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…

Dinosaur Gardens: America’s Last Great Roadside Attraction

Posted on September 1st, 2022

Dinosaur Gardens: Over 80 Years as One of America’s Favorite Roadside Attractions What is considered one of America’s last great roadside attractions, Dinosaur Gardens offers a prehistoric walk through time. A T-Rex stomps through the pine trees, a family attempts to secure a wooly mammoth for d…

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…

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…

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…

All the blooms! The oak and

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Find Your Soul Park in Alpena, Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on June 11th, 2020

Much like finding your “soul workout” or your “spirit animal”, finding your “soul park” is finding that space in nature that speaks to your mind, body, and spirit. It makes you feel grounded, yet free like a bird. It provides you mental clarity while also pro…

Find Fall Color in Alpena’s Top Walks in Nature

Posted on September 27th, 2019

Overcast skies, colorful forest beds, stunning lakeside views, and rich pieces of history are just the beginning of what you’ll discover when you explore the Alpena Area. We have approximately 2 more weeks until our fall color is in full swing! Walks by the Water Besser Natural Area: Stretc…

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…

A Dog’s Day at Thomas Stafford Dog Park

Posted on September 13th, 2018

Eat. Play. Sleep. Play. Eat some more. More play. Sleep again. Repeat. The life of dog is simple and sweet. They shower us with love and affection and only ask that we do the same. For two years local residents, Abby O’Bryan and Alisha Manning, have spent countless hours before City Council, wor…

Exploring sinkholes. Photo by Josh Stephan.

8 Inspiring Ways to Go Camping in Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on August 2nd, 2018

Camping, Glamping, Survivalist, Tenting. What kind of camper are you? From the interior of a dense forest to fresh breezes off Lake Huron, camping provides an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of our region and reconnect with friends, family, or even just the solitude of our own daydre…