When you first arrive at Atwater, you’ll see a playground in the park overlooking the lake. When you’re ready to head down to the beach, you can get there via an impressively steep set of stairs, or opt for a more gentle winding path. Once there, you’ll find 800 feet of flat, open beach. You’ll be steps away from the city and shops on Capitol Drive, but the wild foliage of the tall bluff behind you will make you feel far from the city streets. The park is also home to local family-fri […]

Bender Park is one of the county’s newest parks, and it feels that way. It is well-maintained, not too crowded, and spacious. It has a harbor and large boat launches, but the dramatic bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan are what steal the show. More Info Here.

Big Bay Park is a bit of a hidden gem. You’ll find this small and quiet oasis tucked away in Whitefish Bay. You can enjoy a scenic overlook of the water, or take the short walk down to Big Bay Beach. More Info Here.

A popular spot for college students, Bradford Beach is bustling and boisterous. On a hot summer day, you can watch or play on any of the 35 sand volleyball courts, grab some shade in a tiki hut, or rent a cabana. There’s also a boat house building with convenient restrooms and a concession stand. Just south of the beach, don’t miss MooSa’s, a cow-themed burger and frozen custard joint. More Info Here.

Located north of downtown Milwaukee in Fox Point, Doctors Park is a great place for families. It boasts nearly 50 acres of natural beauty on a bluff overlooking the lake. Near the parking lot, you’ll find a playground and practice fields. From there, you can take a paved trail, stairs, or a dirt trail down to the clean beach, called Tietjen Beach. It’s the perfect length nature hike for any child 4 and up, or a baby in a carrier. More Info >>

“Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature.” This message, written on a sign atop a covered bridge, welcomes you to the Seven Bridges Trail in Grant Park. So it’s no wonder that there are rumors the trail is haunted. But if you head there during the day, there’s nothing spooky about it. The nature trails run along a babbling creek, and lead all the way down to Lake Michigan. To get there, enter Grant Park at South Lake Drive and Park Avenue, and travel about 1/8 mile. On yo […]

Located north of downtown Milwaukee in Whitefish Bay, Klode Park offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, a winding path down to the beach, picnic areas with picnic tables, tennis courts, open fields for running and sports, and a nice-sized playground for the kids. More Info >>

Grab a fruit smoothie and iced coffee from local café Colectivo on the Lakefront and head north to the bay-shaped McKinley Beach in downtown Milwaukee. It’s less crowded than neighboring Bradford Beach and has a playground to wear out your little ones. You can also catch beautiful views of the boats in McKinley Marina. If you’re up for a walk, check out Veterans Park, just south of McKinley Beach. There’s lots of space to run, fly a kite, or enjoy the lagoon. More Info Here.

North Beach in Racine, Wisconsin is a beautiful and popular public beach located on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is often referred to as “The Crown Jewel of Racine” due to its stunning scenery and recreational opportunities. Situated on the northeastern edge of Racine, Wisconsin, it covers approximately 50 acres of land and boasts a long stretch of sandy shoreline along Lake Michigan. The beach offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, with its crystal-clear waters and soft, sand […]

On the shores of Milwaukee’s funky Bay View neighborhood, this beach offers picturesque views of South Shore Yacht Club and the downtown skyline. There’s a large playground, picnic tables, and a sand volleyball court. In the summer, you can walk to South Shore Terrace, one of Milwaukee’s newest beer gardens. However, this beach frequently closes due to bacteria levels. The Milwaukee County Parks system has implemented a green infrastructure project to improve the conditions. More Info Here.