Known
as Wisconsin's "Maritime Capitol," Manitowoc celebrates its
past and its present as a shipbuilding center with fascinating
attractions. The largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes
is here, with displays of everything from wooden sailing ships
to a World War II-era submarine.
Charter sport fishing boats sail out of the city's modern harbor
and marina. The city is also the home port of the last car ferry
on the Great Lakes, carrying cars and passengers from Manitowoc
to Ludington, Michigan and back. You'll also find the unique
atmosphere of the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area includes a classic
candy store/antique soda fountain and dozens of inviting shops
and stores.
The Manitowoc Parks and Recreation Department has established
a myriad of programs and activities for children and adults.
Family activities abound here, as do organized leagues for softball,
baseball, tennis and more. Eleven parks provide plenty of outdoor
space. Children of all ages will enjoy Lincoln Park Zoo, featuring
animals and birds native to the North Woods. Two Rivers Parks
and Recreation Department oversees a large number of programs,
community services and special events, in addition to Hamilton
Community House, recreation fields and a senior center, the
department assists organizations with yearly events.
City parks offer a variety of shelters for group outings, playgrounds
and playfields. Public golf courses: Autumn Ridge 758-3333 Eastwin
Valley 793-5997 Fairview 794-8726 Meadow Links 682-6842 Fox
Hills Resort & Country Club, in nearby Mishicot, is Wisconsin's
largest course. 45 championship holes. 755-2376. Branch River
Country Club - private, 18-hole course. 682-5901. Clubhouse-
684-3319. The Elks Lodge - private course along Lake Michigan.
682-8082. Swimmers have the choice of public pool facilities
in both Manitowoc and Two Rivers, in addition to beaches, inland
lakes and the YMCA. There are a number of public tennis courts
in Manitowoc and Two Rivers as well.
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Manitowoc
Area Activities and Attractions
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| Lincoln
Park Zoo 1215 N 8th St Manitowoc, 54220 920/683-4537
- Community zoo with many animals. Open daily MD-LD 7am-8pm;
winter 7am-3pm. |
| Natural
Ovens 4300 Hwy CR Manitowoc, 54220 920/758-2500
- Tour a unique, commercial bakery; then visit the petting
zoo.Bakery hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-3pm. |
| Pine
River Dairy 10115 English Lake Rd Manitowoc, WI 54220
920/758-2233 - More than 130 varieties of cheeses including
fresh curds, string cheese, reduced- fat & salt cheeses,
cheese spreads, and cheese gift boxes. RO, PT, OW, MO,
BT. UPS shipping. Open Mon-Wed, 8am-4pm; Thur & Fri, 8am-5pm;
Sat, 8am-1pm. Exit 149 off I-43, 1/4 mi. west on Hwy 151,
2-1/2 miles south on 42 S, 2-1/2 miles west on English
Lake Rd. HA |
| Pinecrest
Historical Village PO Box 574 Manitowoc, 54221-0574
920/684-4445 - Living history museum with 23 historic
buildings.Open daily May & Jun 9am-4pm; Jul-LD 9am-5pm;
LD to mid Oct 10am-4pm |
| Rahr-West
Art Museum 610 N 8th St Manitowoc, 54220 920/683-4501
- Fine art museum in a Victorian mansion. Open Mon-Fri
10am-4pm, Wed til 8pm, Sat&Sun 11am-4pm. HA-First floor |
| The
Old School PO Box 99 Mishicot, 54228 920/755-2291-
Displays of Norman Rockwell prints, along with craft &
collectible shops. Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm. |
| Wisconsin
Maritime Museum 75 Maritime Dr Manitowoc, 54220
920/684-0218 - Extensive maritime museum with an authentic
World War II submarine. Open daily summer 9am-6pm; winter
Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm. HA- museum, not submarine.
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| Woodland
Dunes Nature Center PO Box 2108 Manitowoc, WI 54221-2108
920/793-4007 - Located on Hwy. 310 just west of Two Rivers,
this 991-acre reserve offers a variety of birding opportunities
including ten species of warblers in summer. The Center
includes marsh, meadow, forest, swamp and prairie habitats,
as well as 6 miles of nature trails. The Visitor Center
is normally open 8am-3pm weekdays and 8am-11pm on Sat;
but call ahead for confirmation. |
| Lake
Michigan Carferry Cruise 900 S Lakeview Dr Manitowoc,
WI 54220 800/841-4243, 920/684-0888 Operates May-Oct.
Daily round trips across Lake Michigan from Manitowoc
to Ludington, Michigan, aboard historic 410' carferry
S.S. BADGER. One-way trip takes four hours. Ship carries
cars, RVs, motor homes, buses, bikes and passengers. Enjoy
dining, gift shop, entertainment, lounge and berths on
board. Call for departure information and reservations. |
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Hillcrest Dude Ranch 8000 Arrow Rd Manitowoc, WI
54220 920/682-0158 - Riding all year by reservation. Groups
welcome. Free bonfire, recreation area. Co-ed summer camp,
Jun.-Aug. with indoor pool, llama hikes, horse shows and
zebras. |
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Manitowoc County Ice Center offers public skating,
as well as hockey and figure skating programs. The center
features 23,700 square feet of floor space for exhibits. |
| The
Manitowoc County Airshow (the Midwest's largest free
airshow) is sponsored by the Manitowoc/Two Rivers Area
Chamber of Commerce, and is always held over the second
weekend in June. This is the area's largest event; call
the Chamber for more information. |
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Riverwalk Festival is Manitowoc's celebration of
the waterfront. Held annually on the fourth Sunday in
June, the festival offers live entertainment, food, refreshments,
children's activities and hundreds of arts and crafts
vendors. The outdoor festival attracts nearly 30,000 each
year. |
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Held in September, the annual Ethnic Fest in Two
Rivers celebrates the area's cultural diversity with ethnic
food, crafts, entertainment and more. |
| Point
Beach State Forest offers nearly 3,000 acres of forest
land, north of Two Rivers. The site includes several miles
of Lake Michigan beach. |
Other sites of interest: Rawley Point Lighthouse - campsites,
hiking, snowmobile trails; Camp Sinawa Nature and Recreational
Area, on Pigeon Lake, 265 acres for outdoor activities and water
sports. You'll find year-round opportunities to play, ski, ride
and test your golf skills in Manitowoc/Two Rivers. |
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The
Rahr-West Art Museum is a fine art museum housed in
a Victorian mansion.
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There
are plenty of opportunities to relax and play some golf
at our many public courses.
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If
you would like to find out more about the Great Lakes
Maritime history visit the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
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