The city of Manitowoc is located on the east coast of central Wisconsin along Lake Michigan. I have family connections to Manitowoc and have been visiting my whole life. Recently, we hosted a family reunion at Lincoln Park. Visitors can rent the air-conditioned pavilion for a fee, and there are picnic tables outside to host gatherings. There is also a trail to walk on around the park; we went for a stroll the morning of the reunion and caught these marvelous sandhill cranes walking about.
Within Lincoln Park is the Lincoln Park Zoo. This is a free zoo where visitors can spot prairie dogs, buffalo, and other animals. In addition, there is a pond that attracts local wildlife like ducks and geese. This is a perfect place to take your family if you’re on a budget!
State Forest
During the weekend of the family reunion, some of us opted out of hotel stays for a chance to camp at Point Beach State Forest. You really can’t go wrong camping anywhere in Wisconsin, but this park is special in that it borders the Lake Michigan coastline. If you’re lucky enough to reserve a site near the lake, you’ll fall asleep to the sound of waves every night…so peaceful!
You’ll find me talking about camping a lot on this blog…it is one of my favorite ways to get outdoors! Camping at state parks in Wisconsin is pretty easy to reserve. Plus, there is a phone number on their website you can call during daytime hours to reserve over the phone if you have issues online. I recommend purchasing a state park sticker for your car; there are in-state and out-of-state plate options. Whether you’re visiting for a day or camping overnight, you’ll have to pay to park your car, and an annual sticker pays for itself in less than five visits. You can find out more about vehicle admission stickers on the Wisconsin DNR website.
Dairy
To wrap up a trip to Manitowoc, be sure to stop at Pine River Dairy, just fifteen minutes from the city center. This is an adorable, family-owned dairy serving up fresh cheese curds and delicious ice cream daily! The staff are always very kind and eager to share about their vast variety of cheese and other products. I have fond memories of stopping here on my way in and out of Manitowoc; it is a must-stop spot on my itinerary!
Manitowoc has been a favorite place of mine long before Charlie Berens became popular. Hope you get to spend time here on your next Wisconsin road trip!