1. Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery : My fav place to have a nice dinner! Food, drinks, & ambiance are amazing. 
2. Tawas Bay Pizza Co. : One of the best pizzas I’ve ever had.
3. Tony’s Tacos: (Seasonal) A small stand at the Tawas City Shoreline Beach offering tacos, quesadillas, and other Mexican street food for quick bites. YUM!
4. Klenow’s Market : Grab a quick snack, sandwich, or jerky stick. This beloved market is family-owned.
5. Neiman’s Family Market : Get doughnuts and other groceries at Neiman’s Family Market.
6. Village Chocolatier : This place is for all the chocolate lovers out there. Wide array of hand-dipped chocolate confections. Create your own chocolate boxes, fresh squeezed lemonade, & enjoy the free smells. (Fun Favorites: Seasonal specials like chocolate-covered bacon or Doritos . My family loves Bean Boozled. I have personally grabbed chocolate-covered pretzels every time I've visited since high school.)
7. Route 23 BBQ : So good!
8. Mango’s : Mexican Cuisine & margarita towers.
9. Tawas Bay Fudge Shop : (Seasonal) Fudge & Ice Cream shop! *Funny Fact* 4 out of 6 Cota Kids have worked at the Fudge Shop!
10. Downtown Diner : A quaint breakfast & brunch spot downtown.
11. G’s Pizzaria : A local favorite for pizza and breadsticks.
12. Marion’s Dairy Bar : Grab an ice cream cone from the serving window or go inside for a diner vibe.
13. Augie’s on The Bay : Enjoy breakfast right on the bay
14. Mr. Jack'ss Sports Bar & Grill : A Tawas classic for burgers, sandwiches, & more. *Fun Fact* Kid Rock ate on the patio here! 
15. Northwoods Steakhouse : Craving a steak?
16. Social Oak Chophouse & Wine Bar :  We recommend a glass of wine on the patio during the summertime, cheers!
17. Bogey's Indoor Golf & Sports Bar : A new go-to hangout spot with a unique, fun vibe- good drinks, indoor golf, & their very community-focused.
18. The Candy Shop: Core memories. Fun Fact* This was my very first job! Once located at Brew Krew, now at Chick N Dots!
19. Proof Bakehouse : Find their sought-after baked goods on Saturdays at the Farmers Market during the summer. During the winter season find them at 824 E Bay St (be sure to check their hours). My family is obsessed.
20. Northern Nutrition : Energizing teas, coffees, and shakes. 
21. Tilly’s Cafe : Coffee, snacks, boba tea, and fun weekly events. 
22. Cozy Cup Coffee Company : A quaint coffee shop on Newman St.
23. Brew Krew Coffee Bar : Order a cup of coffee at the coffee bar, bring some freshly ground beans home, or grab beer/wine for the night.
24. SunriseSide Coffee : Located in the Liberty Building in Tawas City. Grab a drink then head down the hall to Bookish.
25. Barnacle Bill’s : This is one of the local go-to bars in town. 
26. Tawas Axe N Lanes & Rooftop Bar : Get your competitive edge on with bowling or axe throwing, then celebrate your victory with a drink on the deck! (I have not been yet, it looks like fun!)
27. Tawas Bay Beach Resort : Head inside the resort to continue the party when it gets cold outside.
28. Bikinis Beach Bar : Located right on the resort beachfront, Bikinis offers a fun vibe during the summertime. Try to catch a live performance there!

1. Perchville : An energetic annual wintertime festival. Bundle up for the chili cook-off, polar bear swim, and more during the second weekend of February. 
2. Tawas Bay Art Festival : Explore unique art & vendors right on the bay.
3. Sidewalk Sales : Stores downtown bring their sales outside for everyone to peruse.
4.  Farmers Market : Highly recommend supporting our local Farmers Markets. There are so many delicious & truly nutritious bites.
5. Memorial Day Arts and Craft Show : This art show is fun to walk through! There are so many talented vendors here.
6. 4th of July Parade : Find a spot on the main roads early! Check out our parade experience here!
7. Paul Bunyan Festival : In Oscoda, celebrate the lumberjacks who helped build our local towns.
8. Tawas Bay Waterfront Fine Art Festival : Shoreline Park in Tawas City draws in a variety of talented Michigan artists to showcase their art! Fun Fact* This is one of the longest-running art festivals in Michigan!
9. Celebration Days at Tawas Point: A family-oriented celebration held the second weekend of June each year. There are many activities offered for the entire family. I remember this being SO fun when I was growing up.
10. Summer Street Dances : (FREE + Family Friendly) Bring a lawn chair or stroll downtown while a local band performs on Newman Street.
11. Au Sable River Canoe Marathon : An annual 120-mile canoe race in Michigan from Grayling to Oscoda. This is a tough, non-stop race that draws quite the crowd of dedicated supporters. Highly recommend you check out the race at various spots along the river - it is incredible. Check out our recap video here. 
12. Blues on the Bay : A summertime celebration for the Blues.
13. *Coming Soon* Create & Collaborate Networking Pop-Up Events : Founded by Shaylin, C&C Events are meant to connect & celebrate community. Think networking, but fun and interactive! Here is a clip of our pop-ups thus far!

1. Brew Krew : Find specialty kitchen & bath products here. If you need coffee, beer, or wine, stop at Brew Krew!
2. B-Trendy : Located inside Brew Krew, you’ll find a fun clothing & accessories boutique called BTrendy.
3. Mooney’s Ben Franklin : A collection of fun knick-knacks you have to have to check out for yourself.
4. Holistic Pampered Pets : Our fav place in town to get treats & antlers.
5. Crystals & Rings & All Kinds of Herbal Things : I love their soaps, natural bug spray, celtic salt, crystal bracelets, and have purchased various gifts here. They just opened a second location across the street from their first store!
6. Windjammer : A variety of home goods. 
7. Bookish : Inside the Liberty Building, you will find a quaint bookstore. Look out for their events with cats in need of homes!
8. Blue Bear Jewelry : My family & I have collected a variety of Blue Bear jewelry over the years. I always wear a turquoise ring that reminds me of home whenever I look at it.
9. O’Connor’s : Find a variety of quality clothing, accessories, & home decor. Find a suit & tailor it to your exact measurements!
10. Branham’s Jewelry: Find beautiful jewelry here! This space has also transformed beautifully into an additional venue space, called The Gallery, for brides and grooms to celebrate their special day.
11. Nordic Sports : Premium outdoor wear. Find cross-country ski rentals here! They also sell the annual $5 buttons that help fund the trail clearing and snow grooming efforts
12. EuFloria Florist & Gifts : Cute shop with seasonal decor.
13. Erin Matthew Sewing and Quilt Shop : Take courses here or stop by to find the perfect pattern.
14. Tawas Do It Best Hardware : Who knew a hardware store would have so many cute clothes & accessories?!
15. Chick N Dots : A cute children's store downtown.
16. Fabulous Finds Thrift : A fabulous thrift & antique store that offers hidden gems in every corner! Nextdoor you’ll find…
17. Finders Keepers Thrift : Another shop with special, unique finds.
18. Salvation Army Thrift : A frequent visit for my sisters & I. We are thriftaholics.
19. St. Vincent Thrift : A classic thrift location.

1. Downtown : A walk downtown will reveal various photoshoot opportunities. (Walls, Street Shots, Lake Views, Dock, etc)
2. Tawas Dock : The dock itself offers many views & angles for beautiful photos.
3. Boat Launches : The boat launches around Tawas are beautiful.
4. Huron National Forest : Looking for serene scenic views? Head out to the national forest for beautiful photos.
5. Brew Krew’s Blue Wall : We love an iconic wall.
6. Scenic places along the Au Sable River : There are many trails, scenic stops & adventures along the Au Sable River

There are SO many great places for photoshoots. This HAS to be it's own blog! My photography career started in Tawas. I have done countless senior photoshoots, editorial shoots, headshots, weddings, events, you name it. Check out my photography page @Shaylin.Collabs

1. Check out local art at the Tawas Bay Art Gallery : A variety of local artists' work can be featured here. (Check out the Cota Sisters' artwork during November:)
2. Movie Theater: A quaint, affordable movie theater.
3. Visit the Lighthouse : The first lighthouse was finished in 1853. Due to the ever-changing shoreline, our current lighthouse was built in 1876. Climb 85 stairs up the tower for breathtaking views of Tawas Bay and Lake Huron.
4. Explore Tawas State Park AKA The Point: A beloved location. My childhood beach spot has disappeared due to the rising water levels. Get out to the point and enjoy this special coast. Some have called this the Cape Cod of the Midwest. 4th of July on the waters out at ‘The Point’ are elite. 
5. Lumberman’s Monument : A must-visit. There are scenic views, a small museum, play in the logs, watch sunset at the Highbanks, hammock, cookout, there’s are endless trails to explore.
6. Adventure along the Au Sable River : Find countless stops, trails, and campgrounds along the beautiful Au Sable River. If you get the chance to boat down these calm waters, enjoy! 
7. Highbanks Trail : Take the trail past the Lumberman's Museum. Continue walking to an overlook & dunes for the best views. 
8. Gateway Park : This is the first park you might see coming into town! Farmers Markets, fishing, & beautiful moments happen here. *Fun Fact* My Aunt got married here!
9. Iargo Springs : 300 steps, wooded paths, calming sounds of birds and running water. Check out our video!
10. Boat/Pontoon/Canoe/Kayak: There are many boat launch locations on the Tawas River & surrounding areas. Look up Kayak Rentals in Tawas; there are some easy-to-rent kayaks located at particular boat launches.
11. Boat Launches: As a Tawas Native (without a boat), I personally find the local boat launches peaceful & beautiful for sunset or a relaxing pitstop *Fun Fact* Tawas Lake is home to Michigan’s largest wild rice bed! 
12. Hammock at the Highbanks : Beautiful. No notes.
13. Run down the sand hills : Beware of the trek up, but have fun running down!
14. Walk down Newman Street : Main street can be charming. My favorite is when downtown is decorated for the holidays.
15. Walk the Dock : A go-to Tawas activity.
16. Plan a picnic at a state park : Food & scenic views- yes, please.
17. Enjoy Lake Huron : Appreciate our fresh water lakes by having fun & cleaning up after yourself! 
18. Explore the Huron National Forest : Unplug & explore.
19. Disc Golf at Dewey Durant Park : Enjoy 18 holes at Dewey Durant Park.
20. Beach Day : There are several beaches in Tawas to enjoy!
21. Tawas City Bike Path : 13.5 miles of paved trails from Alabaster Township all the way to Tawas Point State Park.
22. Go to a library : Visit the East Tawas Library or Tawas City Library.
23. Golf at Red Hawk : A tranquil golfing experience.
24. Hubies Wondergolf : (Seasonal) Family-owned and operated 18-hole miniature golf course located on US-23.
25. Stargaze : With minimal light pollution, you can find magical stargazing opportunities. 
26. Sunrise Side : Early risers enjoy the sunrise on Lake Huron. 
27. Sunset : Lumberman’s Monument is my favorite place for sunset 
28. Tom Dillon Park : A quaint neighborhood park & also my childhood park.
29. Gateway Park : A lovely lakeside park where the Farmers Markets are held and people can fish. 
30. Community Center Park : A childhood favorite. Enjoy the park and find a good read at the library.
31. Oscoda : (North of Tawas) There are lovely beaches, a skatepark, & more amazing scenery.

1. Snowshoe : The Huron National Forest offers many miles of trails to enjoy. 
2. Perchville Polar Bear Swim : Jump into the icy waters of Lake Huron during peak wintertime.
3. Perchville Chilly Cook-Off : Businesses downtown go head-to-head in a chili cook-off competition. Bundle up, purchase a Perchville button/koozie in advance, enjoy, & vote for your fav batch. 
4. Ice Fish : Set up a shanty and try your luck catching perch and other fish on the frozen bay.
5. Winter Walk : Walking through the Huron National Forest during the snowy wintertime can be magical.
6. Ice Skate at the Tawas Bay Ice Arena : Friday & Saturday Open Skate were my favorite growing up!
7. Corsair Ski Trails: Cross-country ski 26 miles of trails and loops that follow Monument Road.
8. Go Ice Sailing : Curious what ice sailing is like – check out our post submitted by Shea Ferguson!

Summer  

1. Kayak : Rent a kayak at Shoreline Park or Veterans Park. Check out my experience kayaking the Tawas River. We encountered a heron, deer, muskrat, and more. I highly recommend. 
2. Pickleball : Hit the courts for a fun game of pickleball.
3. Sail : Take a lesson or find a sailboat experience to experience the Tawas Bay at a different speed.  
4. Go fishing : Cast a line, there are plenty of places to fish!
5. Paddleboard : The lake and river are so relaxing when they’re calm.
6. Jetski : Rent or plan a jetski session.
7. Tawas City Shoreline Beach : This beach has a great park and Tony’s Tacos! 
8. Tawas Point State Park Beach : Enjoy the cape with various views of the lake & 'cityscape'.
9. Tawas Point Dog Park : Enjoy a panoramic view of downtown Tawas from the beautiful sandy dog beach.
10. East Tawas Dock + Beach : Located downtown East Tawas, enjoy Lake Huron from the boardwalk or sandy beach. 
11. Pronto Pup: Seasonal icons. Check out their menu of quick bites when you get hungry downtown or need some beach day snacks!

1. Bird Watch : Tawas Point is a natural birding hotspot in the Spring as migrating birds follow the shoreline to Summer nesting habitats.
2. Kitesurf : The wide, shallow bay is an ideal location to try this exciting wind-powered water sport.
3. Disc Golf : This is a fun & free way to explore local parks & scenic parks.
4. Go camping in the Huron-Manistee National Forest along the Au Sable River : Pitch a tent and enjoy a rustic getaway by the river.
5. Geocache : If you’re up for a scavenger hunt, there are geocaches hidden around Tawas 👀
6. Do a yoga session with Tawaste : There are a variety of sessions to choose from!
7. Go Blueberry Picking : This is such a fun family activity! I grew up looking forward to this time with my grandma and siblings! Thank you to Mykel Michaud for sharing this video!