Cycle & Sport, we’ve compiled a list of important laws and safety prec…

5 Ways to Tell Spring Has Sprung in the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on March 26th, 2021

Spring may have been “official” on March 20th, but a well-seasoned Michigander knows that spring is not really here until mother nature tells us so! Here are 5 ways for you to remember how to tell when spring is “official” here in Alpena… 3 pretty Robin eggs; pho…

Everyone Is Irish On St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted on March 15th, 2021

On March 17th, everyone is Irish! This week we will celebrate the annual tradition of St. Patrick’s Day and our Irish heritage by wearing green, drinking green beer, and eating corned beef and cabbage. But where did this all come from? The traditional Irish St. Patrick’s day feast consisted of p…