Blake Walsh

16 Best Things to Do in Tawas City, MI

  • Published 2022/04/15

Tawas City, located north of Bay City on the beaches of Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron, was established in 1854.

The city’s strong natural resource base (farmland and species, combined with Tawas Bay’s protection, created the foundation for the city’s creation and thriving businesses.

It’s a fantastic place to visit on vacation where you can spend a day exploring modest stores, photographing natural beauty, sleeping well, and just breathing fresh air.

Whether searching for a brief weekend trip or a long, relaxing vacation, you’re guaranteed to have fun at this stunning place!

Discover the 16 best things to do in Tawas City, Michigan, below!

Appreciate Breath Taking View at Tawas Point Lighthouse

Colorful sunset over Tawas Point Lighthouse

Craig Sterken / Shutterstock.com

Tawas Point Light, historically known as Ottawa Point, forms a sheltered anchorage in Tawas Bay and is located near the north border of Saginaw Bay.

Chief O-ta-was, the head of a Chippewa community, was honored with the names of the point and lake.

Colorful flowers in front of Tawas Point Lighthouse

Shackleford Photography / Shutterstock.com

The lighthouse is around 145 feet from the parking area, with 85 steps leading up to the tower.

There are seven stairs and matching railings for those who want to view the museum area without traveling toward the top of the tower.

The Museum Store retail store, trekking paths, recreation area, and campsites are all accessible when exploring the Tawas Point Lighthouse.

A gift shop adjacent to Tawas Point Lighthouse

Shackleford Photography / Shutterstock.com

Take Photos of Disney Figures at Tawas City Library

The Tawas City Library is located at 208 North East Street in Tawas City, Michigan.

It is a small community library that hosts a variety of fun-learning events for children every year.

The library is open Monday through Saturday, excluding Fridays, and has several renowned cartoon sculptures.

Popular Disney figures such as Winnie the Pooh, Donald Duck, Tweetie, Sponge Bob Squarepants, Donald Duck, Tweetie, and Sponge Bob Squarepants are sculpted inside the library facilities.

Without a doubt, this library is a fantastic location for children!

Buy Vintage Home Décor at Alabaster Corner Mall

People go to shopping malls for several reasons, including sociability and entertainment.

Alabaster Corner Mall used to be more of a flea market, but since it was acquired, it has been transformed into a unique mix of boutiques.

It first opened in 2012 and has been in operation for decades.

A unique mix of stores selling antique and vintage home décor and furnishings, handcrafted natural stone jewels, handmade designed and made leather items, and a Literature Cafe and Coffee Shop with friendly service and new concepts every day.

This mall can be found at 2441 S US Highway 23, Tawas City.

Enjoy the Scenery at the Tawas Blueberry Farm

Farms provide an excellent opportunity to teach youngsters about agriculture, animals, plants, and much more, as well as providing an incredible chance to observe and enjoy spectacular landscapes.

For almost 60 years, Tawas Blueberry Farm has served the community.

Donna and Joe Czaika purchased the land south of Tawas City in the early 1950s.

The farm was purchased from the former owners, the Czaikas, in October of 2019, and the new owners maintained the legacy of blueberry harvesting in Tawas city.

In 2014, the farm received the “Environmentally Verified” accreditation from the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).

Purchase Personalized Leather Items at Custom Tool Leather

Tooling is the technique of engraving or decorating designs on leather, which is used by craftsmen to create those one-of-a-kind and stunning designs.

Custom Tool Leather, located at 2441 US 23 Tawas City, MI, is housed within the Alabaster Corner store and features a professional leathersmith who can create anything you can imagine out of leather.

Custom tool leather was Established in 2012 and has since been providing high-quality leather services.

It specializes in personalized leather items such as scripture covers, buckles, wallets, notebook covers, slings, and more.

This is one of the greatest places to buy leather in Tawas City if you plan on crafting customized leather products for presents and souvenirs.

Walk around the Tawas City Shoreline Park

Scenic sunset at Tawas City Shoreline Park

Roberto Galan / Shutterstock.com

Shoreline Park’s recreational character is derived from its 450-foot-long pier, close to Town Square; from this park, you may see the Tawas Point Lighthouse.

The proximity of the pier stimulates both active and passive activities, such as fishing and leisure activities.

The Shoreline Park's grounds near Tawas Bay

Roberto Galan / Shutterstock.com

The yearly Shoreline Arts & Crafts Show, the Tawas Bay Water Front Fine Arts Festival, and many other notable events are held at the 8.2-acre park, drawing thousands of people.

They renovated the park throughout time, installing crosswalks, razing the old bathroom and replacing it with a new one, and adding a new playscape, among other things.

Shoreline Park is a fantastic place to visit, with picnic shelters, food stalls, restrooms, and playgrounds available for tourists to enjoy.

Go Bowling at Tawas Lanes

Tawas Lanes was built in 1945 and initially had eight lanes.

It was developed to ten lanes in the 1960s.

Years later, synthetic lanes were added, complete with subsurface ball rates of return, manually gutter bumpers, automated scoring, and flat-screen monitors.

In 2013, the bowling POS system was renovated with conditioning equipment and pinsetters.

The facility features a large selection of rented bowling shoes as well as a variety of house balls in various sizes.

Tawas lanes also have a complete bar with all of the classic liquors, as well as domestic beer and eight Michigan craft brews.

Avail a Cold Beverage at the Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery

Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery is known for its wonderful draft beer, lemonade, and excellent coffee.

But also, you may enjoy average prices for meals such as onion soup, chicken platters, and Cuban sandwiches that may lure you to visit this eatery.

Several reviews say the personnel is kind and the service is quick.

The welcoming ambiance of Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery allows guests to unwind and enjoy themselves.

It is located at 450 W Lake St in Tawas City, MI.

Wander around the Anchor Park

Anchor Park was established in 2018 at 402 East Lake Street.

The property was purchased by the city in 1948 and served as the home of the Tawas Area Department of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce relocated its office in 2018, and the .565-acre land was turned into a park.

The facility contains a 799 square foot structure with a huge terrace overlooking Lake Huron, where tourists may watch the dawn and relax.

It is located along the walkway that runs from Alabaster Township to Baldwin Township.

This park is not only a lovely spot to wander and take in some fresh air, but it also has a fascinating history behind it.

Sit Back and Relax at the Surfside Motel Marina Resort

People visit resorts to appreciate the luxury and excellent service offered and perhaps to have a change of atmosphere.

The beach offers a variety of activities for you to enjoy alone, with your friends or loved ones, and you can always find something that interests you at the beach.

Surfside Motel Marina Resort is the place to stay in Tawas City if you’re searching for a budget-friendly place to visit here in Tawas City.

Some of the services provided, such as room service, are available to customers.

If you become hungry, stop at Buckhorn Inn, a restaurant that is popular with both residents and tourists.

Surfside Motel Marina Resort, located at 716 W Lake St, Tawas City, offers a variety of activities for you to enjoy alone or with your friends or loved ones, and you can always find something that interests you at the beach.

Eat a Homemade Meal at Augie’s on the Bay

Restaurants are known for offering great social environments, where you can enjoy a delicious meal with friends, family, and a pleasant ambiance.

Augie’s on the Bay is well-known in the neighborhood for its delicious meals and a generous amount of serving.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all available, with a greater focus on homestyle cooking.

Augie’s has swiftly established itself as the destination to go for fish, with dishes such as Cod and Whitefish.

The restaurant’s location, which features wonderful views of Tawas Water and a balcony overlooking the bay, makes it the ideal spot to dine with family and friends.

In a northeasterly direction, there are 1.40 miles and roughly 1.61 kilometers between Tawas City and East Tawas.

Despite its small dimensions, East Tawas has a vibrant downtown area with movie theaters, small specialized stores, restaurants, pubs, and other famous tourist attractions.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Other neighboring activities in East Tawas, not far from Tawas city, are featured below.

Explore Outdoor Activities at Tawas Bay

Sunrise reflecting on Tawas Bay

Jeff Caverly / Shutterstock.com

From the shores of Lake Huron to the famous Au Sable River, the Tawas Bay region is surrounded by stunning beauty.

The location offers dozens of reasons for the family and friends to have a fantastic holiday.

The Tawas Bay region is a welcoming community that keeps its small-city charm.

View of Tawas Bay during winter

Sean Patrick Doran / Shutterstock.com

The Tawas Bay region offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including bicycling, hiking, golf, hunting, and a variety of water sports.

During the summer, they offer their famed sugar-sand beaches, and in the spring, they reopen their Farm Market.

This is the time to pursue your goals of physical activity, general well-being, spiritual refreshment, and a chance to enjoy nature while doing so.

Silhouette of a tree near Tawas Bay

David R Duncan / Shutterstock.com

Have a Delicious Meal at the Northwood Steakhouse

At the crossroads of US 23 and Tawas Beach Road in East Tawas, Michigan, the Northwoods Steakhouse is close to the Tawas Bay Big Boy Restaurant.

Steaks, fish, poultry, and other delectable meals are among Northwood’s specialties.

The Northwoods Steakhouse also has a fantastic range of great wines by the glass or bottle, five types of draft beer, and a fully equipped bar to complement your meal.

The small setting is enhanced by stunning vintage photographs of the region, which match the attractive rustic wood design and one-of-a-kind stone fireplace.

The ambiance offers a nice, relaxing mood that enhances your meal even more.

Admire the Forest at Lumberman’s Monument Park

Back view of the Lumberman's Monument statue

Richard Westlund / Shutterstock.com

Tawas City and East Tawas, about 18 kilometers to the south, are the closest places to this wonderful tourist attraction.

Lumberman’s Monument is a memorial to the employees of Michigan’s earliest forestry industry.

The monument is located in the Huron-Manistee National Forests eastern section.

The bronze statue, which stands 14 feet tall, features a log encircled by three figures.

The region was severely logged for hardwood in the late 1800s, which was used to construct houses and factories.

Much of the region was filled with trees once the logging business died out, resulting in the forestry we see now.

Watch Live Entertainment at Bikinis Beach Bar

East Tawas, MI, is home to the bikini bar beach, located at 300 E Bay St.

Due to the peaceful ambiance and live entertainment every weekend, it is the ideal spot to unwind with your family and friends.

They also provide a variety of enjoyable activities such as jet skiing and beach volleyball.

For hotel and beach bar guests, there is also a complimentary boating port in front of the beach bar where you may bring your friends, and they will provide the volleyballs.

Salads, burgers, tacos, and even easily shared and kid-friendly meals are available on their menu.

Every weekend during the summer, the bikini’s beach bar features live entertainment where you can listen to music and chilled refreshments.

Watch a Movie at the East Tawas Family Theatre

The movie theater transports you from the actual world to a fictional one, providing a stress-free environment and a getaway from whatever is causing you strain.

The Tawas Family Theatre is a locally owned and run movie theater in a friendly, attractive location in downtown East Tawas.

It can be found at 132 Newman St in East Tawas, Michigan.

They have two screens to provide customers with a variety of new titles.

They also provide a selection of snacks, such as freshly popped popcorn, refreshing soft drinks, and tasty candies.

Customers will undoubtedly enjoy a good evening at the movies with their friends or family without spending a lot of money.

Final Thoughts

Vacationing In Tawas City, Michigan, is a fantastic experience.

Every season of the year, the Tawas Area has everything you’re searching for, from a fast weekend break to a completely relaxing vacation.

Visit this unique and small city throughout the summer and participate in a variety of activities focusing on fun, music, food, and the lovely bay and shaded woodlands.

Get a fresh feeling of peace by visiting this seaside village.

Tawas City will enchant you with its hospitality, and you will return home renewed and refreshed.

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