Be Mine, Alpena: 5 Ideas to Make Your Valentine’s Day Special

Posted on February 11th, 2020

For some of you, Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love and happiness while eating a romantic dinner and bestowing special gifts upon your significant other. For others, it is just another commercialized holiday that spins the wheels of a society controlled by consumerism. Which one sou…

Get Out of the Elements and Into Your Element at These Alpena Art Workshops

Posted on February 6th, 2020

Does the winter season have you feeling the full effects of cabin fever? Do you want to get out of the house but not into the cold? No need to brave the elements, get into your element by painting, sculpting, crafting, and meditating your way into spring! We have the cure for your cabin fever blues with th…

Winter Forest Bathing. Photo by Paul Gerow.

10 Ideas For Winter Adventure in Alpena

Posted on January 31st, 2020

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are long over. This is the time when the full effects of a true northern Michigan winter start to wash over us, bringing feelings of cabin fever, seasonal depression, and anxiousness for spring. Try out these ideas to kick those feelings to the curb and make yo…

Adam Zeeman has a blast sledding after a winter snowfall. Photo courtesy, Paul Gerow.

The Ultimate Packing Guide to Winter Adventure in Alpena

Posted on March 7th, 2019

First we brought you “10 Things to Do During an Alpena Winter“, now we are bringing you the ultimate packing guide for a winter adventure here in the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes. Basic clothing needs for any outdoor winter adventure: Layers! Layers! Layers!

First you need your base lay

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A calm winter morning at Island Park, by Amy Lijewski

10 Things to Do During an Alpena Winter

Posted on February 28th, 2019

The hustle and bustle of the holidays have long been over. This is the time when the full effects of an Alpena winter are washing over us, bringing us feelings of cabin fever, seasonal depression, and an anxiousness for spring. Don’t fall into the doldrums of winter, follow this guide to …

Bench at Lake Huron in winter. Photo by Steve Jakubcin.

The Beginners Guide to Loving Snow in Alpena, Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on January 31st, 2019

If you google, “How many words do the Inuit have for snow?” the answer will come up as 50. Some sites may tell you even more. You will also find articles by modern linguists claiming this as a myth, citing examples of how we have many different terms depicting snow in English. Words such as b…

New to Forest Bathing? Here are 5 Tips to Winter Forest Bathing in Alpena

Posted on January 18th, 2019

It’s January, which means the spell of winter has been cast down upon us in full force. The frozen ground glistens with a blanket of white snow, the sky…well we haven’t seen much of it these past few weeks. Which is why winter forest bathing should be priority uno on your to-do list.…

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. Alpena boat harbor. P…

Quick List of Celebrations & Adventures to Ring in the New Year in Alpena

Posted on December 28th, 2018

Preparations for celebrating the New Year are underway! Numerous Alpena establishments are rolling out their holiday best while bringing in the new year and new beginnings. Where will you be toasting? Check out this list of some of Alpena’s hot celebrations and low-key adventures t…

12 Days of Christmas in Alpena: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday-Themed Activities

Posted on December 18th, 2018

By Guest Blogger: Lara King Only 1 more week until Christmas! However, we made a list and checked it twice so you can fit in all of these events and activities before Christmas time. Enjoy these holiday-themed activities, shopping local, and festive plates in “The Ultimate Holiday GuideR…