We actually didn’t intend to make a pun with that headline and the town we chose, but it actually is rather apt. The world was introduced to Manitowoc recently in a not-so-flattering way via a certain crime drama, but we here in Wisconsin know it’s actually a gorgeous, quaint harbor town on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan about 40 miles south of Green Bay and 80 miles north of Milwaukee, Manitowoc is a harbor town with an interesting ship-building history.
There is tons to see and do in Manitowoc. Make sure you give yourself time to visit the Maritime Museum, which has the largest collection of history and artifacts about Great Lakes maritime history.
Not as famous as the zoo to the south with the same name, but still so much fun, the Lincoln Park Zoo. Situated along the Little Manitowoc River, the zoo has an assortment of the animals you'd expect to find, but also provides a great place to view some of the native fauna that use the river as their home.
The Rahr-West is a fantastic art museum, and the building itself is on the National Historic Register. The home was built by the same men who built the Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee. Focused on education, the Rahr-West hosts classes and hands-on art experiences.
Soviet Satellite Sputnik IV failed as it reentered the atmosphere in 1962. It floated in space for bit before tumbling back to earth. Most of it burned upon re-entry, but a small piece fell into the street in Manitowoc, where it's preserved for posterity.
Deciding to own their part in this silly bit of history, the town now throws "Sputnikfest," an irreverent and fun festival to celebrate the piece of history that fell out of the sky.
The West of the Lake Gardens feature six acres of backyard gardens on Lake Michigan on the estate of John & Ruth West featuring a rose garden, Japanese, sunken, and formal gardens, with more than 900 feet of herbaceous borders with colorful annuals. They are open from Memorial Day through October.
Manitowoc's beaches are one of the best reasons to come here. Sandy beaches, access to the water and hours of fun, you won't regret time spent here with your family.
Plan to spend Labor Day weekend saying goodbye to summer with the kite festival in nearby Two Rivers. There's no better way to ease back into life than to spend one last weekend on the beach, celebrating all the best things Wisconsin has to offer.
Capitol Civic Centre helps bring arts culture to Manitowoc. Housed in a building that started its life as a vaudeville theater in 1921, the Capitol Civic Centre hosts concerts, theater performances and more.
You really need to visit Manitowoc. Take your shoes off, bury your toes in the sand and relax in this amazing, beautiful and interesting Wisconsin coast town.
