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Where Adventure Meets Ancient Oceans If you’ve ever wanted to walk through the remains of a prehistoric sea floor, Rockport State Recreation Area delivers one of the most unique outdoor adventures in Michigan. Located along Lake Huron near Alpena, Rockport combines rugged hiking, dramatic quarry views, and some of the best fossil hunting in the Great Lakes region. Michigan recreation Passport is required for entrance to state park. This former limestone quarry spans more than 300 acres and contains fossils that are more than 400 million years old, making it a dream destination for rock hounds, history lovers, and outdoor… Read More »

Step Into a 400-Million-Year-Old Ocean When most people think of Northern Michigan adventures, they picture beaches, forests, and freshwater lakes. But in Alpena, you can add something truly unexpected to that list: fossil hunting in the remains of an ancient tropical sea. At the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, visitors of all ages can dig, discover, and take home fossils that date back more than 350 million years—long before the Great Lakes existed. The museum offers two separate Fossil Park experiences, both designed to give visitors a hands-on look at Michigan’s prehistoric past. Whether you’re a family looking for an… Read More »

Step Aboard a Great Lakes Legend If you love exploring ships, history you can touch, or uniquely Northern Michigan attractions, the USCGC Acacia deserves a spot on your itinerary. Docked in Manistee next to the historic SS City of Milwaukee, this former Coast Guard cutter offers visitors the chance to walk the decks of a real working vessel that served the Great Lakes for more than 60 years. What Makes the Acacia So Special? The Acacia isn’t a replica or a display—it’s the real thing. Built in 1944, she spent decades tending buoys, breaking ice, rescuing stranded ships, and responding… Read More »