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…

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

Posted on December 29th, 2021

The new year is coming and it’s time to leave 2021 in the past along with 2020! 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 is particularly full of treasures; you just ne…

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 bless…

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

Keeping your friends and family up-to-date on your adventures is easy with devices that can be found no further than in the palm of your hand. Follow Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes online with these social media apps to prepare for your visit and to keep you connected to our Sanctuary of the Great…

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…

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! On July 18th, 2017, Jan Stepanski reeled in Big Brownie with teammate Robert Westenbarger in the 43rd Annual Brown Trout fishing tournament. This is a first in Brown Trout history, a…

Alpena Man Takes the Lead in Ending Prohibition

Posted on April 8th, 2016

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 governor at the time was Alpena native Governor William A. Com…

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…