Tour the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper
In her heyday, the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper voyaged on the Great Lakes between Milwaukee, Chicago and Muskegon in grand style. Built six years before the Titanic, passengers enjoyed lavish staterooms, a movie theatre, a dance floor with live bands, a cafeteria, a sports deck, a soda fountain and more. Today, the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper is a national historic landmark, as the oldest remaining passenger ship on the Great Lakes. Permanently docked here in Muskegon, Michigan, guests can tour this floating museum and immerse themselves in her history and adventures at sea.
First christened Juniata in 1904, this 361-foot passenger and package freight steamer was the epitome of first-class travel, sailing between Buffalo, New York, and Duluth, Minnesota. As Juniata’s mahogany woodwork and wicker furniture began to deteriorate over time, she was retired from service. In the 1930s, Juniata was bought, refurbished and renamed as the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper. Once considered the “Queen of the Great Lakes,” this vessel is six stories tall and longer than a football field. She carried thousands of passengers and automobiles from 1941 to 1970, and for a time during World War II, helped to transport defense materials. Fun fact: The last captain of the Milwaukee Clipper, Robert Priefer, is turning 100 this year!
Tours of the Clipper available from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and take you to see the staterooms, crew quarters, soda bowl, theatre and more. There are also displays of memorabilia from both Juniata and Milwaukee Clipper. The Clipper is docked at the old Grand Trunk Ferry dock, a quick 10-minute drive from The Pidge Inn. She is constantly undergoing restoration by dedicated volunteers of the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper Preservation organization who take great care to celebrate her profound history. Arguably one of the most influential steamships of the 20th century, it's certainly a tour you don't want to miss! Join the party on August 6 to celebrate the Captain's 100 birthday this year.
Check out this incredible ship, which is now open and available for tours for the 2022 season. Hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Tickets prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children.
