Alpena – A Sanctuary of Dark Skies

Posted on April 17th, 2023

If we had to pick something off the Alpena bucket list that you should never miss, it would be our dark sky experience! In February 2016, three state parks in the Alpena area received dark sky designation. These sanctuaries are far away from the harsh effects of excessive artificial light pollution…

the northern lights dancing over Alpena MI

Where to Chase the Northern Lights in Alpena, MI

Posted on March 24th, 2023

It’s happening! The Aurora Borealis, a.k.a the Northern Lights, is predicted to make an appearance in the Alpena area and you are scrambling to pack up your gear and get to the best spot, save this for later! The best spots to view the Northern Lights will always be in areas will low levels of ligh…

Road to Chippewa Hills Pathway by Steve Jakubcin

15 Things We Are Thankful For in Alpena, Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on November 23rd, 2022

With Thanksgiving approaching on Thursday, this is the perfect time to reflect on our lives over the past year and be grateful for what we have, what obstacles we have overcome, and for what the future may bring us. This Thanksgiving we wanted to share everything we are grateful for that Alpena has to…

Top Haunted Places and Urban Legends of Alpena

Posted on October 24th, 2022

A bump in the night, a whisper in your ear. Is it your imagination? Perhaps it’s the wind. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s something else. Hauntings, urban legends, and Native American folklore are cultural experiences that can be found all over the world. Alpena is no exception with a rich history that…

10 Must See Lake Huron Beaches in the Alpena Area

Posted on August 19th, 2022

Picture this: the “Big Lake” breeze dancing through your hair while blue waves lap at the golden sand under your feet. The air is warm and unsalted. Alpena is welcoming you! The coastal beaches of Alpena and surrounding areas are little gems. Gems tucked away in this Northeastern corn…

Alpena Shades of Autumn: Where to Find Nature’s Color Palette

Posted on October 19th, 2021

Grab your cameras and check out this list of some of the best places to see the shades of autumn in Alpena, hand-picked by our Facebook fans. Alpena Take a drive down Washington Ave. and as you look into Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, the colors of the trees above are brilliant shades of re…

Winter Forest Bathing. Photo by Paul Gerow.

10 Ideas For Winter Adventure in Alpena

Posted on January 31st, 2020

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are long over. This is the time when the full effects of a true northern Michigan winter start to wash over us, bringing feelings of cabin fever, seasonal depression, and anxiousness for spring. Try out these ideas to kick those feelings to the curb and make your…

A Day in the Life of Leo: Alpena’s Adventure Cat

Posted on July 12th, 2019

Cat lovers rejoice, as hitting the trails has never been more exciting! Thanks to sites like adventurecats.org, and Instagram feline stars Bolt and Keel, a new trend is emerging and active young adults are bringing out their feline companions in cat-packs and harnesses to join them in outdoor adve…

Diver over Albany Shipwreck. Photo by David Ruck.

Don’t Miss Out! Must-See Film Festivals Happening in Alpena

Posted on January 22nd, 2019

This week brings us the 7th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival to Alpena, with over 50 Oceanic and Great Lakes films created by filmmakers from all over the world! Beginning January 23rd, through January 27th. One special film that is near and dear to the heart of Alpena is c…

Autumn Mornings on Blair Street Pier. Photo by Justin Christensen Cooper.

Through the Lens: A 2018 Instagram Recap of Alpena, Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on January 4th, 2019

Do you follow @sanctuary_of_the_great_lakes on Instagram? If not, don’t miss out on another year of Alpena’s best photo-ops! Here is a recap of our fan favorites for the year of 2018: Nothing stopped us from going to the beach…not even the month of January. In February we advent…