Bucket list ideas for this summer include Outdoor Movie Nights, biking Mariners Trail and 13 other staycation excursions.
S.S. Badger arrives in Manitowoc
The iconic S.S. Badger ferry from Luddington, Michigan made its first visit to Manitowoc for 2025 Friday.
- Manitowoc and Two Rivers offer a variety of summer activities, including festivals, museums and outdoor recreation.
- Events include the United States Women’s Disc Golf Championship, the Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival, Sputnikfest and Malt City Brewfest.
- Visitors can explore the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, ride the S.S. Badger, bike the Mariners Trail and visit the Rahr-West Art Museum.
- Other attractions include West of the Lake Gardens, the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse and the Washington House Museum.
MANITOWOC – We all know the way summer can flash by seemingly in the blink of an eye. To help you make the best of these precious summer months, we’ve put together some ideas of events and experiences happening in the lakeshore area you may want to add to your family’s summer bucket list. Here are 15 things to do before summer ends:
Attend the Women’s Disc Golf Championship
The U.S. Women’s Disc Golf Championship is June 19-22 at Silver Creek Disc Golf, 3001 S. 10th St. in Manitowoc. You can also play this course, which is now world-recognized.
Go to Outdoor Movie Nights
Outdoor Movie Nights are scheduled as follow in Manitowoc:
- June 26 — “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at Lighthouse Park (475 Maritime Drive);
- Aug. 7 — “Moana 2” at Lighthouse Park; and
- Oct. 3 — “Hocus Pocus” at Washington Park (1115 Washington St.).
Explore Wisconsin Maritime Museum
The largest of its kind in the Midwest, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Drive, gives visitors the chance to get up close to lifesize historic vessels, real artifacts and interactive exhibits for all ages. You can also take a tour of the USS Cobia, a World War II submarine docked in the Manitowoc River. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 1.
Bike Mariners Trail
This scenic 7-mile trail follows the shore of Lake Michigan with gardens, picnic areas, beaches and more north to Two Rivers.
Ride the S.S. Badger
Lake Michigan’s biggest passenger cruise ship travels from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan, daily from mid-May to mid-October. Take a bike or car with you to explore both coastal cities. Find out more at ssbadger.com.
Visit the Rahr-West Art Museum
The Rahr-West Art Museum, 610 N. Eighth St., is one of Manitowoc’s biggest draws. You can view works by famous artists such as Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe and Pablo Picasso inside the Rahr’s galleries and the Vilas-Rahr Mansion. The museum also features a number of classes, exhibits and events. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, but closed Mondays. There is no admission fee, but suggested donations are $5 for adults and $2 for children.
Tour Manitowoc’s downtown on a pedal pub
Fueled by leg power and beer, these traveling pubs are a fun way to bar hop. Manitour Pedalers is a family-owned pedal bike that can carry up to 12 people. Take your own beverages or make stops for beverages as part of the tour. Learn more at manitourpedalers.com.
Explore West of the Lake Gardens
Located right on the shore of Lake Michigan at 915 Memorial Drive, West of the Lake is owned by the West Foundation and is free and open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The 6.5-acre area showcases roses, geraniums, begonias, more than 30,000 tulips and much more.
Walk to the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse
Start at Lighthouse Park Beach and walk out past the blue rails and marina to reach the north pier and the lighthouse.
Attend the Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival
The Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival returns July 19-20 at Red Arrow Park, 1931 S. Ninth St. Now in its third year, this festival features competitive semi-pro sand sculptors constructing masterpieces and an amateur competition. Watch sculptors in action and chat with them while also enjoying live performances, food trucks and vendor booths.
Go to Malt City Brewfest
Malt City Brewfest will be at 720 Quay St. Aug. 2 and will feature new styles of beers served by more than 30 craft brewers.
Take in the Lakeshore Balloon Glow
The Lakeshore Balloon Glow Aug. 15 is a free, family-friendly event featuring glowing hot-air balloons, food trucks, a water ski show and family-friendly activities. It takes place downtown along the riverfront near 720 Quay St.
Attend Manitowoc County Fair
Manitowoc County Fair will be Aug. 20-24 at the Expo grounds, 4921 Expo Drive. The five-day annual event is filled with entertainment, carnival rides, animals and more. For the first time in 16 years, the price of tickets will be going up. The new price, $15 for everyone older than 4, will still include unlimited carnival rides, grandstand shows, music entertainment, the Sea Lion Show, Lew-E’s Comedy Circus, pony rides, AG Adventureland, parking and more. The season pass, which does not include rides, will increase to $40. Daily admission for senior citizens and military veterans, which also does not include rides, will stay the same at $6.
Have out-of-this-world fun at Sputnikfest
Sputnikfest is presented by Rahr-West Art Museum, 610 N. Eighth St. This iconic event celebrates Sept. 5, 1962 — the day a 20-pound piece of Russian Sputnik IV landed in the middle of the street on the corner of North Eighth and Park streets. The event is a way to celebrate all things sci-fi and space with live music, food, a run/walk and elaborate alien-themed costumes. The event runs noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 6 on the museum grounds.
Visit the Washington House Museum and Visitor Center
The Washington House Museum and Visitor Center, 1622 Jefferson St., Two Rivers, stakes a claim as the “birthplace of the ice cream sundae.” Open May 24-Oct. 31 (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), the 1850s former inn serves as the city’s visitor center and features Berners’ Ice Cream Parlor and five museum rooms, including rare murals in the upstairs ballroom.
Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling, on Instagram @PGPatti and on Bluesky @PGPatti.
