john michael kohler art center
The Kohler Company has a long history in the Sheboygan area, particularly in its eponymous company town, Kohler. One of their greatest contributions to the cultural scene of Sheboygan is the John Michael Kohler Art Center, or JMKAC. Built into the historic Kohler house on 6th Street and New York Avenue, the Art Center hosts local theatrical and musical events, provides summer art programs for local schoolchildren, and houses an ever-changing collection of contemporary art by local and national artists in their extensive galleries. A recent addition has greatly expanded their exhibition space. As Kohler is primarily a bathroom fixtures company, the restrooms in the Art Center are -- quite naturally -- extravagant displays of porcelain artistry. The men's restroom near the main entrance is particularly breathtaking curious female visitors need not despair, the front desk greeters will happily escort anyone inside. Entrance to the Art Center is free, but donations are encouraged.
the lakefront
The city of Sheboygan is centered at her harbor, where the Sheboygan river meets Lake Michigan. Immediately north of the harbor sits Deland Park, with pleasant beaches, boat launches, and an upscale yacht club. Alongside the yacht club, a breakwater one of two enclosing the harbor juts out past the marina and about half a mile into Lake Michigan, punctuated by a lighthouse. The walk along the beach and breakwater to the lighthouse is quite pleasant, and is particularly popular in midsummer when the cool lake water blesses the lighthouse with air temperatures often twenty degrees cooler than in the city. Midwestern surfers are known to paddle out near the promenade along the beach when the wind is blowing right usually in the fall and winter. Great biking opportunities abound, as the trail takes you north along the lake shore.
the flagpole
It would be awfully hard to miss the tallest flagpole in the United States, recently erected by Acuity Insurance Company on the grounds of their Sheboygan office, between I-43 and Taylor Drive, just north of Highway 28. The pole, replacing a previous large flagpole that blew down in a storm, stands some 338 feet high, sports a 120 by 60 foot flag, and is visible from pretty much any high point in the county. Apparently this new flag pole succumbed to the same fate as its predecessor in late 2008.