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Alpena, Michigan - Local Areas of Interest
1. Jesse Besser Museum: Located within walking distance from both the Fletcher Motel and the Holiday Inn, the Jesse Besser Museum offers a fascinating peek into Alpena’s past with both artifacts and art. Also, check out the stars and constellations at the museum’s planetarium! 491 Johnson St. (989) 356-2202. Admission: Adult $2, Child $1
2. Thunder Bay Theater: Alpena hosts the only year-round live professional theater in northeast Michigan! Located in a historic 180-seat playhouse in Old Town Alpena, this theater presents at least 10 performances each season. 400 S. Second Ave. (989) 354-2267
3. Alpena Civic Theater: Live theater performances supported by an all volunteer membership. Located at 401 River St, behind the Michigan Works building on Chisholm Street. (989) 354-3624 4. State Theater and Royal Knight Cinema: Come and see the newest movies at either location, just two blocks apart on 2nd Avenue in Alpena’s downtown.
5. Island Park and Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary: Wander through the woods, listen to the birds sing and watch squirrels forage without leaving the city limits. This island’s hilly terrain provides fun sledding slopes and hiking trails. Just a short walk from the Fletcher Motel and the Holiday Inn on the corner of Long Rapids Road and Chisholm Street, this wooded wonderland is a great getaway on the Thunder Bay River. 6. Alpena Bi-Path: Tour the city on foot, roller blade or bike with this eight mile long path which winds through parks and beaches along the Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron. Start at the Wildlife Sanctuary (see 5) and continue south on US-23, turning left just before the bridge, near Alpena General Hospital. The sidewalk will lead behind the Hospital, Alpena Community College and in front of Besser Company along the Thunder Bay River. 7. Presque Isle Lighthouses: Take a beautiful drive 45 minutes north on US-23 to the new and old lighthouses on Lake Huron. The Old Lighthouse was built in 1840 and includes a hands on museum and the original 3,425 pound bronze bell. The New Lighthouse was built in 1870 just one mile north of the Old Lighthouse. Climb 130 steps to the top and enjoy the view from the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Located at the very end of East Grand Lake Road. (989) 595-9917 8. Alpena Public Golf Course: Take a swing at the 18 hole course, exciting and fun for any level golfer. Just a short drive from the Holiday Inn and Fletcher Motel at 1135 E. Golf Course Road about ½ mile off US-23 N. (989) 354-5052 9. Thunder Bay Golf Resort: Features challenging golf, gourmet dinner and luxury lodging. Take an Elk viewing wagon ride in the summer or sleighride in winter. Located at 27800 M-32 East in Hillman, approx. 45 minutes west of Alpena. Open year-round, call for reservations. (989) 742-4875 10. JJ’s Awesome Acres: 18 holes of miniature golf and Formula K go-carts with professional mini-course and game room. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 7 days a week. Located approximately ½ mile north of Holiday Inn and Fletcher Motel at 1120 US-23 North, Alpena. (989) 354-4414 11. Puna’s Playground: Miniature golf, game room, large go-cart track. 6051 US-23 North, about 5 miles north of Alpena. (989) 354-5497 12. Paul Bunyan Adventureland: Famous 25-foot tall sculpture of the lumberman Paul Bunyan and his ox, Babe. Offers frisbee, mini-golf, paint ball, laser tag, life size (fake) jungle animals to climb on and live animals in the petting zoo. Located on US-23 South about 30 minutes south of Alpena. 13. Dinosaur Gardens: Features life-size reproductions of over 25 prehistoric birds and animals plus an 80-foot long, 60,000 lb. Brontosaurus. Also includes mini-golf and snack bar. Open May 15 through October 15 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week at 11160 US-23 South, Ossineke, about 20 minutes south of Alpena. (989) 471-5477 14. Fishing: Cast your line in many of the area lakes and rivers and you’re guaranteed to be hooked on northeastern Michigan fishing! Try out the Thunder Bay River, Hubbard Lake, Lake Huron (Fishing Charters available at the Thunder Bay Shores Marina 1-800-332-9204), Fletcher Floodwater, Long Lake or Grand Lake. Fishermen will find walleye, steelhead, salmon, pike, perch, bass, and a variety of trout. Plus, Alpena hosts the longest running fishing tournament on the Great Lakes. The Brown Trout Festival runs the third week in July when anglers compete for prize money and others can catch art exhibits, concerts, a carnival and more on-shore at the Alpena Boat Harbor. 15. Dive Charter: Divers from all over the world come to explore the Thunder Bay Underwater Preserve, just off the Alpena shoreline. The lake floor is home to over 80 shipwrecks, the highest concentration of shipwrecks per square mile in all the Great Lakes. Ships dating back as far as the 1850's lie from five to 160 feet below surface. To arrange a dive call the Thunder Bay Divers (989) 356-9336 or Alpena Diving Service (989) 356-1894. 16. Besser Natural Area: A mile long trail great for cross country skiing or hiking takes you through ruins of the 1880's logging village of Bell. A lagoon holds the hull of an old ship and the sandy beach is great for sunbathing. Just 14 miles north of Alpena on Grand Lake Rd. 17. Au Sable River: Float down the river on tubes, kayaks or canoes. Water depth ranges from 1½ to 3 feet so it’s great for families. This 23 mile stretch of river has been designated as a National Scenic River by the United States Forest Service. Located about 1 ½ hours southwest of Alpena. Call Parmalee Canoe Rental (989) 826-3543 or AuSable River Canoe Rental in Mio (989) 826-3267. 18. Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm and Cider Mill & Appleseed’s Mercantile Gift: Open Labor Day Weekend through mid-November or longer depending on weather. "Slurp" fresh apple cider on Saturdays as you eat tender homemade donuts, apple pies and carmel apples. Browse the unique, eclectic barn for gifts and crafts, jams and salsas, and gadgets for baking and preserving the 28 apple varieties. Kids can ride ponies or watch the pygmy goats. Located on 2622 Karsten Rd. in Rogers City, 45 minutes north of Alpena. (989) 734-2567 19. Thunder Bowl Lanes: Public bowling alley with bar/restaurant included. Across from Neiman’s Family Market and the State Police Post at 2192 US-23 South. (989) 354-2411 20. Kiddie Park: Children will love this park complete with slides, swings, a jungle gym, merry-go-round and sand! Located on State Street by the boat harbor, downtown Alpena. 21. Bay View Park: Located along the Lake Huron shoreline, just south of Kiddie Park on State Street. Offers basketball courts, tennis courts, a band shell and a large open field for playing sports. 22. Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park: Large, open park on the Lake Huron shoreline complete with sandy beaches, swings, slides, tennis courts, softball fields in summer and an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter. Located on State St. about ½ mile south of the boat harbor and Kiddie Park. 23. Starlight Beach: Soak up the hot summer sun on the sandy Lake Huron shore. Fun for everyone with swimming, sun bathing, frisbee, picnic tables and grills, swings, slides and a jungle gym. Stroll northeast up the shoreline from Starlight Beach to Blair Park and walk down the pier for a breezy view of the horizon (you can swim here, too). For Starlight Beach, turn into the Mich-E-Ke-Wis park entrance and keep left, for Blair Park turn onto Blair Street off State Street. 24. Manning Hill Park: Enjoy fun wintertime sledding or a beautiful panoramic view of the fall colors. Located 15 miles west of Alpena on M-32. 25. Norway Ridge Nature Trail: Ten miles of trails great for cross country skiing, hiking or biking. Just ten minutes south of Alpena, on Werth Road. 26. Thunder Bay Recreation Center: Stretch those tense traveling muscles with cycles, treadmills, free weights, aerobic instruction, basketball, volleyball and tennis. Located just a short drive down Woodward Avenue, between Besser Company and Alpena Community College. (989) 356-1945 27. Long Rapids County Park: Prepare a picnic for this lovely park nestled on the Thunder Bay River. Take M-32 West to M-65 (turn right at the yellow blinking light). The park is located about five minutes north, on M-65 on the left just before the bridge. Approximately 30 minutes from Alpena. 28. Shin-ga-ba Shores: Kids will love to play at this newly constructed playground in Ossineke featuring an enormous wooden boat with swings, a jungle gym and much more. Ten miles (20 minutes) south of Alpena on US-23, across the road from Dinosaur Gardens. 29. Alpena County Library: Public library providing internet access, periodicals, books and reading events for all ages. Located on 211 N. 1st St. in Alpena. Call to find out what is happening. (989) 356-6188
30. 19th Hole: Good food in a casual atmosphere, includes a bar. On the corner of Golf Course Road and US-23 North, just north of the Holiday Inn and Fletcher Motel. (989) 356-3712 31. John A. Lau Saloon: Step back into the Wild West at this old-fashioned saloon and restaurant. Just down the block from the Thunder Bay Theatre at 414 N. 2nd Ave. (989) 354-6898 32. Owl Café: Grab lunch or dinner at this sports diner. Located on 121 Chisholm St. in downtown Alpena. (989) 356-6915 33. Mandarin Garden: Enjoy Chinese cuisine for lunch or dinner. Opens 11 a.m. on US-23 South, just south of K-Mart. (989) 354-7059 34. Hunan Chinese Restaurant: Offers Chinese cuisine for lunch and dinner. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Located on 1120 State St. (989) 356-6461 35. The Court Yard: Choose from Italian, American or Mexican food. Located at 2024 US-23 South in Alpena, across the street from the Mich-E-Ke-Wis park. (989) 356-9511 36. Rosa’s Ristorante Italiano: Fine Italian dining and lounge, about 20 minutes south of Alpena at 12087 U-23 South in Ossineke. (989) 734-3123 37. JJ’s Steak and Pizza House: Bar/Restaurant offers great pizzas, lunch and dinner menus. Located at 411 N. 2nd Ave. across the street from Thunder Bay Theatre. (989) 354-3854 38. Hideaway: On the corner of US-23 North and Grand Lake Hwy. This is the perfect spot to grab lunch or dinner after sight-seeing the Lighthouses or Besser Natural Area. Offers good food in a rustic atmosphere. (989) 595-9024 39. Big Boy: Family style restaurant. Two locations, one on the Thunder Bay River, 1315 Chisholm St. (989 356-9071) the other at 400 Ripley Blvd. (989 354-4131). Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 40. Churchill Point: Enjoy fine dining with a view of beautiful Hubbard Lake. Located at 5700 Bennett Rd. in Hubbard Lake. About 45 minutes south of Alpena, reservations suggested. (989) 727-2020 41. Cedar Grove: Fun restaurant/bar with good food and seaside atmosphere. At 14502 Hubbard Lake Road about 35 minutes from Alpena. (989) 727-9183 42. Jepetto’s: Cozy riverside restaurant with great food. Located at 313 ½ N. 2nd Avenue in the basement of the Waterfront Salon. Great dinner stop.43. Little Town Lounge: Choose a tasty pizza or dinner from the full menu, order up some drinks from the bar and shoot a game of pool after visiting Manning Hill and Long Rapids park. Located on 10026 M-32 West in Herron. (989) 379-4300
44. Burger King: Includes a child’s playland. Located at 2350 US-23, next to the Alpena Mall and Gordon Foods. Mon-Sat 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (989) 356-3639 45. Arby’s: Near Burger King, 2250 US-23 South. Open everyday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (989)354-2002 46. McDonalds: Two locations: on Chisholm St. two blocks south of Holiday Inn and Fletcher Motel (989) 354-5522, and US-23 South (989) 354-5378 across from Arby’s, both open 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. 47. Wendy’s: 1036 Chisholm St., about two blocks south of Holiday Inn and Fletcher Motel, across the street from McDonalds. Open 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. (989) 356-6668 48. Lud’s: Family-style fast food restaurant. 1223 State Street (with playland) (989) 356-0339. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 49. Kentucky Fried Chicken: 1130 State St. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (989) 356-4311 50. Taco Bell: US-23 South (State Street). Open 10 a.m. to midnight. (989) 354-7991 51. Subway: In the Thunder Bay Shopping Court on US-23 next to Little Caesar Pizza. Open Mon-Thurs & Sat. 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (989) 356-0264 52. Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders: 1235 State Street. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Delivery available. (989) 354-7771 53. Pizza Hut: US-23 South (State Street), next to Taco Bell. Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Delivery available. (989) 356-6655 54. Kurvan’s Pizza: Offers pizza, baked goods, snacks, video rentals and gasoline. Two locations: 1141 US-23 North, close to the Holiday Inn and Fletcher Motel (989) 354-2565 and 612 Ripley Blvd. (989) 354-2198. Open 5 a.m. to midnight. 55. Hungry Howies Pizza: 2261 US-23 South. Delivery available. (989) 358-1040 56. Little Caesar Pizza: Thunder Bay Shopping Court next to Subway, on US-23 South. Delivery available. (989) 356-9031. 57. The Pizza and Pasty Co.: On 123 S. Ripley (next to Ripley car wash). Delivery available. (989) 358-8585. 58. Cracker Barrel: Party store sells liquor, wine, beverages, snacks and a deli with assorted sandwiches and seafood. Located at 630 W. Chisholm St. 3/4 mile south of Holiday Inn and Fletcher Motel. (989) 356-4721 59. Jeanne’s Sweet Shop: A tasty variety of hand scooped ice cream, homemade chocolates and candy. Inside the Alpena Mall. (989) 356-654
60. Alpena Mall: Conveniently located on US-23 South between Burger King and Arby’s. Stores include JCPenney, Maurices, Camelot Music, Hallmark, Walden Books and more. Open Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mall office: (989) 356-9016 61. French Quarter: Just 1 block north of the Holiday Inn and Fletcher Motel at 1019 US-23 North. "The merchants of Fine Gifts and Interiors" offer fine linens, heirloom childrens’ clothing, gourmet coffee and charming gifts. Open Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m, Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (989) 356-3139 62. Downtown and The Center: Browse the quaint shops for antiques, shoes, fine clothing and more. Downtown Alpena on 2nd Avenue, between the State Theater and Royal Knight Cinema. 63. Holly Day Gift Shoppe: Michigan and Alpena souveniers. T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, magnets, key chains, and more. Located in the lobby of the Holiday Inn, 1000 US-23 North, Alpena. Open Mon.- Thurs. 4 p.m to 7 p.m, Fri. & Sat 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (989) 356-9450 64. Nowicki’s Am See Sausage Shop: This five generation family business rests in downtown Rogers City. Visit the "Taste of Rogers City" to buy or sample the huge assortment of ethnic and American sausages. (989) 734-4100 or 1-800-473-9959 65. Wal-Mart: About 1 block west of the M-32 and Bagley St. intersection. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (989) 354-0830, Pharmacy 354-0731, 1 Hour Photo 354-0632. 66. K-Mart: Includes groceries. Located on US-23 South, across the street from the Alpena Mall. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (989) 354-5569, Photo Center (1 Hour Photo available) 356-8761, Pharmacy 356-8418.
Automobiles
Sporting Goods
"Singing Trainman" play (11 January) ACC Spotlight Series: Paula Monsalve (23 January) Exchange Club City Speed Skating Meet (12 February) ACC Spotlight Series: Kurt Dietrich (19 February) "Once Upon a Mattress" musical comedy (11-14 April) "Dodworth Saxhorn Band" brass band (12 April) Brown Trout Festival (19-28 July) Art on the Bay (20-21 July)
Ask the reception desk at your hotel or call the Alpena Chamber of Commerce at (989) 354-4181 or 1-800-4-ALPENA for more information on area events!
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