Major city · United States
Tawas City
Half a day to one night: walk the Tawas Point beach, climb the lighthouse, and eat fresh whitefish. Not a base — a stop on a Lake Huron road trip.
Tawas City and its twin East Tawas sit on Tawas Bay on Lake Huron, about 3 hours north of Detroit. The main draw is Tawas Point State Park — a sandy spit with a historic lighthouse, good birding and kiteboarding. Most travellers pass through on US-23 between Alpena and Bay City; one afternoon and one night is enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, many places closed)
- Airports
- MBS · DTW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tawas City911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tawas City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMBS MBS International Airport (Saginaw) (About 1 h 15 min drive; car needed.).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2.50–4
- Sit-down mealWhitefish dinner (local restaurant)$18–28
- BeerBeer (domestic pint)$4–6
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MBS MBS International Airport (Saginaw) (About 1 h 15 min drive; car needed.) · DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (About 3 h drive.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tawas City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
12 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. US-23 runs through both towns; Tawas Point is a 5-minute drive east of East Tawas. Parking at the state park costs about $11 (2026 estimate, check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Alpena
goDoor to door: 1 h
US-23 north, about 1 h
Shipwreck tours, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Oscoda
goDoor to door: 30 min
US-23 north, about 30 min
Lumberman's Monument and River Road National Scenic Byway.
Harrisville
goDoor to door: 20 min
US-23 north, about 20 min
Harrisville State Park beach and harbour.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
East Tawas (US-23 corridor)
Most motels and hotels; walkable to the waterfront.
Tawas City centre
A few inns and B&Bs; quieter.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Tawas Point State Park vehicle entry1 × US$11 · check | US$11 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$43 |
| Trip total≈ US$237 per person per day, bed included | US$474 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Whitefish dinner (local restaurant) | $18–28 |
| Coffee | $2.50–4 |
| Beer (domestic pint) | $4–6 |
| Gas (per US gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
| Motel double room | $80–180 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tawas Point State Park closes at 10 pm; no overnight camping without a reservation.
- Lighthouse interior hours are seasonal — check the park office.
- Mosquitoes and black flies can be heavy in late spring and early summer.
- No Uber or Lyft; taxis are scarce.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Tawas CityTawas City
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tawas Point State Park vehicle entry: about $11 (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tawas City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (cold, many places closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Tawas Point State Park, Tawas Point Light, Family Theatre.
- Eat pages with verified hours and last orders.
- Seasonal closure fixtures for the lighthouse and park office.
Sources
Ask about Tawas City
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