S.S. City of Milwaukee Ship & Boatel in Manistee

Today, the SS City of Milwaukee serves as a floating museum open for public tours. This historic vessel is the last unmodified traditional Great Lakes railroad car ferry, built to replace a sister ship that was lost with all hands in 1929. For over 50 years, she served Lake Michigan routes, carrying up to 34 railroad cars across the often stormy waters.

Also docked nearby, the USCGC Acacia served for 62 years as a Coast Guard buoy tender and icebreaker that kept shipping channels open between Toledo and Detroit.

• Guided tours of the City of Milwaukee: Climb through nooks and crannies and explore all six decks with tour guides that bring 1920s maritime technology and Great Lakes history to life
• Self-guided tours of the USCGC Acacia: Take a look around this working Coast Guard vessel
• Stay Overnight – Boatel (boat hotel): May through September, choose from passenger, crew, or officer quarters for a unique “floating hotel” experience.
• Ghost Ship Haunt: October weekends are spooky when the City of Milwaukee transforms into Manistee’s most popular haunted attraction. The Ghost Ship experience runs every Friday and Saturday throughout the month.

• Ghost Ship haunted attraction runs on October weekends and requires a separate ticket
• The Boatel does not include modern hotel amenities – Rooms are authentic to the 1930s era
• The tour requires climbing and crawling through some tight spaces.