You know that feeling when you drive north and the air suddenly smells like pine needles and damp sand? That’s the exact moment you hit the Sunrise Side. While everyone else is fighting for a parking spot in Traverse City or paying twenty bucks for a fudge sliver on Mackinac Island, there is this stretch of Lake Huron that feels… well, it feels like the Michigan we used to know. Tawas City and East Tawas are basically the heartbeat of Iosco County. If you are looking for things to do tawas mi, you aren't just looking for a checklist. You’re looking for a vibe that is part vintage postcard and part rugged outdoors. It is a weird, beautiful mix.
Honestly, people underestimate Lake Huron. They think it's the "lesser" lake compared to Michigan or Superior. They’re wrong. The water here is crystal clear, and because the shelf stays shallow for a long way out, it actually gets warm enough to swim in without your heart stopping.
The Pier and the State Park Secret
Most people start at the East Tawas State Dock. It’s the classic move. You walk out, the wind whips your hair, and you watch the boats bobbing in the harbor. It’s great, sure. But if you want the real experience, you have to head a few miles north to Tawas Point State Park.
They call it the "Cape Cod of the Midwest." Is that a bit of a stretch? Maybe. But when you see the Victorian-style lighthouse standing against that deep blue horizon, you kind of get it. The Tawas Point Lighthouse has been there since 1876. You can actually take a tour, climb the steps, and feel the history in the wood. It isn't some polished, fake museum; it's a gritty piece of maritime history.
The shoreline here is doing something interesting, too. Because of the way the point hooks into the bay, the water on the "inside" is calm and shallow—perfect for kids or paddleboarding. On the "outside," you get the big lake rollers.
One thing most tourists miss: the birding. Serious bird watchers descend on this park every May for the Tawas Point Birding Festival. It's a major migratory stop. You’ll see people with cameras that cost more than a used truck, all trying to spot a Kirtland’s Warbler. Even if you don't know a hawk from a handsaw, seeing thousands of birds in flight over the dunes is genuinely spectacular.
The River Road Scenic Byway
If you get tired of the sand—if that's even possible—you need to get in the car and head west. Follow the Au Sable River. The River Road Scenic Byway is a 22-mile stretch that will make you forget the 21st century exists.
- Lumberman’s Monument: This is a massive bronze statue dedicated to the workers who built Michigan’s early economy. It overlooks the Au Sable River valley. The view from the top is a gut-punch of beauty. You can see the river winding through the pines like a silver ribbon.
- Canoeists’ Memorial: A bit further down, this spot honors those who participate in the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. It's quiet.
- Iargo Springs: This is where you test your knees. There are about 300 steps leading down to natural springs that have been flowing for thousands of years. The Indigenous people of the area considered this a sacred site, and when you’re standing in the cool mist at the bottom, surrounded by lush ferns, you’ll understand why. It feels ancient.
The river itself is a whole other beast. The Au Sable is world-famous for trout fishing. If you’ve never tried fly fishing, this is the place to start. Or just rent a tube or a canoe from one of the local liveries. Spending four hours drifting down the river with a cooler and some friends is basically a rite of passage.
Eating and Drinking Like a Local
Let's talk about food. You aren't going to find many five-star Michelin restaurants here, and honestly, that’s for the best. You want the stuff that tastes like vacation.
Barnacle Bill’s is a staple for ice cream, but if you want a real meal, you go to the Boathouse Beer Co. & Boathouse Grill. It sits right on the water. Their craft brews are solid, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want after a day in the sun—loud, friendly, and smelling of malt.
Then there’s the Marion’s Dairy Bar. Don't ask questions. Just go. Get a cone. Sit on the bench. It’s been an East Tawas tradition since the 1940s. There is something about the way the sugar hits your tongue while you watch the traffic crawl down Newman Street that just feels right.
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For a more "grown-up" afternoon, Northwoods Wholesale Outlet is... okay, it's not a restaurant, but it's an experience. It’s a massive warehouse of outdoor gear. People travel from all over the state just to walk the aisles. It's basically the Mall of America for guys in camo.
The Winter Pivot
Most people think of things to do tawas mi as a summer-only list. Big mistake. When the bay freezes over, a whole different world wakes up.
Ice fishing is huge here. You’ll see entire villages of shanties pop up on Tawas Bay. People are out there after perch and walleye, huddled over holes in the ice with heaters and thermoses of coffee. It’s a community.
And don't overlook the Corsair Trail System. It’s located in the Huron National Forest. In the summer, it’s great for hiking and mountain biking. In the winter, it becomes one of the premier cross-country skiing destinations in the state. The trails are groomed, winding through dense stands of hardwoods and pines. It’s silent, except for the crunch of your skis. It’s the kind of quiet that lets you actually hear yourself think.
Misconceptions and Reality Checks
People often confuse Tawas with the more commercialized "up north" spots. If you're looking for high-end boutiques and valet parking, you're in the wrong place. Tawas is blue-collar. It’s families who have been coming to the same cabin for forty years. It’s rusted tackle boxes and sandy floorboards.
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The lake can also be dangerous. People forget that Lake Huron is an inland sea. The currents around Tawas Point can be tricky, especially when the wind kicks up from the northeast. Always check the flags at the state park. If they say stay out of the water, stay out.
Also, Newman Street—the main drag in East Tawas—gets packed on holiday weekends. If you hate crowds, visit on a Tuesday in September. The weather is still warm, the water is at its peak temperature for the year, and you’ll have the beach almost entirely to yourself.
Your Tawas Game Plan
If you’re ready to actually do this, stop overthinking it. Tawas doesn't require a complex itinerary.
- Book a spot early: Whether it’s the Tawas Point State Park campground (which fills up months in advance) or a local motel like the Tawas Bay Beach Resort, get your lodging sorted.
- Pack for variety: You need a swimsuit, but you also need a hoodie. Even in July, the breeze off Lake Huron can get chilly the second the sun drops.
- Respect the dunes: Stay on the designated paths at the state park. The dune grass is what keeps the beach from blowing away, and it’s fragile.
- Check the calendar: See if your trip aligns with the Perchville USA festival in the winter or the Fourth of July fireworks, which are shot off right over the bay.
The real magic of Tawas isn't in any one specific activity. It’s in the slow pace. It’s in the way the sunrise hits the water at 6:00 AM, turning the entire bay into a sheet of hammered gold. It’s a place where you can actually unplug without feeling like you’re missing out on something "cooler" elsewhere. Because, honestly, there isn't much that's cooler than a Michigan summer on the Sunrise Side.
Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your visit, download the Michigan DNR "Recreation Passport" app to handle your park entries seamlessly. If you plan on fishing the Au Sable, stop by a local bait shop like Klenow’s Market to get the "hot" lures for the week and grab some of their famous jerky while you’re at it. Your final move should be checking the Great Lakes Beachway trail map if you’re a cyclist; the path connects the towns and the parks, allowing you to leave the car behind entirely.