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Sheboygan County Attractions
Savor the past and celebrate the present in Sheboygan County.
Located along the coast of Lake Michigan, Sheboygan County and
its communities blend rich architecture, cultural heritage, and
recreational bliss, all with an abundance of contemporary amenities.
Enjoy the renowned restaurants, shopping, museums, galleries
and natural wonders that make this part of Wisconsin so wonderful.
Many of the small communities throughout Sheboygan County are
proud to show off their painstakingly restored historical districts,
like the Cole District of Sheboygan Falls or Historic Plymouth,
both of which are on the National Register of Historic Places
and have become the site of many home grown businesses. If you
are an art lover, the City of Sheboygan offers to you the John
Michael Kohler Art Center, an astounding 100,000 square feet of
fine arts, performing arts, and outdoor gardens. A great haven
for sports and nature enthusiasts, Sheboygan County also features
the Northern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Park, the Sheboygan
River, and many other natural and recreational attractions.
With all Sheboygan County has to offer for people of all ages,
including a variety of special events and festivals throughout
the year, it is no wonder that Sheboygan County was voted #1 by
Readers Digest as the best American city to raise
a family! Back to top
Museums & Historical Sites
John Michael Kohler Art Center
608 New York Avenue, Sheboygan
920-458-6144
A favorite attraction for Wisconsin's art lovers, the John Michael
Kohler Art Center is home to more than eight specialty galleries
including the learning gallery for children, the arts/industry
gallery, the community gallery and others. The JMKAC is also proud
to feature a variety of performing arts in their very own Playhouse
and Performing Arts Studio. The exterior grounds feature the Café
Terrace, Festival Green, and the Sculpture Garden. The diversity
of the JMKAC creates a new home for education and beauty full
of creative energies for both visual and performing arts. Hours
10am to 8pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; 10am to 8pm Tuesdays
and Thursdays; 10am to 4pm Saturdays and 12 noon to 4pm on Sundays.
Hours are subject to change; please call in advance to confirm.
Free Admission.
Sheboygan County Historical Museum
3110 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan
920-458-1103
Originally the home to Judge Taylor and built in 1850's the Sheboygan
County Historical Museum features separate themes in each of its
rooms. Also on the grounds is the Weinhold Family homestead, built
in 1864. Furnished with original pioneer items, it is one of the
few remaining log cabins in the county. New in 1999 is an additional
20,000 square feet to be used for permanent and changing exhibits,
season displays and the museum store. Exhibits include medical,
maritime, and circus histories, local baseball, early agriculture
and related trades, and artifacts and the history of local Native
Americans. Open April through October. Hours 10am to 5pm Tuesday
through Saturday; 1pm to 5pm on Sunday; closed Monday. Also open
Thanksgiving Day through the second weekend after Thanksgiving.
Admission.
Above and Beyond Children's Museum
902 N. 8th Street, Sheboygan
920-458-4263
Featuring many 'hands on' interactive exhibits for your kids and
the 'kid' in you, the children's museum is designed to intrigue,
stimulate and satisfy the mind, all while having fun. Special
programs and events are also featured through out the year. Hours
9am to 5pm; Tuesday to Saturday, Sunday from 12 noon to 5pm. Closed
Mondays and major holidays. Admission.
Henschel's Museum of Indian History
Holstein Road, Elkhart Lake
920-876-3193
The museum, housed in a newly constructed building and built on
the archeological site features a fascinating collection of Native
American history and artifacts including weaponry, pottery, bones,
antler artifacts and copper pieces dating back to 8000 BC. Open
Memorial Day through Labor Day, Tuesday through Saturday, 1pm
to 5pm, and for special events. Admission.
Wade House and Wesley Jung Carriage House
W7747 Plank Road, Greenbush
920-526-3271
Built by pioneers in the 1850's and filled with original early
American furnishings, the historic Wade House was once a stagecoach
inn. Now the home to a variety of activities for the whole family,
you'll be swept to another era as you enjoy Family Pioneer Days,
Yankee Harvest Dinners, Civil War Reenactments, arts and craft
fairs, a draft horse exposition, and an historic trades school.
Also on the property is the Robinson House, home to the fascinating
and colorful Jung Carriage Museum featuring a collection of more than 100 vintage vehicles. Open May
to October, 9am to 5pm. Admission.
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Parks
& Nature Centers
Indian Mound Park
5000 S. 9th Street, Sheboygan
920-459-3444
The burial grounds of Indian Mound Park are located in the Black
River area of Sheboygan County, and were built by nomadic Indians
between 500 to 1000AD. Indian Mound Park is fortunate to have
18 mounds in animal and geometric forms. The Open Mound Exhibit
contains replica skeletal material and Native American artifacts.
For the convenience of visitors, a walking path provides easy
viewing. The park also features a boardwalk nature trail through
wetlands featuring northern hardwoods and foliage, and rare plant
species indigenous to Wisconsin.
Elwood H. May Environmental Park
3615 Mueller Road, Maywood
920-459-3906
Miles of hiking, skiing, walking, and birdwatching trails perfect
for all nature lovers cover the park's 120 acres, including some
trails that are handicap accessible. The Ecology Center, Prairie
Overlook and Environmental Lab provide educational programs and
tours through the park, exploring the ecological diversity of
the forests, wetlands, prairies, river, and an abundance of wildlife.
Kettle Moraine State Forest
Northern Unit, Western Sheboygan County
414-626-2116
Sheboygan County's portion of Kettle Moraine State Forest includes
14,865 acres across the western edge of the County. This area
of the park, with miles of impressive terrain carved out by the
glaciers, is a dream for the nature adventurer who will love 71
miles of hiking trails, 58 miles of snowmobile trails, 39 miles
of bridle trails, 15 miles of cross country skiing, as well as
many other trails and facilities for other outdoor activities.
Sheboygan River
Flowing from the Sheboygan Broughton Marsh to Lake Michigan,
the navigable waters begin at the marsh and flow over 25 miles.
It is necessary to portage several dams and falls. The Pigeon,
Mullet and Onion Rivers (all tributaries)
can be paddled at highwaters.
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Lakefront and Water Activities
The Riverfront Boardwalk
Riverfront Drive
920-457-9495
Beginning with the Rotary Riverview Park Harbor Overlook to the
new Eighth Street Bridge, visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll
along the Riverfront Boardwalk. As you walk along, you get a chance
to see how fisherman of yester-year lived in their little lakefront
shanties. Although most of the shanties have been transformed
into restaurants, art galleries, and retail shops, some of the
shanties are still being used local fisherman.
Lakefront Promenade
Broughton Drive
920-457-9495
Make any evening enjoyable and memorable strolling down Lake Michigan's
waterfront along the Lakefront Promenade. Feel the cool lake breezes,
watch the water break at the harbor, and admire the craftsmanship
and vivid colors of the sailboats and powerboats that all dock
at Harbor Centre Marina.
Harbor Centre Marina
821 Broughton Drive, Sheboygan
920-458-6665
The best marina on this side of Lake Michigan, the Harbor Centre
Marina is more than a place to dock your boat. Boaters are pampered
by the Marina clubhouse featuring a lounge, store, laundry, shower
and restroom facilities, plus the outside social area that includes
a pool and whirlpool all with a panoramic views of the lakefront.
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Special Things To Do
Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra
Kohler Memorial Theater, 230 School Street, Kohler
920-452-1985
Enjoy musical culture with Sheboygan's own world class orchestra
featuring classical performances, guest performers, family concerts,
and even open rehearsals. The orchestra's season runs October
2, 1999 through May 20, 2000. Call for season information and
tickets.
Old Plank Road Trail
Sheboygan's Lakefront to Greenbush, Adjacent to Hwy. 23
920-459-3060
The Old Plank Road Trail is a 17 mile multi-purpose trail that
connects the Lake Michigan Lakefront of Sheboygan to historic
Greenbush and the Ice Age National Trail. This award-winning trail
accommodates all nature and sports enthusiasts, with room for
walkers, runners, bicyclists, rollerbladers, even horseback riding
and snowmobiling. Also, for your comfort the trail is equipped
with rest benches, shelters, toilets, water and emergency telephones.
The trail is set up with interconnecting trails that lead you
to many of the area's popular attractions like the Kohler Village
and American Club Resort Hotel, Sheboygan Falls and its historic
Main Street, and historic Plymouth.
Historic Plymouth Walking Tours
Downtown Plymouth
920-893-0079
Go at your own pace on this self guided tour featuring more than
50 historically significant homes, businesses, and municipal buildings.
Three of these buildings are even listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, and 27 are Sheboygan County Landmarks. The
tours, one for 2 ½ hours and a shorter tour of one hour,
depict the history of the Yankee settlers and the buildings that
date back to 1845.
Sheboygan Falls Walking Tour
Sheboygan Falls
920-467-6206
This 1 ½ hour self guided tour through Sheboygan Falls
walks you past more than 30 historical homes, churches and building.
Also along the tour you pass through the Cole District renowned
for its Greek Revival architecture and for the Downtown Historic
District both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Points of Interest
The Wreck of the Lottie Cooper
Broughton Drive, Sheboygan
920-458-2974
Discovered at the bottom of the Sheboygan harbor, the sunken ruins
of the Lottie Cooper, built in 1876 and lost in gale force winds
on Lake Michigan in 1894, are now on display in Deland Park, part
of the Harbor Centre Marina. Self-tours and guided tours are available
of this once great three masted schooner that has been recovered
and re-assembled; it is today only a reminder of the 700 vessels
lost in Lake Michigan.
Kohler Design Center and Kohler Company Factory Tour
Highland Drive, Kohler
920-457-3699
Take a peak at gracious living at the premier showroom for the
nation's foremost plumbing product manufacturer, the Kohler Company.
Find design inspiration with more than two dozen bath vignettes,
along with displays by Baker and McGuire furniture and Ann Sacks
Tile and Stone. Open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, weekends
and holidays, 10am to 4pm. Also get a chance to see where Kohler
creates its state of the art plumbing fixtures. Factory tours
are available to those 14 years and older, Monday through Friday
(except holidays) at 8:30am. Comfortable shoes are recommended
for the 2 ½ hour tour. Reservations are required
and should be made 24 hours in advance.
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