Latest news with #Manitowoc
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3 days ago
- Yahoo
6 Wisconsin ferries offer a variety of experiences, from fun and free to far and fast
There are six ferry companies in Wisconsin, and they offer a wide range of experiences for people who love large boats. Want a free ride across the Wisconsin River? Check. A fast Lake Michigan crossing to avoid Chicago traffic, and get some work done while you're doing it? Check. Or would you rather cross the Great Lake on a slow, relaxing and historic ship? Check that, too. There are ferries to islands at two of the state's most popular tourist destinations, in Door County and the Apostle Islands. And there is one ferry that crosses the mighty Mississippi River at a place where people have floated between Wisconsin and Iowa for 189 years. The historic S.S. Badger crosses Lake Michigan from Manitowoc The S.S. Badger, the last coal-powered steamship in the United States, is for travelers who believe the journey is the point. Its first voyage was in March 1953, and it has the capacity to carry 620 passengers and 180 automobiles, plus RVs, buses, motorcycles and semi-trucks and trailers. It has a top speed of 24 mph, but its average cruising speed is 16 mph. The Badger's most common route is between Manitowoc and Ludington, Michigan — a 61-mile trip that takes about four hours. It also offers special shoreline and round-trip mini cruises. The Badger's daily schedule for its full season, which runs May 16 through Oct. 12, includes a 9 a.m. ET departure from Ludington. It then departs Manitowoc at 2 p.m. Night crossings are made from June 20 though Sept. 1, with the ship departing Ludington at 8:45 p.m. ET and departing Manitowoc at 1:30 a.m. There are passenger fares and vehicle fares. One-way tickets for passengers range from $42 to $86, depending on age. (Military members also receive a discount.) The fare for a typical vehicle — cars, vans, SUVs and pickups — is $99, with added fees for vehicle extensions such as bike or cargo carriers. Rates for RVs, campers and trailers are based on length. To book a passage and for more details about the ship's schedule and fees, visit Lake Express Ferry offers a quick Lake Michigan crossing from Milwaukee With a motto of "The Great Lake Short Cut," the Lake Express Ferry offers a quick Lake Michigan crossing that allows motorists to avoid the traffic snarls common in the Chicago area. While the S.S. Badger is all about the experience, Lake Express is about convenience. The ferry runs between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Michigan — about a 2.5-hour crossing. Under the current schedule, good through Aug. 17, the ferry leaves Milwaukee at 6 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. daily. It also makes night crossings, leaving Milwaukee at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Daily return trips depart Muskegon at 10:15 a.m. ET and 4:45 p.m. ET. Night trips to Milwaukee leave Muskegon at 11 p.m. ET on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The Lake Express has seating in one of two cabins, classic and premier. People who want to experience the sensation of the elements can sit on outside decks, "though you may want to limit your time outdoors due to windy conditions," according to the Lake Express website. The ferry also has a galley that offers food and drinks for sale. One-way fares for seating in the classic cabin are $114.50 for adults and $106 for people age 65 and older, military members and students. Children ride free on all summer schedule trips. There are additional fuel, port and surcharges, which also are added on to the "free" children's tickets. The Premier Cabin offers extras such as free nonalcoholic drinks, internet access and work-friendly seating arrangements. One-way fares are $136 for adults and $122 for people ages 65 and older, plus fees. Ferrying an automobile one way costs $124, plus fees. For more details about the fares, the ferry schedule and experience, visit Madeline Island Ferry Line connects Bayfield with La Pointe The Madeline Island Ferry Line links passengers between Bayfield and La Pointe on Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands. It's a 25-minute ride that offers views of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. It's a vital link for businesses and residents of Madeline Island, and connects people to tourist attractions such as Big Bay State Park, the Madeline Island Heritage Center and the Madeline Island Museum. The Madeline Island ferry runs regularly in the summer. It departs from Bayfield at 7 a.m, 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., then every half hour until 6 p.m. In the evenings, the ferry makes the trip to the island at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. It also will leave Bayfield at 9 and 10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. On Friday night it makes an extra run to the island at 11 p.m. Return trips from Madeline Island to Bayfield run about a half hour later than the outward-bound journeys. Round-trip rates are $21 for people 12 and older, $10 for children ages 6 though 11, and free for children age 5 and younger. The round trip for a car less than 19 feet long costs $38, and fees increase as autos get larger or with trailers. For more details on the Madeline Island Ferry Line, visit The Washington Island Ferry Line has Washington Island and Rock Island runs The Washington Island Ferry Line, located at the tip of Door County, is similar to the Madeline Island Ferry line in that it provides ferry service to both tourists and locals. But instead of one island, the Washington Island ferry service links people from the mainland to two offshore destinations: Washington and Rock islands. Ferries depart the Northport Pier at the end of Highway 42 in Door County daily at 7:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 9 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., then leave at 15 minutes and 45 minutes after each hour throughout the day until 6:45 p.m. Service from Washington Island back to the mainland runs at 6:45 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m., then departing on the hour and half past each hour until 6 p.m. This is a service for people and their vehicles, and round-trip rates are $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 6 through 11, and free for children 5 and younger. Round-trip fees for autos are $30. A motorcycle will cost $18 and a bicycle $6. The service from Jackson Harbor on Washington Island to Rock Island runs daily on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with an added 5 p.m. run on Fridays.) Return trips are done 15 minutes later. It's a passenger-only service; no vehicles or bicycles are allowed on Rock Island. Paddlecraft such as kayaks and canoes are allowed, and it costs $20 to transport them on the ferry. Combination tickets, which include round-trip crossings to both Washington and Rock islands, are $30 for adults, $14 for children ages 6 through 11 and free for children 5 and younger. Rock Island only tickets are $15 for adults, $20 for an adult with camping gear, and $6 for children ages 6 through 11. Find more details about the service by visiting The Cassville Ferry crosses the Mississippi River to Iowa A ferry has been transporting people and vehicles across the Mississippi River from Cassville, Wisconsin, to Millville, Iowa, since 1836, and today's Cassville Ferry continues the tradition, according to its website. This historic crossing connects two tourism byways: the Wisconsin Great River Road and the Iowa Great River Road. The ferry service is distinctive, too, because cars and people are loaded onto a 78-foot-by-32-foot barge that is powered across the Mississippi by a 45-foot-long tugboat. During the summer, the ferry operates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is no set crossing schedule; it runs on demand. People who want to cross the river push a call button located at the landings at Cassville and Millville. It costs a walk-on passenger $5 to ride the ferry (children are free). A motorcycle costs $10, and a standard-sized vehicle is $20. For more details, visit A free ferry crosses the Wisconsin River at Merrimac The Merrimac Ferry is on Highway 113 and makes regular crossings of the Wisconsin River between Merrimac and Okee. Owned and operated by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, it's the state's only free ferry. Ferries have been shuttling people, goods and vehicles across the river at this spot since 1844, according to the state DOT. The ferry pulls itself across the river using three cables that are stretched across the water. The boat can haul 15 average-sized vehicles — five cars parked in three lanes on the boat. It takes about seven minutes per crossing. For more details about the Merrimac Ferry, visit Keith Uhlig has been writing about Wisconsin, its people and all it has to offer since 2000. Raised in Colby, he loves wandering around the state. He can be reached at kuhlig@ and is on Facebook, X and Threads. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin ferry lines offer a variety of lake, river crossings Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
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Free tick kits amid rising tick-borne illnesses in Northeast Wisconsin
MANITOWOC / DOOR COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) – As warmer weather draws people outdoors and along with them, ticks Manitowoc County Health Department is offering free tick–removal kits, while Door County warns of a concerning surge in tick–borne infections. The Manitowoc County Health Department is distributing complementary tick kits, which include: Illustrated guide 'How to Remove a Tick' Alcohol swab and adhesive bandage Disposable tweezers 30% DEET repellent wipe Sealable bag for storing ticks Residents can pick one up during regular hours at the Health Department in Manitowoc. Just over in Door County, public health officials report a recent uptick in anaplasmosis, a bacterial illness from tick bites with flu‑like symptoms. Last week alone, eight new cases emerged, including five hospitalization. City of Green Bay seeks community ideas for St. John's Park revamp Health officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommend simple prevention steps: Wear long, light‑colored clothing and tuck pants into socks. Apply EPA‑approved repellents like DEET or picaridin to both skin and clothing. Stick to groomed trails and avoid tall grass. After being outdoors, shower and thoroughly check for ticks, especially behind ears, in hairlines, under arms and knees, and around the waist. Remove attached ticks carefully using tweezers (no burning or smushing), then cleanse the area. Save the tick for identification if illness develops, and watch for symptoms like fever, rash, or fatigue within 30 days. Pick up a free tick kit in Manitowoc, prepare well before heading outdoors, and promptly remove any ticks found. If symptoms appear after a bite, consult your doctor, but don't panic. Early detection and antibiotic treatment usually lead to quick recovery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
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4 days ago
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I spent the night on a World War II submarine Airbnb that can sleep 65 people in sailors' bunks. Take a look inside.
Guests can sleep on the USS Cobia, a World War II submarine, at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. The submarine is listed on Airbnb and can sleep up to 65 people in sailors' bunks. My stay was a memorable experience that gave me a newfound respect for US Navy submariners. At the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, you can descend a steep staircase into the USS Cobia, a US Navy submarine that sank 13 ships and earned four battle stars in World War II. You can walk through the rooms and learn about its history in combat from a US Navy veteran or self-guided audio tour. Unlike other museums, you can also sleep there. Through the museum's "Sub Bnb" experience, guests can book a stay on the USS Cobia via Airbnb and spend the night in the same bunks where submariners once slept during their wartime service. For years, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum hosted Boy Scout troops and other large groups on the submarine, which can sleep up to 65 people. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and large groups could no longer visit, the museum pivoted to hosting individual families. The experiences proved so popular that the museum has continued to offer overnight stays for large and small groups alike. "The Sub Bnb was a business move in many ways for the sustainability of the museum," Wisconsin Maritime Museum director Kevin Cullen told Business Insider. The cost of the Sub BnB starts at $500 per night, plus a $100 cleaning fee and an $85 Airbnb service fee for a total of $685, although prices vary depending on when you book. Business Insider paid a discounted media rate of $200 to report this story. The funds earned from Sub Bnb stays help support the museum. "Just by staying there, you get that authentic experience, but you're also supporting preservation for generations to come," Cullen said. In December, I visited the Wisconsin Maritime Museum for an overnight stay on the USS Cobia accompanied by my dad, a maritime enthusiast. Here's what it's like to spend a night on a World War II submarine. The USS Cobia was visible from the parking lot when we arrived at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum for our submarine stay. The USS Cobia was docked outside the museum in the Manitowoc River. The freshwater river has helped preserve the submarine over the years since it's less corrosive than saltwater. Inside the museum, we were greeted by Mark Becker, a US Navy submarine veteran and museum volunteer who served as our tour guide. Becker served on the USS Silversides during the Cold War. Becker took us outside for our first proper look at the USS Cobia. The USS Cobia sank 13 ships during its six patrols in World War II, earning four battle stars. The submarine also rescued seven downed American pilots. After the war, the USS Cobia was brought to Manitowoc to serve as a memorial for submariners. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum acquired it in 1986. That same year, the USS Cobia became a National Historic Landmark and was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It's not the first submarine to grace the shores of Manitowoc. The Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, which was located just miles from the museum, built 28 submarines during World War II. Standing on the deck, I was amazed by the size of the submarine. Becker told us that the USS Cobia actually spent most of her patrols on the surface of the water, not underwater. "Cobia is basically a gunboat that can submerge if she has to, not like a true submarine like I was on," he said. "Cobia was better on the surface. Faster, more maneuverable, and way more firepower." The smell of diesel fuel became stronger as I walked down a set of stairs into the submarine. The stairs didn't exist during the USS Cobia's wartime service. Sailors used ladders to enter and exit the sub through narrow hatches. Becker said we were free to sleep in any of the bunks on the USS Cobia that we saw along the tour. The first stop on the tour, the forward torpedo room, featured pull-out bunks where torpedomen slept. The only exception was the captain's stateroom, which remained off-limits. The captain's stateroom was not available to overnight guests out of respect for the rank. Walking through the USS Cobia, the hallways were so narrow that I could barely lift my arms to my sides. I couldn't believe that a crew of 80 men once navigated the submarine's narrow spaces for months at a time. The hatches required some clambering to navigate from room to room and could have painful consequences if one forgot to duck. Instead of doorways that could be walked through, the hatches required me to duck and climb through the small openings. Becker said that during his submarine service in the Navy, he once hit his head while running through the ship after a call rang out for crew members to report to their battle stations. "I didn't duck far enough, and, pow, I hit my head at the top of that thing," he said. "I damn near knocked myself out." A perk of staying on the submarine overnight was the personalized tour, which included spaces not usually open to the public like the pump room. In the control room, which contained the ship's navigational equipment and controls, Becker opened a hatch in the floor that led to the pump room. I climbed down the ladder to take a look. The pump room featured air compressors, cooling systems, and pumps that removed accumulated water. A laminated set of directions included 54 steps to operate the machinery. Becker said that crew members would have been working here all day and all night. Becker also let us tinker around with some of the switches in the control room. The USS Cobia has been so well maintained that many of its controls still work. The museum staff instructed us not to touch any of the buttons or switches while staying on the submarine to prevent any technical mishaps. In the control room, Becker showed my dad how to pull the lever that sounded the "battle stations" alarm. I was surprised by how loud it was, but it needed to be heard over the roar of the submarine's four diesel engines. After we finished our tour, we picked up our seabags containing all of our linens for the evening. Each seabag provided by the museum included a pillow, a pillowcase, a fitted sheet, a top sheet, and a microplush blanket. Sailors received similar seabags during their submarine service. My dad chose a bunk in the forward torpedo room at the front of the submarine. The night we visited the USS Cobia, temperatures in Manitowoc reached a low of 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, the submarine was heated, and the forward torpedo room was the warmest on the ship. I set up my bed down the hall in the "goat locker," where chief petty officers slept. When the rank of chief petty officer was established in 1893, the officers' duties included managing the goats that were kept on ships to produce fresh milk. The goats were kept in the chief petty officer's quarters, which then became known as the "goat locker," according to the Naval History and Heritage Command. Becker said that the nickname also poked fun at the senior officers, who were referred to as "old goats" since they had been in the Navy for a long time. The goat locker contained five beds, and the mattress was surprisingly comfortable. The confined quarters reminded me of the night I once spent in a Dolly Parton-themed RV in Tennessee. My bunk featured its own light and a few drawers for storage — benefits that high-ranking officers enjoyed. Most crew members only received one cubic foot of space for their personal belongings, but higher-ranking officers had access to more storage in their bunks. We ate dinner in the ward room, where officers took their meals, held meetings, and spent their downtime. We brought our own food and ate on the submarine, but there are several restaurants located near the museum for visitors who want to dine out. It was surreal to step inside an active museum exhibit and eat dinner alongside the fake food displayed on real US Navy tableware. Since the USS Cobia does not have working bathrooms, I went back into the museum to get ready for bed. When guests sleep on the USS Cobia, the museum stays open for them all night. A staff member also sleeps at the museum to be available if guests need anything. Staying on the submarine required going up and down its stairs and outside for every bathroom trip, which could prove difficult for those with mobility challenges or inconvenient for those who make frequent nighttime trips. The museum can also accommodate overnight guests inside the building if needed. While brushing my teeth, I charged my phone since there were no easily accessible outlets on board. There was no phone service on the submarine, either. "You are in an entirely metal encapsulated vessel, therefore cell phone service and internet is not available on board," the email with our check-in instructions read. Walking through the dark, empty museum at night was just as cool as I imagined it would be. Ever since I watched "Night at the Museum," a 2006 film in which exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History come alive at night, I've wondered what it would be like to visit a museum after hours. All of my "Night at the Museum" dreams came true at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. We were given free rein to wander as we pleased. Walking around the museum at night did feel different, similar to the way that watching a scary movie in the dark adds a certain gravitas. We had the entire museum to ourselves, which allowed us to take our time looking through the exhibits. I particularly enjoyed the exhibits about shipwreck artifacts discovered off the coasts of Wisconsin and the history of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company. Even though I grew up in Wisconsin, I had no idea of the extent of its maritime history. In my bunk that night, I thought about all of the soldiers who left their families and homes to spend months on board the USS Cobia. It's one thing to walk through a World War II submarine on a guided tour and imagine what life was like on board. It's another to fully immerse yourself in the experience by eating where they ate and sleeping where they slept. I thought about what Becker told us during our tour as we walked through the crew's quarters — no matter how tough sailors seemed, the sound of tearful sniffles would always be audible at night. "I don't care what ship it is — aircraft carrier, submarine — you're going to hear it," he said. The next morning, I watched the sunrise from the deck. I'd been a little bit worried about getting seasick on the sub, but I didn't notice much movement and felt fine the whole time. I slept from around 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. then found it difficult to fall back asleep due to the chilly temperature on board. I took advantage of the early hour and watched the sun's pink glow start to peek through the clouds. As the sun came up, I got a better look at the guns atop the deck. The USS Cobia was equipped with three guns: a 50-caliber deck gun, a Bofors 40 mm gun, and an Oerlikon 20 mm cannon. I noticed other details that I'd missed in the dark, like the name "Cobia" inscribed on the side of the submarine. Cobia, pronounced KOH-bee-uh, is a species of fish. I stepped back onto the walkway connecting the submarine to the museum to take in the full view, once again marveling at its enormity and history. At 312 feet, the USS Cobia was almost as long as the Green Bay Packers' Lambeau Field. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum provided us with breakfast in one of its meeting rooms. Breakfast included instant oatmeal packets, granola bars, muffins, bagels, orange juice, and coffee. After breakfast, we took a bit more time to walk through the museum, including an in-depth look at the USS Cobia. The USS Cobia exhibit inside the museum featured an immersive audiovisual presentation set in a model of the submarine's control room. Voice actors and animated crew members reenacted the USS Cobia's sinking of a Japanese ship loaded with 28 tanks headed to Iwo Jima in 1945. I commemorated my stay with a magnet from the museum gift shop that read "I stayed the night on the USS Cobia." The magnet cost $5.95. Spending the night on the USS Cobia was a memorable experience that gave me a newfound respect for US Navy submariners. Cullen, the museum director, hopes that when guests stay on the USS Cobia, it sparks "a moment of recognition of the tremendous sacrifice that submariners in World War II underwent." "That's what museums really are here for," he said. "The objects are witness to history — witness to tremendous tragedy as Cobia was in wartime efforts, but also witness to the tremendous humanity of those moments in time that I think connect us as people cross-culturally and cross-generationally." I also asked my dad for his take. "Sleeping in the forward torpedo room with the gentle movement of the floating sub and the ever-prevalent smell of old diesel fuel long expired gave me a small taste of what life on a submarine must have been like," he said. "Truly a unique experience and a must for all militaria aficionados." Indeed, the smell of diesel fuel lingered in my hair and on my clothes after our stay — a souvenir of its own. Read the original article on Business Insider
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5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jim Brey appointed Manitowoc County treasurer & more in the latest Watchdog Wednesday
MANITOWOC – Jim Brey, former Manitowoc County Board supervisor and current Manitowoc Common Council member, was appointed Manitowoc County treasurer July 15. The move comes as current County Treasurer Kathy Reissmann is leaving the office. She announced her resignation in June and is expected to work her last day July 19. Reissman was appointed county treasurer by the county board June 18, 2024, just a few months before she was elected to the position during the 2024 fall election. Brey will now fill the position until the next regular election for county treasurer, which will take place in November 2028. Read more: Check out the Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival & these 4 other Manitowoc events this week County Board Chairperson Tyler Martell announced Brey as his pick for county treasurer in a letter to the County Board July 9. Brey resigned from his seat on the county board the same day to avoid any conflicts of interest. Martell wrote: "Supervisor Brey brings with him a wealth of experience in local government, having dedicated over three decades of service to our community through his roles on both the Manitowoc County Board and Manitowoc City Council. His longstanding commitment to public service is undeniable and I know he will take on this new role with the same enthusiasm that he has consistently demonstrated during his tenure." The county board met July 15 for its regular meeting and approved Brey's appointment. Jefferson Elementary and Washington Middle schools will offer a free dinner service to students engaged in after-school activities starting in September. The Manitowoc School Board approved the pilot program during its July 8 meeting. The after-school meals will be provided as part of the Community Eligibility Provision, a federally funded program that already allows the Manitowoc Public School District to provide students with breakfast and lunch free of cost. According to agenda documents, the district will need at least 50 students total to take part in the after-school dinners to make the program profitable for the district. The success of the pilot program will determine if the district will make it available to all schools. Read more: Wisconsin barbershop quartets perform free concert at Two Rivers Central Park July 19 Find the latest on local government meetings at these links: More info: City of Manitowoc meetings More info: Manitowoc County meetings More info: Manitowoc Public School District meetings More info: City of Two Rivers meetings More info: Two Rivers Public Schools meetings Contact Alisa M. Schafer at aschafer@ "Watchdog Wednesday" is a weekly series that aims to give you the news you need to stay on top of local government. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Jim Brey appointed Manitowoc County treasurer, schools to offer dinner
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What you need to know about Manitowoc's 'Christmas in July' and Mid-Mod vintage weekend
MANITOWOC – Sure, you have the AC cranked to 'high' and the kids are begging for ice cream, but it's never too early too early for a little Christmas holiday cheer. 'Christmas in July' is set at more than 20 Manitowoc businesses July 18-26. The initial event last year was a hit, and 'Christmas in July' has been expanded to include two weekends, so folks can explore downtown at a leisurely pace. Manitowoc area's best ice cream: Readers have spoken. These are the best places for ice cream in the Manitowoc area. Each participating business will have maps, official entry forms and a clue for the event's scavenger hunt. Shoppers can collect word clues, found in each participating business, for a chance to win gift baskets valued at more than $100 each. Additionally, each business will offer specials in the spirit of the season, similar to Krazy Daze in the past. Look for the Evergleam aluminum Christmas tree on display in the window of each participating business. Most Treasured View: Mariners Trail in Manitowoc County is the region's Most Treasured View, reader poll finds 'Christmas in July' makes way for the Mid-Mod Summer Vintage weekend July 25-26 at the Inn on Maritime Bay, 101 Maritime Drive. The 'swellest' event of the summer is back with an aluminum tree exhibit, educational seminars, a vintage vendor market, classic car show and food truck corral. The event closes with a vintage luau July 26. Learn more at The vintage weekend is sponsored by MAKi (Manitowoc Aluminum Kitschmas Inc.), a nonprofit with a mission to preserve Manitowoc's aluminum history with a permanent location for many Evergleam Christmas trees and Mirro and National Tinsel items in their collection. Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@ or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling, on Instagram @PGPatti and on Bluesky @PGPatti. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc businesses offer deals and prizes for Christmas in July 2025
