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All 11 Ludington Attractions »

S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry

701 Maritime Drive, Ludington, MI 49431
1-800-841-4243
Ranked #5 of 11 attractions in Ludington
4.5 of 5 stars 63 Reviews
Type: Public Transportation Systems, Ferries/ Boats, Educational Sites
Owner description: The S.S. Badger is the largest car ferry to ever sail Lake Michigan and has provided a safe, fun, and reliable shortcut across the inland sea for more...... more » Owner description: The S.S. Badger is the largest car ferry to ever sail Lake Michigan and has provided a safe, fun, and reliable shortcut across the inland sea for more than fifty years. The ferry takes passengers, autos, RVs, tour buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and commercial trucks across Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin from mid-May through mid-October. « less
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63 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    39
    21
    0
    2
    1
Date Rating
Spokane, Washington
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2012

I believe this is the best way to get around Chicago traffic. What's better than a nice relaxing cruise across Lake Michigan, There is the excelllent restaurant on board or the cafeteria style snack bar: both have good food, a lot better food that when the C & O Railroad ran it. I always get a stateroom since it comes... More

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Atlanta, Georgia
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I took the Badger when I was a child. I was equally thrilled with the experience now that I'm in my 40s. The Badger doesn't disappoint. More

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See 10 more reviews by Connie R for Ludington
Battle Creek, Michigan
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 May 2012

This was a very fun experience for my husband and I. Although a bit pricey, it was an enjoyable trip. We took the Ferry from Wisconsin to Ludington, Michigan. The loading process was painless and didn't take very long. Lot's of room on the ship, resturants, movie room, playroom, store, entertainment.....although we enjoyed sitting on the deck. Once you arrive... More

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Muskegon, Michigan
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2012

Born in Ludington I am very fond of the Badger and enjoyed riding on it. But the owner needs to change how it runs to be more green for the environment. It has treated him well now he needs to invest into it, and it will treat him well for many years to come and make him almost a hero... More

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See 7 more reviews by samrug for Ludington
Ludington, Michigan
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 April 2012

The Badger is a fantastic and historic experience. Beautiful old ship kept in tip top shape and the sail across Lake Mi is wonderful! More

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See 7 more reviews by Teri W for Ludington
Ludington, Michigan
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 April 2012

Beautiful & Historical travel in time Breath taking views of Lake Michigan More

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See 6 more reviews by jcfunke for Ludington
Manitowoc
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 March 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Smoke and old ship makes this the Titanic.This is a very expensive way to save a few hours of driving More

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Ludington, Michigan
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 March 2012

The Badger is the Badger. It's very quaint and distinctive for a 60 year old, 410 foot vessel. When I was a kid you could take it to Milwaukee for about nine bucks, round trip. It's kinda pricey now, but still worth the trip across the lake. If the EPA shuts it down, it's the end of an era. More

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See 11 more reviews by fonnesbeck for Ludington
Whitehall, Michigan
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 March 2012

Cheaper than the Lake Express out of Muskegon and beat driving all the way around the U.P. or through Chicago! More

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Ludington, MI
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 March 2012

What a wonderful way to g across the lake! It not oly saves gas but you arrive more relaxed. There are fun activities on the carferry and a helpful staff. More

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See 2 more reviews by Nancy A for Ludington

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