Manitowoc & Two Rivers, Wisconsin
Relax in this beautiful part of the country filled with picturesque natural beauty and a variety of unique attractions
Visitors to Manitowoc can learn about maritime history, savor delicious wine and enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline
Regardless of your reason for visiting the Manitowoc & Two Rivers area, your experience will be a memorable one. Manitowoc & Two Rivers has something for everyone whether you are hosting a reunion or enjoying family travel. There’s plenty to do in this beautiful region of the country as families can visit cheese factories, wineries, nature and simply relax amid picturesque natural beauty. Enjoy the longest stretch of uninterrupted view of Lake Michigan on Mariners Trail, a six-mile paved lakeshore trail that skirts the beautiful Lake Michigan coastline and is lined with more than 35 specially planted flower gardens and benches. Visitors can learn of the area’s agricultural heritage by touring a local Alpaca farm or cheese factory or they can opt to lie in the sun on Neshotah Beach and let their worries drift away.
Those looking to explore will find boutique stores, beaches, lighthouses, hiking and biking trails, world-class museums and much more. At the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, families can explore the streets of old Manitowoc and learn about Wisconsin’s rich shipbuilding history. The museum features fabulous ship models, ship engines, interactives, children’s play areas and a World War II submarine where guests can learn what life was like aboard the USS Cobia during the war. Another popular draw is the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc, the newest agricultural tourism attraction in the Midwest. The center features 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits featuring Wisconsin’s agriculture industry.
Memorable Manitowoc
Memorable Manitowoc
Reunions in Manitowoc can include a cheese tasting, opulent mansions and world-renowned art
With an ideal location on the coast, Manitowoc & Two Rivers is a perfect spot to relax. Groups won’t have to worry about overcrowded beaches or long lines and the area’s welcoming residents will help you create unforgettable memories. Manitowoc & Two Rivers are home to a variety of unique attractions you will only find here. An example of this is the Rahr-West Art Museum and Mansion in Manitowoc, which was voted “one of the best small-town art museums in the country” by Forbes Magazine. Works in the museum include such notables as Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol. Interestingly, the museum also houses the remains of the Soviet Union satellite Sputnik, which crashed outside.
You can also visit the birthplace of the ice cream sundae, the Washington Historic House. This warm 1850 hotel, historic saloon and museum will thrill children of all ages. The Bernard Schwartz House, also known as Still Bend, is a 3,000-square-foot Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Two Rivers and is considered to be Wright’s Life magazine dream house. Henning’s Wisconsin Cheese is one of the last Wisconsin cheese factories making mammoth cheese wheels which can weigh more than 500 pounds.
The Manitowoc Area Visitors & Convention Bureau has worked with many groups in planning their adventures. They can help
by planning your itinerary and offering welcome bags.
Video Tour
“We invite you to ‘coast for a while’ in Manitowoc-Two Rivers. Your group will enjoy stunning scenic beauty along the shores of Lake Michigan; state-of the art attractions; a variety of museums; visual and performing arts; year-round events; and quality dining and lodging choices.”
– RaeAnn Thomas, Sales Manager of the Manitowoc Area VCB
Browse below for some additions to your itinerary
Why Reunite to the Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area
Highlights
- Manitowoc & Two Rivers are 30 minutes south of Green Bay and just an hour north of Milwaukee. This convenient location makes Manitowoc an ideal location for regional conferences, meetings, retreats or reunions
- Professional service and quality surroundings are delivered at reasonable pricing. Rely on the Manitowoc Area VCB to work with you on your behalf every step of the way
- While in Manitowoc, take advantage of engaging and unique off-site venues. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum, for example, chronicles the area’s proud traditions of shipbuilding and sailing the Great Lakes
Family-Friendly Dining Experiences in the Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area
Water’s Edge Restaurant – Two Rivers
Panoramic windows overlooking Lake Michigan complement your entrée and beverage selections. Sunrises and moonrises shimmer on lovely seas, giving guests one of the best dining experiences imaginable. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, guests will enjoy a great selection of breakfast entrees, lunch sandwiches and dinner options.
Website: lhinn.com/the-restaurant
Courthouse Pub – Manitowoc
This casual microbrewery offers house beers, a huge wine list and American eats in a historic venue. In the late 1930s, the Pekel family purchased the Court Café and it eventually became the Courthouse Pub. Much of the look and feel of the original building remains. Enjoy the surroundings while consuming delicious pub cheese, seafood nachos, fish n chips and much more.
Website: courthousepub.com
Friar Tuck’s – Manitowoc
Proudly serving customers with the finest food, fun and spirits since 1980, Friar Tuck’s offers classics such as the Prime Rib sandwich, the Little John (practically a foot of grilled beef patty covered with cheddar cheese), pot roast, burgers and a variety of sandwiches.
Website: friartucksmanitowoc.com
Ryan’s on York – Manitowoc
An easygoing taproom serving craft beer and reimagined pub food, Ryan’s on York serves traditional burgers, house specialties including a steak sandwich and a Cuban pork and San Fran Garlic Noodles. It also offers an impressive list of beers from pale ales to IPAs.
Website: ryansonyork.com
Ready to find out more about how Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area can help plan your family trip or reunion?
Machut’s Supper Club – Two Rivers
Founded in 1961 and still owned and operated by family to this day, Machut’s Supper Club provides a memorable dining experience in a lovely vintage restaurant. Its menu includes a variety of steaks and seafood and also serves a host of premium wines.
Website: machuts.com
Family-Friendly Attractions in the Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area
Wisconsin Maritime Museum – Manitowoc
Families can explore the streets of old Manitowoc and learn about Wisconsin’s rich shipbuilding history. The museum also houses fabulous ship models, engines, children’s play areas and a World War II submarine where guests can learn what life was like aboard the USS Cobia during the war. Experience what it felt like to be in a submarine during a depth charging as you experience a recreation from an actual battle from Cobia’s war patrol log.
Website: wisconsinmaritime.org
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center – Manitowoc
The newest agricultural tourism attraction in the Midwest, the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center features 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits highlighting Wisconsin’s agriculture industry. Families can enjoy a bus tour of a local dairy farm and see modern farming technology in action. Stop into the Land O’ Lakes Birthing Barn for the chance to experience the birth of a calf.
Website: farmwisconsin.org
Rahr-West Museum and Mansion – Manitowoc
This museum combines a visitor friendly atmosphere with a beautifully constructed 19th century Victorian mansion and extends to a 20th century art exhibition wing. Works include such notables as Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol. The museum also houses the remains of the Soviet Union satellite Sputnik, which crashed outside.
Washington Historic House – Two Rivers
A warm 1850 hotel, historic saloon and museum, the Washington Historic House will thrill children of all ages. Enjoy the antique toy collection and the Victorian doll house, rare murals in a second-floor ballroom and Ed Berner’s old-time ice cream parlor, which is home of the original ice cream sundae. You can savor this delicious treat along with other soda fountain specialties.
Website: manitowoc.info/business-directory/735/historic-washington-house
Ready to find out more about how Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area can help plan your family trip or reunion?
West of the Lake Gardens – Manitowoc
These serene, flower-filled gardens along Lake Michigan are open seasonally and offer free admission. Six acres of backyard gardens on the estate of John and Ruth West feature a rose garden, Japanese, sunken and formal gardens and more than 900 feet of herbaceous borders with colorful annuals.
Website: westfoundation.us
Family-Friendly Accommodations in the Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area
Bernard Schwartz House – Two Rivers
Also known as Still Bend, the Bernard Schwartz House is a 3,000-square-foot Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Two Rivers and is considered to be Wright’s Life magazine dream house. Located on the East Twin River overlooking a large marsh, Wright originally developed the house’s design for Life in 1938. The property is one of the few Wright homes that allows guests to spend the night.
Website: theschwartzhouse.com
Lighthouse Inn on Lake Michigan – Two Rivers
Enjoy a relaxing Lake Michigan retreat at the Lighthouse Inn on Lake Michigan. Its accommodations offer beautiful views overlooking Lakeshore Park and Lake Michigan. Enjoy swimming in its large indoor pool, savor its tranquil hot tub, dine at the Water’s Edge Restaurant and take advantage of a variety of other amenities in a magnificent location.
Website: lhinn.com/the-hotel
Holiday Inn Manitowoc
One of the area’s premier hotels and conference centers, Holiday Inn Manitowoc features more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space. It also sports an on-site restaurant and lounge, a professional on-site catering staff, 204 guest rooms and spacious suites, a pool, whirlpool, game room and fitness center and a café marketplace.
Website: holidayinnmanitowoc.com
Baymont by Wyndham Manitowoc Lakefront – Manitowoc
The only lakefront hotel in Manitowoc, you can host a fabulous reunion in Baymont’s polished meeting space. Family members can take a pleasant stroll to nearby restaurants and shops and the Lincoln Park Zoo is also within walking distance. The hotel offers banquet facilities, a bar, bus and truck parking, event planning services and family and oversized rooms.
Website:wyndhamhotels.com
Ready to find out more about how Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area can help plan your family trip or reunion?
Harbor Town Inn
A pet-friendly hotel near Lake Michigan, Harbor Town Inn features a fitness center, breakfast room with complimentary breakfast, an outdoor terrace, work station and even an art gallery. Sleep well on a freshly laundered hypo allergenic down duvet and pillows in a King bedroom.
Website: harbortowninn.com
Family-Friendly Venues in the Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area
Strand Adventures
Once a historic theater in downtown Manitowoc, The Strand has been renovated into an indoor activity complex where a variety of adventures await all ages. This family-friendly activity complex in downtown Manitowoc offers a state-of-the-art ninja gym, a 30-foot indoor rock-climbing wall, a custom-built Laser Tag facility, a room of bounce houses, a jungle gym and an arcade.
Website: strandadventures.com
Capitol Civic Centre – Manitowoc
This beautiful venue is immaculately maintained and features a West Auditorium that contains 1,154 seats. This auditorium is acoustically exceptional and hosts traditional on-stage performances and is appropriate for large-attendance presentations and reunions. The Capitol Grand Lobby provides versatile accommodations for reunions and family gatherings.
Website: cccshows.org
Tapped on the Lakeshore
Enjoy a wide variety of brews and local wines including New Glarus Spotted Cow, Sand Creek Brewing Hard Lemonade and Pet Skull Brewing Wicked Wango Creamsicle Pale Ale. There are also a variety of games at Tapped including axe throwing, shuffleboard, cornhole, table top games and online darts.
Website: tappedonthelakeshore.com
Silarian Vineyards
The vineyard encompasses five acres of planted vines and houses a winery that was established in 2018. Silarian Vineyards focuses on high-quality estate wine that is a sustainably local farmed Wisconsin product. Guests can walk the vineyards while enjoying a glass of wine with the backdrop of picturesque vineyards and hills filling their sightline.
Website:silarianvineyards.com
Ready to find out more about how Manitowoc & Two Rivers Area can help plan your family trip or reunion?
Sepia- Two Rivers
With a capacity of 350, Sepia was built in 1891 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was recently awarded Best Historic Renovation by Wisconsin Main Street and is located on the banks of the east Twin River, where iconic Mackinaw fishing boats are docked in rows. Sepia features soaring chandeliers, a cozy fireplace and loft space, ebony stained hardwood floors, a full-service bar and a magnificent 24-foot indoor waterfall.
What are you waiting for?
Let Destination Reunions help you plan the perfect reunion.
RaeAnn Thomas
Sales Manager
Phone: 920-686-3077
Email: rthomas@manitowoc.info
Website: www.manitowoc.info
