Manitowoc County: Trails, Water and History
Accommodation in Manitowoc County
Manitowoc County combines trails along Lake Michigan, river landscapes, historic sites and unusual museums. This allows you to shape your stay in many different ways: with exercise on long recreational trails, nature observation, insights into maritime history or more leisurely garden and museum visits. Which vacation rental is right for you therefore depends primarily on whether you would like to plan your days mainly outdoors, culturally or according to the season.
Nature Experiences Between Trails, Rivers and the Lake
The Devils River State Recreational Trail runs 14 miles from Rockwood Road to the Village of Denmark. It is accessible year-round for walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. In the surrounding area, the Devils River State Trail passes through Brown and Manitowoc Counties as well as farmland, prairies, river landscapes and wetlands. Two railroad bridges cross the Devil's River and its tributaries there.
Another option is the paved Mariners Trail. The 7-mile recreational trail along Lake Michigan connects Manitowoc and Two Rivers; there are five parking areas at rest stops along the route. For a seasonal activity, Point Beach State Forest offers 3.6 miles of equestrian trails, which are open from May through October. Those who want to plan their stay around a particular season will also find a popular ice-fishing spot at Long Lake.
The landscape itself also offers a variety of contrasts. At Lower Cato Falls, the Manitowoc River forms the northern park boundary. There, it flows through a narrow gorge with distinctive rock formations and a waterfall area; Lower Cato Falls is an 84-acre nature park. The Fischer Creek Conservation Area lies on both sides of Fischer Creek and extends eastward to Lake Michigan. Abandoned farmland, meadows and lowland forests characterize this area. At Woodland Dunes, you can observe birds of prey from Wisconsin along the lakeshore during the fall migration. Cherney Maribel Caves County Park has developed facilities for picnicking and hiking.
History, Maritime Heritage and Unique Museums
The U.S. Coast Guard has operated a lighthouse at Rawley Point since 1853. The Rawley Point Lighthouse can be viewed and photographed from the beach; tours are normally not available. In addition, the Point Beach Nature Center presents exhibits on recreational opportunities, glacial landforms, the rare local ecosystem, shipwrecks and the lighthouse. The Shipwrecks of Rawley Point exhibit presents artifacts from ships that sank off Rawley Point.
The Manitowoc County Historical Society Museum and Pinecrest Village is a 60-acre living-history museum with immigrant homes, historic crafts and village life around the turn of the 20th century. Pinecrest Historical Village comprises more than 30 structures collected from throughout Manitowoc County and is divided into the themed areas Newcomers, The Village and Rural Settlement. In winter, you can visit Pinecrest Village on a grounds tour while the historic buildings are closed. Advance registration is required for the walking tours of the Manitowoc County Historical Society; the tours last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Further cultural highlights include the Rahr-West Art Museum, with a Victorian mansion from the late 19th century and an exhibition wing for art added in the 20th century, as well as the USS Cobia. The submarine was designated a National Historic Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. At the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum, you can discover 1.5 million wood type letters in more than 1,000 patterns, styles and sizes.
Choosing Accommodation Based on Your Preferred Travel Rhythm
For active days on the Mariners Trail or the Devils River State Recreational Trail, it makes sense to first determine your preferred surroundings and daily rhythm when searching for a vacation rental. Those planning to include museums and maritime history should consider the Wisconsin Maritime Museum: it is located on the Maritime-Metro transit line, with a stop directly in front of the museum building, and is within walking distance of the S.S. Badger Carferry dock.
For a more peaceful cultural stop, the West of the Lake Gardens are a good option. Ruth West created them in 1934; by 1950, they had been expanded into ten independent gardens covering 6.5 acres. From Memorial Day weekend through early October, the gardens are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weather permitting. There, you can stroll through themed gardens, relax on benches and enjoy a breeze from the lake.
For further orientation within the area, dedicated pages lead to Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Reedsville and Mishicot. This allows you to combine your search for accommodation with your desired mix of nature, culture, activity and seasonal experiences.
For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.
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