A Lake Michigan Sunset | Photo by Brad Reed
Take a Car Ferry Shortcut Between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin
Northeastern Wisconsin and Northwest Michigan have a lot in common. Situated across Lake Michigan from each other, the scenery boasts rolling countryside, magnificent lake views, and miles of beautiful beaches.
Traverse City to Green Bay the Easy Way!
Should you wish to travel from Traverse City to Green Bay, the S.S. Badger is the way to go. Take a scenic drive of less than two hours from Traverse City to Ludington, Michigan. Ludington is the home port of the Lake Michigan Carferry, and a wonderful community to visit. In Ludington, you can board the S.S. Badger carferry and enjoy a relaxing four hour cruise to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Once in Manitowoc, you have less than an hour’s drive to Green Bay.
S.S. Badger Carferry Amenities
The fun isn’t just found on land…there are lots of entertaining activities aboard the S.S. Badger as it makes its four hour trip across Lake Michigan. Find a lounge chair out on the spacious deck and soak up the sun, play Badger Bingo, watch a movie, shop in the Badger Boatique, or enjoy a meal or drink. The trip will fly by, and you may not want to disembark!
Congratulations to the S.S. Badger on its status as a National Historic Landmark! Click here to read more about the history of this great ship.
Experience More Lake Michigan Circle Tours
There are many wonderful scenic routes and tours to help discover all the beauty of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The Northern Lake Michigan Circle Tour is considered by many to be the most beautiful half of the trip around the big lake.
Do you want to travel between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin? Take a short cut across Lake Michigan on the car ferry.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the scenic road systems around the Great Lakes. The other Great Lakes also have circle tours.
The Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour goes from Manitowoc, Wisconsin around Lake Michigan, eventually ending in Ludington, Michigan.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour connects over a hundred lighthouses and is one of the most scenic routes in the United States.
Here are suggested Circle Tour routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake.
More Lake Michigan Ferry Info
Port of Manitowoc, Wisconsin
The Port of Manitowoc is a deep water draft commercial harbor on Lake Michigan, and the Wisconsin port for the SS Badger car ferry.
SS Badger Car Ferry
Cross Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan on the SS Badger car ferry. Save the driving and enjoy a cruise!
Lake Michigan Ferries
There are two car ferries operating on Lake Michigan, offering cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin.
Manitowoc Wisconsin Car Ferry
Manitowoc is the Wisconsin port for the S.S. Badger Car Ferry which sails across Lake Michigan to Ludington.
Loop the Lake with a Circle Tour Shortcut!
Here are suggested Circle Tour routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake.
Highway US-10
The Highway US-10 continuance crosses Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan via the SS Badger car ferry.
Car Ferry History
Lake Michigan is rich with car ferry history, and the SS Badger car ferry is the most storied of the car ferry fleet.
Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations
Zion, Illinois
Sitting on Illinois’ border with Wisconsin sits Zion. One of the only cities in the world to be fully planned before being built.
Douglas, Michigan
Known as the “Village of Friendliness since 1870”, Douglas offers a diversified variety of art galleries and fine dining.
Carlsville, Wisconsin
Carlsville is located between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor. This small town is home to an impressive amount of famous Door County goods.
East Chicago, Indiana
East Chicago, Indiana is part of the Indiana Lakeshore along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Be sure to visit the nearby Indiana Sand Dunes.
Allegan County, Michigan
Allegan county is located in southwest Michigan and is home to communities such as Allegan, Douglas, Fennville, and a segment of Holland.
Frankfort, Michigan
Frankfort is located along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour and is home to attractions like the Betsie Pointe Lighthouse and The Garden Theater.