2026 USS Towers DDG-9 Manitowoc, WI Reunion Itinerary Long and Short Versions
Below is the Short Version of the itinerary for the 2026 Manitowoc, Wisconsin reunion. USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc 2026 Reunion Manitowoc, WI Summary 9/22 Day 1-Tuesday Evening
Below is the Short Version of the itinerary for the 2026 Manitowoc, Wisconsin reunion.
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc
2026 Reunion Manitowoc, WI Summary
9/22 Day 1-Tuesday Evening
1700-Hospitality Room will be opened. Association will provide Pizza and Refreshments.
9/23 Day 2-Wednesday
0600-0900 Breakfast
Gather in lobby Between 0800-0830 for carpool to Door County Maritime Museum. Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI-120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
S/V Utopia and Stjarna Sail Rides – Times TBD
The Hospitality Room will be available 24/7.
9/24 Day 3-Thursday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Daytime: Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
S/V Utopia and Stjarna Sail Rides – Times TBD
Evening: Atlanta Falcons Vs Green Bay Packers - Confirmed. Will be working on time to leave and Carpooling.
The Hospitality Room will be open 24/7.
9/25 Day 4-Friday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Morning 0700 Muster for those Shipmates to attend a memorial service for USS Westchester County
Morning anytime - Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
1630 – Everyone brings their auction items to the Hospitality/Banquet Room it will be open.
1700 – Start Banquet. Buffet will be open from 1700-1900. Bring your favorite beverage from the hospitality room or the Bar will be Open for drinks.
1900ish – Start the festivities with our Auction at the Hospitality/Banquet Room.
9/26 Day 5-Saturday
0600-0900-Breakfast
0900 - Association Business Meeting in the Hospitality Room
Afternoon Free Time
S/V Utopia and Stjarna Sail Rides – Times TBD
The Hospitality Room will Be opened after the Business meeting has concluded.
9/27 Day 6-Sunday
Bon Voyage.
Below is the Long Version of the itinerary for the 2026 Manitowoc, Wisconsin reunion. There will be a summary that will also be provided to the hotel for display in the lobby. Additional details for each day follows:
USS Towers DDG-9 Association Inc
2026 Reunion Manitowoc, WI Summary
9/22 Day 1-Tuesday Evening
1700-Hospitality Room will be opened. Guest speaker is Jack Gage, President and CEO of Patriot Racing. Association will provide Pizza and Refreshments.
9/23 Day 2-Wednesday
0600-0900 Breakfast
1. Gather in lobby Between 0800-0830 for carpool to Door County Maritime Museum. Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI-120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Road trip to Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin.
It's a bit less than 90-minutes drive along the shore of Lake Michigan to visit Sturgeon Bay. The Maritime Museum there has 33,000 square feet of exhibits, and a ten story observation tower filled with exhibits that share the deep maritime history of NE Wisconsin and the Door Peninsula. The museum has a 107 year old 149' long tugboat that was initially built for WWI but wasn't completed until the shooting stopped. It later served in WWII on the North Pacific and on the Great Lakes as a salvage and towing tug with the Roen Steamship Company. The tug was working up until 2003 when it was donated to the museum and underwent a 5-year restoration effort. Sturgeon Bay built hundreds of ships for the war effort in the 1940's and also built the last three classes of USN minesweepers - including the Avenger Class that is still serving today.
More at: https://dcmm.org/door-county-maritime-museum/
S/V Utopia and Stjarna Sail Rides – Times TBD
The Hospitality Room will be available 24/7.
9/24 Day 3-Thursday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Daytime: Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
S/V Utopia and Stjarna Sail Rides – Times TBD
Evening: Atlanta Falcons Vs Green Bay Packers - Confirmed. Will be working on time to leave and Carpooling.
Packers Football
Thursday Night Football in Green Bay. This is your chance to go early and experience the traditions of historic Lambeau Field. Visit the Packers Hall of Fame, or just wander the tailgate crowd and experience Packer Nation. Across the street from Lambeau is TITLE TOWN, restaurants, bars, golf simulators, live music and more on gameday. Parking on gameday is expensive, expect to pay between $20 and $50 and even park in people's yards as Lambeau Field is in the middle of a residential neighborhood! More at: https://www.packershofandtours.com/
The Hospitality Room will be open 24/7.
9/25 Day 4-Friday
0600-0900-Breakfast
Morning 0700 Muster for those Shipmates to attend a memorial service for USS Westchester County @ Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI-120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. USS Westchester County - an amphib that suffered the worst single casualty incident of the Vietnam War. They are having their reunion at the same time we are. The memorial service is at 0930.
Morning anytime - Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Restored World War II submarine, a 19th-century shipbuilding town.
S/V Utopia and Stjarna Sail Rides – Times TBD
1630 – Everyone brings their auction items to the Hospitality/Banquet Room it will be open.
1700 – Start Banquet. Buffet will be open from 1700-1900. Bring your favorite beverage from the hospitality room or the Bar will be Open for drinks.
1900ish – Start the festivities with our Auction at the Hospitality/Banquet Room.
9/26 Day 5-Saturday
0600-0900-Breakfast
0900 - Association Business Meeting in the Hospitality Room
Afternoon Free Time
S/V Utopia and Stjarna Sail Rides – Times TBD
The Hospitality Room will Be opened after the Business meeting has concluded.
9/27 Day 6-Sunday
Bon Voyage.
We are still finalizing details for several events. The tentative schedule above includes the Door County Maritime Museum, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia), S/V Utopia and S/V Stjarna sailing opportunities. Sign-up sheets will be in the Hospitality Room for sailing opportunities. Additional information will be shared as plans are confirmed.
Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI-120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Waterfront museum with exhibits exploring the area’s maritime history & a restored tugboat. carpool will leave hotel approximately 0800-0830. It is approximately a 1 hour and 20 minute ride. Please let me know who is going up and if you need a ride. Please would you also let me know if you can take passengers.
Wisconsin Maritime Museum (USS Cobia) Manitowoc, WI-75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Restored World War II submarine, a 19th-century shipbuilding town.
4. The Patriot Racing Project is a veteran-focused nonprofit Door County Pulse that uses the Utopia, a historic 1946 tall ship and schooner, to help military veterans transition into civilian life WBAY. The organization teaches veterans hands-on trades and connects them through on-water healing missions and hands-on restoration work WBAY. [1, 2, 3] The classic sailboat was built at Peterson Shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin WBAY. Recently, it completed an extensive 180-mile circumnavigation of the Door Peninsula before returning to its new permanent home port at the Door County Maritime Museum WBAY. [1]
Key details of the program include:
· The Mission: Founded in 2023 by former U.S. Marine Jack Gage, the project uses sailing and hands-on craftsmanship (such as carpentry and electrical repair) to give veterans skills that translate directly to civilian jobs WBAY. [1]
· The Ship: The Utopia is one of the last surviving Great Lakes Schooners, measuring an impressive historic scale SV Utopia - A 1946 Great Lakes Schooner. [1]
· The Museum Partnership: Patriot Racing Project and the Door County Maritime Museum work together to restore classic vessels while fostering a community space for veterans WBAY.
THINGS TO DO IN GREEN BAY (45-minutes away)
National Railroad Museum (Green Bay)
· Not far from the stadium district you will find the National Railroad Museum. https://nationalrrmuseum.org/ With roots dating back to 1956, the National Railroad Museum has grown to become one of the largest, oldest, and most well-respected rail museums in the United States. We have over 70 pieces of rolling stock, 100,000+ artifacts, seasonal train rides, indoor and outdoor exhibits, operating/display tracks, special events, rental opportunities, and more.
The Automobile Gallery
· We are proud to present more than 100 years of automotive history and beauty ranging from an ultra-rare 113-year-old Cadillac Model T Touring Car to the space-age 2020 Ford GT Supercar. Whether you are an avid collector, an enthusiast, or just a fan of history, The Automobile Gallery is sure to educate, entertain and inspire you. More at: https://theautomobilegallery.org/
Nevil Public Museum / Downtown Green Bay
· More at: https://www.nevillepublicmuseum.org/
Brooks & Dunn @ the Resch Center
· September 26th @ 7PM More at: https://www.reschcomplex.com/events/detail/brooks-dunn-neon-moon-tour-2026
·
OSHKOSH - EAA Aviation Museum (1hr 20mins away)
· A PREMIER WORLD CLASS AVIATION MUSEUM
· More at:https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum
Food recommendations from the Packers
Breakfast
Leaps & Bounds Café
1950 S Ridge Rd., Green Bay, WI 54304
(888) 456-4537
The Creamery Downtown
114 Pine St., Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 489-8437
Delilah’s
115 N Adams St., Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 489-2532
Lunch
Hinterland Brewery
1001 Lombardi Access Rd., Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
(920) 438-8050
The Turn
1025 Lombardi Ave. Suite 120, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
(888) 902-8876
Plae Bistro
1671 Hoffman Rd. #10, Green Bay, WI 54311
(920) 632-7065
Dinner
Republic Chophouse
218 N Adams St., Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 430-7900
The Union Hotel
200 N Broadway, De Pere, WI 54115
(920) 336-6131
Tavern in The Sky
1950 S Ridge Rd., Green Bay, WI 54304
(888) 456-4537
Breweries
Cocoon Brewing
2233 Kaftan Wy., De Pere, WI 54115
(920) 425-4888
Copper State Brewing Co.
313 Dousman St., Green Bay, WI 54303
(920) 489-8575
Titletown Brewing Co.
320 N Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54303
(920) 437-2337
THINGS TO DO IN MANITOWOC AND NEARBY
· Sputnik @ the Art Museum
· Sadly Towers will miss "Spunik Fest" which happens on September 17th - but you can still see pieces of the famed Soviet spacecraft that crashed in Manitowoc in September of 1962. The exhibit is within the Rahr-West Art Museum in downtown Manitowoc. More can be found here: https://www.manitowoc.org/2557/Rahr-West-Art-Museum
· Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo
· More information at https://www.manitowoc.org/2559/Zoo
· Breweries & Wineries in Manitowoc
· There are more than a few. More info here: https://www.visitmanitowoc.com/things-to-do/breweries-wine-bars/
· Manitowoc's TOWER TAVERN
· Just because of the name - and the good food there - let's bring a Towers photo (I have one) and go make this place ours one night! More at: https://towertavernmanitowoc.com/
· Want to do something else?
· Something different? Check out this Manitowoc site for all your options: https://www.visitmanitowoc.com/