Downtown Alpena is proud to be a center of creativity, expression, culture and arts education for the entire region of Northeast Michigan.
From paint and pour classes to a cozy night out at the movies, learn about the arts and cultural destinations in our downtown below.
From paint and pour classes to a cozy night out at the movies, learn about the arts and cultural destinations in our downtown below.
Movies + Cinema
Sanctuary Cinema
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Visual + Culinary Arts
Art in the Loft
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My Glass Wings
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Thunder Bay Arts
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Performance Art + Theatre
Downtown Alpena is home to Northeast Michigan’s only year-round professional theater, Thunder Bay Theatre (400 N. Second Ave). Housed in a hundred-year-old building, Thunder Bay Theatre provides both professional performances and educational programming all year round, utilizing a professional core company augmented with community talent.
Thunder Bay Theatre's building is currently closed due to the fire at the neighboring building in July 2020. Check out their website by clicking the button below for updates and renovation updates!
Thunder Bay Theatre's building is currently closed due to the fire at the neighboring building in July 2020. Check out their website by clicking the button below for updates and renovation updates!
History + Culture
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
500 W. Fletcher St.
Alpena, Michigan is home to Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS), the first freshwater Marine Sanctuary designated in the world. TBNMS protects a nationally significant collection of historic shipwrecks. Through resource protection, research, and education, TBNMS works to ensure that future generations will continue to value our irreplaceable underwater treasures.
Visit the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (500 W. Fletcher St.) which is the visitor center for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, featuring exciting exhibits for all ages. Exploring the Shipwreck Century is located in the center’s main hall and includes a full-size replica wooden Great Lakes schooner and shipwreck where visitors can walk the decks, feel a Great Lakes storm, and touch the massive timbers of the boat resting on the lake bottom … without getting wet! For more information, check out their website here.
The glass-bottom boat, Lady Michigan, also operates out of the visitor center and offers cruises through Thunder Bay to learn more about the maritime history and shipwrecks of Alpena. Learn more about Alpena Shipwreck tours here.
Visit the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (500 W. Fletcher St.) which is the visitor center for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, featuring exciting exhibits for all ages. Exploring the Shipwreck Century is located in the center’s main hall and includes a full-size replica wooden Great Lakes schooner and shipwreck where visitors can walk the decks, feel a Great Lakes storm, and touch the massive timbers of the boat resting on the lake bottom … without getting wet! For more information, check out their website here.
The glass-bottom boat, Lady Michigan, also operates out of the visitor center and offers cruises through Thunder Bay to learn more about the maritime history and shipwrecks of Alpena. Learn more about Alpena Shipwreck tours here.
Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library
211 N. First Ave.
The Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library was established as a county library in 1967. The library offers extensive resources for historical research, enrichment opportunities, and educational support. They are serve as a regional gathering place for learning and cultural experiences, like author visits, Monday Night Movies, the Summer Reading Program, a variety of youth programming, and much more.
The Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library's downtown location has officially reopened after a $3 million renovation. For updates on their renovation, check out their website.
The Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library's downtown location has officially reopened after a $3 million renovation. For updates on their renovation, check out their website.