FAQ
FAQ

1. Where is the coastline?

Directly east, of course; offering you the longest, continuous, spectacular view of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. Bike/walk/rollerblade on our  paved 6-mile Mariners Trail that hugs the coastline of Lake Michigan from Manitowoc to  Two Rivers. Explore the Breakwater Light near the marina, enjoy the beautiful gardens along the trail, and picnic along the way. From I-43, take Exit 149, then east to our Visitor Information Center. From there, take Calumet Ave. (Hwy 151) and make a left on 8th Street downtown. As you cross the bridge stay right, turning on to Maritime Dr. and passing the Maritime Museum and USS COBIA WWII Submarine. 

2. Can I go on the submarine?

Come aboard the USS COBIA WWII Submarine, moored in the Manitowoc River and a featured exhibit at the  Wisconsin Maritime Museum (75 Maritime Dr). During World War II, the Manitowoc Co. built 28 Gato-class submarines, including the USS Rasher that sunk the second highest enemy tonnage of any U.S. submarine during the war in the Pacific Theater. Tour the USS COBIA as part of your admission fee. Open year round (See driving directions above). 920-684-0218 or 866-724-2356

3. How do I get to the car ferry?

The S.S. Badger offers the largest cross-lake passenger service on the Great Lakes and an authentic steamship experience. The relaxing four-hour, 60-mile cruise takes passengers, autos, RVs, tour buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and commercial trucks across Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. To board the Badger, follow Calumet Ave. East from the Visitor Center; follow the Car Ferry signs to 10th St., turn east on Madison St. and follow around to the car ferry dock, 800-841-4243

4. Did Sputnik IV really crash in Manitowoc?

Sputnik IV launched from the Soviet Union on May 14, 1960. On re-entry it had a malfunction and stayed in its useless orbit until September 5, 1962, when it fell screaming from the sky over Wisconsin. All 7 tons, including the dummy cosmonaut, burned up in the atmosphere — except one 20-pound hunk of metal. That piece crashed into the street outside of the Rahr-West Art Museum. Each September the museum celebrates this large hunk of space junk with Sputnikfest. Funky costume contests for both human and non-human life forms, the Miss Space Debris pageant, an Art Show, and other fun and unique activities make for out of this world fun. 

5. Is Two Rivers really the Home of the Ice Cream Sundae?

In 1881, George Hallauer asked Edward C. Berner, the owner of a soda fountain at 1404 15th street, to top a dish of ice cream with chocolate sauce that was used for ice cream sodas. He liked it and the five-cent concoction became pretty popular. Berner started experimenting with different flavors-with fancy names. There were treats like Flora Dora, Mudscow, and an ice cream/peanut dish called Chocolate Peany.  Although others claim to be the first, Two Rivers has the earliest documentation of this claim. You can still get an ice cream sundae at the ice cream parlor in the historic Washington House at 17th and Jefferson Streets. The parlor features pictures and relics of the original Berners store, along with an old picture of George Berners, himself.