The neighbors next door clearly enjoy hiking. Manitowoc and Two Rivers are connected by the seven-mile Mariners Trail, which parallels the Lake Michigan shoreline they share. But that’s just the beginning. There are miles of other biking and hiking trails, a shipwreck trail, and even a trail of art gems you’d never expect to find, making the area’s slogan, “the coast for a while,” a very appealing proposition indeed.
Friday
Drive into Two Rivers, nicknamed the “cool city” for its pleasant Lake Michigan breezes, and set up camp at Point Beach State Forest. With 3,000 acres, finding a place to camp is never a problem, and all sites are within walking distance of the lake. Stroll along the six-mile stretch of sandy shoreline or hike the five-mile stretch of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Take the first of many Instagram photos at Rawley Point Lighthouse, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and one of the brightest on the Great Lakes. Then head to Manitowoc for dinner at the Courthouse Pub. While this bistro has a Wine Spectator-awarded wine list, the menu also features a ton of microbeers. Try fresh Lake Michigan whitefish, caught locally by Susie Q’s Fish Market, and for dessert, ice cream made at local bakery Beernsten’s.
Saturday
In the morning, bike to downtown Two Rivers for an espresso and a muffin at the Red Bank Coffeehouse, which overlooks Central Park. Shop next door at Schroeder’s Department Store, one of the oldest independent department stores in the country. The creaking hardwood floors in the shoe department add charm as you try on your favorite sports and fashion brands you’d expect to find in a huge city.
Spend the rest of your Saturday morning on water activities. The Manitowoc/Two Rivers area is home to 37 known shipwrecks, and you can dive to see them for yourself with Shipwreck Adventures, which now offers a modern 28-foot vessel called Double Trouble.
If you prefer to stay on land, visit Rogers Street Fishing Village in Two Rivers to view historical displays and artifacts from famed shipwrecks. Visit the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse, whose dome rises 52 feet above the lake, and end your tour at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in downtown Manitowoc.
Time to grab a German draft beer at Kurtz’s Pub, a classic Two Rivers tavern. Or if you’re a BBQ fan, grab a seat at Brian’s Smokehouse and BBQ in Manitowoc, which serves legitimate Southern-style ribs and beef, and pick up a bottle of your favorite sauce for your next barbecue.
Call this next part of your visit an art trail, marked by a handful of great insider finds. The Rahr-West Art Museum in Manitowoc now has an exhibition of Marc Chagall’s complete Paris Le Cirque collection. It took more than 30 years to finalize the acquisition. The Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers has one of the most complete collections of wood type in the world, 1.5 million pieces, and offers workshops in letterpress and bookmaking. Or check out the Martin Pottery Studio, also in Manitowoc, filled with works fresh off the potter’s wheel.
Al Corso may be a few minutes outside of town, but it’s definitely worth the drive. Set in a renovated 1800s-era tavern, this intimate restaurant serves up a unique take on contemporary American cuisine, making it a true foodie find.
Sunday
Dine at Bud Willman’s in Manitowoc, a classic diner that serves fresh, made-to-order breakfasts and gives you a true sense of community spirit.
Saving perhaps the best for last, time to bike to your heart’s content. Hit the Rawley Point Trail, which connects Point Beach State Forest to the Mariners Trail, a five-mile path through pines and canyon firs. The Mariners Trail adds another seven miles each way and provides the longest stretch of unobstructed lake views in the state. Enjoy 50 flower gardens bordering the paved path, each with a different theme and all maintained by volunteers, as well as a sprinkling of indefinite sculptures.
If time permits, take one last walk, either to the Woodland Dunes Nature Center or the magnificent West of the Lake Gardens. Then pack up the car for the ride home, but not before stopping at the Historic Washington House in Two Rivers for an ice cream sundae—that’s where the sweet treat was invented.
For more 48 hours of fun, check out our weekend guides to Bayfield and Madison!
