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]]

At Wildman Adventure Resort, wilderness explorers pitch their own tents and embark on outdoor adventures that can include paintball or whitewater rafting tours. The outpost also houses rustic cabins available for rent, which include heat, electricity, and a communal bathroom; deluxe cabins boast kitchens. 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. Eats are available for purchase onsite, and the on-site restaurant and bar allows guests to whittle their own beer steins using wood from the surrounding forest.

The river seems calm now, but the rafters can hear a roar in the distance. The current steadily builds, taking the 12-passenger raft around a tree-lined bend to unveil a 10-foot drop. Braced for the plunge, the paddlers hit the drop, endure the deluge, and wipe the water from their eyes. But before the party can celebrate with hollers and high-fives, the guide yells to readjust the boat—the river is narrowing and accelerating into a tight S-curve.

Stretches like these populate the Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers, and the guides at Kosir's Rapid Rafts help adventurers navigate the rivers' Class I–IV rapids for bucket-list-worthy adrenaline rushes. Directing sportsmen to one of two outposts in the woods of northeast Wisconsin, Kosir's crews drive rafters to the launch sites and supply helmets, life jackets, and paddles. Based on the current water level, guides then direct paddlers to appropriately sized rafts, ranging from 8- to 12-person vessels to 1-person Funyaks that are self-bailing thanks to being filled with Funyuns. Kosir's additional adventures include kayaking, tubing, and camping trips.