Soak Up The Fun at The Kenosha Beach House on Simmons Island

In this interview for the 2026 Kenosha Area Visitors Guide, we learn more about the Kenosha Beach House on Simmons Island from its operator Meryl Strichartz. This seasonal attraction is located on our beautiful Lake Michigan shore at 5001 Simmons Island Road. It's believed that the 1934 Tudor Revival building hadn't been regularly open since the 1990s with only a handful of pop-up events over the years – until it re-opened in 2024. Its season starts Memorial Day weekend, with reduced activities after Labor Day. Meryl is also the owner of Lakeshore Pedal Tours and an active board member of the Kenosha Community Sailing Center.

Visit Kenosha: What inspired you to become the operator of the Kenosha Beach House on Simmons Island?

Meryl: I was inspired by former Mayor Antaramian and Kenosha County Board Supervisor Laura Belsky.  Both were aware of my involvement with the Kenosha Community Sailing Center and knew that I would be a solid partner capable of creating synergy in the lakefront community.

Visit Kenosha: How does your background in education, career coaching, and Lakeshore Pedal Tours influence how you run The Beach House?

Meryl: I have an MBA from UW-Parkside that I pursued specifically to help me with nonprofit management and small business entrepreneurship. The degree was the launching point for much of what I do now.  We have a ton of business resources in our community, if one reaches out. Over the years, in addition to the countless individuals who have offered me advice, I have had support from WWBIC, S.C.O.R.E, Gateway College and the SBA. The key is to ask. One of my greatest business advisors now is my hair stylist, Angie Paros of Asteri Salon. Her family owned and operated Greek restaurants and I ask her a million questions while she makes my hair look great!

I started my career coaching business in 2015. I have a contract with the State of Wisconsin to provide job development services specifically for people with disabilities. My training and experience providing support to people with disabilities has made me much more aware of neural diversity and how to develop positions with that in mind.

Visit Kenosha: What was your vision when you first got involved with this historic location?

Meryl: I don’t think I fully understood the historical significance of the Beach House until it opened. It is on the historic register and I’m neither allowed nor would I want to alter its Tudor Revival style. So, my initial vision was simply to protect it and be a steward as many have done before me. But what I didn’t realize was how many people are attached to it and that the oral history surrounding the building is far greater than the building itself.  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t get someone telling me their childhood memories or how their grandfather worked on the building, etc. It makes me feel good that the Beach House is back to life and what we offer on the beach will be part of their childhood memories of summers in Kenosha.

Visit Kenosha: What makes the Simmons Island Beach House special to you personally? 

Meryl: What makes me the happiest and what makes the Beach House feel so special is when we have events like our dances, bonfires, or LakeFest, when people of different ages and backgrounds come together and enjoy the beach. Oft times, you can find me sitting off to the side just basking in the glow. 

Visit Kenosha: What are some of the challenges of operating a seasonal, outdoor-focused venue?

Meryl: There is no doubt that the weather is our biggest challenge. 

Visit Kenosha: What can visitors expect when they come to The Beach House?

Meryl: Visitors can expect to be amazed when they come to the Beach House. They will see the interior where we have a gift shop filled with Kenosha branded merch. A ton of rentals including bicycles and beach loungers to have fun with. And a concession stand with delicious hamburgers and traditional concession fare. Many people say our “beach sauce” tastes a lot like In-N-Out’s animal sauce. We didn’t do a copycat recipe but apparently great minds, or great chefs think alike!

Visit Kenosha: What kinds of events do you host at The Beach House throughout the summer?

Meryl: We host lots of DJ dance events, Friday night bonfires, and all sorts of special events with live music.

Visit Kenosha: Are there recurring events people can look forward to each year?

Meryl: We will be hosting a Luau annually along with LakeFest and the Beach House Burn (where we burn a large wooden structure ala Burning Man style). These three events have proven themselves worthy of doing annually!

Visit Kenosha: Do you offer private rentals or host special group outings like birthdays, company picnics, or reunions?

Meryl: We host children’s birthday parties. We also rent out our courtyard for private events. It is a smaller and unique space that can comfortably fit 30 people.

Visit Kenosha: Tell us about one of your most memorable or successful events.

Meryl: To date, LakeFest is still our most successful event, and we have some amazing plans to expand it in 2026. It’s a success in large part due to our partnership with the Kenosha Community Sailing Center and Visit Kenosha. The boat parade is phenomenal and growing. Bringing awareness to our beach, harbor, and the beauty of Lake Michigan.

Visit Kenosha: What kind of feedback have you received from out-of-town visitors?

Meryl: Visitors are always impressed with how beautiful our beach is and that we offer so much. They are also wowed by the amount of live music we host as a relatively small harbor town.

Visit Kenosha: What do you hear most often from tourists visiting The Beach House for the first time?

Meryl: Almost everyone walking into the Beach House is surprised at how cool the interior of the building is. As is common with Tudor Revival, there is a gabled ceiling and exposed beams. I tell them the history of how the building was constructed and that makes them appreciate it even more. I also always mention the Native Americans that inhabited the land before the beach house was built. It is the waters of Lake Michigan that have always attracted visitors whether they were fishing or building bath houses!

Visit Kenosha: What makes Simmons Island and The Beach House stand out compared to other Lake Michigan beaches?

Meryl: There are a number of ways that The Beach House on Simmons Island stands out in comparison to other beaches. First, it is clean and beautiful especially because it is connected to the Simmons Island Park which has lots of open green space and a playground. Second, the Beach House itself is of historic interest, and we offer so many recreational rentals, food, and entertainment. Third, and this is a lesser known fact, our beach is great for finding beach glass. We have families that come to search and many artists that love to look for it here.

Visit Kenosha: In your opinion, what role does lakefront access play in Kenosha’s tourism identity?

Meryl: Lakefront access is an interesting topic. In my opinion, it seems that the tourists often appreciate the access more than the locals and I’m working hard to remedy that in my partnership with the Kenosha Community Sailing Center (KCSC). KCSC provides access to Lake Michigan for the community by teaching sailing and renting the bright yellow ducks, kayaks, standup paddle boards, aquacycles, and sailboats in the harbor while the Kenosha Beach House promotes them. It is a short walk from the Beach House to the rental launch and we send people there all the time for safe water recreation. Additionally, the Beach House and Lakeshore Pedal Tours are also both sponsors of the Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association because we want to always have fish in the lake and part of their mission is to rear fish. If we don’t provide access and connections to Lake Michigan, the next generation won’t protect our waters.

Visit Kenosha: What are your hopes for the future of The Beach House?

Meryl: My hope is that we figure out something about our limited parking. There is plenty of beach space, but we need a better way of getting people back and forth from downtown to the island.

Visit Kenosha: What’s your favorite thing to do at Simmons Island when you're not working?

Meryl: I’m always working because I’m one of the lucky ones who has been able to turn their work into play.

Visit Kenosha: How would you describe the vibe or experience of The Beach House in just a few words?

Meryl: Chill, fun, and welcoming.

Visit Kenosha: Why is The Beach House a must-visit when people are in the Kenosha area?

Meryl: Whether you are on a beach vacation or staycation, the Beach House on Simmons Island is the center of our local lake life. And everyone knows that lake days are the best days!

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