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Visit these unique attractions in Manitowoc & Two Rivers
Manitowoc and Two Rivers are home to lots of fun, educational attractions that offer one-of-a-kind experiences, from touring a World War II submarine to getting up close and personal with real live farm animals. Here’s a closer look at a few places to put on your to-do list for your next visit.
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
This state-of-the-art facility south of Manitowoc off Interstate 43 highlights why and how Wisconsin has become known as America’s Dairyland. Featuring more than 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center takes visitors through the entire farming process, highlights the state’s diverse agricultural crops, and shows off the latest in farming technology. Visitors can also enjoy locally sourced, farm-to-table breakfast and lunch items at the Wisconsin Café or witness baby calves come into the world at the Land O’ Lakes Birthing Barn.
Wisconsin Maritime Museum & WWII Submarine
Head to the Midwest’s largest maritime museum, located along the Manitowoc River in downtown Manitowoc, and step aboard the USS Cobia, the nation’s most completely restored World War II submarine. At this Smithsonian-affiliated museum, visitors can learn about Wisconsin’s boat-building industry, walk through a recreated 19th century shipbuilding town, and even operate a working triple-expansion marine steam engine.
Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo
Located in beautiful Lincoln Park just north of downtown Manitowoc, this free zoo is home to almost 200 animals, including cougars, wolves, a snow leopard, bison, black bear, and more. The zoo’s educational center features reptiles, tropical birds, and amphibians, as well as interactive animal exhibits. The zoo holds several community events throughout the year, including “Boo at the Zoo” at Halloween.
Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum
This unique museum in Two Rivers is dedicated to the study, preservation, production, and printing of wood type. (Think of the classic “Wanted” posters from the Old West—that’s a good example of wood type.) The museum has one of the premier wood type collections in the world, boasting more than 1.5 million pieces and 1,000-plus styles and sizes of patterns. The Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum offers printing and type-cutting demos, as well as interesting displays, including wood-cut advertisements from the 1930s through the 1970s.