The Perfect Home Base
for Exploring the Sunrise Side

Michigan's sunrise side boasts natural beauty and activities for adventure and relaxation. Explore Tawas Bay, hike scenic trails, and visit charming towns with unique shops and festivals. From water sports to art galleries and scenic drives, this region offers something for everyone, and a memorable experience for all.

We’ve listed some of our favorites and provided some sample itineraries, below, plus you can check out some local guides including tawas.com and tawasbay.com. Enjoy!

Some of Our Favorites

  • Shopping

    O’Connors, Nordic Sports, Brew Krew, Chick’n Dots, Ben Franklin, The Ladies’ Room, Windjammer Gifts, Klenow’s Market, Neiman’s Family Market

  • Snacking and Dining

    Marion’s Dairy Bar, Proof Bakehouse, Boat House Beer Co., Tawas Bay Pizza Company, The Village Chocolatier, Northwoods Steak House, Mango’s Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Bar, Rt 23 BBQ, Cozy Cup Coffee, Mr Jack’ss Sports Bar and Grill, The Lazy Toaster, Augie’s on the Bay, Social Oak, G’s Pizzeria, Tawas Bay Fudge, Hungry Howie’s Pizza, Sunnyside Coffee

  • Festivals, Art, and Culture

    Blues By The Bay, Summerfest, Tawas Arts and Craft Fairs, Tawas Point Lighthouse Visitor Center, Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center, Tawas Bay Players, Tawas Bay Art Gallery, Wurtsmith Air Museum, Iosco County Historical Museum

  • Hiking

    Tawas Point State Park Trail, Shore-to-Shore Trail, Highbanks Trail, Eagle Run Loop, Iargo Springs Staircase, Corsair Trail, Silver Valley Loop, Wrights Lake Loop, Westgate Overlook, South Branch Trail

  • Biking

    Tawas Bay Bike Path and Alabaster Pathway, East Tawas to Lumberman’s Monument, Charlie Horse Electric Bikes

  • Driving

    River Road National Scenic Byway, Lumberman’s Monument Auto Tour, Tawas Lighthouse to Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, Lake Huron Circle Tour. Daytrips to Midland, Bay City, Alpena, Mackinac, Grayling, Gaylord,

  • Boating and Beaching

    East Tawas State Harbor, East Tawas DNR Boat Launch, East Tawas City Park Beach, Tawas City Shoreline Park, Tawas Point State Park.

  • Birding

    Tawas Point State Park, Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area, AuSable Birding Trail, Sunrise Coast Birding Trail, Saginaw Bay Birding Trail

  • Golfing

    Red Hawk, Tawas Creek, East Ridge, Huron Breeze, Singing Bridge, Bogey’s Indoor Golf

Itineraries to Inspire

Itinerary 1: Explore East Tawas

  • Morning: Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at The Lazy Toaster.

  • Mid-Morning: Stroll along Newman Street with a coffee from Cozy Cup and visit shops including O’Connor’s, The Ladies Room, Chick N Dots, and Brew Krew.

  • Afternoon: Enjoy pub-style lunch at Mr Jack’ss followed by a walk around the East Tawas State Harbor with some Marion’s Ice Cream. Pick up sweets from The Village Chocolatier, some supplies for your cottage from Klenow’s Market, and souvenirs from Ben Franklin and Windjammer Gifts.

  • Evening: Enjoy a lively dinner at Mango’s Mexican Cuisine and finish with a movie at Tawas Family Theater.

Itinerary 2: Take in Tawas City

  • Morning: Start with classic breakfast at Augie’s By The Bay, then pick up supplies for your cottage at Neiman’s Family Market.

  • Afternoon: Grab some lunch and try your hand at axe throwing and bowling at Tawas Axe N Lanes. Then take a stroll lake-side and along the pier and beach at Shoreline Park.

  • Evening: Sample local brews and enjoy dinner at the Boathouse Beer Co., then head back to the cottages to take in the sunset.

Itinerary 3: Relax near the Cottages with an Elegant Up-North Finish

  • Morning: Brew a K-Cup in your kitchen and sip it on our beach while enjoying the morning colors over beautiful Tawas Bay.

  • Afternoon: Savor some artisan pizza at Tawas Bay Pizza Company or bring it back to enjoy on our patio. Enjoy lake-side on our beach, take a swim, and maybe even catch a nap!

  • Evening: Savor a delicious steak dinner and one of the best wine lists around at Northwoods Steak House. Wrap up the evening with a bonfire and stargazing on our beach.

Itinerary 4: Adventure Awaits

  • Morning: Grab some pastries from Proof Bakehouse and cook up some eggs with coffee for breakfast in your cottage.

  • Mid-Morning: Rent from Charlie Horse Bikes for a ride to Tawas Point Lighthouse and, for a longer ride, to the Alabaster Pathway and Arboretum.

  • Afternoon: Take a drive through the forest to Lumberman’s Monument to enjoy the views over the AuSable River at then to and to Iargo Springs, where you can walk down to the river (almost 300 steps) and may be some swans.

  • Evening: Gather around a fire pit at the cottages for sunset and s'mores.

Itinerary 5: Birding Quest

  • Morning: Enjoy coffee lake-side and a hot breakfast in your cottage.

  • Mid-Morning: Hike the Sandy Hook Trail at Tawas Point State Park.

  • Afternoon: Grab takeout at Subway and head out to Tuttle Marsh, Eagle Run, and Foote Site Park.

  • Evening: Enjoy classic take-out pizza from G’s Pizzeria on our patio and then share stories fireside on our beach under the stars.