The 18.5-mile bicycling/hiking/in-line skating Alpena Bi-Path winds through some of the city's parks and beaches along Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron. A portion of the route includes the Maritime Heritage Trail, which runs along the Thunder Bay River downtown and showcases local maritime culture and history. It begins and ends in South Riverfront Park and includes a boardwalk, a pedestrian bridge and interpretive signage.
Duck Park and Island Park, US 23 and Long Rapids Road at the Thunder Bay River, occupy part of a 600-acre wildlife sanctuary and offer opportunities for fishing. Duck Park also has a picnic area and is a good locale for bird-watching; kayaks can be rented by calling (989) 255-7796. Island Park, which is across the bridge from Duck Park, features nature trails.
Limestone quarries remain important in the region. North and west of the city is an area of natural sinkholes created by the settling of the limestone crust into caverns formed by subterranean streams. Some of the sinkholes are more than 150 feet deep.
Visitor Centers
Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 420 N. 2nd Ave. Alpena, MI 49707. Phone:(989)340-2288 or (800)425-7362
Shopping
Downtown Alpena offers clothing and gift boutiques. The Alpena Farmers Market is held behind City Hall Wed. and Sat. 8-1, May-Oct.; in addition to produce, vendors entice customers with baked goods, flowers, maple syrup, honey, and arts and crafts.