Preparing for the Perseids: Alpena’s Dark Skies

Posted on August 10th, 2023

Astrotourism is a growing trend, and with three state dark sky parks nearby, the Alpena area is an ideal destination for enjoying the cosmos. Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson’s Harbor State Park, and Negwegon State Park all have sufficiently low enough levels of light pollution to be desi…

Your Summertime Guide to Outdoor Dining in Alpena

Posted on June 2nd, 2023

Summertime and the living’s easy in your Sanctuary of the Great Lakes! Nothing like relaxing on the patio with some good eats and a cold beverage, right? If you want to skip the effort and mess of cooking at home this summer, here are some great spots for outdoor dining in Alpena: Downtown Alpena…

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…

Michigan Maple Syrup: the Inside Scoop on a Backyard Production

Posted on April 5th, 2023

Michigan is blessed with an abundance of maple trees, and maple syrup is the first farm crop to be harvested in Michigan each year. The process of making maple syrup didn’t begin with pancakes, though. North American Indians used it both as food and as medicine. Early American settlers observ…

10 Tips to Find Your Winter Hygge Lifestyle in Alpena

Posted on February 24th, 2023

Hygge – pronounced “hoo-ga”, is a Danish concept that cannot be translated into a single word but encompasses the overall cozy feeling of contentment and well-being by enjoying the simple things in life. This is especially popular during the winter months when everyone seeks …

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…

A Peek Inside the Posen Potato Festival

Posted on September 7th, 2022

Local Experience Writer Lara King gives readers an inside look at a familiar favorite in Northeast Michigan. Alpena’s neighbor to the Northwest, Posen, has been celebrating the local potato harvest in Northeast Michigan for 68 years. Generations of families have grown up learning how to dance th…

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…

The Beginners Guide to a NEST Trail Snowmobile Adventure

Posted on March 4th, 2022

Snowmobiling the North Eastern State Trail
As we begin the start of a new year, mother nature has brought us a fresh dusting of powder in which to enjoy the outdoors of northeast Michigan. With the ground now covered, it’s time to pull out the sleds and get a first-hand look at the backcountry. One popul…

Let it Snow! 5 Fun Things to Do After a Snowstorm in Alpena

Posted on February 25th, 2022

There are so many things to do after an Alpena snowstorm, like shovel…plow…snow blow…you know, the adult stuff. Set that aside for a couple of hours of care-free fun with these MUCH better ideas, from us to you!

Do you wanna build a snowman? Yes, yes you do! Stick with the traditio

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