ALPENA — When cold winds blow and snow settles in Northeast Michigan woods, locals and visitors alike merrily dig out their outdoor toys and take to the region’s numerous snowmobile trails, snowshoe paths, and sledding hills for some winter fun.
Warming up afterward can mean an evening on the town, basking in the coziness of a downtown eatery or taking in a show at the local live theater.
On days too chilly for exploring the silent woods or huddled on a frozen lake, peering into an ice fishing hole, Alpena offers museums and art galleries to explore and outdoor-themed stores offering aisles of gear to browse to prepare for the next adventure.
A wintry Alpena day can mean lunch on the town and a stroll through downtown boutiques at a relaxed pace, the stores less crowded in the town’s off-season but still ready to provide curious customers with one-of-a-kind surprises with an Up North vibe.
While fun can be had in Alpena all winter long, the community this year turned out for the second-annual
Alpena
A throwback to a renowned festival from decades in the city’s past, the Ice Fest brings together all the best of a northern winter and invites locals and visitors alike to get out and celebrate the season, no matter how gray and
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cold the days may be.
This year’s festival featured a dueling chainsaw ice carving competition at Alpena’s Mich-e-ke-wis Park, where most of the event’s activities took place.
Cups of hot cocoa in mittened hands, attendees warmed up by a giant bonfire or tried their hand at cross country skiing and fat tire bike riding.
Or they kicked it old school with horse-drawn wagon rides, surrounded by some of the 45 ice sculptures that will dot the park and spread throughout downtown.
Downtown, Ice Fest attendees traded stories around burn barrels or peeked into local shops.
City organizers resurrected the festival in 2022 to fill a hole during the sometimes bleak days of early February, when no other events enticed residents out of their homes.
Other wintertime activities and events provide plenty to do at other times, however, including Alpena’s annual Christmas parade, held the day after Thanksgiving to usher in Santa Claus and the start of the Christmas season.
The last weekend of January brings the annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival, hosted by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The five-day festival screens nearly 100 ocean and Great Lakes films from around the world, bringing the mysteries of the deep right to Alpena’s doorstep.
This year, the last Saturday in January also meant a downtown Alpena Cocoa Crawl, with more than a dozen businesses each putting their own twist on hot cocoa and offering happy sippers the opportunity to win prizes.
Cold never kept Northeast Michiganders down, and an Up North winter day spells fun, no matter what the weather.
ALPENA — After the snow machines and cross-country skis are put into storage because spring arrives in Northeast Michigan, there are still many things for people to do in the area.
From fishing to hiking, gardening, and camping, there is no shortage of events and recreational activities for residents and visitors.
After the ice clears from Lake Huron and the Thunder Bay River, walleye fishermen begin to stock their freezers. The walleye fishing remains popular through the balance of the year. Bass season opens on Memorial Day weekend.
For those who want to enjoy a warmer atmosphere and indulge in some craft beer, the Alpena Rotary Club hosts its annual Brew on the Bay at the APlex in Alpena in early spring. The money raised from the auction event help the club to fund local projects.
The month of May is packed with events and things to do.
Alpena will play host to the Great Lakes Regional MATE ROV Competition at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage
Center.
The ROV Competition uses remotely operated underwater robots to inspire and challenge students to learn and creatively apply science, technology, engineering, and math to solve real-world problems and strengthen their critical thinking, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
The annual Open House and Arts and Crafts Show will take place at the 40-Mile Point Lighthouse in Rogers City. This year, organizers expect about 30 vendors at the event, and it also is an opportunity for people to tour the historic lighthouse.
Public cruises in the glass bottom boat Lady Michigan will begin in May and the crew will chauffeur visitors to shipwrecks in Thunder Bay while sharing a brief history on the fates of the fallen ships. It also provides people an opportunity to take photos of the shipwrecks without having to put on a wetsuit.
Also in May, the annual Light Up the Sky 5k Run/Walk, will be held at the new Presque Isle Lighthouse in Presque Isle.
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The goal of the event is to raise money for the Presque Isle fireworks show and for people to enjoy the beautiful views of the lighthouse and Presque Isle Harbor during the run.
Although there are many events, there are plenty of things people can do in the area as a family. There are many golf courses that will challenge even the most seasoned golfer, trails to hike or bike, and a farmers market in Alpena begins to be held outdoors, where vendors sell their produce and other products.
After spending time cooped up indoors during the winter, many people will take their campers out of storage and spend a weekend camping at area campgrounds. Because of demand, officials recommend reserving your campsite well in advance.
Alpena County campgrounds are open from May 13 until Oct. 15.
ALPENA — It is hard to get bored in Alpena during the summer, as there are recreational activities and events to suit nearly everyone.
Fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking, golf, camping, and kayaking are only a few activities people enjoy in Northeast Michigan.
There are ample parks and beaches along the U.S.-23 corridor where people can visit to swim, sunbathe, play on playground equipment, or even cool off in the splash pad at Starlite Beach in Alpena.
The unofficial start of summer is on Memorial Day weekend, and, over the course of the following four months, there are many popular events.
The Wooden Boat Show in Presque Isle will be held in July and people can admire the craftsmanship of the wooden boats while enjoying food and entertainment.
The Independence Day celebration in Alpena is always chock full of events, such as a parade, The Alpena News Sandcastle Contest, concerts, and a fireworks display to wrap up the day.
After the Fourth of July holiday passes, the Alpena boat harbor takes center stage, as anglers from all over compete
during the annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival. The event, which runs from July 14 to 23, has live entertainment each day, as well as food vendors and a tent where people can dance, enjoy a cocktail, and share recent and past fishing stories.
The annual Art on the Bay event is held during the Brown Trout Festival and will be on July 15 to 16 this year.
As summer moves on from July to August, the calendar of events remains full.
In Rogers City, the annual Nautical Festival is slated for Aug. 1 to 6.
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Experience the Great Lakes and their rich history
Explore the shipwrecks of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary aboard the glass bottom boat Lady Michigan. Our large viewing wells allow you to dive the wrecks—without getting wet!
During the two-hour cruise, you will explore magnificently preserved shipwrecks and experience the history, legends, and lore of Shipwreck Alley. The Lady Michigan is the perfect way to view Lake Huron’s beautiful shorelines and working waterfront.
Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center 500 West Fletcher Street, Alpena, MI 49707
AlpenaShipwreckTours.com
989-884-6200
at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Thunder Bay is one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the Great Lakes. Murky fog banks, rocky shoals, and fierce storms earned the area the name “Shipwreck Alley.” Today, over 200 shipwrecks rest within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Preserved by Lake Huron’s freshwater, these magnificent shipwrecks offer some of the world’s best diving, snorkeling, and paddling. Start your adventure at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center! Explore exciting exhibits and experience the Great Lakes and their rich history. Feel the power of a Lake Huron storm and walk the deck of a Great Lakes schooner or “swim” over a shipwreck in the dive tubes. Discover the depths of Lake Huron and 10,000 square feet of shipwreck exhibits today!
Free admission and open all year.
Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
500 West Fletcher Street, Alpena, MI 49707
thunderbay.noaa.gov
ALPENA — Northeast Michigan is home to many natural wonders for residents and visitors to explore, and autumn
is the most colorful time to enjoy the great outdoors.
From lakes and rivers to hiking trails to apple orchards, the Alpena area has many options in the fall.
Rodney and Emily Szymanski, of Alpena, love to run, hike, bike, fish, and kayak in Northeast Michigan all year long. When the leaves start changing to red, yellow, and orange, it just makes the journey more beautiful.
“Mountain biking, running, kayaking,” Rodney Szymanski said. “A lot of kayaking.”
They like to kayak down the Thunder Bay River for hours, launching from M-32 near Hillman and following the river to Long Rapids.
“Remember when we went two years ago?” Emily Szymanski asked her husband. “Every single time we went, a bald eagle would follow us down the river.”
The Szymanskis and their two daughters often go exploring together, along with their labradoodle, Toby.
“The Rail to Trail behind the junior high, the colors this
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year were absolutely amazing,” Emily Szymanski said, referring to the old railroad that has been changed into a multi-use trail through the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
That trail is called the Alpena to Hillman Trail, extending 22 miles. In total, Michigan has 134 rail-trails, covering 2,498 miles, according to RailsToTrails.org, where you can find other trails throughout the state and country.
“It’s beautiful,” she said of the bridge near Indian Reserve Road. “We went fishing down there. We brought our fishing poles and our backpacks on our bikes.”
They also like mountain biking at Norway Ridge Pathway off Werth Road in Alpena and Chippewa Hills Pathway in Hubbard Lake. The two are part of the Thunder Bay Trails Association.
One fall, they were mountain biking near Bolton and came upon some apple trees hanging over the trail, so they thought it might be fun to grab apples while biking. While it proved to be fun, the apples proved to be crab apples, so it turned out a little differently than they expected — but memorable, nonetheless.
“They taste horrible,” Rodney Szymanski said. “They were real tart.”
“But it was fun!” Emily Szymanski interjected. “And then the girls told my dad and he was like, ‘Oh, road apples?’ And we were like, ‘No, we don’t want that,’” she added with a laugh.
Speaking of apples, but not road apples, another great option in the fall is heading up to Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm near Rogers City. The apple farm and cider mill offers apple picking, wagon rides, a petting zoo, children’s activities, hard cider tasting, freshly made pizza,
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donuts, and more. The apple farm is located off the beaten path at 2621 S. Karsten Road.
If you’re in the mood for hard cider, but you want to stay in town, check out Presque Isle Farm Cider at 205 W. Chisholm St. in downtown Alpena.
“The cool part about living up here in Alpena, looking forward to the fall, you have Presque Isle Cider, which has been an awesome place downtown to go hang out,” said Don La Barre, also a member of Thunder Bay Trails Association. “My wife and I love using the local trails here,” he said of Anne Gentry. “We’re kind of spoiled for choice up here.”
The couple also sails on Lake Huron and other area waters.
“Fall is just beautiful, being able to sail the coastline with all the fall colors,” La Barre said. “It’s a real gift being able to do all that.”
727-3390 or 1-800-727-3890
989-464-5673
Fax: (989)727-2415
Bus.: (989) 727-3390 or 1-800-727-3890
Cell: 989-464-5673 Fax: (989)727-2415 49747
Phone: (989) 464-5673
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Check event websites to confirm dates and times.
March
• Brew on the Bay
May
• Lewiston Mushroom Festival and Art in the Park
June
• Presque Isle Harbor Wooden Boat Show, Third Saturday in June
• Alpena Blues Festival
• Long Lake Lights Festival
July
• Fourth of July Parade and Celebration and Thunder Bay Maritime Festival
• Dork Brothers Independence Day 5K Run/Walk
• Thunder Bay Arts Art on the Bay
• Festival of Sail
• Alpena Brown Trout Festival, July 14th - 23rd
• The Craftmakers' Cabin Annual Craft and Vendor Fair, Harrisville
• Montmorency County 4-H Fair
August
• Rogers City Nautical Festival, Aug. 1-6
• Hillman VJ Days
• Lewiston Timberfest
• Alcona Classic Tractor & Engine Club Heritage Days
• Lafarge/Stoneport 5k Quarry Run/Walk
• Alpena County Fair
September
• Posen Potato Festival
• Northern Michigan Fiber Festival
• Thunder Bay Folk Fest
• Atlanta Elk Festival
• Harrisville PorchFest
• Curran MI Black Bear Festival
• Presque Isle County Fair
October
• Alcona County Fair
• Chili Chowder Cookoff, downtown Alpena
November
• Dork Brothers Turkey Trot
• Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade
December
• Church craft festivals and bazaars
January
• Thunder Bay International Film Festival
• Downtown Alpena Cocoa Crawl
February
• Sno*Drift Rally in Atlanta
• Alpena Ice Fest
• Polar Plunge for Special Olympics
