Spring Break in the Sanctuary

Organizer: Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Date and Time: Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3, 2026 · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET daily

Location:
Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
Alpena, Michigan
United States

Format and Highlights:
• Duration: 5 days (9.0 hours daily)
• Format: In person

About This Event:
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary invites families to a full week of special programming at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center during spring break. From scavenger hunts and movie screenings to interactive history exhibits and ocean-themed crafts, each day brings something new for visitors of all ages.

The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is a shipwreck museum and visitor center for Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which protects 4,300 square miles of Lake Huron and nearly 200 nationally significant, well-preserved shipwrecks. All programming and museum admission is free. Popcorn and snacks are available for purchase in the Sanctuary Store gift shop.

What to Expect:
• Monday: Museum scavenger hunt available all day, plus a coloring and craft table bonus exhibit
• Tuesday: Movie screenings at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with a special shark craft activity
• Wednesday: Interactive Michigan history exhibit presented by the Michigan History Center
• Thursday: Screenings of Nim’s Island and Riddle in a Bottle at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, plus crafts
• Friday: Meet Teek and Tom from NOAA’s animated ocean show, looping all day, with ocean and winter crafts

Contact or Registration: https://thunderbayfriends.org/index.php/event/spring-break-in-the-sanctuary/

Free admission. No registration required. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is open weekdays 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sundays noon to 5:00 PM.