7 Ideas for a Rainy Day in Alpena

Posted on August 23rd, 2023

The arrival of spring and summer brings us warmer weather, greener foliage, and bluer skies. We often credit rainy days for spoiling our plans with somber days inside. Kick those rainy day habits to the side and let mother nature take a day to rest and grow while you follow these 7 ideas to make the most o…

Stargazing at Rockport State Recreation Area. Photo by Paul Gerow

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…

Churchill Pointe Inn, Your Gateway to Summer on Hubbard Lake

Posted on July 6th, 2023

Looking for the perfect lake getaway with all the comforts of home plus the amenities of a full-service inn? Churchill Pointe Inn is your gateway to summertime fun on Hubbard Lake! Overlooking pristine Hubbard Lake, Churchill Pointe Inn has been serving high-quality, fresh cuisine and offering c…

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…

Get in the Spirit with “Spirit of the Blues” at Alpena Blues Fest!

Posted on June 10th, 2021

Picture it…Alpena 2021. The soothing tunes of the blues dances in your ears, a Michigan craft cocktail in hand on a warm, sunny day in June. You’re in Downtown Alpena at the Blues Fest! Since taking the 2020 season off (the year we do not speak of) The 17th Annual Alpena Blues Festival is b…

Pedal and Paddle Your Way Through Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on July 31st, 2019

In summer we ditch our vehicles in exchange for pedals and paddles because this is Alpena, and there is no better way to see our Sanctuary of the Great Lakes than by bike, canoe, SUP, or kayak! One of the best ways to pedal or paddle your way around town is by connecting with Alpena Pedal & Paddle Renta…

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…

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…

Changing the Narrative, One Scoop at a Time

Posted on November 28th, 2018

When Aaron Buza and his wife Kari were approached about taking over ownership of Downtown Scoops in Alpena, they were honored and excited. Established in 2011 by Chris and Missi LeFave, Downtown Scoops has delighted local residents and visitors with their homemade waffle cones, unique flavor var…