My family has frequented the Clear Lake Bar for probably more than 5 decades. It is the…read morequintessential Up North bar. Weekends can be busy, but it's busy for a reason. This is where you go when you are in the area. The current owners have made some updates and changes these past few years and all for the better. They even have their own named micro-brewed beer on tap. You gotta love a bar with knotty pine walls, cold PBR in cans, Kessler's behind the bar, and an ample supply of Cajun picked eggs for the late night snack.

Let's just say we walked in and there was only 1 table available. We were greeted immediately and…read moresat down. Our waitress was so sweet & efficient. I ordered the bang bang shrimp and it was amazing! Absolutely the best pizza I have had in along time. My fiancée ordered the special which was spaghetti & meatballs. Very yummy! We will definitely be back!

Visiting Michigan in the fall always means a trip "Up North", and these cottages are everything I…read morelove about Northern Michigan. They sit right on Higgins Lake which is still as clear as I remember it as a kid, all tucked away in these beautiful trees. Our cabin (the "gray lady") was immaculately clean with all the comforts of home (even cable tv!) and had a fire pit outside where we roasted marshmallows at night. There was also some kayaks and canoe for use and a nice bar-b-que grill. But it's actually within walking distance to a pretty good little rustic bar and restaurant...so we just walked there both nights for dinner. Honestly I don't know why anyone would stay in a hotel up north when you can have a whole house on the water for less money! This will definitely be my go-to cottages for trips Up North when I visit Michigan from now on!

The location is absolutely gorgeous! We stayed in the Brass Bell which is closest to the lake but…read morealso the smallest of the three cabins. There is a very tiny stretch of sand and two long docks to access crystal clear, shallow water that seems to go on forever. Perfect for little kids! The downside is the people in the other cabins are constantly walking by to access the water so there is no privacy whatsoever. The people were very nice and friendly so it wasn't too bad. The Brass Bell is a very cute, nicely decorated, updated, teeny tiny cabin. I think it's worth the price considering it's right on the water, but it wasn't comfortable for our family of four. Thankfully, our kids are little (4 and 8) or it would have been unbearable. There wasn't a single closet or anywhere to put clothes or a suitcase. We stored the kids clothes in the tv entertainment cabinet and our clothes on the floor of the tiny bedroom! Suitcases had to be stored in the car. Also, the full sized bed was so squeaky, you couldn't even change position without waking up the other person. I hope the owner considers getting a new bed. It was horrible. The exterior/deck was very dirty with sand, dirt and spider webs everywhere!! Needed a good power washing. We didn't even use the kayaks because they were so gross with spider webs. The cabin is a great price for the location but more appropriate for 1-2 people, not a family.

The staffperson working yesterday (Sunday) was very nice, but the rental bikes were not in good…read morecondition. My wife and I each rented hybrids, and it took me several tries to find a bike that seemed functional. Multiple had loose front wheels that wouldn't tighten, but after a few attempts the attendant was able to get one tightened. Sizing and fitting aren't really part of the process -- this was more of a "just pick whatever bike you want" situation. Soon after we left, I realized that my tires were underinflated, so we had to go back for air. And midway through our ride, huffing and puffing to maintain speed, we realized that most of the brakes were rubbing -- both wheels on my bike, and the front wheel on my wife's. At $40 for a half day per bike, this was a disappointing experience. If you're looking for a rental bike to bum around for a few hours, this might be fine, but if you want to go for a real ride I'd recommend renting elsewhere, or making sure that River Outfitters improves their maintenance practices.

WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND! Short version of the story: We rented out bikes and stopped at Hotel Indigo…read morefor a drink and parked our bikes out front. Hotel Indigo rented out our bikes to some of their guests so they were gone when we came downstairs. It was the last night of our trip and so we couldn't get the bikes back from the hotel to return them. The hotel said they would drop them off and didn't. The River Outfitters actually went to the hotel and retrieved the bikes for us and didn't charge us anything for going over time or the inconvenience after hearing our story. They were super understanding! I wish more companies would treat their customers like this.

The most beautiful lake in the world. Torch Lake is the place to be!!! Crystal clear water that…read moregoes as far as the eye can see. Perfect for boats (sailboats included!), jet-skis, and swimmers. There's plenty of open water, as well as a sandbar for those looking for a more typical beach-vibe that has places to buy food and drinks. There's also convenient places to gas up boats located right on the lake. Truly, this lake is amazing. It can be a little chilly, which is to be expected. It's all natural! Of course the water will be cold from time to time :)

Was charged $497 for 6 hours of boating time then, the next day they ran an unauthorized…read moretransaction of $48. Boat was left clean and gas filled up.

Nice scenery on the drive in, prices were good and wine was great! The thing that stood out was the…read morecharcuterie board which was absolutely great! Lots of options for meat and cheese compared to the other places. Service was good too.

Our group had not been to Two Lads in a few years, the first visit I believe they were fairly new,…read morewas just okay. The winery, the furthest north on mission, has developed since. The tasting room is modern, the wall behind the bar glass, giving a great view. There in minimal outdoor space, a few chairs overlooking the bay. Our group of six was mixed on the wines, though we were each able to find something we liked. They also have wine cocktails, non alcoholic options, and some pairing or appetizers. The service was excellent and made our visit better. We also times it well as it was not overly busy, as there was no reservation, and we were able to get a table.

My husband and I have been coming to the Tawas area every year for almost two decades. We had heard…read moreabout the Charity Island tour, and finally decided this is the year to do it! We're so glad we did. The experience involves a 60 minute boat trip to Charity Island, a brief trip through the woods, a lecture about the history of the island and its lighthouse, and dinner. The boat departs around 4 pm, and is timed to allow people to see the sunset on the way back to Brown's Landing (a few miles south of Tawas City). The boat is a converted fishing vessel that seats up to 35 people in folding chairs; there were about 25 of us on this trip. Our boat had a canopy (much appreciated, since it was threatening to rain). Once we got to the island, we were met by another boat that departed from another area. I noticed that boat didn't have a canopy, and felt a bit sorry for those folks. The ride over was exciting. I've spent very little time on boats, having spent much of my life in a landlocked city. The waves were up a bit, and the ride was, shall we say, bouncy. Grab ropes strung from the ceiling of the canopy allowed us to move around the boat. We were warmly welcomed by the captain and crew. Once the journey began, they provided soft drinks and cheese and crackers. We disembarked at the island, where we were offered the opportunity to walk the 1/4 mile through the woods to the lighthouse, or to ride in an open trailer. With the threatening rain, most of us opted for the ride. A word of advice: wear comfy shoes and bring bug spray. The mosquitoes on the island are relentless, and the terrain did not lend itself to one lady's cute (but utterly impractical) footwear. Also, bring a jacket. Even on warm days, the wind and the spray on the boat can make you shiver. One lady had a waterproof poncho--smart move. We got off the trailer and made our way to a lovely pavilion that was set up for dinner. The staff had place cards set up with our names on them. We sat with two delightful ladies, and very much enjoyed our time with them. Soft drinks and wine were offered as Mr. Wiltse, owner of part of the island, greeted us and gave a terrific presentation on the history of the island and the lighthouse keepers. His passion for the subject made him a sparkling speaker. I won't share his stories here, as I don't want to provide spoilers. Suffice it to say that this man has done a ton of research and has met some pretty interesting people along the way. Dinner was served, and the food was great. My husband and I both chose the steak, and our dinner companions chose the fish. Dinner came with hot, crusty bread, a perfectly cooked selection of vegetables, and red potatoes. The steak was tender and flavorful. The other ladies at our table sang the praises of the fish.The meal was served informally on disposable plates and with plastic wear. While initially I was put off by this, it later occurred to me that there were very few staff doing the work, and that dishwashing was probably not practical on an island that is completely off the grid. After dinner we toured the house and lighthouse. The house is currently occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Wiltse during the summers only. Accessing the island in the winter is very difficult. The tour started in the basement, where whale oil for the lighthouse light used to be stored. It continued through the main living area, and on to the upstairs bedrooms. The house is run off of energy generated from two large solar panels and a wind turbine. Batteries that store the energy are located in the basement. We were also able to go inside the actual lighthouse. It's clear that it needs a lot of work, but the original iron spiral stair way is still there and is sturdy as ever. Looking straight up from the bottom of the staircase induces a bit of vertigo, but is well worth it. After the tour of the house, some of us went to the tiny gift shop. It featured a selection of shirts and other Charity Island items. Of most interest was containers of honey (made from the bee hives that are on the island) and maple syrup made from the numerous maple trees that populate the island. Mr. Wiltse spent several days in February tapping the trees. Be sure to bring cash, though--they don't currently have the technology for credit cards. The rain returned in full force, delaying our return for about 20 minutes. We sat on the spacious front porch and watched the storm. It soon passed and we piled in the trailer for the return trip. The staff provided umbrellas for us. The trip back to Brown's Landing was rougher than our first. The lake was stirred up from the storms. The staff served cheesecake and soft drinks for dessert. Nearing our destination, we were greeted with a glorious sunset and a rainbow--a perfect ending to a fun and informative trip. Bottom line--if you have a chance to do this, do it. Experiences like this are way better than any souvenir.

From the owner: Our Signature "1857 Island Lighthouse Dining Adventure Cruise" to Charity Island beginning Saturday…read moreMay 28th will run every Weekend through the second Saturday in October. For the General Public we run every Friday, Saturday, & Sundays and typically have tour groups on weekdays with a General Public seats also available on those dates. Call for weekday availability.

You know some times you just have to do the kitchie tourist things. I can't count the number of…read moretimes, I have driven by and never thought about getting on this great relic of a boat. A hot Thursday afternoon in July needs a boat ride, doesn't it? And a boat with a snack bar, sodas and a few cocktails? Even better! The history of the boat, the bad pirate jokes and the opportunities to steer the boat were a lot of fun. P.S. while the music was appreciated, it's a little too loud for conversation with friends or the captain on the lower deck.

Enjoyed it immensely a few a few years back. Saw an eagle…read moreand Got a free bloody Mary. Good time

By sheer luck, we were able to snag a spot for Father's Day weekend. It wasn't just any spot, it…read morewas one of the few non-permanent spots with an unobstructed view of Tawas Bay/Lake Huron. We were able to hear the waves crashing and we basically had a private beach. You couldn't book online, but the person who helped us set up the reservation was very courteous. When we arrived with our camper, the manager actually rode his bike in front of us to guide us to our spot and helped my husband as he was backing up the camper so that the door would open right on the cement pad. It does come with an above ground half barrel firepit. We didn't use their facilities since we had full hookup (I'm pretty sure all the spots have full hookup). The playground, albeit small, was within view of our campsite so we were ok with letting the kids go play on it while we set up camp. And it looks like they have a boat onsite that you can charter out for fishing, but with just the 4 of us and 2 of us until the age of 7, it wouldn't have been a value add to the quality of our trip, especially since I was pretty familiar with the Tawas area and we were less than 10 minutes from downtown. If you're looking for a party campground, this isn't it. There are a lot of seasonal and permanent residents onsite, so weekend sites are hard to come by. My family enjoyed the experience so much, we plan on calling them early next year to try to get the same spot way in advance so we can go swimming from our own private beach again! Highly recommended.

We stayed here this past summer, 2013 and it was very quiet and serene. You would never know it was…read moretucked in the woods just off the main road. You were close to town, (Tawas), and the farmers market and all shopping. You had your own private beach and boat hook up. They even hosted a Chartered Dinner Cruise on the weekends. The sunrise was breathtaking and worth getting up early to see.

Great Customer Service! So Wonderful and Kind. Thank you Big Mike for letting us use your Canoe!read more

I would never use this Kayak and Canoe service again…read more "Big Mike" was completely unprofessional and tardy. My large family group rented more Kayaks than we brought and as "Big Mike" refused to transport them with his trailer (even though there was Plenty of Room) the starting process took almost an hour and a half in it's self. He seems to be a lazy and completely unreliable person. I highly suggest not using this service.

Beautiful Friendly…read moreNice new showers & bathrooms Great spot for a an overnight pit stop No bars or restaurants within walking distance

We just bought a brand new Crest pontoon boat from Jerrys Marine. Working with Terri and Jim was an…read moreabsolute pleasure. Their price point was incredibly competitive and their service was top notch. They delivered our pontoon to us (all the way in West Bloomfield) incredibly quickly so we could enjoy it in time for 4th of July weekend. They helped make everything happen. We are thrilled with our boat and couldn't recommend Jerry's Marina more! 5 star experience!!!