Travel Planner
“Sunrise Side Wine and Hops Trail”
Episode #1105 Travel planner
The Sunrise Side Wine & Hops Trail, located in northeastern Michigan, is one of the hottest, happening places to visit. The Trail, which boasts seven wineries, two micro-breweries and many attractions along the way, is rapidly becoming known as the friendliest wine tasting site in Michigan.
Section 1
MODERN CRAFT WINERY - AUGRES
Location: 211 E Huron Road - Au Gres, MI
Phone: (989) 876-4948
Hours: Wed-Thu & Sun 12-5pm, Fri-Sat 12-6pm
Modern Craft Winery, Au Gres, located on beautiful Lake Huron, is the location of our Winery and our very first "Tasting Room". We are located off the beaten path and in a comfortable relaxed setting surrounded by nature.
TAWAS POINT STATE PARK
Location: 686 Tawas Beach Road - East Tawas, MI 48730
Size: 183 Acres
Phone: (989) 362-5041
Tawas Point has been referred to as the "Cape Cod of the Midwest." The campground is located on Tawas Bay where the water is shallow and warm for swimming. In the park is the Tawas Point Lighthouse which serves as the sole representative of a true Victorian-era style station on the Great Lakes.
EAST TAWAS - NEWMAN ST / CITY DOCK
Location: Newman Street - East Tawas, MI
Newman Street in downtown East Tawas offers an especially appealing and pedestrian friendly experience, with beautifully landscaped greenbelt areas and tree-lined sidewalks featuring brick pavers and exposed aggregate concrete; all finished off with decorative street lamps, bike racks, benches, street-level planters and hanging floral baskets. Newman Street’s inviting atmosphere extends right down to the waterfront, where East Tawas City Park and the East Tawas State Harbor Dock are a hub of the area’s recreational opportunities.
Section 2
IARGO SPRINGS
Location: Iargo Springs Interpretive Site - GPS 44.44133, -83.67587
Hours: Open year round
Contact: Huron Shores Ranger Station (989) 739-0728
Lying off of River Road National Scenic Byway, Iargo Springs provides a panoramic view of the Au Sable River. Used as a drinking water source since pre-settlement times, dams were constructed on the springs by early loggers before the turn of the century. The dams were useful in diverting water to the logging camps nearby. The site was renovated in 1991. Steps were added and boardwalks along the springs, as well as the dams being rebuilt.
AUSABLE RIVER QUEEN
Location: 1775 West River Road - Oscoda, Michigan 48750
Phone: To assure your trip, it is best to make reservations first. (989) 739-7351 - 10am - 5pm
Schedule: End of May - September, Trips leave at Noon. Trips at 3:30pm for some dates.
The glorious AuSable River Queen is a double-decker, authentic paddle wheel patriotically painted in Red, White and Blue! The River Queen has enjoyed 47 years of safe passage. Young and old alike are excited to ride the Queen and take in the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Bald Eagles that perch on the large trees along the rivers bank are a big hit! It is a beautiful trip in the Summer and even more brilliant with the turning of the leaves in the Fall. They are located on River Road between The Dam Store and Old Orchard Park, which is West of Oscoda. You can take regularly scheduled trips or charter it for your own trip for a wedding, family reunion, or just a great group of friends.
WILTSE'S BREW PUB and FAMILY RESTAURANT
Location: 5606 F-41 - Oscoda, Michigan 48750
Phone: (989) 739-2231
Hours: 8am - 9pm Weekends | 11am - 9pm Mon - Fri
Family restaurant and Hand-Crafted Ales and Lagers.
LUMBERMAN'S MONUMENT
Location: Lumberman's Monument - GPS 44.43592, -83.62381
Hours: Grounds open year-round. Visitor Center open May to October daily, including weekends, from 10am to 5pm.
Contact: Huron Shores Ranger Station (989) 739-0728
Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop. Learn about the industry that helped develop northern Michigan and the men who cut the timber that helped build a nation. Climb through a log jam, use a peavey, cut a wooden cookie with a cross-cut saw, and learn about the life of a lumberjack through video and displays.
LAKE HURON BEACH - OSCODA
Location: Lake Huron Coast
Whether it's the public beach scene on Lake Huron which gives children fun playground activities and safe shallow water depths...or places to launch a watercraft and take advantage of the warm water temperatures and exciting sand hills along one of our inland lakes...or the tranquility of your own private beach where you can experience the most breathtaking sunrises while staying at one of our lodging facilities...you’ll find Oscoda a place worth returning to year after year.
Section 3
HARRISVILLE STATE PARK
Location: 248 State Park Rd - Harrisville, MI
Area: 107 acres
Phone: (989) 724-5126
Harrisville State Park features a campground and day-use area nestled in a stand of pine and cedar trees along the sandy shores of Lake Huron. The park is within walking distance of the resort town of Harrisville and it's many events and close to Sturgeon Point Light House.
- Harrisville State Park [Michigan DNR]
STURGEON POINT
Location: Take US 23 North approximately three miles out of Harrisville, turn right onto Lakeshore Drive and continue approximately one mile to Point Road. Turn east onto Point Road and continue approximately one mile to the gravel road on the left that enters the lighthouse parking area. It is a short walk further down this road to the lighthouse.
Phone: (989) 727-4703
Sturgeon Point State Park juts into Lake Huron, and waves off the Point conceal a long and shallow reef which extends for almost a full mile beyond the visible confines of the land. This undeveloped site offers parking for visitors interested in visiting the lighthouse and museum that rests on the property. The Alcona Historical Society is responsible for upkeep on the light that is owned by the US Coast Guard.
MODERN CRAFT WINERY - HARRISVILLE
Location: 250 S US-23 - Harrisville, MI 48740
Phone: (989) 724-3083
Hours: Monday-Saturday: Noon - 8 pm, Sunday: Noon - 6 pm Call for winter hours.
The second Modern Craft Winery tasting room is located in Harrisville, Michigan and was opened on June 01, 2012 by entrepreneurs Venita and Mark Larson. The inside décor is modeled after an old-time wine tasting room with dark vibrant colors, hand-hammered copper sink, wine bottle pendant lights and a hand rubbed, pine "tasting table" to enhance the experience of tasting Modern Craft Wines.
Section 4
STONEY ACRES WINERY
Location: 4268 Truckey Road ~ Alpena, Michigan 49707
Phone: (989) 356-1041
Hours: Spring/Summer - Sun & Mon: Noon-5pm, Tue - Sat: 11am-6pm, Fall/Winter - Tue - Sat: 11am-6pm, Sun: Noon-5pm
Stoney Acres Winery, a small boutique winery, was established in 1999 in Alpena, Michigan. The business began by providing beer and wine equipment and ingredients for the home beer and wine maker while the signature wines were being carefully produced from fruit grown by local farms.
FLETCHER STREET BREWING COMPANY
Location: 124 W. Fletcher Street ~ Alpena, MI 49707
Phone: (989) 340-0931
Hours: Now Closed
Come experience this unique microbrewery located on the north bank of the Thunder Bay River in a renovated old railroad building overlooking the site of the former Fletcher Paper mill. Within this remarkable building you will find high ceilings and a rustic décor. Sidle on up to the long copper bar and enjoy a sampler of the unique beers or try one of the hand crafted sodas while appreciating the clear view of the brewhouse.
THUNDER BAY WINERY
Location: 109 N. Second Ave. Suite 101 & 103 ~ Alpena, MI 49707
Phone: (989) 358-WINE (9463)
Hours: Tasting Room - Sun 12-6, Mon-Thu 11-6, Fri-Sat 11-7
Thunder Bay Winery is located in the historic Center Building in downtown Alpena. Come for a sampling of elegance and wine samples featuring grape and fruit wines. Experience the charm of this family owned and operated vineyard and winery.
THUNDER BAY RESORT
Location: 27800 M-32 ~ Hillman, MI 49746
Phone: 800-729-9375
Northern Michigan is the place to be during the beautiful days of Summer. Enjoy Thunder Bay's horse drawn carriage ride. Travel through the Resort and cross the Thunder Bay River to see newborn calves and world class bull elk in velvet. It's magical to see such large antlers in velvet this close up! Culinary Artist and co-owner Jan Matthias will regale you with a full five (5) course gourmet dinner cooked before you on two antique wood cook stoves and served in an impeccable setting.
Section 5
RIFLE RIVER RECREATION AREA
Location: 2550 E Rose City Road - Lupton, MI 48635
Phone: (989) 473-2258
The Rifle River Recreation Area covers over 4,000 acres in Ogemaw County. The park offers 159 campsites, has several hiking trails and several lakes in its boundaries. Also in the watershed are two state forest campgrounds. The Rifle River campground provides 40 campsites and is located on both sides of the Rifle River. Hardwood Lake State Forest Campground has 22 campsites available. Public canoe access to the Rifle River is fairly good. Access sites are located in the Rifle River Recreation Area, the state forest campground, near Skidway Lake, Moffatt Bridge, and at Omer. In addition, there is a partially developed access site near the confluence of Klacking Creek with the Rifle.
VALLEY MIST VINEYARDS
Location: 2742 Townline Rd ~ Rose City, MI 48654
Phone: (989) 685-9096
Valley Mist Vineyards was established in 2008. 1500 hybrid grapevines were planted on the Moore's Property that overlooks Rose City in Ogemaw County. Varieties include Marquette, Brianna, Swenson Red, Cayuga White, and Frontenac. The winery was built in Spring of 2010l specializing in Estate~Bottled wines using local fruits and grapes in production.
SILVER LINING TASTING ROOM
Location: 224 W Houghton Avenue - West Branch, MI 48661 (Inside The Silver Lining)
Phone: (989) 345-5226
Hours: Saturday 10am - 5pm Call for holiday and extended hours.
The third Modern Craft Winery tasting room opened on August 31, 2012 in West Branch, Michigan. Peter and Samantha Fabbri created a tasting room environment inside their boutique. The Silver Lining Boutique is situated in the heart of downtown West Branch inside a restored turn-of-the-century building complete with high tin covered ceilings and Victorian charm.
ROSE VALLEY WINERY
Location: 3039 Beechwood Road ~ Rose City, MI 48654
Phone: (989) 685-9399
Hours: Mon-Tue:11 - 5, Wed: CLOSED, Thu-Sat:11 - 5, Sun: 12 - 5
Our wines are well balanced, fruity, priced to please, and personal as a fond embrace. We welcome visitors to our winery seven days a week to sample and to buy, to browse and to banter in our warm, welcoming and cheerful atmosphere. Rose Valley Winery is committed to making quality wines from locally-grown, cold-hardy grapes. We strive to present the “Gifts of Nature” in a simple and personal manner. As only the second winery of our kind on the eastern side of Michigan’s lower peninsula, we seek to encourage others to make wine as well, hoping to lead the way in the formation of an eastern wine community in the state.
OUTLETS AT WEST BRANCH
Location: 2990 Cook Road - West Branch MI 48661
Phone: (989) 345-2594 or (800) 406-8874
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm (January 02 - December 30)
A great place to view some beautiful murals and see many things that represent the culture of this town founded on lumbering, no it’s not a museum. It’s a shopping mall, one of the most unique in the state. What could be more fun than spending the day with family and friends bargain hunting at the Outlets at West Branch!