Group Tour Ideas 2009
The Alpena Area Convention and Visitors Bureau welcomes the opportunity to assist your group in planning your event! We offer a number of services to groups, although are by no means limited to the items listed below. Let us know how we can help you!Tour The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
500 W. Fletcher St., Alpena (989) 356-8805
Admission: Free
Hours: Please call for hours
web site: www.thunderbay.noaa.gov
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary preserves a national treasure, nearly 200 historic shipwrecks in and around the bay. Lake Huron’s cold, fresh water preserves many of these shipwrecks intact and in water depths ranging from a few inches to 200 feet, making the sanctuary a popular destination for divers, snorkelers and kayakers. You can explore the history and archaeology of these wrecks at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, the Sanctuary's 20,000 square foot river front headquarters. Exhibits on Great Lakes maritime history and shipwrecks include the new "Exploring the Shipwreck Century" exhibit, an 8,000 square ft. permanent exhibit where visitors can experience elements of a traditional maritime museum combined with a hands-on discovery center featuring life-sized recreations of an historic Great Lakes schooner and shipwreck sites, artifact displays, and interactive learning stations on technology and diving. Also featuring a sanctuary store, state of the art education spaces, high-definition theater, and archaeological conservation lab, the admission-free Center is a great destination and the best place to begin exploring Thunder Bay. Your tour includes viewing a film in the theater, touring exhibits and visiting the gift shop. Please call for current hours of operation. Wreck locations are available on our web site. While visiting Alpena, you may also want to explore the Thunder Bay Sanctuary Research Collection, one of the largest archival collections of Great Lakes maritime history in existence, located at the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library.
Tour Duration: 2 hours
Group Size: Maximum of 90
Cost: Free
Address: 500 W. Fletcher St., Alpena MI 49707
Contact: Cathy Green
Phone: (989) 356-8805, ext. 10
Web site: www.thunderbay.noaa.gov
Besser Museum For Northeast Michigan Tour
Regional AAM Accredited Museum focusing on History, Art and Science topics. History exhibits featuring Northeast Michigan’s Native American, lumber, maritime and industrial heritage. Local, state and national Art exhibitions. Local geology, natural history and astronomy featuring premier exhibit of Michigan taxidermy and the Sky Theatre Planetarium. 19th Century Historic Village on the grounds including the National Historic Register exhibit of the Katherine V Fish Tug. Open 7 days a week, year round. Docent tours and planetarium shows available for groups.
Tour Duration: 1 hour
Group Size: 20
Cost: Museum tour-$2.00 with docent, planetarium show-$2.00 (15 people or $30.- minimum). Driver and tour leader are free.
Address: 491 Johnson St., Alpena MI 49707
Contact: Sharon Anderson
Phone: (989) 356-2202
Web site: www.bessermuseum.org
Tour The Fletcher Street Brewing Company
An enjoyable tour is always on tap at the Fletcher Street Brewing Company in Alpena. The walking tour of the brewery lasts about 30 minutes. Guests will hear a brief history of the brewery and will learn about the brewing process. Tours are offered by reservation only. Making your reservation as early as possible will help to ensure that the brewery can accommodate your group on the day of your choice. A tasting session may be scheduled to follow the tour. A limited tasting, which includes a sampling of five different sodas or beer is available for $6.00 per person. Please note that while there is no charge for the tour.
Tour Duration: 30 minutes
Group Size: 20 people
Cost: Free
Address: 124 W. Fletcher St., Alpena MI 49707
Contact: Nadine Donakowski
Phone: (989) 356-2314
Wine Tasting/Tour At Stoney Acres Winery
Learn how wine is made and taste locally-made wine at Stoney Acres Winery in Alpena. Guests will enjoy a walking tour of the facility and learn about the wine-making process. Stoney Acres makes several different kinds of grape and fruit wines including Silver City White (Reisling), Silver City Red (Merlot), and more than a half-dozen fruit wines including several berry varieties and cherry, pear and apple. Reservations for groups are preferred. There is no charge for the tasting/facility tour. Facility tour, 30 minutes. Wine tasting, 30-45 minutes. See website at www.stoneyacres.net.
Cost: | Free |
| Address: | 4268 Truckey Rd., Alpena |
| Contact: | Helen or Amy |
| Phone: | (989) 356-1041 |
Presque Isle Lighthouses Tour
Presque Isle has two lighthouses...the "Old" 1840 lighthouse and the "New" 1870 lighthouse. The "Old" has the distinction of being the oldest surviving original lighthouse tower on the Great Lakes, while the "New" is the tallest lighthouse on Lake Huron. Both lighthouses may be climbed; the squat "Old" tower is an easy climb, but the lofty "New" takes a little more effort with 130 steps to climb to get to the top. While at the "New", the group will also tour the 1905 House and may spend some time in the gift shop.
The tour will be led by local historian Judy Kimball. Kimball has done extensive research on both lighthouses, the 1905 House, Bell Cemetery and the Presque Isle Township Cemetery. She has also been involved in the restoration of the 1905 House. Kimball, a life-long summer resident of the East Grand Lake/Presque Isle area, retired as an occupational therapist in the Mount Clemens area and moved to Presque Isle full-time.
Tour Duration: 2 hours
Group Size:
Cost: see below
Contact: Lighthouses-Mary Tanner (989) 595-9917
Judy Kimball (989) 595-2296
Admission to Old Presque Isle Lighthouse is $2.00 per person (group rate) with driver and leader free.
Admission to the 1905 House is free. While there is no admission fee for the New Presque Isle Lighthouse Park, a $2.00 "admission" per person will allow anyone that wants to, to climb the tower.
There is no charge to see the Old Range Light.
There is no charge for the guide (Kimball), but a $2.00 per person donation is accepted for the Presque Isle Township Museum Society.
Fossil Dig at Lafarge Alpena Plant
Company Name: Lafarge North America Alpena Plant
Address: 1435 Ford Ave., Alpena MI 49707
Contact: Tara Rondeau
Phone: (989) 358-3265
Tour Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Group Size: More than 10 people
Charge: No
Digging for fossils in a limestone quarry is a fun and memorable group activity. A fossil dig guide will meet with your group and take them down to they quarry where they will be able to dig for fossils. It is recomended that participants wear appropriate attire including closed toe shoes, boots if available and jeans. Hardhats and glasses will be provided while at the plant.
Snorkeling Tour
You don’t need to be a scuba diver to see some of Lake Huron’s famous shipwrecks up close. Thunder Bay Scuba in Alpena and Great Lakes Divers in Rogers City offer all equipment needed for rental including masks, fins and Wet Suits. A Wet Suit rental makes a chilly lake comfortable, allows you to float with out effort, and avoids sunburn. Novices welcome!
Thunder Bay Scuba-
Tour Duration:
Group Size:
Cost:
Address: 413 South Ripley Blvd., Alpena
Contact: Joe Sobczak
Phone: (989) 356-6228 or 888-4-ALPENA
Web site: www.TBscuba.com
e-mail: joe@TBscuba.com
Great Lakes Divers-
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Group Size: Minimum 4, maximum 6
Cost:
Address: 301 N. Third St., Rogers City
Contact: Steve Kroll
Phone: (989) 734-7590 or (989) 734-2866
Web site: www.greatlakesdivers.com
e-mail: diving@greatlakes.comUpNorth Charters-
Tour Duration:
Group Size:
Cost:
Address: 2961 Werth Rd., Alpena
Contact: Paul Labrecque
Phone: (989) 464-7241
Web site: www.upnorthcharters.com
Laser Team Challenge
Unlike laser tag, participants divide into teams and conduct military-style “missions”…it’s like playing a real live video game! Mission Director briefs each mission’s objectives, conditions of victory and basic strategy hints. Game lasts approximately 3 hours and includes five to eight missions. Chose from several distinct settings or private booking in setting of your choice. Great activity for a group of friends, organizational activity, family reunion, birthday party, or company team building. Are you ready for the challenge? Visit our web site or call:
(989) 464-4937 www.LaserTeamChallenge.com
Tour Duration: 3 hours
Group Size: 50
Cost: Group Rate $14.00 per person
Address: 2367 Park Rd., Alpena
Contact: Jim Makowske
Phone: (989) 464-4937
Middle Island Light Station Tour
Narrated 3-4 hour tour includes short boat ride, nature walk, viewing of restoration efforts and up-close photo opportunities and miles of groomed trails. Passengers depart at 10:00 a.m. Saturdays. Special arrangements for five or more people. May through mid-October, weather permitting. Must make reservations ahead of time. Call for details.
Tour Duration: 3-4 hour
Group Size: 13-26
Cost: Group Rate: $25.-
Address: 7406 U.S. 23 North, Suite B., Alpena MI 49707
Contact: Mike Theut
Phone: (989) 619-1013
Web site: www.middleislandlodge.com
Elk Viewing Ride And Gourmet Dinner
Your group will love Thunder Bay Resort’s Award-Winning Elk Viewing Ride, Gourmet Dinner and Wine Tasting. Thunder Bay Resort is the home of a large herd of elk. Board a carriage (summer and fall) or sleigh (winter) drawn by massive draft horses and travel through the resort and across the Thunder Bay River to see the majestic elk. Continue on to the Elk Antler Log Cabin to enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared on antique wood cookstoves as well as a wine tasting featuring locally-made wine. The resort also offers comedy and murder mystery weekends and other packages. Call (989) 742-4502 for more information and a free DVD.
Brush Creek Mill Tours
Brush Creek Mill was constructed on a site where previous mills once stood. Built on the banks of the Thunder Bay River, it was named for Brush Creek, which meets the river, flowing from Atlanta to Alpena.
The mill demonstrates the power of moving water with a 22’ stainless steel water wheel, capable of grinding corn and wheat. The mill features a museum, meeting room/classroom and gift store featuring handmade crafts made by local artists and crafters. The mill is open Memorial Day through mid-October. The tour includes a tour of the mill and museum, demonstration of the water wheel and visit to the gift store.
Tour Duration: 45 minutes
Group Size: 45
Cost: Free admission
Address: 121 S. State Ave., Hillman
Contact:
Phone: (989) 742-2527 or (989) 742-3759
Make A Craft at The Forget-Me-Not Shoppe
The Forget-Me-Not Shoppe carries a full line of archival-quality albums, papers and supplies. They offer a weekly schedule of classes and crops led by a knowledgeable design team and talented staff. Whether you're an experienced "scrap-addict" or just starting out, you'll find their lovely store is comfortable, relaxing and user-friendly. They are just waiting for you to come in and crop! In your private workshop, your group will learn scrapbooking skills while completing a project you'll be proud to show off. Projects can include greeting cards, mini scrapbooks, framed pieces or memory necklaces. Activities may be customized to meet the needs of your group. Advance reservations are required.
Activity Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Group Size: Up to 15. With advance notice, it may be
possible to accommodate larger groups
Cost: $15.00
Address: 109 N. 2nd Ave., Suite 101, Alpena
Contact: Vickie Mock
Phone: (989) 356-5939
Island Park And Duck Park Tour
Volunteeers will lead a tour of this unique natural 17-acre island within the city limits. Surrounding Island Park is the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary...500 acres of wetlands and waterways that protect scores of animal, waterfowl and plant species. Trails lead visitors to diverse ecosystems such as meadows, marshes, dunes, forest, water's edge and highpoint views. Access is by a bridge from Duck Park, located at the corner of U.S. 23 (Chisholm) and Long Rapids Road. To arrange a tour, call (989) 356-0353 or (989) 595-3919.
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