Thunder Bay
Experience the rich history of the Great Lakes by exploring the exhibits at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Feel the power of a Lake Huron storm while you walk the deck of a life-size schooner or "swim" over a shipwreck in the dive tubes! With over 10,000 square feet of exhibit space, there is something for everyone. The visitor center, open all year, is located in historic downtown Alpena, Michigan along the Thunder Bay River. Admission is free of charge. Glass-bottom boat tours ticketing can be found inside the visitor center.
- Location: Alpena, Michigan
- Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Best for: Families, history enthusiasts, shipwreck seekers, picnickers
Accessibility Features
Physical and Mobility Assistance
- Wheelchair Accessibility/Mobility
- This facility has a wheelchair accessible front desk and accessible entrances. There is an inclined ramp at the front entrance of the building.
- This facility has wheelchair friendly walkways, restrooms, a theater and a conference room.
- There is an elevator available to access the upper level of the museum.
- There is a bi-level drinking fountain located within the building.
- Transportation
- Service dogs are always welcome at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. We follow the U.S. Department of Justice’s requirements for service dogs as listed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service dogs are defined as animals trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.
Service Animals
Service dogs are always welcome at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. We follow the U.S. Department of Justice’s requirements for service dogs as listed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service dogs are defined as animals trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.
Sight and Hearing Impaired Assistance
- Shipwreck Alley Tours App
- An audio tour of 10 locations in the visitor center is available. "Beacons" were installed throughout the center that are triggered by a phone that has the app installed and GPS setting enabled. As a visitor passes within range of a beacon, the audio tour is triggered on the phone. Visitors can also choose to advance the audio tour on their own instead of using the beacons.
- A written version of the history of 13 of the shipwrecks, touched on during the Lady Michigan narration, is also available. You must have GPS enabled and the closest shipwreck should "pop up" on your phone screen. You can also just scroll through on your own as well.
Sensory Friendly Assistance
Shipwreck Alley Tours App
App Store
Google Play
Discover Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary through a variety of engaging experiences. Begin with a concise "General Introduction" to get acquainted with the sanctuary. Explore a map of the visitor center for easy navigation. Dive into the fascinating "Shipwreck Tour," a written version of the Lady Michigan narration, providing insights into 13 shipwrecks. For a captivating journey, embark on an "Exhibit Tour," triggered by beacons or manually advanced, offering an audio guide through ten visitor center locations.