Manitowoc, Wisconsin Getaway
Manitowoc is one of the cutest little towns I have ever been to. It's about 80 miles northeast of Milwaukee and 145 miles northeast of Madison. Depending on where you are in the state, you may want to make this a weekend vacation. There's plenty to do to keep you occupied!
FOOD & DRINK
Quite honestly, we ate a lot while we were in Manitowoc. I'm not mad about it. I'm actually very happy about it. Food makes me happy.
One of my favorite spots was The Warf. We did not actually eat here, just drank, but the food looked delicious. They are right on the water and have a huge outdoor seating area with lots of yard games and fun lighting. They have live music quite often and it's definitely a vibe to sit and listen right on the river. They have a decent-sized craft beer list and some fun crafted cocktails.
Speaking of craft beer, we visited two breweries. The first was Sabbatical Brewing which is on the west side of town. The inside area is HUGE with tons of picnic-sized tables and tables for four. They also have a very long bar area with ample seating. Outside, they have a couple of yard games, fire pits, and space heaters for those chilly Wisconsin nights. They don't serve food here so make sure to eat beforehand!
We also stopped by PetSkull Brewing which is right downtown. They also have a huge indoor space with tons of room for larger groups. Their patio is right along the water. They just started to serve food here and we gave their cheese curds a go. They had a nice cajun seasoning on them and were served with jalapeno ranch for dipping. I really liked this spot. It had a good vibe, fun atmosphere, and good beer.
Courthouse Pub is a Manitowoc staple. They have been in business since 2001, but the building is from 1885. Very old school tavern vibes. They are also considered a brewery as they brew their own Courthouse Pub beer right inside. They have an extensive wine list for anyone who's into that sort of thing. We ordered curds here, too, and they were phenomenal. They are served with a raspberry balsamic - it works, trust me.
Beernsten's is not a bar or restaurant, but instead the local confectionary. They have been open since 1932! They are known in the area for their ice cream and I can confirm that it is fantastic. They have SO much candy inside of that store - chocolate, sours, sweets - and tons of different "themed" items. I found chocolate in the shape of cheese... like, c'mon man. That's cool.
SHOPPING
We did not do very much shopping while in Manitowoc, but we did stop by two stores: Graced and Kindred Co. Both boutiques had collections of adorable clothing. They also carry seasonal items, home decorations, bath & body items, and so much more. If you are looking to buy someone a gift, I would recommend checking out both of these spots.
We also stopped into a spot called Heart and Homestead. They sell a TON of seasonal decor as well as regular decor to make your home feel homey. There were so many cute things inside AND they sell live plants. I don't do plants - I can't keep them alive. But I know "plant mom's" are a thing these days so this could be your new spot.
THINGS TO DO
We visited on a Saturday which means the Manitowoc Farmers Market was in full swing! There were so many fresh fruits and vegetables from local vendors, as well as homemade crafty items and things like honey, coffee, etc. The farmers market is set up right along the water, very close to The Warf. Do a little local shopping at the market and then head over there for a snack!