Visit Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

09/15/2026

Fall migration is in full swing here in Alpena!

Besides spring, there’s no better time to grab your binoculars and head outside for birding! The Alpena region sits along the Great Lakes flyway, making our forests, wetlands, shorelines, rivers, and open habitats incredible places to experience the movement of birds as they make their way south.

From warblers and vireos to waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and more, you never know what you might spot around our Sanctuary of the Great Lakes. Explore our birding opportunities by starting here: https://www.visitalpena.com/birding/

Image: a whippoorwill resting on a tree branch

09/14/2026

...and there's still time to see them all! Alpena Shipwreck Tours is offering cruises through October 4th, don't miss out!

09/11/2026

While you’re in Posen celebrating the 75th Annual Potato Festival, take a little time to discover one of Northeast Michigan’s hidden treasures: the Historic Elowsky Grist Mill at Hemlock Hills On Mill Pond!

Standing three stories tall, this incredible mill is a 150+ year-old time capsule, preserved right here in Northeast Michigan. Step inside to see how grist milling technology evolved over the years and how this remarkable building helped put food on local families' tables and feed in area farmers' barns through a century of cold northern Michigan winters!

Every year, we meet people who have driven past the Mill their entire lives but have never stepped through the doors. After their tour, we often hear:

“I never knew there was so much inside the Mill!”

Now’s your chance to find out for yourself! See where your grandparents, or even great-grandparents, may have brought grain to be turned into flour for baking and feed for their livestock. Learn how early settlers and generations of Northern Michigan families used the Mill and the resources around them to make a living and put food on the table.

One-hour tours begin today: Friday, September 11, 2026, at 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM.

One-hour tours: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 11:00 AM, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 PM.

$7 per person; children 8 and under are free. Gift shop items and refreshments will be available. Historic Elowsky Grist Mill Tours, 13796 Leer Rd, Posen, MI.

09/11/2026

Who's ready for a mouth-watering Nowicki's Sausage Shoppe brat or pierogi at the Posen Potato Festival this weekend?! 🙋‍♀️🙋

Nowicki's will be set up at the Posen Potato Festival all weekend long (September 11th, 12th, and 13th) to serve you a full menu of Polish potato-inspired favorites - such as potato pierogi, potato brats, and potato burgers 🥔 This year's festival entertainment includes a parade, live polka music, a bump-n-run, arts & crafts, the spud run 5k, and more!

Do you have Polish heritage here in the Alpena region? What's your favorite Polish family tradition? Tell us in the comments and like/share this post with your Polish food-loving friends and family 🇵🇱 Na Zdrowie! 🍻

09/10/2026

FYI!

This page is also not affiliated in any way with the page sharing AI-generated fliers for Downtown Alpena and Alpena area events.

09/10/2026

Along the shores of Lake Besser, near Alpena Community College, a striking ring of sculptures brings the region’s industrial past to life. Among them is a powerful copper bas-relief honoring the Alpena area’s Native American heritage. Created by artist Mike Lempinen and installed along the river in 2018, the sculpture captures two Native Americans skillfully processing copper, a vivid tribute to the people and traditions that helped shape the region’s history.

For more information on the History of Industry sculpture series or the sculptured bi-path, visit the Thunder Bay Arts Council & Gallery website: https://www.thunderbayarts.org/

To learn more about the Alpena area’s Native American history, visit tBesser Museum For Northeast Michigan at 491 Johnson St.

For additional art walks in Alpena or other self-guided adventures, stop by our offices at 420 N. 2nd Ave., download our Visit Alpena app, or visit our website: https://www.visitalpena.com/

09/09/2026

Save the date - September 26 at 12 pm at the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library and help us celebrate becoming Bird City Michigan - Alpena! Learn the importance of our designation with family-friendly activities, displays, a birding walk, and more... https://www.facebook.com/events/1798228177869206/

09/09/2026

#5 Negwegon State Park
#3 Rockport State Recreation Area
#2 Thompson's Harbor State Park

We are so lucky to be centrally located to THREE designated Dark Sky Preserve Parks! Which one is your favorite for dark sky viewing?

https://everafterinthewoods.com/9-dark-sky-parks-in-michigan-where-late-summer-nights-reveal-the-full-milky-way-aacd57a3/?utm_source=mi&fbclid=IwZnRzaAUOVLhwZG9mBWZkaWQWUOGSZlHiFpllQu_AGF-zN7v8N9Z0RmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4JPgXxU8QnSjdEl3_a55Qlp3NpLjmjCNNFrBwSttb4AVflJgEds4FfqKkrPw_aem_Ywe0-kV5xkpep7vCgEvXxQ

Michigan nights become spectacular when dark parks reveal star-filled skies and the glowing sweep of the Milky Way overhead.

09/08/2026

The sights of brilliant fall color. 🍂
The smell of apples, cinnamon, and pumpkin. 🍎
The sounds of leaves crackling under your boots. 🎃

Start planning your Alpena fall adventure now! - www.visitalpena.com/stay

09/04/2026

Of all the sculptures along the Alpena bi-path, the ALPENA letters sculpture is probably one of the most photographed. It is one of the first things to greet visitors traveling up US-23 from the south and the letters are reminiscent of a postcard.

To make your own personal postcard photo, head over to Mich-e-ke-wis Park on State St. (US-23 S). You’ll probably want to park closer to the shelter building or in Starlite Beach’s parking lot (unless you want your vehicle in the photo).

To plot out your own walking or riding tour of the Alpena bi-path sculptures, download our app.

For more information on the Alpena bi-path sculptures, visit Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s website or gallery (127 W. Chisholm St.).

Drop by the Visitors Bureau’s office (420 N. 2nd Ave.) or website for more information on things to do in the Alpena area.

Photo by Breana Daleski