Attractions and Places To See in Manitowoc County - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see in Manitowoc County include a diverse range of natural features, historical sites, and cultural destinations along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The county offers expansive state forests, significant maritime history, and unique cultural experiences. Visitors can explore miles of sandy beaches, extensive trail networks, and museums detailing the region's past.
Best attractions and places to see in Manitowoc County
- The most popular attractions is Point Beach State Forest, a forest that spans over 3,000…
Last updated: July 2, 2026
Walla Hi County Park
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
Two Rivers
Highlight • Settlement
Tip by
Sign up now to discover places like this
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Sign up for free
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
Point Beach State Forest
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
Rawley Point Lighthouse
Highlight • Monument
Tip by
Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse
Highlight • Monument
Tip by
Henry Schuette Park
Highlight • Trail
Tip by
Richard J Drum Memorial Forest
Highlight (Segment) • Forest
Tip by
Lighthouse Park
Highlight • Rest Area
Tip by
Fischer Creek State Recreation Area
Highlight • Beach
Tip by
Sign up for free to discover even more attractions in Manitowoc County.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
Tips from the Community
Fischer Creek Conservation Area is the newest addition to the Manitowoc County Park System. This 160-acre site is owned by the state and maintained by the county. The area offers peaceful beach access, hiking trails, and viewpoints perfect to enjoy during all four seasons.
0
0
Walla Hi County Park was acquired in 1977 and spans 160 acres of a Kettle Moraine landscape. The park has scenic and well-marked hiking trails that meander through past springs, through woods, enter and open areas. Hikers can enjoy shaded paths in the forests, great for warmer days, but it can get a little buggy as well with the heat. The outer loop is used for equestrian trail riding, so keep an ear out for horses sharing the trail.
0
0
For over 164 years, the Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse has guided boats in and out of Manitowoc Harbor. It was built in 1839, and the original brick structure stood on a high hill at the corner of 5th and York Streets near the Manitowoc River. Hikers can enjoy beautiful views from Lighthouse Park and walk the breakwater for an up-close look at this historic beacon.
0
0
Lighthouse Park, located just off the Mariners Trail, features a newly constructed public bathroom and pavilion, the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse, and the Paws and Play Dog Park. Open seven days a week, the park is pet- and family-friendly, offering convenient parking and easy access to visit the Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse.
0
0
Located on the banks of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, this museum gives you a great insight into the region's maritime history. There are lots of things to discover, including a submarine and a battleship. The museum is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday to Monday.
0
0
Henry Schuette Park in Manitowoc offers an upper park with a large, fenced-in playground, restrooms, picnic areas, and grills. The lower park is a nature preserve with extensive hiking and biking trails, a kayak launch, and a section of the historic Ice Age Trail. Enjoy shady, tree-covered paths and sunny, warmer sections, or in the winter, explore the trails on snowshoes or cross-country skis.
0
0
Richard J Drum Memorial Forest lies along the banks of the West Twin River and has lush forests teeming with life. The forest is surrounded by farmland but is a natural oasis preserved for years to come.
0
0
Located on the banks of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, this museum gives you a great insight into the region's maritime history. There are lots of things to discover, including a submarine and a battleship. The museum is open from 10am until 4pm Thursday to Monday.
1
0
Frequently Asked Questions
What natural attractions can I explore in Manitowoc County?
Manitowoc County offers several natural attractions. You can visit Point Beach State Forest, which spans 3,000 acres with 6 miles of sandy beach, perfect for camping, hiking, and cycling. Walla Hi County Park features scenic hiking trails through woods and open areas. The Fischer Creek State Recreation Area provides peaceful beach access and hiking trails, while Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve is a significant wildlife habitat with 7 miles of trails, including a segment of the Ice Age Trail.
What historical sites are available for visitors in Manitowoc County?
History enthusiasts can explore the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home to the USS Cobia submarine. The Rogers Street Fishing Village celebrates over 185 years of commercial fishing with an 1886 historic lighthouse and fishing tugs. Pinecrest Historical Village is an interactive outdoor museum with over 30 historic buildings showcasing life from the 1800s to early 1900s. You can also see the Rawley Point Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes, and the Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse.
Are there family-friendly activities in Manitowoc County?
Yes, Manitowoc County has many family-friendly options. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum offers tours of the USS Cobia submarine. Point Beach State Forest is great for beach days, camping, and easy trails. The Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo features a variety of animals, and the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center provides interactive agricultural exhibits and a birthing barn. LondonDairy Alpacas offers guided tours where families can interact with alpacas.
Where can I find hiking trails in Manitowoc County?
Manitowoc County offers diverse hiking opportunities. Walla Hi County Park has scenic, well-marked trails. Point Beach State Forest features 11 miles of hiking trails, including parts of the Ice Age Trail. Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve also has 7 miles of trails. For more options, you can explore various routes in the Hiking in Manitowoc County guide, which includes trails like the Ice Age Trail: Point Beach Segment and Mariners Trail.
What cycling routes are available near the attractions?
The Mariners Trail offers a scenic path along the Lake Michigan coastline, ideal for biking. For more extensive cycling, you can find routes like the 'Two Rivers - Point Beach State Forest Loop' and 'Between Two Rivers - Manitowoc River Loop' in the Cycling in Manitowoc County guide. These routes vary in difficulty from easy to moderate.
Are there any art or cultural museums in the area?
Yes, the Rahr-West Art Museum in Manitowoc, housed in a historic Queen Anne-style mansion, features works by renowned artists like Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. It was named one of the 'Best Places to See Art in a Small City' by Travel+Leisure Magazine. Admission is free. Additionally, the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers holds one of the world's largest collections of wood type and offers workshops.
What unique historical landmarks can I visit?
Beyond the lighthouses and maritime museum, you can visit the Sputnik IV Crash Site in Manitowoc, marked by a metal ring in the road where a piece of the Soviet satellite crash-landed in 1962. The Manitowoc Rapids Iron Bridge, an 1887 single-span Pratt through truss bridge, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcasing significant engineering.
Where can I find scenic viewpoints or parks?
For scenic views, Lighthouse Park offers beautiful vistas, and you can walk the breakwater for an up-close look at the Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse. Fischer Creek State Recreation Area provides scenic viewpoints along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve features a 30-foot viewing tower.
What is the best time of year to visit Manitowoc County attractions?
Manitowoc County offers attractions year-round. Summer is ideal for beach activities at Point Beach State Forest and exploring trails. Fall brings beautiful foliage to areas like Walla Hi County Park. Many museums and historical sites, such as the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and Rahr-West Art Museum, are open throughout the year, offering indoor options during colder months. Woodland Dunes Nature Center offers snowshoe rentals in winter.
Are there any unique dining experiences in Manitowoc County?
The Courthouse Pub in Manitowoc offers a unique dining experience. Housed in an 1885 building that was once a brewery and a Prohibition-era café, it is now a historic restaurant and the only microbrewery in Manitowoc, providing a taste of local history and craft beverages.
What kind of outdoor activities are popular in Manitowoc County?
Popular outdoor activities include hiking and cycling along the Lake Michigan shoreline, especially on the Mariners Trail or within Point Beach State Forest. Lower Cato Falls County Park offers hiking, nature trails, picnicking, and a disc golf course, with the river managed as a rainbow trout fishery. Camping is also popular in the state forest.
Get inspired with the komoot mobile app
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Are you keen on exploring more awesome places nearby? Browse our guides:
Explore more
Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:
