Manistee Ghost Ship Review (2026)

GPS took us to the right location, where a few people greeted us and directed traffic, but with limited on-site parking, the nearby lot serves as overflow. Both areas had lit, matching signs, making it very easy to find. The walk from the additional parking lot wasn’t long, but it was still something to note.

Each staff member we met, from parking lot attendants to the concession stand, had a glow about them. You could tell each of them loved what they did and were happy to help however they could.

The Manistee Ghost Ship website has all the important information you need for your trip, including dates, times, parking information, and links to the S.S. City of Milwaukee’s site, where you can learn even more about the historic ship!

Walking towards the parking lot of the S.S. City of Milwaukee, we were in awe of the ship at night. The grounds were littered with historical pieces just outside, guiding us to the queue. The gangway separated the two queue lines, and once inside, props and historical information kept us busy while we waited.

Room by room, there were different themes to cover a wide variety of phobias and fears, and who knows, they may even unlock one you never knew you had! We were forced to walk the plank, then chased off the deck and out to the parking lot!

Because this attraction was on a ship, it was hard not to feel immersed the whole time, all the way back to land! As you are chased off the ship’s top deck, you descend steps on the side of the ship above the water, so make sure you don’t drop anything!

This was our first time aboard the Manistee Ghost Ship, and since it’s a charity haunt on a historical landmark, we didn’t quite know what to expect. However, we were surprised by what this haunt had to offer, given the ship’s tight schedule and strict guidelines. But they didn’t disappoint!

Some scenes were simple and basic; others could compete with bigger haunts in the industry. One example being the “forest” room, with dense trees, vines, and just the right lighting, and you would have never known you were on a boat! In the engine room, water poured out of pipes from above and spewed out of pipes from below.

We felt the Manistee Ghost Ship used just the right amount of animatronics; they were spread out and perfectly timed for that unpredictable scare. Along with the animatronics, the ship had all of the effects we have come to enjoy in a haunt, like squishy bridges, falling barrels, and probably the tightest claustrophobic halls we’ve ever been through! Oh, and we can’t forget the entire front end of an 80’s Cadillac for a great moving car jump scare!

From the beginning, the queue actors scared the waiting customers and chased the survivors down the plank all the way to the end. Each character had their own story throughout Manistee’s Ghost Ship. Though we prefer more actors than not, this walkthrough left us wanting a few more; but the characters we did encounter were detailed and complete head to toe. We could tell they put a lot of time and passion into their personas.

Twisted Sally the clown stole Sam’s heart while bending backward on some barrels and forced us to duck under her to continue our journey. Clowns really do have a way of performing for every guest, and we will always appreciate it! The Fortune Teller, with her deck of tarot cards in hand, bestowed a card to Sam. It dawned: the Ten of Swords. Further research shows the card is the final, most painful card in the suit of Swords, representing rock bottom, betrayal, ruin, and a definitive, painful ending. Did she give us this card of purpose?! Fingers crossed we make it to next season! In the depths of the ship’s engine room, a terrifying creature lurked in the dark; an eel-like creature with glowing eyes stalked us as we made our way through the ship’s bowels.

While the Ghost Ship did have animatronics, the scares were definitely driven by the scare actors. The actors did a great job targeting both of us as we made our way up and down the ship. The scares came fast, from all directions, and were well timed! The ship utilizes many scare tactics throughout, like jump scares, intimidation, and camouflage.

One of our absolute favorite scares on the ship was in the kitchen scene, where an actor jumped out from under a table, and when you thought you were safe, the same actor then jumped out from the oven! The other was a blackout room with masks all over the walls. Just when you think you’re alone, think again.

Our voyage on the Manistee Ghost Ship lasted 17 minutes, and the night we visited it was $20.00 per ticket, which brought the MPD (Minutes Per Dollar) to .85. Although that’s just below what we like to see, this attraction is well worth the trip! They also offer a fast pass that runs $32.00 to help ease those long lines, and if you want to experience it more than once for just another $10.00, you can relive the terror unlimited times that day!

Outside of October, the S.S. City of Milwaukee offers a full tour of the ship, venue rental, and a bed-and-breakfast. They also offer real paranormal investigation nights for people interested in the real ghost that haunts the ship’s decks.

Back on land, stop by the main office to check out the merch and grab a snack before you hit the road! By the time this review is published, the 2026 season will be over. But this is definitely a haunt to have on your list for next season!