Location: Oscoda
Top Things to do in Oscoda
Top Restaurants in Oscoda
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What to do and see in Oscoda, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Oscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the northwest. The 1990 census population was 1,061, although 3,000 personnel were stationed at nearby Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Oscoda is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes. As of the 2000 census (several years after the closure of the air force base), the population was 992, and in 2010 the population was 903. The post office at Oscoda first opened with the name AuSable on September 23, 1856. The name changed to Oscoda on July 1, 1875.
Restaurants in Oscoda
1. Lumberman's Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By NeverUnpacked - Westfield, Indiana
We returned to the area where we once lived and had to stop here again. Nice spot on the Au Sable river. Great presentation of the history of the lumber industry in this area. Amazing to see what once was! Worth your time if you're in the area.
2. Oscoda Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By Hackers2 - WIlliamston, MI
Beautiful beach park with lots of amenities. Not very crowded on a beautiful sunny day. Playground and splash area for kids, ramps for skateboards/bicycles, picnic tables, grills, pavilion area, lots of free parking, and clean bathrooms. We like to sit on the grass vs. the sand and were able to find a nice place to catch rays and people watch. The water and sand were nice and there was also a nice walk/pier that went over the water. Very pleasant experience here. The only negative: No place to get food or drink at this park. There is a Dairy Queen about a block away.
3. Iargo Springs
Overall Ratings
5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By flowerhead2 - Dearborn Heights, Michigan
If you thought the stairs at nearby Lumberman's Monument were bad, prepare yourself...there are even more at Iargo Springs: 294 to Lumberman's 272, to be exact. Easy enough on the way down, but quite the workout on the way up, especially that first long, unbroken flight (your heart will sink when you're staring up at it). But what you'll find at the bottom of the stairs more than makes up for the discomfort of the return trip.Standing upon the viewing platform perched high atop the banks of the Au Sable River, you would never guess there were beautiful little falls hidden beneath the canopy of trees. It's easily at least five degrees cooler at the bottom of the stairs than at the top, which makes for a nice respite on a hot day. And because of the dense shade, it also makes for a good rainy day activity, as it takes a long time for the rain to make its way through the trees. Just pace yourself on the way back up; it's not a race, but it can be a great bun and thigh workout!
4. River Road Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By flowerhead2 - Dearborn Heights, Michigan
One of those relaxing drives that actually makes driving a pleasure. Roll down the windows and cruise! The two must-sees along the way are Iargo Springs and Lumberman's Monument (see my other reviews), but the Canoer's Memorial is nice, too...even if the view isn't quite as spectacular.
5. Wurtsmith Air Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Wurtsmith Air Museum opens every spring on Armed Forces Day in mid-May; and on weekends throughout the summer until late Sept. Hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 11 AM - 3 PM. Special tours may be arranged for other days. Wurtsmith Air Museum consists of three hangars, located at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport. This area was formerly part of Wurtsmith Air Force Base where jet fighters were once housed. One hangar includes a "Wurtsmith Room" filled with donated pictures and memorabilia from WAFB history, numerous historical/military displays and a gift shop. Two other hangars house several aircraft; a T-33, a Huey helicopter, a Link Trainer and home-built planes. Wurtsmith Air Museum is an all-volunteer non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to preserving the history of Wurtsmith Air Force Base and aviation history in NE Michigan.
Reviewed By Mi23RN - Saginaw, Michigan
I was impressed with the amount of things you can touch, sit in or on in this museum! Loved touching the helicopters and planes in the garage part of the museum and sitting in the plane seats. Nice volunteers throughout. My husband loved reading everything there was to see.
6. Au Sable River Queen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By JenniferLynn920 - Waterford, MI
THE GOOD: It's beautiful and you're out on the water to see it. The ride is smooth. There is a snack bar with a good assortment of options, and a bar on the second floor. It's inside (there was an open door for the entire ride--may get cold??), yet the windows open, if needed. The boat is two levels, and there is a small gift shop when you leave. Also, I got decent cell service out on the water! You turn around in a really pretty area (near the old orchard rustic cabins--for perspective), but the explorer in me wishes it went further. Beautiful way to see fall colors (not quite peak, but still pretty) sunny day is best.
THE BAD: There is constant noise: guide with some history; cheesy jokes; and a local singer/guitar player. It would be nice if there were just silent little moments. I'd also have appreciated more history/folklore of the boat and local area rather than the jokes that didn't apply to either. You don't get very close to the shore, and can almost appreciate the sites more from land (but no hiking involved with the boat).
THE UGLY: OK, nothing really ugly, but our group of 5 got stuck next to the men's room, where there was constantly a line 1-2 people deep. Also, chairs were just metal folding chairs, some have been welded back together, one actually broke under someone.
7. Oscoda Canoe Rental
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Will_Shank - Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
We highly recommend Oscoda Canoe Rental. They have everything you need. They took us to the Foote Dam and we paddled downstream to our starting point. It was a leisurely paddle. My wife and I are both 60-plus and we hadn't been in a canoe for a couple years. The reason I'm telling you that is because we were able to make the trip in much less time than we had heard it would take and so can you. Take the longer trip option. You'll enjoy it. One word of warning: when you put in at the Foote location, do not aim for the right-most opening under that first bridge. There was a log that we did not see until too late and we got briefly hung up on it. After that it was lovely smooth paddling.
8. Hunt's Canoes & Miniature Golf
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By thebrowns3 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
My family has been going to Hunts for canoeing since the late 1990s and have always had fantastic experiences. Our recent trip was no different. They offer a variety of trips and transport to the launch points. The staff are very helpful and friendly. We would recommend to anyone looking to canoe/raft/kayak down the AuSable.
9. Lakewood Shores Resort - Serradella Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Designed in a classic parkland style, this 18-hole resort course offers minimal hazards, wide fairways and large greens, which add up to a very playable course.
Reviewed By Jackie C - Jackson, Michigan
Flat, walkable, very open. Tees, fairways and greens in very good shape. Few places to get into trouble, only 1 water carry, few traps, fair to seniors. Have never played a course without hole markers - nothing to indicate hole number, layout, yardage except score card. (Gailes was same.) Sprinkler heads were not marked either but they did have the cement discs at 200, 150, 100 and 150 stake - again, Gailes was same. Glad we had our gps. Tons of beautiful flowers, no bees (they spray). Real restrooms. Saw a ranger once. Beverage gal with just a golf cart and a couple coolers. Staff pleasant enough. This was our first time and was expecting something more like Crystal Mountain or Garland. Resort and Gailes also reviewed.
10. Lakewood Shores Resort - Blackshire Golf Course
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 48 reviews
Spread over less than 200 acres of rugged and natural landscape, this 18-hole championship golf course has the look and feel of New Jersey's famous Pine Valley Country Club.
Reviewed By BHartMich - Northville, Michigan
We played the Blackshire course as part of a golf package with Lakewood Shores Resort. We also played the Gailes. We really preferred the Blackshire layout and total experience much better. The service levels here were way better, and the layout takes you back by the clubhouse at the turn in case you want to get something to eat. People here cared about how the customers were doing. We did not have that same experience at the Gailes.
The course itself is cut through the woods and has a nice look to many of the holes. There are a couple of tricked up holes -- 1 & 2 specifically, where it is really hard to know where to hit the ball to navigate the blind shots or uncertain distances to problem areas. But after the opening holes, we enjoyed the layout.
Course conditions were very good -- nice fairways and greens. The bunkers could use some work, but they have had a lot of rain recently, so they get a total pass on that. All in all, it was nice. We had a good time, and would much prefer playing this course over the Gailes.
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