Arts & Culture

Downtown Alpena is proud to be a center of creativity, expression, culture and arts education for the entire region of Northeast Michigan.

Movies + Cinema

Sanctuary Cinema
101 S. Second Ave.

As of May 19, 2023, Downtown Alpena has a movie theatre again! The Sanctuary Cinema offers an elevated cinema experience with state of the art technology, leather reclining seats, and a gorgeous renovated 1930's building in the heart of downtown. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Visual + Culinary Arts

Art in the Loft
109 N. Second Ave. (3rd floor)

Art in the Loft is a premier, regional fine arts center and gallery located on the third floor of the Center Building. As a gallery space, Art in the Loft offers local artists the opportunity to display and sell their work. As a fine arts center, they offer classes in visual and culinary arts to everyone in the community regardless of age, ability or identity. For more information click here.

My Glass Wings
106 N. Second Ave.

My Glass Wings is a stained glass studio and gift shop featuring one-of-a-kind custom pieces from owner Tina Montgomery. My Glass Wings offers stained glass classes, for all ages, supplies and repairs. Located in the same building as Parallel 56 Books & Gifts. In 2023, they are completing a renovation on the back of their space for added workshop and retail space!For more information, click here.

Bob's Bullpen
125 N. Second Ave.

Bob's Bullpen is more than a comic book shop. After expanding into the adjacent space in 2018, Bob's Bullpen also has a retro arcade, a small movie theatre, and a next door hot dog shop! For more information on their classes, arcade, and other offerings, click here.

Brush Up Pottery Studio
150 N. State St.

Brush Up Pottery & Art Studio is a Paint Your Own Pottery and Canvas Painting studio. Offering ceramic, canvas and wood painting. Their studio provides the tools for you to create your next big masterpiece, including classes, group workshops, drop-in events, and more. For more info, visit here.

Thunder Bay Arts
127 W. Chisholm St.

Thunder Bay Art is a cooperative gallery comprised of local artists from Northeast Michigan. The gallery is sponsored by Thunder Bay Arts Council, a non-profit who brings art in all forms to the community and organizing "Art on the Bay," an art fair that takes place adjacent to downtown every July. For more information, click here.

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!

learn more about TBT

History + Culture

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
500 W. Fletcher St.

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOURS

EVENTS

EDUCATION

Alpena, Michigan is home to Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS), the only freshwater Marine Sanctuary 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.

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.