The Good Cold — Michigan Winter
Tawas Bay & Lake Huron Sunrise Coast · Town edition

Tawas City / East Tawas

Twin Victorian bay towns flanking a sheltered crescent harbor, famous for Tawas Point Lighthouse and lively winter ice fishing on Tawas Bay.

Why winter

Tawas City and East Tawas embrace winter on the Sunrise Coast with open arms. When Tawas Bay freezes over, it transforms into an energetic community of colorful ice shanties and the celebrated Perchville USA festival. Surrounded by state forest trails and featuring the historic Tawas Point Lighthouse jutting into the icy bay, it is a quintessential winter coastal escape.

Overheard in Tawas City / East Tawas
Perchville USA is a beloved Michigan winter tradition that turns Tawas Bay into a festive frozen village complete with its own royal court.
Or try · 02

Perchville USA & Bay Ice Shanties

Participate in the legendary Perchville USA winter festival activities on the frozen bay, explore the colorful shanty city, and dine on Italian comfort food at Giuseppe's.

A random Saturday · 01

Tawas Point Trails & Newman Street Pubs

Spend the morning cross-country skiing around the historic 1876 Tawas Point Lighthouse on the snowy cape, warm up with specialty coffee on Newman Street, and enjoy burgers and beer at Greens Tavern.

Field note

Newman Street in East Tawas maintains its charming 19th-century commercial streetscape, decorated with festive winter lights all season.

Michigan winter
One good day

Morning cross-country ski at Tawas Point State Park, lunch at Giuseppe's, afternoon ice fishing on Tawas Bay, and dinner at Greens Tavern.

Make it a weekend

Stay bayfront in East Tawas, spend Saturday experiencing Perchville USA festival events and ice fishing, and enjoy a relaxed Sunday shopping on Newman Street.

Eat · good tables

Dinner, the warm part of the day.

  1. 01

    Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant & Cantina

    Classic Italian & Mexican Bistro · $$

    A beloved Newman Street landmark serving hand-tossed pizzas, baked pastas, tacos, and comforting winter meals in a warm, friendly dining room.

    208 Newman St, East Tawas, MI 48730 · (989) 362-5507 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Greens Tavern & Grill

    Historic Downtown Pub · $$

    Classic downtown tavern serving hearty burgers, perch baskets, and cold craft beer on historic Newman Street.

    308 Newman St, East Tawas, MI 48730 · (989) 362-3631 · Website ↗

  3. 03

    Barnacle Jim's

    Lakeside Grill & Bar · $$

    Scenic winter views across Tawas Bay, serving steaks, seafood, and comforting tavern classics.

    904 W Bay St, Tawas City, MI 48763 · (989) 362-4299 · Website ↗

The winter table

The local plate.

Eat it at Greens Tavern & Grill

Pan-Fried Yellow Perch Platter & Craft Beer

Coat fresh Tawas Bay yellow perch fillets in seasoned flour, pan-fry crisp in butter, and serve with coleslaw, tartar sauce, and french fries.

Field note

Tawas Point Lighthouse stands sentinel over the freezing bay, creating striking winter photography against ice-choked waters.

Michigan winter
Photo hunt

Three things most people walk past.

Tawas Point Lighthouse & State Park (686 State Park Rd, East Tawas, MI 48730)

  1. The red-and-white brick tower of Tawas Point Lighthouse standing against frozen Tawas Bay.
  2. Endless rows of colorful ice fishing shanties dotting the frozen bay during Perchville USA.
  3. Snow-covered sand dunes and coastal cedar trees along the Tawas cape.
A winter tall tale · as told in Tawas City / East Tawas

The Perchville Sea Monster

During the sub-zero Perchville festival of 1974, ice fishermen near the center of Tawas Bay claimed a colossal yellow perch measuring over six feet long took their baited hook and towed their heated shanty three miles across the bay toward Lake Huron before chewing through the ice auger cable and vanishing into the deep. Old-timers insist the legendary mega-perch returns every February just to inspect the festival tents.

Where it comes from: the source ↗

Michigan winter
  1. 01

    Greens Tavern

    Historic Downtown Pub · $$

    The premier evening gathering spot on Newman Street with local draft beer and friendly winter crowds.

    308 Newman St, East Tawas, MI 48730 · (989) 362-3631 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Barnacle Jim's Lounge

    Bayfront Cocktail Bar · $$

    Cozy indoor drinks overlooking the frozen expanse of Tawas Bay.

    904 W Bay St, Tawas City, MI 48763 · (989) 362-4299 · Website ↗

After dark · places to land

One more round, then home.

Coffee & breakfast · start here

Hands around a hot cup.

  1. 01

    Newman Street Roasters (Cafe Counter)

    Coffee & breakfast

    Freshly roasted coffee and morning espresso drinks right in the historic shopping district.

    212 Newman St, East Tawas, MI 48730 · (989) 362-2111 · Website ↗

Lake Effect mug
In the pictureLake Effect mugThe first cup of the day, and a forecast you can hold. Tawas City / East Tawas mornings run on refills.From the General Store →
Outside · ways out the door

Boots on. Out the door.

  1. 01

    Cross-Country Skiing Tawas Point State Park

    Outside

    Explore the 'Cape Cod of the Midwest' on skis or snowshoes, with coastal trails wrapping around the historic 1876 Tawas Point Lighthouse.

    686 State Park Rd, East Tawas, MI 48730 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Ice Fishing Tawas Bay

    Outside

    A legendary winter ice fishing destination where thousands of anglers target yellow perch, walleye, and pike on the frozen bay.

    East Tawas City Park Beach Access, East Tawas, MI 48730 · Website ↗

  3. 03

    Tawas Bay Marine & Sports

    Rent the gear

    Ice fishing shanties, augers, and winter gear

    401 E Bay St, Tawas City, MI 48763 · Website ↗

Rib-knit beanie
In the pictureRib-knit beanieSmall deer. Big ears covered. The Tawas City / East Tawas wind does the rest.From the General Store →
Michigan winter
Field note

Strolling down Newman Street for evening dinner and shopping after a day of ice fishing.

Local customs
  • Strolling down Newman Street for evening dinner and shopping after a day of ice fishing.
  • Newman Street in East Tawas maintains its charming 19th-century commercial streetscape, decorated with festive winter lights all season.
  • Tawas Point Lighthouse stands sentinel over the freezing bay, creating striking winter photography against ice-choked waters.
Local custom

Attending the Perchville USA festival dressed in festive winter gear and visiting the heated entertainment tents on the bay ice.

On the calendar · 2026–27

Dates worth the drive.

Circle it

February 5, 2027

Perchville USA Winter Festival

One of Michigan's longest-running winter festivals, featuring ice fishing tournaments, polar bear swims, ATV races on the bay, and festival tents on the ice.

Add to calendar Organizer ↗

Circle it

February 5, 2027

Perchville USA Opening Parade

Add to calendar Organizer ↗

Dates come from organizers and change. Check before you drive.

Michigan winter
Michigan winter
Stay · places to wake up

Where to wake up.

  1. 01

    Coyote Trail Lodge & Cabins

    Up-North Forest Lodge · $$

    Cozy log cabins nestled in the Huron National Forest, offering peaceful winter lodging with direct access to snowmobile trails.

    2200 Westover Rd, Tawas City, MI 48763 · (989) 362-3400 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Bay Inn of East Tawas

    Waterfront Motel · $$

    Comfortable bayfront lodging within easy walking distance of Newman Street shops and restaurants.

    1002 W Lake St, East Tawas, MI 48730 · (989) 362-5501 · Website ↗

Some Assembly Required puzzle
In the pictureSome Assembly Required puzzleA thousand pieces for the night nobody is going out.From the General Store →
Bring a little Tawas City / East Tawas homeFirst Shovel coffeeBrewed before the driveway, finished after it.Have a look ↗
We checked

greenstavern.com · michigan.gov · tawas.com

Good to know: Perchville USA takes place annually in early February; book lodging well in advance as the twin towns fill up quickly.

Reviewed October 2026. Hours, prices and dates move; call ahead in January and February.