A Visit to Manitowoc, Ludington's Big Sister Across the Lake

[XLFD]

On Thursday, I took my annual mini-cruise across Lake Michigan on the SS Badger with the family.  This is an excellent way to economically cross the lake, you can take two kids (under 15 years old) with each adult, leave the car behind, and the two-way trip will only cost each such trio only $74 plus tax.  If you decide to take the bicycle with you it will cost you an extra $12 per.

 

In the last two years, I have noticed the differences and similarities between the two communities.  Both have excellent examples of architecture.  The Manitowoc County Courthouse is impressive:

 

 

And the downtown, business, and industrial areas have many other architectural marvels from the classical era and modern times, much like Ludington has.  A newly built City Hall and Public Safety Building (holding the Fire and Police departments) were well worth visiting, and open to this Michigander, unlike my own City's. 

I ran into the Mayor of Manitowoc in one of his ceremonial functions while I was there this time.  This youthful 24 y.o., Justin Nickels became Mayor nearly three years ago at the tender age of 22.  Unlike Mayor John Henderson in Ludington, Mayor Nickels has total executive power in his city.  There is no City Manager.  The people actually elect their city leader democratically-- gotta love it.  This seems to work out well for Manitowoc, as I can find no credible criticism on him in a cursory scan on the net, yet I have found several videos of him addressing the city such as this:

 

I was astonished to find out that Manitowoc's population is over 4 times Ludington's, it seems like a smaller city.  Yet it does also offer some interesting highlights.  The Rahr West Art Museum is a free to visit (donations accepted) place to catch a revolving display of art, and houses a (replica of a) piece of Sputnik that fell on the street within view of the museum back in the 60s.  The original was given back to the Russians.  A maritime museum within sight of the Badger, offers another cultural place to visit, particularly those with that as an interest.

A zoo further up the street (also free) allows the viewing of many creatures including timber wolves, cougars, bears, a variety of birds and reptiles, and the always amusing prairie dogs.  The kids will love it.

 

I was totally impressed with Manitowoc's walkability.  Everywhere you go, it seems that there are sidewalks, and the shoreline has multi-use paths down most of it.  I looked up the City Code of Manitowoc, and they make such sidewalks mandatory where the curbs and gutters of streets are installed, or where the DPW decides where it is necessary for the public safety.  Too bad that language isn't in the Ludington code.  But the language is not only there, the City of Manitowoc also decides to enforce it.

But it isn't a flawless city.  It does have some areas of blight from some abandoned factories of yore, and it does seem to have no problem with putting a bunch of signs on utitlity poles, and a bunch of fluffy banners hanging along the main streets having adjectives that describe Manitowoc (like 'innovative', 'cool', brilliant', etc.), no doubt put up by some Wisconsin version of their DDAs.  They look out of place, block or dilute the other necessary signage, and detract from the beauty of the environment in my opinion.  Some of its interesting places are a good walk from other ones, making it difficult to see everything in one trip of a day or two.

 

If you haven't seen Manitowoc in a few years, or ever experienced it, take the mini-cruise over to check it out.  You will love it. 

“To those who say that America's best day's are behind them, let them come here, to Manitowoc. Let them come to this once shuttered factory that is now bustling with workers building new technologies for the world. Let them come here to see the incredible promise of our country. This is the future, and it is bright.”
- President Barack Obama, Manitowoc, WI. January 26, 2011

[AQUAMAN]

Dave, if affordable, why not cross over to Milwaukee, I have friends there too, on the Muskegon ferry, then find a ride up to Manitowoc and come back on the Badger? That way you cover your bases both ways and get the fun of two differing ship experiences, just an idea.