After an abrupt end to its 2023 season due to a mechanical mishap, the S.S. Badger is set to make a comeback, opening its reservation books for the summer of 2024. Eager travelers can now start booking journeys beginning June 14, though the ferry's team is diligently working to potentially kickstart the season earlier if dock repairs conclude ahead of schedule. The Badger, bustling lifeblood for tourism between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, looks to breathe economic vitality back into local businesses upon its service resumption.
Construction efforts are currently underway to mend the ramp system that was responsible for the premature docking of the S.S. Badger last year. The steadfast ferry service has been to diligently work on repairs, and while June 14 stands as the preliminary reservation date, there is optimism that earlier voyages may soon be up for grabs. The possibility of reboarding in May or even early June is on the horizon.
Fares for the impending season—as cited by MLive—will float $88 for adults on a one-way trip during peak season, with round-trip discounts and special rates for seniors, active military, and children. Patrons can also engage in themed shoreline cruises, featuring entertainment along the picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline. Moreover, group discounts and round-trip mini-cruises offer additional ways to economize on the lake-bound experience.
The ferry brings more than just scenic transit options; it serves as a lifeline, injecting tourism-driven dollars. Courtney Hansen, Visit Manitowoc’s Director of Tourism, told Spectrum News 1, “All our small businesses, lodging attractions. They are all counting down the days and have been very, very excited to hear the news that yes the Badger is coming back,” This sentiment was echoed by Kevin Cullen, Chief Curator at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, who welcomed the return of an artifact that not only ferries people but stories and histories across the waters. The museum, conveniently located, anticipates an uptick in visitors as the Badger's horn signals its arrival once again this summer.
Marking its 71st year in operation, the last coal-fired passenger steamer in the United States carries more than vehicles and passengers: it bears the distinct title of being a National Historic Landmark.
