Before your visit to Manitowoc, sign up for the FREE Visit Manitowoc Passes.

These digital trails lead you all around the city in search of art and historical landmarks.

We had so much fun doing these trails!

Complete the Public Arts Trail to win an art-themed postcard and take the Historic Landmark Trail to win a Visit Manitowoc branded tote bag.

Bonus: several of the checkpoints were places we were already planning to go – like the Sputnik crash landing spot!

The USS Cobia submarine is docked alongside the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.

The Cobia is a restored World War II era submarine, commissioned in 1944. During six Pacific war patrols, it sank multiple Japanese vessels (including one bound for Iwo Jima) and earned four battle stars for its wartime service.

When you tour the Cobia, you’ll see what it was like on board in 1945. You can walk through:

• The torpedo rooms
• Crew sleeping quarters
• The galley (kitchen)
• Control room and periscope area
• Engine rooms
• Radio room

Overnight stays and Scout field trips are available.

Self-guided tours are included with admission. Guided tours can be booked for an additional fee.

The Rahr-West Art Museum was the farthest place we walked, but it was totally worth it.

When I was a little girl, I always wanted to live in a Victorian house. I wanted my own window seat in my own turreted tower at the top of the house. Then I grew up and realized I’d have to clean all of that and changed my mind.

So getting to go inside a real, 1800s Victorian mansion was finally giving that little girl a taste of her dream.

The main floor of the museum is art galleries. My kids were excited to get scavenger hunts to complete. I was happy this meant they didn’t whine about our time here.

There are two levels to explore in the mansion. Only one of the rooms is set up to replicate what it would have looked like when the family lived there.

The other rooms have artwork interspersed with family artifacts and nods to the building’s historic roots.

Even though art galleries aren’t normally my thing, this was time well spent.

Note: there is an elevator available to get into the upper levels of the mansion.

Fun Fact: A piece of Sputnik IV crashed in the street outside here in 1962. There’s a brass ring in the street marking the crash site. Inside, there’s a replica of the piece that crashed.

Be sure to take the time to walk the Mariners Trail along Lake Michigan.

The paved path is perfect for biking and fully accessible. The full trail is six – seven miles, but it’s just half a mile from its starting point near the Inn of Manitowoc to Lighthouse Park and Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse.

Walk a little farther to get to West of the Lake Gardens, open Memorial Day – Labor Day.

When you come into Manitowoc on the SS Badger, The Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse is one of the first things you see as you arrive.

Located near Lighthouse Park along the Mariners Trail, it sits at the end of a long pier stretching into Lake Michigan.

It’s worth the walk for the views alone.

It’s free to go inside the main level if it’s open. Sometimes the Wisconsin Maritime Museum offers tours to the upper levels.

A stop at Beerntsen’s Confectionary is a Must Do when visiting Manitowoc.

In addition to homemade mouthwatering chocolates, this is also the place to go for ice cream.

After spending time looking over the menu, our family of five decided to all share the Hard Hat: ten scoops of ice cream with five toppings, cherries and nuts (which we subbed for sprinkles).

Our ice cream also came out with plastic hard hats.

So fun – and delicious!

This stop was my kids’ favorite thing we did in Manitowoc.

If your family loves watching boats, the Manitowoc Marina is one of the best places to slow down and enjoy the lakefront.

Kids can watch vessels enter and leave the harbor, spot charter fishing boats returning with their catch, and enjoy the constant activity along the water.

You can also rent kayaks or bikes here if you want to upgrade your walking tour.

Add a little adventure to your Manitowoc visit! Rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards from Simply Padde.

Choose single kayaks, tandem kayaks, or SUPs from the self-serve kiosk. No reservations needed.

If you’re visiting Manitowoc in the rain, heat or just need a place for the kids to burn off energy, Strand Adventures is the place to go.

Housed inside a renovated historic downtown theater, Strand Adventures is a three-story indoor adventure center.

My family loved playing laser tag here along with the rock climbing wall.

There were also familiar yet favorite activities like a ninja-warrior course,  bounce houses, obstacle course play structure and an arcade. There’s also a separate toddler area to keep littles safe from bigs.

We bought two hour wristbands and it was the perfect amount of play time.

The Fat Seagull was one of our favorite places to eat in Manitowoc.

Located on the ferry dock side of the drawbridge, it was still a short walk there. If you get there early, this would be a great place to grab lunch before boarding the Badger to head back to Ludington.

We were there on the Sunday before Memorial Day so the small place was packed.

Even though The Fat Seagull is pub-style, we didn’t feel out of place with our kids there.

There’s no dedicated kids menu, but the regular menu had more than enough options to satisfy my kids. In fact, this was their favorite place to eat. And we didn’t have to worry about being too loud since the entire place was noisy.

We had burgers, wraps, sandwiches, egg rolls and cheese curds. The best cheese curds of our visit.

Located about two miles from downtown, Manitowoc Aquatic Center and Mini Golf. is the place to go for outdoor family fun.

This outdoor waterpark is a Manitowoc summer hot spot. The aquatic center has a heated pool (offering open swim, tot time and fitness classes) with a diving board, splash pad, two water slides, lazy river and a sand play area.

There’s also an 18-hole mini golf course that includes some fun water features and hazards. (2026 pricing: $6.50 for 18 holes or $9 for 36-holes played consecutively)

2026 pricing: $6.50 / person, age 2 and under free

The neighboring Citizen Park offers:

• batting cage
• pickleball courts
• tennis courts
• basketball courts
• six baseball field
• playground
• restrooms
• free parking

Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo is a small, FREE family-friendly zoo with just under 200 animals, plus a playground, an activity trail, picnic areas, and an education building with reptiles, amphibians, tropical birds, and hands-on learning.

With its park-like set-up, this is the perfect spot for a stroll.

Animals here include black bears, cougars, bald eagles, snow leopards, wolves, bison and prairie dogs.

The zoo sits along the Little Manitowoc River, so you can also spot ducks, geese, and other wild birds nearby.

Plan to spend at least one hour here, though you might find the whole afternoon has passed if you linger and really soak it all in.

Suggested donation: $1  / youth, $2 / adults

Point Beach State Forest is one of the best side trips in the Manitowoc area.

Located about 20 minutes north of Manitowoc, this 3,000 acre state forest features six miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline, sandy beaches, and wooded trails.

The beach is the main attraction here. Point Beach feels wild and natural. You won’t find houses lining the shoreline. This gives you plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the beach without the crowds.

You can also see Rawley Point Lighthouse here, though it’s not usually open for tours.

Families love camping here. The campground has 127 wooded campsites, many with electrical hookups.

Other things to do at Point Beach State Forest:

• Hike part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
• Bike the Rawley Point Trail
• Go horseback riding on the trails

If history is your thing, you will want to visit Pinecrest Historical Village.

Run by the Manitowoc County Historical Society, Pinecrest recreates village life from the 18oos into the 1900s. There’s 30 historic buildings including a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop and general store. You can walk among the buildings, visit with costumed performers and watch demos during special events.

This is a great family-friendly stop for people who love history, outdoor museums and fun photo ops.

Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve is 1,500 acres of forests, wetlands, prairies and streams and has seven miles of hiking trails.

Take time to explore the butterfly garden and the interpretive center. Kids will love playing on the nature-based play area.

This is a great place for birdwatching and spotting other wildlife.

FREE to visit

Silver Creek Park is right along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s the place to go for scenic overviews.

The park consists of nearly 72 acres and includes wooded areas, a winter sports area and a renowned 36-hole disc golf course.

There’s also places to go fishing and play soccer.

Henry Schuette is a huge community-built park in Manitowoc featuring something for everyone.

The upper area of the park has a fun wooden-style playground that kids love.

The lower area is a nature preserve with hiking and biking trails and a section of the historic Ice Age Trail.

Other features include restrooms, picnic areas, grills and a kayak launch.

Just steps from Manitowoc’s waterfront attractions, Bloom & Brunch serves breakfast and lunch classics with a creative twist.

From fluffy pancakes and breakfast tacos to fresh smoothies and specialty coffees, it’s a bright, stylish spot that’s become a favorite for both locals and visitors.

Located right across the street from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, it’s the perfect way to start your day exploring Manitowoc.

Known for creative comfort food, craft beer, specialty cocktails, and a laid-back atmosphere, Ryan’s on York is a Manitowoc favorite.

The menu has enough burgers, fries, and comfort food to keep picky eaters happy, but there are also plenty of creative dishes for adventurous diners.

Favorite options here include:

• Spicy noodle bowls
• Bulgogi-inspired dishes
• Creative burgers and sandwiches
• Garlic parmesan fries
• Fried cheese wedges

There’s also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

Outdoor patio seating is available in warmer months.

The Wharf feels more like a destination than just a restaurant.

Just steps from the SS Badger dock, The Wharf offers waterfront dining, live music, and sweeping views of the Manitowoc River and harbor.

Its massive open-air patio and lively summer atmosphere make it one of the city’s most popular gathering spots.

Grab lunch or dinner or just a cocktail and enjoy the scenery.

Check their website for the summer events line-up.

PetSkull Brewing is a hot spot for fun gatherings.

They offer 20 rotating craft beers on tap along with cocktails and canned wines.

Hang out in the taproom or outside on the dog-friendly patio.

Check their website for live events.

The Waterfront Wine Bar is more than just wine and cocktails. Lunch and dinner options here include pad Thai, charcuterie boards, salads and steaks.

If the weather cooperates, dine outside and enjoy views of the Manitowoc River.

Known for its thin-crust pizza, Pizza Garden has been a downtown staple for decades. You can get everything from classic pepperoni to inventive specialties like Crab Rangoon and Taco Pizza.

Pizza Garden also has a full bar and beers as well as outdoor dining.

There’s also an arcade here so bring along some extra cash for that.

Pro Tip: Get the cheese curds. They are very unique and the best of our trip.

A downtown Manitowoc favorite, Wrap It Up serves fresh wraps, paninis, breakfast burritos, smoothies, and specialty coffee drinks in a laid-back café setting.

Its convenient location near the waterfront makes it an easy stop for breakfast or lunch while exploring the city.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly choices are available along with outdoor seating.