Area Attractions · Thunder Bay Country
Shipwrecks, sinkholes
and a lot of sky.
Thunder Bay Resort sits in the middle of Northeast Michigan’s best day trips, from glass-bottom boat tours on Lake Huron to fossil hunting and Michigan’s wild elk herd.
Make a Day of It
Play a round in the morning, spend the afternoon exploring the Sunrise Coast, and be back in time for the elk ride.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Alpena’s Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center tells the story of Shipwreck Alley with walk-through exhibits, and glass-bottom boat tours float right over preserved wrecks in Lake Huron.
Pigeon River Country
Home to the largest free-roaming elk herd east of the Mississippi. Drive the forest roads at dawn or dusk for your best chance to spot them in the wild.
Nearby
More to explore.
Rockport State Recreation Area
Dig for Devonian fossils in an old limestone quarry, hike past sinkholes, and stay after dark: Rockport is a designated dark sky preserve.
Northeast of Alpena
Thunder Bay River
The river runs right past the resort. Paddle, fish or just follow the shoreline on one of the region’s best quiet-water stretches.
On property
Presque Isle Lighthouses
Two historic lighthouses on a Lake Huron peninsula, with a tower you can climb for views across the water.
Lake Huron shoreline
Arts, Culture & Wine
For a rainy day, or a slow one.
Alpena
Besser Museum
Art, history and science, with a full-dome planetarium, a fossil exhibit and a historic village.
Alpena
Art in the Loft
Northeast Michigan’s fine arts center, with galleries, workshops and events.
Alpena
Thunder Bay Winery
Over 20 locally made wines and ciders in the historic Center Building downtown.
Hillman Area
Burrone Family Vineyards
An up-north wine experience among forest and vineyard rows.
Home base for all of it.
27800 M-32, Hillman, Michigan 49746 · Reservations 989-742-4502
Thunder Bay Resort
27800 M-32
Hillman, Michigan 49746
Golf course, Rocky Mountain elk preserve, lodging and RV park on 350 acres of Northern Michigan.
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