Alpena Group Tours

Tour Overview: What to Expect

Discover why Alpena is known as the “Sanctuary of the Great Lakes” on this guided walking tour through its historic downtown.

Admire the I.O.O.F. Centennial Building and other architecturally distinct structures that reflect the city’s Victorian-era growth.

View vibrant public murals from the Fresh Waves Project, featuring diverse, theme-free expressions of local and global artistry.

Learn about Alpena’s vital role in Great Lakes maritime history and the lives of its early settlers and residents.

We end our journey at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center with an expert-led orientation on the shipwrecks of Thunder Bay.

Tour Overview: What to Expect

Explore immersive exhibits—including a life-size 19th-century schooner—and hear dramatic tales of tragedy and triumph on the Great Lakes.

Learn about cutting-edge maritime archaeology and technology used to study and preserve underwater history.

Step aboard the Lady Michigan, a 65-foot glass-bottom boat, for a fascinating tour over “Shipwreck Alley”.

Marvel at Lake Huron’s crystal-clear waters as you view remarkably preserved wrecks lost to storms, collisions, and ice.

Take in stunning views of the shoreline, lighthouses, islands, and active shipping channels—and possibly see a Great Lakes freighter up close.

Discover why Thunder Bay is considered a world-class destination for both maritime history and underwater exploration.

Tour Overview: What to Expect

Explore one of the most ecologically rich areas in the Great Lakes basin—North Point Peninsula, a 1,384-acre nature preserve. Not easily accessible to the general public, this outing allows your guests to explore a unique and rich space in the Great Lakes basin.

Discover rare dune and forest ecosystems, home to species such as the federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly and endemic dwarf lake iris.

Stroll through protected wetlands, cedar forests, and four miles of untouched Lake Huron shoreline with expert naturalist guides.

Beachcomb for fossilized coral and spot a shipwreck buoy while learning about the peninsula’s conservation history.

Enjoy a quintessential Northern Michigan experience: marshmallow roasting and s’mores by a beachside bonfire.

Join local ecologists for an immersive nature walk (0.5–1 mile) to observe seasonal migratory birds and woodland wildlife.

Learn how community-led efforts are protecting this important habitat for future generations.

Recommended: sturdy shoes for uneven terrain, and binoculars or cameras for wildlife spotting.

Tour Overview: What to Expect

Discover Alpena’s rich brewing heritage, rooted in the city’s 19th-century logging boom and shaped by European immigrant traditions.

Learn how the area’s early saloons and breweries served the city’s bustling workforce—until Prohibition changed everything.

Explore Alpena’s craft beverage revival with visits to three distinctive breweries and a local wine producer.

Sip a variety of beers and wines while gaining behind-the-scenes insight into each maker’s process and story.

Walk alongside a knowledgeable local guide who brings Alpena’s spirited past and present to life.

Enjoy visits and tastings to 2 breweries, 1 winery and 1 cidery, along with plenty of opportunities to toast to this vibrant lakeside community.

Tour Overview: What to Expect

Set off on a private fishing charter with an experienced local skipper into the rich waters of Thunder Bay and Lake Huron.

Try your hand at catching salmon or trout—popular game fish introduced to the Great Lakes in the late 19th century.

Learn local fishing lore and techniques as you troll the scenic bay, surrounded by freshwater beauty.

Whether you reel in a big one or not, return to shore for a delicious late lunch featuring fresh-caught fish prepared by a local chef.

Savor the true essence of the Great Lakes: a hands-on, lake-to-table culinary adventure.

Tour Itinerary: What to Expect

Journey along the shores of Lake Huron to visit two of Michigan’s most iconic and historically rich lighthouses.

Explore the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, the oldest accessible lighthouse in the state—rumored to be haunted by a former keeper.

Continue to the New Presque Isle Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Michigan open to the public for climbing.

Enjoy guided tours of both buildings and beautifully maintained grounds, with time to admire panoramic shoreline views.

A gentle to moderately active experience: enjoy fresh air, scenic strolls, and optional lighthouse tower climbs.

Learn about the history, folklore, and critical maritime role these beacons played in the Great Lakes’ past.

End with a visit to Birch Hill Grocery & Cafe – a charming gallery/bakery that’s been there since 1950 with a sweet treat.

Tour Overview: What to Expect

Explore the 7,000 square foot loft housing – a vibrant gallery and working art studios.

Enjoy an introduction to the space and current exhibits before diving into the fascinating world of Great Lakes beach glass.

View a curated collection of beach glass and hear the stories behind these wave-worn treasures.

Head into the studio space to create your own framed beach glass masterpiece with step-by-step guidance from a local instructor.

Leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake and a deeper appreciation for the natural artistry of the Great Lakes.