Things to Do in Marinette

Founded in 1969 by a group of commercial fishermen, Door County Maritime Museum’s three locations illuminate the history of area waterways and the seafarers who've traveled them. The 20,000-square-foot Sturgeon Bay location, open 365 days a year, focuses on the evolution of shipbuilding. Its galleries house model ships ideal for transporting hand soap across sinks, along with displays on lighthouses and shipwrecks.

For an interactive adventure, patrons can board a fully restored Chicago fire tug from the 1960s for a two-hour in-water cruise, narrated by a trained docent. The Gills Rock location focuses on the shipwrecks that have peppered the Door Peninsula region, with supplementary exhibits on Great Lakes pirate Dan Seavey and maritime life-saving techniques, such as never boarding a ship named Titanic. Alternatively, patrons can climb 97 spiral-staircase steps to the summit of the Cana Island Lighthouse, which, along with the keeper’s house, has been preserved since 1869. In addition to educational displays, the museum also hosts various events to unite the maritime-enthusiast community. :m]]

Two people glance nervously at each other. Then, at the tops of the trees surrounding them. Then, down at their feet. Over their toes gush torrents of water. To keep from slipping, they whiten their knuckles around the metal bars. They count down from three, rocking back and forth with each number, and then hurl their bodies down the chute. A steep first drop accelerates them as wind and water rush past their ears. Toes pointed, arms folded, their bodies bank tightly around corners and loop quickly around a 360-degree turn. The race ends with a splash into a pool and an argument over who won.

The twin 350-foot waterslides at Harbour Village Resort are the most prominent feature in the park, but there are plenty of attractions for everyone. Ballers hoop on the basketball courts; fishermen cast and reel at the fishing pond with small-mouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. Even the solitary hiker trekking one of the nature trails will find company in the chattering wildlife of chipmunks, bald eagles, and foxes.

Themed activities dress up the family campground and water park. During Christmas in July, Santa swaps his heavy red cloak for a svelte candy-caned-striped speedo. Water wars break out during Pirate Weekends, and on Father’s Day, clipper-brandishing kids sheer their father’s manes in the “shave dad’s head” contest. On the weekends, glow rides trick out tractor-trailers and its passengers with glow sticks that stream to the rhythm and beats of DJ music.

Guests refuel for extra rounds of mini golf or bonus rolls on the skate park’s pipes at ice-cream socials or at the onsite store. Others readily spot the blue tongues of those who’ve been slurping slush puppies or making out with a Smurf.

The instructors at First Coast Golf Academy help their students attain a better swing by first establishing fundamentals and building an impeccable stroke from there. Whether a player is a newcomer to the game or a longtime enthusiast in need of minor tweaks, lessons begin by reviewing proper club grip. Next, the instructor moves on to correct posture and alignment, key components that must be addressed prior to beginning any backswing or political campaign. Once pupils have a solid base, the instructor makes tweaks to the swing in a logical, easy-to-follow manner.

Barefooted tykes aged 2 and older gambol through Badger Bouncers Playland's rainbow-hued inflatable obstacle course and pause from defying gravity to sprint to the top of a fire-truck-themed slide. While kids busy themselves perfecting impersonations of Neil Armstrong’s famed triple Axel on the moon, parents can take advantage of Badger Bouncers' free WiFi, knowing that kids bound through a safe space. All bouncers are fully enclosed, and mesh safety nets gird all entrances. At parties, staffers oversee guests who have exclusive use of the facility, and rentals such as mini golf courses and dunk tanks spice up events at any location.:m]]

Captain Zach Burgess and his experienced crewmembers are determined to get you out on Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay, come rain, snow, or zombie apocalypse. For walleye fishing in the warmer months, they prep a bathroom-equipped 25-foot Tiara Pursuit, whose deep sides provide stability and built-in canvas keeps passengers warm on wet days. Come winter, they roll out 8'x10' ice shacks that can hold up to five people seeking perch and whitefish near the warmth of a wood stove.

At Wildman Adventure Resort, wilderness explorers pitch their own tents and embark on outdoor adventures that can include paintball or sea-kayak touring. The outpost also houses rustic cabins available for rent, which include heat, electricity, and a communal bathroom; deluxe cabins boast kitchens and sometimes TVs or stereos. At the Peshtigo River Outpost, a steady gurgle from the rushing whitewater river soothes the spirits of travelers, who may catch fish, swim, or attempt to build their own dam, beaver-style. The Menominee River Outpost sits within a golf course and lies alongside a rushing cascade of whitewater. Eats are available for purchase onsite, and nearby restaurants and bars allow guests to whittle their own beer steins using wood from the surrounding forest.