Michigan Porch

The Tawas twin cities: a Lake Huron resort town

Tawas City and East Tawas are two separate cities. They share one bay, though, and most people just call the whole thing “Tawas.” Together they’re the resort and shopping hub of Iosco County’s Sunrise Side. It’s a classic Lake Huron beach town with an old-fashioned, walkable feel.

East Tawas has the downtown along Newman Street, plus the state harbor, marina, and a city park beach. Tawas City has the longer stretch of bay-front and its shoreline parks. Between them you get sandy, shallow Tawas Bay for swimming and boating. You also get restaurants, shops, and a steady stream of summer visitors. Winter throws its own beloved party: Perchville USA, an ice-fishing festival on the bay. It’s been running since the mid-1900s and draws a big crowd every February.

For buyers, the Tawas cities offer something a lot of small northern towns don’t. There’s a real waterfront downtown with year-round services. Beaches and a harbor sit right out the door. And US-23 gives you easy access up and down the coast.

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Last reviewed against the listed sources: June 4, 2026.

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