Harrisville sits right on the Lake Huron shoreline along Michigan’s Sunrise Coast. It’s a small harbor city and the county seat of Alcona County. First known as Davison’s Mill, the town took the name Harrisville in 1857 after the Harris brothers’ firm. Today, visitors come for the salmon and trout fishing in the harbor, the wooded campground along the beach at Harrisville State Park and the historic Sturgeon Point Lighthouse just up the shore. It’s an easygoing place where the day starts with the sun rising over the lake.
Only in Harrisville: Harmony Festival Weekend
Every Labor Day weekend, Harrisville fills up for Harmony Festival Weekend, the town’s signature celebration. It started small, in 1972, when Bruce and Joan Hartman held the first craft show on the Alcona County Courthouse lawn with just five vendors. Today, the show has grown to about 300 booths across the long weekend. The Harrisville Arts Council describes it as the second-largest arts and crafts show in Michigan.
Music is a big part of the weekend, too. Come out for the music and experience the barbershop tradition of the Sweet Adelines at Harmony on the Hill. Then find a spot along Main Street for the Old-Fashioned Parade. Between the booths, the music and the lakeside setting, it’s easy to see why so many visitors plan their trip around it.
Outdoor Adventures on Lake Huron
Lake Huron sets the scene for much of what there is to do in Harrisville. Established in 1921, Harrisville State Park is one of Michigan’s oldest state parks. The two-mile paved Heritage Trail connects the park to town by way of Third Street, so it’s easy to reach on foot or by bike. Inside the park, you’ll find a modern campground, a swimming beach and overnight lodging for anyone who wants to stay a while. Follow the two-mile Cedar Run Nature Trail through the park’s forest. Bring binoculars if you’re a birdwatcher, since the park is a great place to be during warbler migrations.
Back in town, Harrisville Harbor is a center for salmon and trout fishing and a designated Harbor of Refuge on Lake Huron. The boating season runs from May to mid-October, giving boaters and anglers plenty of time on the water.
For a quieter stretch of shoreline, Negwegon State Park is a short drive up the coast. This rustic 4,000-acre park includes eight miles of Lake Huron shoreline and one mile of sandy beach. It’s also a designated dark sky preserve, so it’s a great place to stay up late and view the wonders of the night sky.
Maritime History at Sturgeon Point
Just a short drive north of town, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse and Museum has watched over this stretch of Lake Huron since 1869. It was built to warn ships away from a reef that reaches 1.5 miles out into the lake. The 70-foot tower holds a 3½-order Fresnel lens made in Paris, and the former keeper’s house is now a maritime museum. On summer weekends, visitors can tour the museum and climb the tower for a view of the lake that’s hard to forget.
The lighthouse is one of three museums run by the Alcona Historical Society, along with Bailey School and the Lincoln Depot. Rail history runs deep here as well. Harrisville’s cut-stone depot opened in 1902. Passenger trains ran between Bay City and Alpena up until 1951.
Summer on the Harbor, Winter on the Trails
When the weather is warm, Harrisville Harbor becomes the heart of town life. Saturday mornings bring the farmers market with Alcona County produce, baked goods and maple syrup through about mid-October. Summer evenings bring concerts at the harbor; the Sunrise Side Wine, Brew & Food Festival fills the waterfront with Michigan wine, craft beer, local food and live music. Anglers can book a Lake Huron fishing charter right out of the harbor. And of course, Labor Day weekend belongs to Harmony Weekend.
Any time of year, you can catch a Lake Huron sunrise from the harbor, but the cooler months have their own special vibe with a quiet, comforting appeal. Harrisville State Park’s mini cabins can be rented through the winter for a cozy stay close to the lake. Winter sports are just a short ride away. Ice anglers can set up on Hubbard Lake, while cross-country skiers and snowshoers explore the Reid Lake Foot Travel Area in Huron National Forest. Snowmobilers can ride the Alcona County trail system. Then, round out winter adventures with a visit to the annual Christmas in the Village, which brings horse-drawn hayrides and a craft show to town on the first Saturday in December.
Small-Town Flavor in Harrisville
Harrisville’s small-town charm is reflected in its “main street” cuisine. At Dockside Cafe on Main Street, breakfast is served all day and being just a short walk from the waterfront, you can get some steps in on your way to view Lake Huron. Need a coffee boost? Alcona Coffee Company pours its own blends and runs a carry-out deli with house-made deli meat. North of town, Alcona Brew Haus brews its own beer and also serves mead, cider, wine, bourbon and other spirits. The kitchen makes its pizza dough from scratch, smokes its own meats and puts a real focus on allergy-friendly cooking.
Come On, Let’s Go to Harrisville, Michigan!
Harrisville is a small harbor town where Lake Huron sunrises, barbershop harmony and a historic lighthouse come together along the Sunrise Coast. If you’re casting a line from the harbor, hiking the Cedar Run Nature Trail, or warming up in a cabin after a day in the snow, Harrisville offers an easy, unhurried getaway in any season.
Indian Trails can help get you there in two ways. First, we run regular bus routes to and from Harrisville throughout the state. Buy a ticket and enjoy stress-free travel to this cozy destination. If you’re traveling with a large group of companions, you can charter a bus and create a customized sightseeing tour! Either way, start your adventure with Indian Trails.
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If You Like Harrisville …
You might want to check out our guides to Oscoda and Alpena. Keep an eye out for Ossineke, another Sunrise Coast gem just up the shore. There’s always another corner of Michigan waiting to be explored.
