Tag Archive | Lake Michigan

Manitowoc – Wisconsin Harbor Town

Sep14

1997 to Present

Manitowoc is a city of 33,736 located on the shores of Lake Michigan, 7 miles south of Two Rivers. It is also the county seat of Manitowoc County. My husband Al grew up near here in the suburb of Branch and I have grown to love this city by the lake. A great resource to learn about this city and county is the Wisconsin Historical Society. Here you can find historical markers and museums in this county and all the others in the state. Be sure to stop at the Visitor’s Center to pick up all the info you need about the area, and much more!.

Manitowoc is the gateway to fun on Lake Michigan and beyond! This sign is located near the S.S. Badger Car Ferry, taking passengers to Ludington, Michigan and back. We finally took the voyage to Ludington on June 20, 2016. Read more about our visit here. Take the trip with us here.

When we were visiting on 8-19-16 we saw a lot of activity in the port. It was being dredged with the job expected to be completed in September before conditions get more challenging. We were also lucky enough to see the S.S. Badger depart!

Manitowoc County Airport for those wanting to fly-in on their private plane.

Once you get here, the fun continues! Enjoy the historic downtown and view the many landmarks there. This one is a favorite!

The Courthouse across the street. You can eat at the Courthouse Pub.

The Manitowoc Savings Bank building with its beautiful clock on the corner.

The Capitol Civic Center downtown.

We even saw a one-room schoolhouse building. School District 4, 1891.

If you are here on a Saturday from May-Oct., stop by the Farmers Market.

Stop by the Lincoln Park Zoo too.

lincoln-park-zoo-achway

This restaurant no longer exists, this picture is from 2010. It was demolished 11-19-12. The Penguin was a place my husband went to with friends when he was a teen. Too bad it couldn’t be saved.

We discovered more buildings on the chopping block when we came back 8-7-14. It was the Alf Muchin Furniture House in 1930.

Also the former Mirro cookware company factory is coming down. They moved overseas, many jobs lost. In 2016 it’s still not completely demolished.

Now back to the history that has been preserved. There are many museums in Manitowoc. The one we have been to most is the Maritime Museum. This museum is a fun place to visit, and you learn about Manitowoc’s rich heritage on the lake, and in WW II. Permanently docked is the Cobia sub, whose crew defended our country in the war. You can take a tour of the sub too with one of the museum guides!

On 8-19-16 we were back for a final visit for the year and were able to view the annual Balloon Glow festival across from the Maritime Museum. We were attending an event on the rooftop and we had a great view!

Another place is the Rahr-West Art Museum near downtown.

We had a great time at the Pinecrest Historical Village, a lot of great history here. There also is a historic marker for a bridge there. And a train too! We had fun posing next to it.

For a great walk or bike ride, the Mariners Trail is worth the time. It is 7 miles long and goes between Manitowoc and Two Rivers.

All that exploring can sure work up an appetite! We have eaten at Four Season’s Family Restaurant a few times, good food there.

Friar Tuck’s is also a great place to eat.

Late’s is also a very popular place in Manitowoc.

To get away from the hubbub of the city, Silver Creek Park offers a quiet retreat. You can get some food at Late’s which is nearby and enjoy it there.

We also paid a visit to West of the Lake Gardens, also accessible on the Mariners Trail. Peaceful views of Lake Michigan in many spots.

We have enjoyed all our visits here together and discover something new each time we come.

Dive into History at the Manitowoc Maritime Museum

Jan26

Manitowoc is one Wisconsin’s largest Harbor Towns with rich maritime history. Located on 75 Maritime Drive, its hard to miss! Here is the museum from across the water, the sub USS Cobia docked alongside. It is nearly as long as the museum! With your admission you also get a tour inside the Cobia! First some history on a couple of markers outside.

There are a great many exhibits inside, showing the rich maritime history of the Manitowoc-Two Rivers area. Even what it may have looked like as a small fishing village long ago.

After walking through the museum on our own, it was time for our guided tour of the submarine USS Cobia docked outside.

We had our picture taken in front of the bell before descending.

We had a great time here. There is a lot to see so give yourself plenty of time. We have visited several times already and due for another visit, our last one was in 2010.

Kenosha – Wisconsin Harbor Town

Nov25

12-1-12

Kenosha is a bustling city of 100,000 located on the shores of Lake Michigan with a lot for their citizens and visitors to do the year around. We had a full day planned and arrived by 9 AM. Our first stop was Harbor Park by the lake, with great views of the two lighthouses there. The red one is the North Pier Light and the stone one is the Southport. We also had the great luck of watching a Coast Guard boat head out to the lake, passing by the Southport lighthouse.

Harbor Park also has lots of great sculptures to look at too along the harbor walk. This called, “Rotating Through the Universe” by Paul Bobrowitz, Jr.

You also get around downtown on the Kenosha Streetcar for a small fee.

After the Harbor Walk we went to take a closer took at the Southport Lighthouse on Simmons Island, constructed in 1866.

It was noon and we were ready for lunch! Nearby was the Boathouse Pub and Eatery with a view lakeside.

We had a great lunch here and will come back again. There were a couple more hours before the main event we came here for, so we then headed to the Kenosha Public Museum to enjoy their free public holiday celebration. The Museum is a must-see place in Kenosha.

The Sons of Norway provides live music, singing traditional Christmas Carols.

The best part of all, we managed to get on Kenosha TV via their Public TV station, KTV. They had a TV camera set, recording people sending their holiday greetings to Kenosha. We had to join the fun! Here is a screencap of the video. In honor of Bob and Doug McKenzie of the Great White North, I made our picture look like theirs.

And NOW, for the main event. At about 2:30 we arrived at Diver Dan’s Scuba and Aquatic Center for our Underwater Santa Christmas photo. They have a warm-water pool on site. This event benefits a local charity, you donate something in exchange for the photo which they put on Facebook.

Happy Holidays from Kenosha!

Lake Michigan Shortcut- The Manitowoc Carferry

Nov13

From our location in Wisconsin, it’s a long car ride to our neighboring state of Michigan. We do have a shortcut, taking the Manitowoc Carferry out of Manitowoc. It’s port-of-call in Michigan is the city of Ludington, and the trip is only 4 hours. The ferry is only operational in the summer months, when Lake Michigan is calmest. We have not yet had the chance to take the journey ourselves yet, but we have had fun just watching the ship come into port from Ludington.

The ship starts out as a black speck on the horizon, slowly growing larger. Before you know it, it’s coming in! You can see the lighthouse and people on it watching the ferry, a favorite past time of the locals here.

It is quite the show watching the ship ease its way into the dock. It has to turn around and back in. A very skilled Quartermaster indeed! After the ship docked, the largest cargo was unloaded first. I believe these were parts of wind turbines.

I heard some clapping near the ticket building and a celebration was going on.

Badger was celebrating their 2.5 millionth customer. How nice of them to throw a party for them.

Passengers waiting to disembark..

We had a great time watching this great ship come in. Someday, we will take a voyage on the S.S. Badger!

US judge in Mich. OKs deal over coal ash dumping (host.madison.com)
Ferries in Wisconsin
Visit Manitowoc

Don’t Go Half-Way to Brodhead

Oct2

9-30-13

Brodhead is a picturesque community in Green County with much to see. The Sugar River Trail is here also, the southern trailhead. It’s 22 miles long, going all the way to New Glarus. We began our explorations downtown, the town has a square with gazebo and picnic tables. Its called, “Tinker’s Garden.” Here is where many festivals take place, Across the street in a building is a mural paying homage to the railroad and depot in Brodhead. We could see the restored depot from here. Inside is the museum and an engine and caboose you could go in. Unfortunately, it was closed for the season. Maybe we can get back here in the spring when it re-opens. The Brodhead Historical Society does good work here.

adjacent to the depot is the Veterans Memorial Park, in the center is a tall Civil War Monument.

After exploring downtown for a while, we headed to points just outside. Stopped by Decatur Dairy for a grilled cheese sandwich and some cheese curds. We were too late for a tour but we will go back.

They even had a “cheese tree” totem pole outside, cool!

Speaking of tree, Brodhead also has a historic living tree called the Half-Way Tree. Indian runners used it as a marker because it was half-way between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan.

It’s harvest time, and that includes APPLES! Our next stop was nearby Ten Eyck Orchard for some locally grown apples and cider. The historic round barn with the apple barn quilt are this farm’s most distinctive features. We bought some Empire apples, delicious!

It was time to head back north towards Madison. On the way, we walked a bit on the Sugar River trail to see the famous Clarence covered bridge replica, completed in 1984.

Come all the way to Brodhead, it’s well worth the visit!

Smoked Mozzarella, Bacon, and Apple Grilled Cheese (mygasstove.wordpress.com)
Cauliflower Jalapeno Grilled Cheese (Vegan) (cleaneatingveggiegirl.com)

Surf and Turf in Milwaukee

May18

5-16-13 0930 AM

Wisconsin’s largest city is not only known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and cultural attractions like the Milwaukee Art Museum, it’s also known for beautiful and parks and its maritime heritage. Milwaukee is also Wisconsin’s largest Harbor Town.

Al and I explored this aspect of Milwaukee Thursday when we paid a visit to the S/V Denis Sullivan docked at Discovery World, it’s home port.

The crew were getting the schooner ready for the summer season beginning May 25. A new main mast had just been installed and final adjustments being made. We chatted with them a few minutes. In fact, she was given a shakedown cruise within the breakwall that very morning while we were walking on the Lakeshore State Park path along the lake.

A little history on the pier in this area. We did the loop of the “island” joined to the mainland by a bridge. after I crossed I saw the Denis Sullivan sailing. We also saw the red and white lighthouses from there.

From our parking spot we had a great view of the Art Museum.

After our walk we were hungry so went to the Milwaukee Ale House for lunch. It was 11:25. It’s located in the Historic 3rd Ward. Quite the striking red brick building.

The views were just as great on the patio, it is alongside the Milwaukee River and the restaurant has 6 slips available for people boating in. The Milwaukee Boat Line gives tours along the waterways of the city. One of their boats, the Vista King went right by our window while we had lunch.

After lunch we headed to South Milwaukee to visit Grant Park. Quite beautiful there, and plenty of wildlife, especially fat raccoons looking for food. There are seven bridges and steps leading down a deep ravine with a creek running through. It led to access to a beach on Lake Michigan. Very beautiful!

It was a great spring day with perfect weather and lots of fun!

Two Rivers – Wisconsin Harbor Town

Apr16

Many visits

Two Rivers Water tower picture

We really enjoy traveling by the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, and visiting the towns and cities that are located along it. Seven miles north of Manitowoc is Two Rivers, a town with an active, vibrant community. We have made several visits there, all in the summer. The town has much to offer. Rogers Street Fishing Village is very picturesque, especially when sunset approaches. They charge a small admission to go within the building and structures, that’s to maintain it.

Two Rivers is also known for inventing the ice cream sundae. You can get one at The Washington House downtown. Historic artifacts are kept in this building. But first, lets get some ice cream!

Red Bank Coffee is another popular place to relax. Schroeder’s Department Store is in the same historic building. We had dinner at Kurtz’s Pub and Deli in 2014. They have been open since 1904, 110 years. Now the third-generation is giving Two Rivers a place to unwind.

We were back on August 19, 2016 and enjoyed lunch at a new restaurant called Schwarz’s Pub and Grill. It’s a former band, the vault is now used to store wine!

Schwarz's Pub and Grill in Two Rivers

It’s also fun to go to the boat launch area. To the left is the Coast Guard station. We saw a boat full of scuba divers come back to port after a day of diving.

We enjoyed the view from the lookout tower there.

We also happened to be there during their Cool City Classic Car Show at the end of June. 325 cars were on display. Their media happened to get a pic of me in center of pic below. Here are just a few of the cool cars there.

Two Rivers also has a Municipal Band that performs in the summer. We watched them on August 7, 2014. You can too!

Lastly, we will visit Rawley Point Lighthouse about 7 miles north of Two Rivers in the Point Beach State Forest. It was so beautiful!

The beach was beautiful too. What a fun visit to Two Rivers!

Up or down? Which way are Great Lakes water levels headed? (mlive.com)
Judge OKs deal over Lake Michigan car ferry coal ash dumping (crainsdetroit.com)

1997 to Present

Manitowoc is the gateway to fun on Lake Michigan and beyond! This sign is located near the S.S. Badger Car Ferry, taking passengers to Ludington, Michigan and back. We finally took the voyage to Ludington on June 20, 2016. Read more about our visit here. Take the trip with us here.

When we were visiting on 8-19-16 we saw a lot of activity in the port. It was being dredged with the job expected to be completed in September before conditions get more challenging. We were also lucky enough to see the S.S. Badger depart!

Manitowoc County Airport for those wanting to fly-in on their private plane.

Once you get here, the fun continues! Enjoy the historic downtown and view the many landmarks there. This one is a favorite!

The Courthouse across the street. You can eat at the Courthouse Pub.

The Manitowoc Savings Bank building with its beautiful clock on the corner.

The Capitol Civic Center downtown.

We even saw a one-room schoolhouse building. School District 4, 1891.

If you are here on a Saturday from May-Oct., stop by the Farmers Market.

Stop by the Lincoln Park Zoo too.

This restaurant no longer exists, this picture is from 2010. It was demolished 11-19-12. The Penguin was a place my husband went to with friends when he was a teen. Too bad it couldn’t be saved.

We discovered more buildings on the chopping block when we came back 8-7-14. It was the Alf Muchin Furniture House in 1930.

Also the former Mirro cookware company factory is coming down. They moved overseas, many jobs lost. In 2016 it’s still not completely demolished.

On 8-19-16 we were back for a final visit for the year and were able to view the annual Balloon Glow festival across from the Maritime Museum. We were attending an event on the rooftop and we had a great view!

Another place is the Rahr-West Art Museum near downtown.

We had a great time at the Pinecrest Historical Village, a lot of great history here. There also is a historic marker for a bridge there. And a train too! We had fun posing next to it.

For a great walk or bike ride, the Mariners Trail is worth the time. It is 7 miles long and goes between Manitowoc and Two Rivers.

All that exploring can sure work up an appetite! We have eaten at Four Season’s Family Restaurant a few times, good food there.

Friar Tuck’s is also a great place to eat.

Late’s is also a very popular place in Manitowoc.

To get away from the hubbub of the city, Silver Creek Park offers a quiet retreat. You can get some food at Late’s which is nearby and enjoy it there.

We also paid a visit to West of the Lake Gardens, also accessible on the Mariners Trail. Peaceful views of Lake Michigan in many spots.

We have enjoyed all our visits here together and discover something new each time we come.

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There are a great many exhibits inside, showing the rich maritime history of the Manitowoc-Two Rivers area. Even what it may have looked like as a small fishing village long ago.

After walking through the museum on our own, it was time for our guided tour of the submarine USS Cobia docked outside.

We had our picture taken in front of the bell before descending.

We had a great time here. There is a lot to see so give yourself plenty of time. We have visited several times already and due for another visit, our last one was in 2010.

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12-1-12

Harbor Park also has lots of great sculptures to look at too along the harbor walk. This called, “Rotating Through the Universe” by Paul Bobrowitz, Jr.

You also get around downtown on the Kenosha Streetcar for a small fee.

After the Harbor Walk we went to take a closer took at the Southport Lighthouse on Simmons Island, constructed in 1866.

It was noon and we were ready for lunch! Nearby was the Boathouse Pub and Eatery with a view lakeside.

We had a great lunch here and will come back again. There were a couple more hours before the main event we came here for, so we then headed to the Kenosha Public Museum to enjoy their free public holiday celebration. The Museum is a must-see place in Kenosha.

They had a Christmas Village model train display, beautiful!

The Sons of Norway provides live music, singing traditional Christmas Carols.

And NOW, for the main event. At about 2:30 we arrived at Diver Dan’s Scuba and Aquatic Center for our Underwater Santa Christmas photo. They have a warm-water pool on site. This event benefits a local charity, you donate something in exchange for the photo which they put on Facebook.

Happy Holidays from Kenosha!

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The ship starts out as a black speck on the horizon, slowly growing larger. Before you know it, it’s coming in! You can see the lighthouse and people on it watching the ferry, a favorite past time of the locals here.

It is quite the show watching the ship ease its way into the dock. It has to turn around and back in. A very skilled Quartermaster indeed! After the ship docked, the largest cargo was unloaded first. I believe these were parts of wind turbines.

I heard some clapping near the ticket building and a celebration was going on.

Badger was celebrating their 2.5 millionth customer. How nice of them to throw a party for them.

Passengers waiting to disembark..

We had a great time watching this great ship come in. Someday, we will take a voyage on the S.S. Badger!

Related articles

US judge in Mich. OKs deal over coal ash dumping (host.madison.com)

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9-30-13

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Many visits

Two Rivers is also known for inventing the ice cream sundae. You can get one at The Washington House downtown. Historic artifacts are kept in this building. But first, lets get some ice cream!

Red Bank Coffee is another popular place to relax. Schroeder’s Department Store is in the same historic building. We had dinner at Kurtz’s Pub and Deli in 2014. They have been open since 1904, 110 years. Now the third-generation is giving Two Rivers a place to unwind.

We were back on August 19, 2016 and enjoyed lunch at a new restaurant called Schwarz’s Pub and Grill. It’s a former band, the vault is now used to store wine!

It’s also fun to go to the boat launch area. To the left is the Coast Guard station. We saw a boat full of scuba divers come back to port after a day of diving.

We enjoyed the view from the lookout tower there.

We also happened to be there during their Cool City Classic Car Show at the end of June. 325 cars were on display. Their media happened to get a pic of me in center of pic below. Here are just a few of the cool cars there.

Two Rivers also has a Municipal Band that performs in the summer. We watched them on August 7, 2014. You can too!

Lastly, we will visit Rawley Point Lighthouse about 7 miles north of Two Rivers in the Point Beach State Forest. It was so beautiful!

The beach was beautiful too. What a fun visit to Two Rivers!

Related articles

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