National Travel and Tourism Week: May 3-9, 2026

Tourism Week

Each May, seven days are designated as National Travel and Tourism Week by the U.S. Travel Association. This is an annual celebration of the U.S. travel industry’s contributions. Tourism plays a significant role when it comes to our community’s economy.

Tourism generates significant financial benefits for residents and local businesses. It provides jobs, supports suppliers and service providers, lowers personal taxes, and improves our local economy. Tourism also provides a positive community image, which is critical for economic development.

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About Tourism Week | Plan Your Vacation | Be A Tourist In Your Own Town | Tourism Week Free Days

About Tourism Week 

The 2026 theme for National Travel & Tourism Week is: Travel Is Essential. Not a luxury. Not an afterthought. Travel powers local economies, connects communities, supports millions of jobs, and enriches lives. It builds cultural understanding and connects people in ways no other industry can.

National Travel & Tourism Week is a reminder of why we do what we do. Travel is the family road trip that becomes a story told for decades. The business trip that changed your career. The reunion that could only happen because someone made the journey. At Visit Kenosha, we exist to make those moments possible, and we couldn’t be prouder of it.

(Learn more at ustravel.org/NTTW)

Plan Your Vacation

If you live outside of Kenosha County, we hope to see you in Kenosha this year – whether for a family vacation, marathon, car show, reunion, charter fishing excursion, or weekend getaway. Kenosha is a Wisconsin Harbor Town … a Midwest road trip waiting to happen!

Friendly. Affordable. Fun.

Let us help you find your #KenoshaFun. We have been Kenosha’s official travel resource since 1986 and we invite you to use our tools – including the Official Kenosha Area Visitors Guide and our website VisitKenosha.com.

View Digital Guide HERE>

Order Print Guide HERE>

Have a question? Submit a Contact Us Form HERE>

Call us at (262) 654-7307

Stop at a Visitor Information Center>

Be A Tourist In Your Own Town

If you live in Kenosha County, we encourage you to Shop Local, Dine Local, and Play Local during this week – and all year round! The same things that visitors love about our community, residents love as well. We thank you for your loyalty in supporting our small, independent, locally owned shops and restaurants who contribute to the local community and economy. These businesses are often family-owned, some for multiple generations. We thank you for frequenting our incredible museums, art galleries, recreation spots, and other attractions as well.

While we promote the Kenosha Area as a fun, friendly, and affordable overnight tourism destination to individuals, groups, and businesses throughout the world – we are also a resource for the community. We encourage everyone to use our website VisitKenosha.com (you're on it!) and the Official Kenosha Area Visitors Guide to find your #KenoshaFun. The only publication of its kind in the community, the guide has 148 pages of useful information, itineraries, travel planning tips, photos, maps, and details about Kenosha fun.

Whether you are planning your leisure time; arranging a visit for out-of-town friends and relatives; bringing a meeting or sporting event here; or planning a wedding, reunion, or other gathering in our community – let us help you!

Did you know the #1 referral source for visitors to the Kenosha Area is family and friends? Let us all be great Kenosha ambassadors!

Don’t miss an event! Bookmark the Visit Kenosha Events Calendar and browse often!

Stay on top of what’s happening by signing up for our Visit Kenosha Monthly Newsletter and/or the weekly EventSource newsletter HERE>

Purchase some Kenosha swag or universal gift cards HERE>

Help us show off the Kenosha Area! Enter pics of your favorite places and spaces to our annual Picture Your Kenosha Photo Contest HERE>

Grab one of our I Heart Kenosha frames to add to the fun of your photography. DETAILS>

Visit Kenosha Tourism Week Free Days

May 3 to May 9, 2026

Local attractions and shops are providing FREE admission and products during this week for visitors and residents to enjoy. A different offer will be available each day. No purchase is necessary.

This is a way to encourage exploration of our community – and to thank people who do explore!

The offers are sponsored by Visit Kenosha and the participating venues.

Offers and hours subject to change.

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Sunday, May 3: GOT PUD’N?

Yogi's Pud'n - FREE Pud’n

The first 100 guests at Yogi's Pud'n will get a FREE regular Pud’n of the day. According to owner Yolonda “Yogi” Blair: “Yogi’s Pud’n is a must-visit because it’s not just dessert — it’s an experience. You don’t just taste it… you feel it. Yogi’s Pud’n was built on love, loss, creativity, and community. When you support us, you’re tasting a piece of my story.”

No purchase necessary.

Limited to these select varieties:

• Naked - silky vanilla Pud’n and golden Nilla wafers.
• The Virgin - creamy vanilla Pud’n, golden Nilla wafers, and fresh, ripe bananas layered to perfection.
• Cookies & Creme - silky vanilla Pud’n with crumbled cookies.

Hours: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: 2302 52nd Street

Monday, May 4: CLIMB A LIGHTHOUSE

Southport Lighthouse - FREE Tower Climbs

Climb the 72 steps to the top of Kenosha’s historic 1866 lighthouse and experience a one-of-a-kind view of Lake Michigan and Kenosha. There is no cost on this day. On a clear day, you can even see the Chicago skyline! Must be 8 years or older to climb. It’s always free for all ages to tour the maritime museum inside the lighthouse keeper’s house. The house and lighthouse make up the Southport Light Station Museum.

No purchase necessary. Value up to $10.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address: 5117 4th Avenue on Simmons Island

Tuesday, May 5: TACO TUESDAY

Lomeli Butcher Shop - One FREE Taco

First 200 people at Lomeli Butcher Shop get one Free Taco. Did you know this locally owned shop features quality meat custom cut just the way you like it, as well as fresh produce and groceries to go with your meats?

No purchase necessary. Additional tacos are $2 each.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 5525 18th Avenue

Wednesday, May 6: BULLSEYE

Hold My Beer - FREE Axe Throwing

Free Open Axe Throwing from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hold My Beer in Downtown Kenosha. A waiver is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please be considerate of others and take turns. Did you know that Hold My Beer offers more than axe throwing? Delicious food, drinks, and patio seating can also be found here.

No purchase necessary.

Hours: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 621 56th Street

Thursday, May 7: SEE THE ELEPHANT

Civil War Museum - FREE Main Exhibit Admission

All guests receive free admission to the Civil War Museum’s main exhibit “The Fiery Trial”, which is an immersive exhibit with a 360-degree film “Seeing The Elephant”. The exhibit tells the inspiring and personal stories of the soldiers on the war front and family back home in the Midwest. The other areas of the Civil War Museum are always free.

No purchase necessary. Value up to $15.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address: 5400 1st Avenue

Friday, May 8: FOR THE DOGS

Kenosha County Dog Parks – FREE Single Day Admission

Bring your pup to any (or all) of the Kenosha County Dog Parks today and get free single-day admission. The parks are Carlisle Family Dog Park at Petrifying Springs Park, Harris Family Dog Park at Old Settlers Park, and Warren Close Bark Park at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Dogs must have current license/vaccinations. Please be respectful and follow all rules.

No purchase necessary. Value up to $6.

Please note: while this day is free, dog owners are encouraged to purchase an annual dog park tag. Otherwise, there is a daily fee of $3 for Kenosha County residents and $6 for non-residents, which can be paid at each dog park.

Parks open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Addresses:

Carlisle Family Dog Park, 4700 Highway JR

Harris Family Dog Park, 24100 75th Street

Warren Close Bark Park, 35610 89th Street

Saturday, May 9: RIDE BACK IN TIME

Kenosha Electric Streetcar - FREE Ride Day

Everyone rides free today! Hop aboard one of the fleet’s beautifully restored authentic Electric Streetcars for a scenic trip along the Lake Michigan shore as well as through historic districts and Downtown Kenosha.

No purchase necessary. Value up to $1.

Saturday hours: 10:35 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Stops include the Kenosha Transit Center, 724 54th Street

Every Day

Sunday, May 3 through Saturday, May 9: SAY CHEESE

Wisconsin Welcome Center – Kenosha - FREE Sausage and Cheese Samples*

Stop by the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Kenosha at I-94/41 and Hwy. 165 for free sausage and cheese samples*, courtesy of Brat Stop. At the same time, pick up free travel literature! The location carries approximately 300 guides and brochures for destinations, attractions, and events throughout Wisconsin. Official State Highway Maps produced by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation can also be picked up. Visit Kenosha staffs this center.

No purchase necessary.

*While supplies last.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address: 10519 120th Avenue

There will be additional giveaways on the Visit Kenosha social media channels during Tourism Week as well.

Did you know you can find FREE FUN in Kenosha all year long?

Check out our FUN 101 list at VisitKenosha.com/FUN101 to learn about the many free and affordable attractions, activities, and events here in the Kenosha Area.

Frequently Asked Questions