SS Meteor

The SS Meteor is the last remaining above-ground whaleback ship in the world, permanently berthed on Barkers Island in Superior, Wisconsin. Built in 1896 with an innovative rounded hull designed by Captain Alexander McDougall, the vessel spent decades hauling iron ore, grain, cars, and oil across the Great Lakes — later sailing under the names SS Frank Rockefeller and SS South Park — before the community of Superior rescued her from scrapping and towed her home to become a museum in the 1970s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the ship is operated today by Superior Historic Properties alongside Fairlawn Mansion and the Old Firehouse and Police Museum. Open for tours and private rentals from May through October, the SS Meteor offers its authentic bar room as an event space, accommodating up to 30 guests, with an adjacent room available for larger gatherings of up to 55. The space comes with banquet and cocktail tables, seating, a speaker system with microphone and headphone jack, complimentary WiFi, and accessible parking, and the ship's upper deck is available for small-group photography by request — a maritime backdrop for celebrations aboard a piece of Great Lakes history.