20 Great Lakes Getaways
From Minnesota to Ohio, towns along the Midwest's Great Lakes capture the summer vacation spirit. Here are some of our favorite Great Lakes getaways, with tips on exploring each one.
Alpena, Michigan
One of northeast Michigan's bigger towns, Alpena borders Lake Huron and offers the top-notch Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center as well as a variety of dining options.
Five Fun Stops
1 Tucked in the cellar of a riverfront building in Alpena, The Cellar is a special-occasion gem serving pasta, seafood and meat dishes (989/340-0188).
2 Explore the rich (and often tragic) history of the Great Lakes' shipping industry at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (pictured), part of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (989/356-8805; thunderbay.noaa.gov/).
3 A huge menu of healthy, flavorful sandwiches, wraps and salads makes Fresh Palate one of Alpena's best places to eat (989/358-1400; thefreshpalategourmet.com).
4Put on your explorer's cap and cross a bridge to Island Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, with trails, fishing docks and a surprising amount of wildlife, all in the middle of the Thunder Bay River (989/354-4158).
5 Guests are made to feel like family at the North Bay Bed and Breakfast overlooking the New Presque Isle Lighthouse (18 miles north of Alpena) (989/595-5209).
Alpena Convention and Visitors Bureau
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary/Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
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