Looking for a shortcut from Wisconsin to Michigan? Take the S.S. Badger to bring you back to a time where everyone’s ultimate way to travel was by sea. The S. S. Badger makes 492 trips across Lake Michigan from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Michigan from May to October. Sixty miles of the lake are covered over the four-hour trip that carries passengers along with their vehicles, including cars, RVs, and tour buses.
Being built to mainly transport railroad freight cars, the S. S. Badger started serving the public in 1953, and is the largest car ferry to ever sail across Lake Michigan. By the 1970s, the need to transport railroad freight cars wasn’t needed as much, and the S.S. Badger held on, but still retired from service in 1990. Its retirement was short-lived however, as an entrepreneur used his own finances and brought the ship out of retirement to serve leisure travelers and their vehicles.
The amenities on the S. S. Badger provide enough recreation that you may want to take this cruise across Lake Michigan even if you aren’t transporting your car. There is a movie lounge with free movies, along with bingo games with prizes, not to mention a satellite TV, a video arcade and kids play area. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop for souvenirs of your trip across the lake. If you get hungry on your voyage, dining can be done either buffet-style or in a snack bar. Full bar service is provided in the two bars aboard the ship. If you prefer to doze your way across the lake, there are private staterooms that are available, and pets are welcome too.
In the spring and fall, the S. S. Badger makes one daily cruise each way across the lake, leaving Ludington at 9:00 AM and arriving in Manitowoc at 12:00 noon. It leaves Manitowoc at 2:00 PM, and gets back to Ludington at 7:00 PM, taking into consideration the time zone change as you cross Lake Michigan. In the summer months, the Badger leaves Ludington at both 8:00 AM and 7:55 PM, arriving in Manitowoc at 11:00 AM and 10:55 PM. It then leaves Manitowoc at 1:15 PM and 12:30 AM, and arrives back in Ludington at 6:15 PM and 5:30 AM.
One-way service across Lake Michigan on the S. S. Badger costs adults $57, seniors $47, and children 5-15 $24, with children under 5 being free. Round trip service costs adults $87, seniors $79, and children $39. If you’re traveling in a group of 25 or more, adults pay $34 one-way, $59 round trip. Students 5-18 pay $19 one way and $29 round trip. Group motorcoach fares are a flat $154. For vehicle transport, autos, vans, and pickups cost $55 each way, and pickup campers $69. Motorcycles cost $29 each way, and bicycles $5. RVs and motorhomes cost $4.95 per foot each way. Don’t forget there is free parking at both sides of the lake in the event you are traveling round trip and wish to leave your vehicle.
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THE SS BADGER ROCKS I AM DO A PAPER ABOUT IT