• Have you ever heard of Shipwreck Alley? If you’re a history buff with a penchant for maritime mysteries, then the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron is your treasure trove. We highly recommend snagging tickets for a boat ride with Alpena Glass Bottom Boat. Picture this: you’re gliding over the crystal-clear waters of Lake Huron, peering down at shipwrecks through a giant ‘glass bottom’ boat. It’s like a history lesson with a splash of adventure! The two-hour tour contains thrilling tales of famous ships and Lake Huron’s storied past. 
• One of our favorite drives is the River Road Scenic Byway, which includes Iargo Springs and Lumberman’s Monument. This 20-plus-mile drive follows the Au Sauble River to Lake Huron at Oscoda. Make frequent stops for the overlooks and trails leading to viewing platforms. If you take in Iargo Springs (294 steps) and Lumberman’s Monument (272 steps), you will doubly appreciate your stay at Oscoda’s Huron House Bed and Breakfast, where every room includes a jetted tub or a private outdoor hot tub or both.
• Stop at the Foote Dam Reservoir and ride the Paddle Wheel Boat for some amazing views. 
• Don’t miss stepping into Mooney’s Ben Franklin in East Tawas. It’s like entering a time machine set to “fun and quirky.” Imagine a place where you can find everything from a rubber chicken to a heartfelt greeting card, all under one roof. It’s the kind of store where you might go in for a spool of thread and come out with a whoopee cushion, a jigsaw puzzle, and a newfound appreciation for the art of browsing. After your afternoon shopping in East Tawas, return to your comfortable room at the Always a Holiday! Bed and Breakfast, located just a few blocks from Mooney’s 
• Ogemaw Hills Pathway is north of the West Branch in Northeast Michigan. It has fifteen miles of wooded trails in rolling terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and, in winter, cross-country skiing.  It is close to civilization with unique wooded wildlife and scenery.  Afterward, enjoy some porch sitting with river views at Borchers AuSable Riverside B&B, less than an hour’s drive away. 
• Just north of Alpena, you’ll discover the welcoming waters of the Lower Peninsula’s largest waterfall, Ocqueoc Falls. This hidden gem contains four small rapids and a pool for splashing. From Rodgers City, take M-68 for about 11 miles, then turn right onto Ocqueoc Falls Highway. The entrance to the day-use area will be on your right.  Besides admiring the falls, you can hike, bike, fish, and even swim in the pool below the falls.

• Visit a Northeast Michigan Lighthouse. This area is home to several stunning lighthouses, perfect for exploring.  Here are some highlights:

Alpena’s “Little Red” Beacon: Located at the Alpena Boat Harbor, this charming steel skeletal lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1914

New Presque Isle Lighthouse: Built-in 1870, this is the tallest lighthouse accessible to the public on the Great Lakes. Its 130-step climb offers breathtaking views.

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse: One of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes, built-in 1840. Visitors can climb the stone steps for a panoramic view of the Lake Huron shoreline

40 Mile Point Lighthouse: Situated in Rogers City, this lighthouse was built to ensure ships were always within sight of a guiding light. Beautiful park grounds surround it.

Sturgeon Point Lighthouse: Located near Harrisville, this lighthouse was built in 1869 and features a museum and a picturesque setting

Tawas Point Lighthouse: Known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” this lighthouse in East Tawas has been in operation since 1876 and offers tours and stunning views

Cheboygan River Front Range Light: Located in Cheboygan, this lighthouse was built in 1880 and is part of a pair of range lights that guide ships into the Cheboygan River.

These lighthouses offer historical insights, beautiful photo opportunities, and a chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of Northeast Michigan. 

• Leave your car behind for a quick ferry ride from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island. Motorized transportation is strictly prohibited on Michigan’s famed island. Instead, explore the 70 miles of natural and paved trails in Mackinac Island State Park. Traverse the island from the seat of a horse-drawn carriage. Or rent a bicycle and ride the easy 8-mile circuit around the island, stopping for photos at Arch Rock. The rocking chairs on the front porch of the Grand Hotel may be the perfect spot for watching the sun rise over one Great Lake (Huron) and set over another (Michigan). Note- to relax on this porch, you must be a guest staying at the hotel.  Don’t forget to buy a box of homemade fudge to take home!
• Take a walk on the Maritime Heritage Trail along Thunder Bay River and pause to check out Alpena’s Second Avenue Bridge. This bridge’s unusual construction earned it an award from the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1939. The Maritime Heritage Trail also offers educational kiosks along the route, where you can learn more about Alpena’s early lumber and shipping days.
• Stroll along the hand-hewn timbers of the Covered Wooden Bridge connecting Duck Park to the covered bridge and water tower at Duck Park/Island Park. Escape into the serene wildlife of this 17-acre nature preserve. Keep an eye out for migrating waterfowl this time of year—you might spot some rare species in these parts, like the Least Bittern or the American Redstart. The sanctuary is a haven for birdwatchers, with songbirds, warblers, and even the occasional osprey appearing.
•  Explore the Bruski & Stevens Twin Sinkholes and Cracks in the Earth. Just a short drive through the countryside, you’ll find geologic wonders at this karst preserve. The twin sinkholes are approximately 85 feet deep and 200 feet wide. Visitors can follow walking trails that offer views of the sinkholes and a nature trail within the Karst Conservancy. 
•  From the top of Hickey Hill in Hubbard Lake, you can see the lake’s East Bay. This 80-acre undeveloped woodland park was once the homestead of Erie and Ella Jane Hickey in 1904 and is now preserved to promote wildlife.
• Stop and stroll on the forest trails at Alpena’s Arthur E. Sytek Park on the Thunder Bay River. This 1/2-acre wildflower park has a small boat launch perfect for canoes and kayaks, a covered fishing platform, and a trailhead for Alpena’s beautiful 18.5-mile Bi-Path.
• Birdwatch from the unique Alvar Shoreline along the end of Partridge Point. The land was formed when the soil was scraped away by the wind, water, and ice, exposing the 400 million-year-old limestone bedrock. Lichens, mosses, grasses, and herbaceous vegetation dominate this sparsely vegetated natural area.
• Check out the legendary statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, standing tall in the heart of Ossineke. Babe the Ox was built in 1938 by Walter Hayden and was initially placed on the hill across from the old Lookout Inn, following the legend that a white cow on a hill signified good luck. In 1950, new owners purchased the hill and painted Babe blue. Babe’s companion Paul was built in 1953 by Paul Domke, creator of the nearby Dinosaur Gardens. The two were moved in 2006 to their new home at Ossineke’s blinking light, where they still stand today.
• If golfing is your thing, don’t miss the fantastic golf courses in Gaylord.  Seventeen premier golf courses call the Gaylord area home. Created by America’s top course designers, including Robert Trent Jones and Tom Fazio, the region from Gaylord to Grayling includes golf resorts like Treetops Resort, the Otsego Club, The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort, and The Loon Golf Club, among many others. For golf lovers, the journey to Gaylord is well worth the detour. Also worth noting is the West branch Golf Course in Ogemaw County, which includes many well-maintained and respected courses. 
• So, whether you’re watching the sunrise at Tawas Point State Park, stargazing at one of three Dark Sky Preserves, or snowmobiling through the region’s many charming small towns, Northeast Michigan is packed with year-round activities. Living here, you will soon discover why this area is often called the “Playground of the North.”
• Check out the train station in Harrisville. Built-in 1901, this historic station is being lovingly restored by community members dedicated to preserving its past while looking toward the future. Mentioned above but not to be missed if you are in Harrisville is the Sturgeone, where Point Lighthouse stands 70 feet tall and offers stunning views of Lake Huron.