Planning a visit to Downtown Alpena? Learn more about the different activities and things to do below!
Alpena Shipwreck Tours & Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
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Experience and learn about the rich history of the Great Lakes by exploring the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. With over 10,000 square feet of exhibit space there is something for everyone, including families, tour groups, and students. The visitor center, open all year, is located at 500 W. Fletcher St along the Thunder Bay River. While inside you can purchase tickets to board Lady Michigan; the 65 foot Glass-Bottom Boat to check out some of the local shipwrecks in Lake Huron. While aboard you'll hear about the history, legends, and lore of Thunder Bay and the shipwrecks.
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Unique Indoor Activities
Laser Team Challenge Located in the historic National Guard Armory that's offers 45,000 square feet of floor space. It's laser tag like you've never experienced before! Check their website to book your spot! |
Rusty Petunias Golf Simulator If you want to work on your swing any day of the year rain or shine, call Rusty Petunias and reserve your time at their indoor golf simulator! Check their website to reserve your tee time. |
Sanctuary Cinema Enjoy watching exclusive movies at the recently renovated Sanctuary Cinema! They offer reclining heated seats and recently acquired their liquor license and have beer or wine available for purchase. Check their website to purchase your movie ticket! |
Two Bit Operation Do you miss playing classic arcade games from your childhood or were you too young to experience it? Head over to Bob's Bullpen where they offer brand new replica machines that have over 26,000 games collectively! Check their website for hours of operation, or call to book a private event. |
Fishing
Love fishing? There are plenty of opportunities to fish downtown! The Thunder Bay River runs through the heart of downtown and is used for fishing year-round. Lake Huron is just a few minutes walk from the heart of the downtown with options to dock or launch your boat.
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Fishing the Thunder Bay River
There are many areas of the river to fish offshore, from your boat, or on the ice as long as it's safe! You can fish offshore from the rocks next to the parking lot off of Carter St, the Bi-Path next to Water St, or the sidewalk next to Thomas Stafford Dog Park. Fishing on Lake Huron If you'd rather fish on the lake you can take your boat out and go trolling for some beautiful walleye! Or contact one of the local fishing charters located Downtown! You can launch your boat from the Alpena Marina located on 4oo E Chisholm Street or from the launch located next to the Thomas Stafford Dog Park. There's also a public fish cleaning station located at the Marina. |
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More Information
- Make sure you purchase a fishing license either online or in store before you head out to fish!
- Clem's Bait & Tackle located at 304 N 9th Ave, sells licenses and any other fishing necessities you might need!
- Enjoy the Michigan DNR's free fishing weekend June 8th & 9th!
- Contact one of the local Charters to reserve your charter - Chum Bucket Charters, Fish Knot Charters, Big Water Charters
Parks
Avery Park Corner of N. 2nd Ave & W. Oldfield St Check out the historic four-faced bronze clock or sit on a bench and enjoy a social district beverage! |
Bay View Park State Ave adjacent to Alpena Marina Enjoy a game of basketball, tennis, or go for a swim in Lake Huron! Listen to a live band at the Fine Arts Bandshell, enjoy a picnic in the grass, or take your child to the fully equipped playground! |
Alpena Bi-Path At approximately 18.5 miles long, the paved Bi-Path takes you through the City of Alpena and connects many of their scenic parks and beaches along Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron. Enjoy the trail by foot, rollerblades, or bicycle. |
Riverfront Parks Lamarre Park, North Riverfront and South Riverfront Park are all along the Thunder Bay River. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail connects them all and they start from the mouth of the river and go to 9th Ave. They all offer nice large grassy areas and picnic tables and are great places to fish offshore from! |
Rotary Island Park Located in Thunder Bay River Between 6th & 7th St This unique Park has a pedestrian bridge going through it that connects it to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail. It offers places to fish, Park benches, and is a great place for a picnic! |
Riverside Skate Park Ninth Ave near Ninth Ave bridge Grab your Skateboard and checkout this Park which offers 15,000 square feet of surface that includes 14 ramps and elements! There's rails, boxes, and even a half-pipe and was recently updated with new material on the ramps and elements. |
Thomas Stafford Dog Park
E Fletcher St in North Riverfront Park behind Post Office All dogs are welcome to run off leash at this wonderful fenced in dog park! It's open year round and offers water spigots during warm months for your dog to stay hydrated. There's plenty of space and tunnels for your furry friend to run and play in! |
Veteran's Memorial Park
Corner of Washington and Second Ave This small Pocket Park offers a small grassy area with benches and a memorial to local Veteran's. |
Sightseeing & Attractions
While you're out exploring the downtown you'll come across one of our many attractions that are unique to the area. Take a walk while enjoying a social district drink, or get in the car and take a slow drive throughout the downtown and check them all out!
Murals - Admire the beautiful artwork done by all different artists on buildings scattered throughout the area. There are ten large murals and fourteen smaller ones and they all offer a great photo opportunity!
Little Red Lighthouse - The steel skeletal style lighthouse was built all the way back in 1914! It replaced a wooden lighthouse from the 1800's and it was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. You can view it from the Alpena Marina at the end of the break wall.
Historic Buildings - Downtown has a significant amount of buildings from the turn of the 19th century, with a majority of them being on Second Avenue and Chisholm Street. You can learn more about them and see photographs of what they use to look like under the Our Story page.
Second Ave. Bridge - The Second Avenue bridge crosses the Thunder Bay River and is the only bascule style bridge in the entire Alpena area. You can see it open and close for the local ships, sometimes multiple times a day by parking in the lot off of Water St. Learn more about the rich history of the bridge here!
Murals - Admire the beautiful artwork done by all different artists on buildings scattered throughout the area. There are ten large murals and fourteen smaller ones and they all offer a great photo opportunity!
Little Red Lighthouse - The steel skeletal style lighthouse was built all the way back in 1914! It replaced a wooden lighthouse from the 1800's and it was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. You can view it from the Alpena Marina at the end of the break wall.
Historic Buildings - Downtown has a significant amount of buildings from the turn of the 19th century, with a majority of them being on Second Avenue and Chisholm Street. You can learn more about them and see photographs of what they use to look like under the Our Story page.
Second Ave. Bridge - The Second Avenue bridge crosses the Thunder Bay River and is the only bascule style bridge in the entire Alpena area. You can see it open and close for the local ships, sometimes multiple times a day by parking in the lot off of Water St. Learn more about the rich history of the bridge here!
Theatre & Arts
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Art in the Loft is a premier fine arts center and gallery located in the Center Building downtown. The gallery has over 7,000 square feet to showcase fine art done by local, regional, and national artists. They also offer many different visual and culinary classes to the public.
Alpena Civic Theatre offers wonderful plays put on by local directors and actors. All of the work in front of and behind the scenes is done by local volunteers. Check their website for showtimes. Thunder Bay Theatre is northeast Michigan's only year-round professional theater. Currently closed for renovation, but check their website for updates! |
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