This high-speed catamaran zips between Muskegon Michigan and Milwaukee Wisconsin in 2.5 hours. Im considering using it but a little leery. We did a trip around Lake Michigan (clockwise from MKE area) and short-cutted back across from Muskegon. I had separated out some juice boxes and changes of clothes, just in case, but once your car is parked, you leave it down below deck for the duration of the trip. Both of these ferries offer cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin. You dont have to get there too early, by the way -- the website recommends arriving about 45 minutes ahead of departure, just to be safe. The boat didnt feel like a mundane car ride. The Lake Express is the speediest mode of transport if you're not flying. I swear, by the time my kids and I disembarked in Muskegon, I thought itd be a half-hour before we connected with my husband in the parking lot. This is a great deal for anyone planning a trip to Mackinac Island! And then once we docked in Michigan, it was like, THATS when the annoying travel part really started. Or should I head south from Milwaukee, cutting through Chicago, which always looks like a shorter trip on Google Maps, but comes with city traffic, seemingly endless construction (Im looking at you, Indiana), and almost guaranteed traffic jams? That just seemed wrong. I do think for the price, all passengers should be allowed to use the WiFi. She has traveled around the globe to discover hidden gems in the depths of these bodies of water. What else can I tell you? This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Theyve added new wood gazebos for outdoor dining and new outdoor heaters to extend dining on their patio earlier in spring and later in fall. These car ferries provide a convenient and affordable way to travel between the two states, and they offer a unique experience that you cant find anywhere else. They call you over a loudspeaker, by the way, when the boat is about to arrive at its destination. These vary by season. How much for a pet cat in carrier. Its not high-speed, but the cost is comparable, so perhaps next summer well test it out and Ill report back. That just seemed wrong. There arent a lot of great answers. By that point, the boat had slowed way down, so it felt calmer. We didnt have any of that, and although Ive spent a lot of time on boats growing up and throughout the years, I didnt notice anyone else on our ferry who was outwardly struggling or downing Dramamine. Oh, and children 4 and younger are always free. Milwaukee to Muskegon. Thought it would be a cool idea to cross Lake Michigan by ferry instead of traversing Chicago. Editors note: Since we last took the Lake Express ferry, food and drink options are limited because of COVID-19, now consisting of only sealed and packaged selections since cafe preparation of food is temporarily suspended.The Lake Express website contains detailed information on its COVID-19 response and precautions. You can also take advantage of the ships on-board spa and fitness center. This is a great way to save money on travel expenses. Cookie Notice The trip really did seem quick. And then once we docked in Michigan, it was like, THATS when the annoying travel part really started. It is always best to check with the ferry company in advance to find out what ID is required. While the Badger is historic, it's slower and too far north for you. I have done the Badger, doesn't save a whole lot of time but saves aggravation and wear and tear on your (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The ferry experience was well, Ill say it again. There was hardly any waiting around. How many miles is it across Lake Michigan from Ludington to Wisconsin. My kids, Analisa, 5, and Robby, 3. It sure beat pulling off the freeway every hour or so! Look at the screens behind them -- that's where you can see the boat's progress across the lake. We are very appreciative that after such an unusual year for everyone, people want to continue our legacy, she said. The ferry crosses Lake Michigan at the Mackinac Bridge. Adult fare is $67 one way, $100 RT, standard auto fare is $70 each way. So, if youre looking to save some money on your next vacation, consider foregoing the plane ticket and hitting the open road instead. ), so like I said, we only took the boat to Muskegon, and not back to Milwaukee. But with a 3- and 5-year-old in tow, we thought it would be worth a try. Upon realizing Id be locked out due to my middle-class status, I got all, Help me, Im poor, a la Bridesmaids, but really -- $380 and I couldnt even respond to Snapchats? And it feels like the boat is going fast, so my kids were slightly overwhelmed by the windy conditions and how loud it was outside. The Lake Michigan Carferry Service operates a ferry between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan. If you're not in a big hurry, the Badger's extra hour and a half is worth the ride, IMO. We were able to shave many miles and costs off by using the ferry to bridge Wisconsin to Michigan. Published May 24, 2019 at 3:09 PM CDT Listen 4:30 Angelina Mosher Salazar / The Lake Express ferry heading out across Lake Michigan. And its even more if youre hauling a trailer, so you can check the website if youre really curious about those details. And it feels like the boat is going fast, so my kids were slightly overwhelmed by the windy conditions and how loud it was outside. We walked around a bit inside, kept busy, chatted with our neighbors and used the bathroom as much as my 5-year-olds little heart desired -- for her, its the experience. I travel between the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area and Michigan pretty often -- at least every other month or so; sometimes more. My kids, Analisa, 5, and Robby, 3. You cant stay with your car; you leave it down below. And you can add walking to your travel experience because the top deck is large. Refund and Cancellation Policy. We walked around a bit inside, kept busy, chatted with our neighbors and used the bathroom as much as my 5-year-olds little heart desired -- for her, its the experience. Incredibly organized. Maybe another time! I've done both. The experience might not save you a ton of time, depending on your final destination, but if you have kids, if you can afford it, if you want to see what the middle of Lake Michigan looks like, its well worth it for the memories. Ive driven both ways (up and over, and down and around), my friends have even taken the Amtrak, and mostly, I survive the experience by timing my drives just right. I do think for the price, all passengers should be allowed to use the WiFi. If you can travel on a weekday, youll find it generally costs less than travelling at weekends. Sometimes Im heading to Metro Detroit, sometimes its the west side of the state, and sometimes its Northern Michigan, but either way, that massive lake is just in the WAY, you know? However, there may be some exceptions depending on the route and your nationality. Going to be in your area the weekend of August 14-15- will be traveling from Muskegon to Milwaukee. You keep your car packed, as well. Its about a 2 1/2-hour ride, and although the price packs a punch, my family finally tried it out this summer, and we found it to be well worth the cost. The Badger is a great option for those looking to travel with their vehicles. Weve got a full staff, great food to offer and were expecting to be busy.. Reserved tickets cancelled prior to the reserved departure time are refundable minus the following cancellation fees: $10.00 cancellation fee per Child fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation. And docking in Muskegon was beautiful. Incredibly organized. To ride in the classic cabin (which is just like, equivalent to a basic economy ticket on an airplane; nothing special is built in), its $99.50 for an adult, one-way, or $169 roundtrip. I note there are 2 ferries, the SS Ball (Ludington to Manitowoc) and the Lake Michigan Express. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. The signage at the port was well-marked, the four of us got all checked in from our car, and the instructions inside the waiting area were more than clear. My husband and I decided wed take the ferry across with our SUV and two children, for a July trip to the Gaylord, Michigan area. To ride in the classic cabin (which is just like, equivalent to a basic economy ticket on an airplane; nothing special is built in), its $99.50 for an adult, one-way, or $169 roundtrip. Mike of DownieLive is the latter, proven by how he voluntarily got on the Alaska Marine Highway System. To ride in the classic cabin (which is just like, equivalent to a basic economy ticket on an airplane; nothing special is built in), it's $99.50 for an adult, one-way, or $169 roundtrip. Now, maybe that was the case for someone and I just didnt notice, but the waters were relatively calm and smooth on the day of our ride. Let us know in the comments below. Seeing as it was our first time on the ferry, I couldnt justify roundtrip tickets (what if my kids hated it? The Lake Express is a catamaran ferry that provides service between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon, Michigan. The high-speed ferry goes from downtown Milwaukee right into Muskegon, Michigan. And it should save you from a traffic headache, thats for sure. But it was a really cool option. You cant stay with your car; you leave it down below. The drive around the lake via Chicago would have taken us at least five hours, more if during rush hour or through road construction, which seems to be constant. This is a great option if youre looking to avoid flying or driving. The ferry does run on Sundays in the summer and wed recommend booking in advance to make sure you can board on the day you want to travel. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. Premiere seats, for what its worth, will run you $121 one-way or $215 roundtrip (this is kind of like first class). This ferry system spans 1,300 miles from Bellingham, Washington all the way to Whittier, Alaska. With multiple daily crossings and record-setting speed, the ferry makes it easy to get across Lake Michigan. The journey by ferry will take you around 3.5 hours. I reclined my indoor lounge seat and enjoyed some reading, writing and daydreaming. My husband and I decided wed take the ferry across with our SUV and two children, for a July trip to the Gaylord, Michigan area. What else can I tell you? Specialty menus and events also will draw both Manitowoc-area residents and visitors into town, and the restaurant is expanding hours and considering a Saturday brunch. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab4e27ac6182cb17d4e48c8f85f68e75" );document.getElementById("a67ad6e162").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); 2023 World lakes - Explore the Wonders of the World's Lakes. Ive already gotten some recommendations to try out the Badger, which goes between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan. Let us know in the comments below. Its $109 or $206, depending on if youre going one-way or roundtrip. This story was first published in 2021. The ferry offers one round trip across Lake Michigan daily from May 20 to Oct. 10. Contact reporter Patti Zarling at 920-606-2586 or send an email to pzarling@gannet.com. It sure beat pulling off the freeway every hour or so! The ferry crosses Lake Michigan at the Saugatuck Harbor. If youre looking to cross Lake Michigan, you have the option of taking a ferry. Our total bill was $351 one-way, for both my wife and me, with a car and the premier cabin service, which included the port and security fees. To bring a vehicle on board is another expense. Kudos to him for taking on this journey! But its really neat! Id heard horror stories beforehand, involving the boat breaking down or travelers experiencing seasickness. Courthouse Pub co-owner Brock Weier said the restaurant is back to full staff and the full hours it had in summer 2019. My husband said the parking was ridiculously organized, too. The two car ferries that operate on Lake Michigan offer cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin. Reddit, Inc. 2023. Enjoy convenient highway access to both I-94 and I-43 providing fast and convenient connections to Green Bay, Madison, Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota and beyond. And its even more if youre hauling a trailer, so you can check the website if youre really curious about those details. But the ferry literature stated that there were no accommodations for other animals or livestock, so we left our monkey and three dairy cows with grandpa for the week. Thats when my husband took our keys and went down below to retrieve our vehicle. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Oh, and this goes well beyond the quickie ferry to Mackinac Island, for Michigan people! The experience might not save you a ton of time, depending on your final destination, but if you have kids, if you can afford it, if you want to see what the middle of Lake Michigan looks like, its well worth it for the memories. We took this trip in early August, choosing from Milwaukee departure times of 6 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
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