Gateway Park in Tawas City

Gateway Park, about a half-mile west of downtown East Tawas, is a waterfront park on the Tawas River.

One highlight: the quirky concrete animal playground sculptures.

You can picnic under the pavilion, fish off a 300-foot lighted pier, launch kayaks, they even have a dog-friendly stretch of beach.

On Saturdays in the summer check out the farmers market.