Alpena LightBesser MuseumThunder Bay National Marine SanctuaryLong LakeThunder Bay Island LightGrass Island
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Places to visit near

Alpena

Alpena is a town in Alpena district, Michigan, United States of about 10,175 people. Within 50 km by road there are 104 places to visit: 40 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 27 beaches & coast and 18 rivers, islands & mangroves. The must-see places are Alpena Light, Besser Museum and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

45.0617° N, 83.4327° WPop. 10,175

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Within 30 km52 places
Within 50 km104
Must-see28
Notable256
Best timeAugust to December

Start here

The 3 places worth the trip

Alpena Light, heritage site near Alpena
Must-see

Alpena Light

Heritage site · 1 km · Michigan

Must-see

Besser Museum

Museum · 3 km

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, sanctuary near Alpena
Must-see

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Sanctuary · 18 km · Michigan

Places near Alpena by type

All 284 places by distance →

One day from Alpena

5 stops, one loop, back by 4:48 pm

92 km on the road, in driving order so you don’t double back. Times assume an 8 am start and typical visit lengths.

  1. Leave Alpena
  2. Bare Pointbeach · 1.5 hrs
  3. Thunder Bay Island Lightisland · 1.5 hrs
  4. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuarysanctuary · 2 hrs
  5. Long Lakelake · 45 min
  6. Arthur E. Sytek Parkpark · 45 min
  7. Back in Alpena
Today’s loopAlpenaStopStraight lines between stops — distances are road estimates
Imagery © Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Questions people ask

What are the best places to visit near Alpena?

Alpena Light (heritage site, about 1 km), Besser Museum (museum, about 3 km), Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (sanctuary, about 18 km), Long Lake (lake, about 20 km), Bay View Park (park, about 1 km), Middle Island Light (island, about 21 km).

How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Alpena?

104 places on Spotwander: 40 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 27 beaches & coast, 18 rivers, islands & mangroves, 8 wildlife, forests & gardens, 7 parks.

Which is the nearest lake to Alpena?

Mud Lake, about 6 km by road; Conway Lake (7 km) is next.

Which is the nearest beach to Alpena?

Bare Point, about 5 km by road; Birdsong Bay (8 km) is next.

What is a good one-day trip from Alpena?

Start in Alpena, visit Bare Point, then Thunder Bay Island Light, then Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, then Long Lake, then Arthur E. Sytek Park, and drive back — about 92 km by road in all.