Recognizing an opportunity to enhance its mission in a creative and immersive way, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena launched a multi-day, regional event more than a decade ago that continues to spark thoughtful conversations about protecting and preserving the Great Lakes’ aquatic resources and maritime heritage.

Considered the “Sanctuary of the Great Lakes,” the Alpena area boasts over 300 miles of Lake Huron coastline with seven historic lighthouses and a “shipwreck alley,” where countless vessels have been lost over time. Since 2022, Alpena has been a destination for 400-passenger Viking Cruises ships that bring visitors to explore its culture and heritage.

Whether you’re meeting friends to catch up or sneaking away for some quiet time with a warm beverage and a good book, you’ll find a cozy coffee shop or café nearby to warm your heart and soul on a chilly (pre) winter day.

With more miles of freshwater coastline than any other state, it’s no wonder that Michigan also boasts the highest number of lighthouses in America (at about 129). Predating Michigan’s statehood, the first light was constructed in 1825 at Fort Gratiot in Port Huron. It, along with nearly three dozen others, also have the distinction of being “haunted.”

November can be a finicky month—the fall colors of autumn have faded and the rush of holiday spirit has yet to arrive. There are years when the temperatures are unseasonably warm and those when skiers are hitting the slopes soon after Thanksgiving. Fortunately, the Petoskey area offers a variety of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed, without too much concern about the weather.

Michigan has more lighthouses than any state (about 129) dating back to the mid-1820s. These majestic beacons were erected to guide mariners transporting iron ore and copper, lumber, fish, produce and eventually passengers throughout the Great Lakes region.