We were lucky enough to be in town right when the USS Cobia had returned from dry dock so we…read moredecided to go to the maritime museum to check the sub and museum out. The city has a rich maritime history so the city is a perfect setting for this museum. Lots of well-curated exhibits house a ton of interesting stories and information. You can easily spend a full day if you really wanted to immerse yourself deeply into everything that they have to offer. Our family was there for about 4 hours and was able to tour the submarine as well as check out all of the museum. Great exhibits for all ages. My kids had fun looking at the model ships and playing in the water play area. We had to practically pull our youngest one out of the area because he didn't want to leave, ha! Prices for admission were comparable to other museums and events that we did in town and that included the guided sub tour. I'm glad we stopped!

More interesting than expected. We spent over two hours touring this place and we did not even do…read morethe sub (we've been in subs in other towns & museums). We were on our way to Door County and decided to take the longer way up since none of us had ever been to Manitowoc. We saw this place in the tour books and knew we had to stop. At first the price seemed a bit high even without the sub tour but in the end it was well worth it. The displays hit on a wide variety of maritime topics not just the subs that were built locally during WWII. I really learned a lot including about all of the shipwrecks in nearby Lake Michigan. I really liked the display of old outboard motors. Overall a great experience.

I will give this 5 Stars because it exists! At the time of the event Soviet Union was leading the…read moreSpace Race. Sputnik was circling the globe and many were worried that the United States could be attacked from space. On September 5, 1962 a piece of the Soviet Satellite came crashing down into the Wisconsin town of Manitowoc. The very spot that it landed is marked and you can stand where a piece of the first man made space object came back to earth.....albeit a small piece of it.

I was in high school, in 1962, when this piece of a Russian satellite crashed into 8th Street in…read moreManitowoc. The cops thought it was a piece of foundry slag, it was too hot to touch. They kicked it to the curb. After the significance of the event sank into the city's head, it became a big thing for a while. The original piece was given back to the Russians. The Russians had an attitude about the affair, they didn't really want to admit that their satellite crashed into the earth due to an uncontrolled descent. Two replicas were cast before the thing was returned to the Russians. The Republican party got one and the Democrats the other. Neither party really wanted it. So one of the replicas ended up in the Rahr West Museum There is a brass ring in the middle of 8th Street where the chunk landed and a stone marker on the curb. If you want to see the ring you'd better be quick and alert, as 8th Street is a major thoroughfare. Not much to see; but an interesting bit of local history. The Rahr West Museum is definitely worth a visit.

This is a really neat museum exhibiting everything local. And it is free! Big, clean and AC…read more There is a small gift shop and ice cream parlor. The woman managing the museum is very enthusiastic and friendly. I learned a lot. Check it out!

It was cool browsing through the historic wares. It was neat reading about Charleston Heston…read moremarrying a woman from Two Rivers. The volunteer was excellent. She was friendly and affable. You can tell she enjoyed volunteering at the Washington House. The ice cream sundaes were great too!

For once the Instagram algorithm did right, presenting me with an ad for this museum right before I…read moreleft for the UP and circled around the other side of Lake Michigan to return back to Metro Detroit. I had never even heard of Manitowoc, Wisconsin but I'd definitely heard of Keith Haring and Rahr West had a special exhibit of his original subway art. I'd seen Keith Haring art in person before but not original salvaged chalk drawings on what were blank advertising panels and I was totally geeked about it. They had a really extensive selection and it was awesome seeing it weathered and showing other layers of stuff stuck to parts of it, ads and whatnot as well as other graffiti on multiple panels. One had a little kid chalk drawing in addition to Keith's. Really wonderful stuff to see in pers and I didn't have to go to NYC or pay NYC prices to do so. This museum is donation based with $5 suggested for adults. The special exhibit does take up the better part of the space, wrapping around a central gallery and there's a smaller gallery off to one side. It had an awesome piece of folk art and a couple good landscapes but there wasn't a whole lot extraordinary in the permanent collection. They do have a little piece of a Sputnik salvaged from the streets of this city and a cool sculpture outside. Downstairs there's student art studios and some funky murals. They have a recreation of Starry Night made with bottle caps that covers a whole wall. That made quite an impression on me. There wasn't also a chalkboard with some examples of Keith Haring art next to it encouraging you to make your own Keith Haring style art, or not Keith Haring style if you wanna be an iconoclast. There's not enough in the permanent collection here for me to recommend going out of your way to visit but if they have an incredible special exhibit like Keith Haring and you find yourself in Wisconsin this is a fantastic little museum.

Here is a good museum. One of its claim to fame is the fragment of the Russian spacecraft Sputnik…read morewas found on the sidewalk in front of the museum. We enjoyed looking at the artwork from this museums collection. It's a free museum. Plenty of parking in street. The interior part of the house such as the woodwork and stained glass windows itself are stunning.

One of the many great festivals along Manitowoc's waterfront. If the weather's nice, enjoy the…read moreoutdoor food and activities (which can be simply walking around and taking in the sites). If weather is inclement, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum is mostly indoors, as is the interior of the USS Cobia.

What a great way to celebrate Manitowoc's maritime history. Submarine tours, food trucks, crazy day…read moresales, craft fair, farmers market, kids activities, history tours, museum tours, music, fireworks and more!! A must see is the boat parade with fireworks.

This is probably the best historical venue I've been to so far since moving to Wisconsin a year and…read morea half ago. Very well-maintained grounds. Easy to walk. Nice variety of buildings. Short YouTube videos explaining each of the historical buildings. Friendly staff. Nice little gift shop. Definately allow at least two hours to wander and take it all in.

The kids at Yelp are so confused about this place, I feel it's my duty to straighten it all out…read more First, the Historical Society is no longer on Michigan Avenue. It moved a couple of years ago. It is now on 924 Pinecrest Lane, a few miles west of Manitowoc off of Highway JJ. The new facility is headquartered in the McAllister building, a stately white 19th century edifice. There is a historical museum in this building. This building is in the Pinecrest Village, which Yelp insists is closed. The Pinecrest Village is a collection of dozens of 19th century buildings. These include early homes, a blacksmith, a church, a dentistry, a general store, a millinery store, a train depot, among others. The Meeme House is a recent addition. The Meeme House was once a stagecoach stop and entertainment center. In 2020 the official reopening date is June 1st. This is a wonderful place to visit. There are usually friendly and knowledgeable staff there to help you find your way around and explain the features and attractions of the place. Check their website for events in all four seasons. I have volunteered out here. I love the Civil War Days when I have an excuse to deck out in my Civil War uniform and dazzle folks with my trivia and knowledge of the War to preserve slavery. This is a wonderful place to soak up the history of Manitowoc County and breath some fresh air while you get some exercise on its 60 acres. If you are a history buff or just want to leave the rat race behind for a couple of hours, it would behoove you to get yourself out here. There is an admission fee; but it is money well spent. Kids love this place and so will you.

The place is huge inside! Extensive exhibits. Definitely worth a visit especially since it only…read morecosts $5. The museum store probably has THE most unique Two Rivers souvenirs you are likely to find anywhere. Exceptionally friendly and informative staff.

I went here this past weekend with my fella and two best friends. We have been talking about it…read moreall summer long and as we would do have put it off until now. The museum offers a tour on the hour every hour. We were lucky enough to get there five minutes into the tour! It was AMAZAING! The staff were very knowledgable and willing to answer any of our questions. One of the staff did a demonstration for use using an 80-year old wood type-piece. I wanted to nabbed it but thought that would be in bad form. If I could live in this studio I would and am now thinking I need to move to Two Rivers. They are also the home of the first ice cream sundae. I mean I don't know if a town has ever been more perfect for me....ice cream sundae and a musuem full of typography! Swoon......

What a great way to remember Manitowoc's rich history of manufacturing aluminum Christmas trees. So…read moremany of the downtown businesses have these vintage beauties on display. Check out the trolley tour. Our guide was a retired teacher and had so much info to share. There were some great stops at the Rahr West Museum, Susy Kay's diner and Crystal Pathways. Highly recommend you either walk around and see the trees or take the trolley!

Must stop! Beautiful well maintained. Spent more than an hour. $5 such a great deal for what you…read moreget to see and learn.

A quaint little museum spread out over a small meticulously restored "fishing village" (several…read morebuildings, boats, and a light house). Just walking on the dock along the river is worthwhile, and doing so doesn't even require an admission ticket. Museum staff is very devoted towards maintaining this little jewel.