Nautically-Themed Things to do in Sheboygan

Craving a nautical escape this summer but don’t want to hitch a flight out to the seaside? I’ve got you covered. As a water-loving, beach obsessed, enthusiast of all things nautical, I am here to assure you that Sheboygan is the destination you’ll want to head to. Not only are there gorgeous stretches of beach to explore, wide open water with white caps and boats setting sail, and plenty of harbor life influences, there are nautical themes left and right. From lighthouses to shipwrecks, here are 5 nautical themed things to do while you’re in Sheboygan!

First up, I have to address all the lighthouse themed landmarks. To start with, there is the actual lighthouse on the breakwater between Deland Park and the Sheboygan Harbor Centre Marina. The lighthouse is over 100 years old, and a historical landmark for the area. Standing 55 feet tall and painted a bright red color, you can’t miss it. The lighthouse can be seen from the beach, the marina, the riverfront boardwalk and all of South Pier, even up the hill as you head to Downtown. This lighthouse has influence across the city: Above & Beyond Children’s Museum has a miniature lighthouse on display that kids can go inside to play with and even sound the fog horn. This lighthouse used to be located in On The Rocks Bar & Grill in Blue Harbor Resort before the renovation in 2011. The Bookworm Gardens also have a mini lighthouse by the pond in the gardens representing this special Sheboygan landmark.

Next up is the Sheboygan Harbor Centre Marina, club, lookout tower, and park. The marina connects to Deland park and beach, and has a beautiful view of the lighthouse, the seemingly never ending stretch of beach, and the Sheboygan river that feeds into Lake Michigan. Aside from being a gorgeous marina with its own private pool for club members, docks to walk up and down, and impressive boats, the marina has a lookout tower open to the public that is three stories high and allows you to see the city of Sheboygan for miles around. Talk about a stunning view and a great photo op!

Whether you’re an experienced sailor, or you want to learn to sail, the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS) is a non-profit group that makes safe and affordable sailing classes possible for everyone. SEAS is the place to go to fulfill your dreams of sailing, for those who want to learn to sail themselves and for the people who are just along for the ride. This fun and unique experience truly is for everyone, regardless of challenges set by cognitive, financial, or physical needs. While out on an excursion, you will learn not only about how to sail safely according to national regulations, but you’ll also learn about maritime history, the marine industry, water safety, and more.

Before I share the final nautical experience, I think it’s worth a moment to appreciate Lake Michigan itself. As someone who grew up bayside, and now lives lakeside, I have never known what it’s like to not live by a giant body of water. The Great Lakes are massive in size and beauty, on an ocean-like scale. The lake is stunning, powerful, and dangerous just like the sea, but if you respect it and appreciate it, it’s views are magical and the enjoyment is endless. Taking walks along the water, visiting the beach, taking photos capturing its immensity, and simple admiration is what makes the lake so entrancing. Sheboygan would not be a nautical destination if it weren’t for this world-famous body of water it’s located on, so it’s worth a section of appreciation on its own.

On the topic of how beautiful yet powerful Lake Michigan can be, the lake is a graveyard for countless sunken ships over hundreds of years old. One such sunken ship is the Lottie Cooper, which was excavated from the bottom of Lake Michigan and put as a landmark in between the Sheboygan Harbor Centre Marina and Deland Park. The Lottie Cooper is now a historical landmark, but it was once an operating ship that capsized off the coast of Sheboygan in 1894. The ship was built in 1876 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and was a schooner vessel. On April 8^th, 1894, the ship got caught in horrible gale winds, struggled to tow to land and stay afloat all night. It capsized by the morning, and the rescuers who arrived to the scene were successful in saving five of the six passengers aboard, but sadly one had drowned while trying to make it to land on a piece of the ships elm lumber planks. The ship lay abandoned on the floor of Lake Michigan in what is now the harbor, until 1992 when her location was discovered, and what remained was brought ashore and put on display in the park. This landmark is tragically beautiful, and incredibly surreal to not only see, but walk through. Yes, you can walk through what remains of the body of the Lottie Cooper, making this a landmark all history buffs, maritime lovers, and imaginative minds will be captivated by.

There is plenty of maritime and nautical influence across this Midwest beach town, from the history of the lake and city, to the natural beauty of being located on one of the five Great Lakes. Sheboygan holds much more than just lighthouses, shipwrecks, and water views, it opens the door to its own lifestyle. Subscribe to our online magazine, Lake Life Sheboygan, to learn more about all the different seasonal events, entertainment, and sightseeing Sheboygan has to offer.