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LUDINGTON — Fall is a great time of year to explore the Great Lakes. The kids are back in school, the air is crisp, the sky features radiant sunrises and sunsets, and harvests are being celebrated throughout the region. It’s also a great time to enjoy a ride across Lake Michigan on the historic S.S. Badger car ferry.
Lake Michigan Carferry, operator of the Badger, is offering up to 37 percent off a regular ticket price through its Great Lake Getaway Special. It features round-trip passenger fare of just $108 per adult, normally $150. With every paying adult, up to two children, ages 5-15, may travel free. Each additional child is only $62. Trips must be completed in three days or less, does not allow booking a motor vehicle, may not be combined with other discounts or promotions, and must be booked by phone, 800-841-4243.
The 410-foot S.S. Badger is the last steam-powered car ferry on the Great Lakes. It operates daily, until Oct. 12, between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, departing Ludington at 9 a.m. (EDT) and arriving in Manitowoc at noon (CDT) and then departing Manitowoc at 2 p.m. (CDT) and arriving in Ludington at 7 p.m. (EDT). The vessel can carry vehicles of almost any size.
The Ludington and Manitowoc areas offer plenty of fun fall activities and places to visit.
Ludington, ranked as one of the most historic beach towns in the country, offers a vibrant downtown area with a variety of restaurants, shops, and cozy lodgings. It also features Stearns Park beach, the Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse, Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine Village, Sandcastles Children’s Museum and the Ludington Area Center for the Arts.
Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park
Ludington State Park, one of the most popular in Michigan, is a favorite for camping, fishing, boating, kayaking, tubing, hiking, bird watching, and beach-going. The Big Point Sable Lighthouse, an attraction within the park, invites visitors to climb the 100 foot tower.
Manitowoc’s downtown area is equally vibrant with dining, entertainment experiences, shopping, and comfortable lodging within easy walking distance of the dock. It features the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Rahr-West Art Museum and Mansion, West of the Lake Gardens
with views of Lake Michigan, the Sputnik Crash Site, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Pinecrest Historical Village.
Beyond Ludington and Manitowoc, there are many other great areas to explore.
Favorite Michigan autumn drives include M-22 and M-119. M-22 starts in Manistee
County and winds along the Lake Michigan shoreline through the scenic towns of Onekama, Arcadia, Frankfort, Empire, Leeland, North Port and Suttons Bay. One of the highlights of the route is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
M-119 begins in Petoskey and travels north through Harbor Springs, Middle Village, Good Hart, and Cross Village. It is dubbed “The Tunnel of Trees” and is a must-see fall excursion.
North of Manitowoc are the Lake Michigan shoreline towns of Two Rivers, Kewaunee,
and Algoma, each featuring quaint small town feels. The Door County Peninsula, just a little more north, never disappoints and Sheboygan, south of Manitowoc, is a popular visitor destination.
Algoma, Wis. lighthouse
Fall events happening on both sides of Lake Michigan include:
Michigan
• Saturday, Sept. 13, Scottville Harvest Celebration featuring the Scottville Clown Band, noon to 4 p.m. at the Western Michigan Old Engine Club grounds, Scottville Riverside Park.
• Saturday, Sept. 25, Pentwater Harvest Day, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pentwater Village Green.
• Saturday, Oct. 2 to 4, Mackinac Island Fall Fudge Festival
• Friday, Oct. 3 to Sunday, Oct. 5, Ludington Lumber Days, featuring lumberjack-inspired fun, history, music and adventure for all ages.
Wisconsin
• Saturday, Sept. 20, Munich in Manitowoc Oktoberfest Party at PetSkull Brewing.
• Saturday, Sept. 20, 34th Annual Two Rivers Ethnic Festival, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 27, Appleton Wisconsin Octoberfest, starting at 9 a.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 4, Nightmare Off 8th Street, Buffalo Street, Manitowoc.
• Sunday, Oct. 5, Door County Fall Lighthouse Festival.
For more information, visit ssbadger.com
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