Waterfront living with a vibrant downtown in East Tawas
The town of East Tawas sits between landlocked Tawas Lake and the larger Tawas Bay, which feeds into Lake Huron. It’s also right next to Tawas City. “They have a little rivalry about which city is better, but if you ask anyone else in Michigan, the whole area is just Tawas,” says Cheryl McDonell, a broker at Happy Acres Real Estate who has been selling homes in the region since 2015. Residents of East Tawas and Tawas City share many amenities, and both communities offer a coastal suburban vibe with beaches. However, Tawas City is more residential, while East Tawas offers a thriving downtown full of local shops and restaurants.
Homes on and off the water
Ranch-style homes and bungalows are most common, followed by Colonial Revivals scattered around town. Houses near downtown and the bay tend to have smaller yards, while those closer to Tawas Lake can have more acreage. Renovated homes sell for $180,000 to $360,000, and untouched older homes range from $50,000 to $170,000. Waterfront homes are also available, though they rarely hit the market. In recent years, three homes sold on Tawas Lake — two for $200,000 and $290,000, plus a small cottage for $60,000 — and one cottage on Tawas Bay sold for $375,000.
Public beaches, boating and a state park
Locals head to East Tawas City Park to sit in the sand and swim in the bay. There’s another public beach right in front of Tawas Bay Beach Resort, which operates Bikinis Beach Bar, a waterfront restaurant with frequent live music. The waterfront also features a public boat launch as well as the facilities at East Tawas State Harbor, including seasonal boat slips and a long fishing pier. McDonell says Tawas Lake, on the other side of town, isn’t as widely used because of its shallow water, but locals will launch their kayaks in the lake and float down the Tawas River en route to the bay, a trip that takes about 2 hours. Tawas Point State Park sits on a peninsula between Tawas Bay, Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. The 183-acre park features the iconic Tawas Point Lighthouse, miles of nature trails and a sandy beach. “You can relax on the beach and watch amazing sunrises over Lake Huron,” McDonell says. “You can also watch the big ore carrier ships coming from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit. People will use apps to see when they’re coming through.” For other activities, Dewey Durant Park has several ball fields, tennis courts and a playground.
Local shops and restaurants downtown with easy parking
Local shops and restaurants line Newman Street in downtown East Tawas. While the thoroughfare has street parking, most businesses have parking lots in the back for patrons. Cozy Cup Coffee Company serves up lattes and pastries, and Barnacle Bill’s does beer, bar food and billiards. Mr. Jack’ss Sports Bar & Grill has a lively atmosphere with an outdoor patio. Downtown also has several boutiques and specialty shops, including Village Chocolatier. Klenow’s Market is a local grocery store downtown, and Walmart is nearby in Tawas City.
Small student body and a championship golf team at Tawas Area High
The three schools that serve East Tawas are all in Tawas City. Students start at Clara B. Bolen Elementary School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. Tawas Area Middle School, rated B-minus, is connected to Tawas Area High School, rated B. The high school is smaller than average, with around 350 students. In 2025, the Tawas Braves high school golf team won its first MHSAA Finals championship.
Summer concerts, Sunrise Side Triathlon and Harvest Festival
During the summer, the city hosts two summer concert series, one on Mondays at East Tawas City Park, the other on Tuesdays downtown. Come September, people from all over Michigan come to watch or compete in the Sunrise Side Triathlon. In October, locals head to Tawas Point State Park for the annual Harvest Festival, a weekend event with hay rides, lighthouse tours and a “Monster Bash Dance.”
Scenic drive on U.S. 23 next to Lake Huron
U.S. 23 cuts through East Tawas, running along the shores of Lake Huron. It takes about 90 minutes to drive 75 miles to MBS International Airport, which offers flights to Detroit and Chicago. Driving 180 miles to Detroit takes about 3 hours.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
