Alpena’s Bucket List: The New Year’s Resolution Edition

Posted on December 29th, 2020

The new year is coming and 2020 really did a number on us all, so it is time to be excited (or maybe cautiously optimistic) about 2021! Whether you are a local or a tourist, a bucket list is a great way to explore your own backyard and Michigan treasures. As the official Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, Alpena…

Aerial view of Lady Michigan on Lake Huron.

Through the Lens: Instagram Fans Recap Summer in Alpena

Posted on September 19th, 2018

On Saturday summer will be officially over. We will start to tune into the earthy smells of autumn, the wind, the colors, and the breeze. But, wait! Before we get into “pumpkin spice everything” with our obligatory flannel shirts, let us reminisce on the beautiful warm days of summer Alpena was b…

Through the Lens: Our Instagram Fans Tell the Story of April 2018

Posted on May 4th, 2018

If you are not yet following @sanctuary_of_the_great_lakes on Instagram, you’re missing out! Check out these awesome photos taken by our IG fans during the month of April. They perfectly depict the timeline of events that Mother Nature bestowed upon us. It was a wild ride! We s…

Living Social in Our Sanctuary

Posted on February 20th, 2018

We love getting fun photos of your adventure here in Alpena, such as this one shared by Instagram user @eisenmananna. Just a relaxing day at the beach…in winter…and on ice! Keeping your friends and family up-to-date on your adventures is easy with devices that can be found no further th…

It’s Officially Thunder Bay International Film Festival Week!

Posted on January 25th, 2018

This week brings the 6th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival to Alpena, with over 40 Oceanic and Great Lakes films created by filmmakers from all over the world. One special film that will be featured is “The Big Five Dive“. This 28-minute adventure documenta…

16 Things We Are Thankful For in Our Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on November 22nd, 2017

Exploring your “blue space” adventure is only 5 minutes away in Alpena. Photo courtesy of Paul Gerow. With Thanksgiving approaching this Thursday it is important to remember that there is more to this annual holiday tradition other than stuffing our faces with turkey and cranberry s…

Four-legged Social Media Celebrities Share Alpena Adventures

Posted on September 15th, 2017

The Sanctuary of the Great Lakes is home to many interesting, adventurous souls. You’ve recently met Leo the Hiking Cat and his human companion Josh Stephan. Now, we’d like to introduce you to the most adventurous Siberian Huskies you’ll ever know! Jessica and Jamie Hatch are a…

History Made at 2017 Michigan Brown Trout Festival!

Posted on July 20th, 2017

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Big Brownie caught in Lake Huron during the 43rd Annual Brown Trout Festival! Jan Stepanski holds prize-winning Big Brownie; photo courtesy of Michigan Brown Trout Festival On July 18th, 2017, Jan Stepanski reeled in Big Brownie with teammate Robert Westen…

Alpena Man Takes the Lead in Ending Prohibition

Posted on April 8th, 2016

Prohibition protesters in Detroit in the early 1930’s On April 10, 1933, Michigan became the first state to vote yes on the 21st Amendment in an effort to end prohibition! We led the way to overturning the unpopular 18th Amendment, which banned alcohol in the United States. Michigan’s…

Alpena Wins Host Opportunity for Pure Michigan Social Media Workshop

Posted on April 7th, 2016

Alpena is one of only 5 locations around Michigan to win a host opportunity for a high value Pure Michigan educational workshop open to anyone wishing to improve their social media and digital marketing strategy for the upcoming tourism season. Tourism related, or tourism-dependent businesses a…