Known as the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, Alpena, Michigan, is a hidden gem on the shores of Lake Huron. This small town combines history, culture, and outdoor adventure with a slower pace of life, perfect for travelers who want to recharge.
As part of our 48-state EV road trip in our Volkswagen ID. Buzz, we explored Alpena through the lens of sustainability. With local restaurants, family-owned farms, and plenty of EV charging options, Alpena proved you don’t have to sacrifice adventure to travel consciously.
Here’s our complete guide to a long weekend in Alpena, Michigan.
Where to Stay in Alpena, Michigan
We checked into 40 Winks Motel & Vacation Suites, a locally owned stay with cozy, retro vibes. Located near downtown Alpena, it gave us easy access to restaurants, coffee shops, and the Marathon Gas EV charging station just down the road.
Pro tip: Many of Alpena’s small hotels and motels are family-run, so by staying local, you’re supporting the community directly.
EV Charging Stations in Alpena
If you’re road-tripping by electric vehicle, Alpena makes it easy to keep moving. Some key charging spots include:
- Marathon Gas Station (Alpena) – 906 W. Washington Ave.
- Knaebe’s Apple Farm & Cider Works (Rogers City) – On-site EV charger, great for topping up while you grab cider and donuts
- Presque Isle District Library (Grand Lake) – 18132 Lake Esau Hwy
- Sand Bay Trading & Woody’s Grand Lake – 14313 E Hwy, Presque Isle
Having these chargers available meant we could focus on exploring without worrying about range.
Day 1: Arrival & Evening in Alpena
After checking in, we kicked off our Alpena trip with lunch at Wok n’ Otaku, a locally owned, anime-themed Asian fusion spot that surprised us with creative flavors and fun energy.
That afternoon, we wandered through Island Park, where you can rent kayaks or simply walk the trails and watch the river flow. It was the perfect slow start to settle into Alpena’s pace.
Dinner at Mangos Tequila Bar set the tone for the night—tacos, margaritas, and laughter spilling out of the patio. For dessert, we had two excellent options: ice cream at Downtown Scoops or cider cocktails and sweets at PIFCider.
Walking through downtown Alpena with cones in hand, we passed murals and small shops lit up against the evening sky. If you’re lucky with the weather, head out to Rockport State Recreation Area for dark-sky stargazing—it’s one of the best night-sky viewing spots in Michigan.
Day 2: Shipwrecks & Fossils
We started with coffee at Cabin Creek Coffee before heading to the docks for a morning aboard the Lady Michigan, Alpena’s famous glass-bottom shipwreck tour. Looking down through the boat’s windows, we could see century-old wrecks preserved in Lake Huron’s cold, clear water—a surreal glimpse into maritime history.
Back on land, we explored the Maritime Heritage Museum before grabbing lunch at Austin Brothers Beer Company, a family-owned brewpub known for its local craft beers and hearty meals.
In the afternoon, we drove to Rockport State Recreation Area, where fossil hunting turned into a highlight of the trip. The former quarry is scattered with Devonian-era fossils, and hiking the trails out to the sinkholes gave us a mix of science, nature, and adventure all in one stop.
Dinner at Red Brick Tap & Barrel downtown gave us another taste of Alpena’s locally owned food scene before we called it a night.
Day 3: Lighthouses & Cider
Breakfast at JJ’s Steak & Pizza House fueled a scenic drive north to the Old and New Presque Isle Lighthouses. Standing at the top, with Lake Huron stretching endlessly, it was easy to imagine the sailors who once relied on these towers for safety.
From there, we drove to Knaebe’s Apple Farm & Cider Works, one of our favorite stops. With wood-fired pizzas, cider donuts, and flights of hard cider, it’s pure Michigan fall in one place. Bonus: the on-site EV charger meant both we and Sun Buzz could recharge at the same time.
We made it back to Alpena in time for dinner at Old Polish Corner, where pierogi and goulash connected us to the immigrant history that shaped this region.
Day 4: Farewell Breakfast
Before leaving town, we made a quick drive south to Connie’s Café in Ossineke. Bottomless coffee, plates piled high, and the kind of hospitality you only find in small-town diners, it was the perfect way to wrap up our Alpena adventure.
More Things to Do in Alpena, Michigan
If you have extra time, add these stops to your itinerary:
- Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan – Local art, science, and history exhibits
- Norway Ridge Pathway – Groomed trails perfect for hiking and biking
- Sanctuary Cinema – A small-town movie theater downtown
Sustainable Travel in Alpena
What struck us most about Alpena was how naturally sustainable travel fit into daily life.
- EV chargers are built into local businesses like Knaebe’s Apple Farm.
- Many restaurants are family-owned, so eating local supports the community.
- Outdoor adventures—like fossil hunting, kayaking, or stargazing at Rockport—don’t leave a trace beyond footprints.
Alpena reminded us that sustainable travel isn’t about sacrifice, it’s about connection.
Why Alpena Belongs on Your Michigan Road Trip
From shipwrecks and lighthouses to cider donuts and fossil hunting, Alpena, Michigan, is packed with unique adventures. But beyond the activities, it’s the pace of life here, the slower mornings, the locally rooted food, the chance to walk instead of drive, that makes it feel like a sanctuary.
For us, Alpena was proof that the road to sustainability is also the road to deeper travel.
📍 Planning a Michigan road trip? Save this Alpena guide for when you’re ready to explore the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes.
One Response
Thank you for enjoying and sharing the many wonderful things the Alpena area has to offer.