Do West

While traveling on Interstate 94/41, you have seven opportunities to get off and explore Kenosha County! While you may be familiar with heading east to visit Lake Michigan and Downtown Kenosha, more adventures await you to the west. We’re talking “West of the I” — as the locals call it — and we mean beyond Mars Cheese Castle and Brat Stop! (Be sure to stop and shop at these two hot spots as well!)

9 a.m. Start your day with breakfast at Bristol 45 Diner. Breakfast is served all day long here, as are lunch and dinner. When you walk in the diner, you’ll feel like it’s the 1950s and 1960s again. The decor includes 45 rpm records — along with hundreds of photos of celebrities - hanging on the walls.

10 a.m. Following a hearty breakfast, take in a round of golf at Brighton Dale Links or get in your 10,000 steps at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. (Bong is a great place for camping, too! Don’t forget your s’mores supplies!) If your pooch is traveling with you, stop and play at the Harris Family Dog Park or the Warren Close Bark Park.

12 p.m. If it’s winter, enjoy lunch at Wilmot Mountain. There are multiple options — including a quick-service food court called the Ski Hill Grill or a casual dining full-service experience at Walt’s Tavern. Then spend the rest of the day skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing!

1:30 p.m. On a summer day, travel back in time at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, climb to new heights at Boundless Adventures, or bring your kayak to experience the Fox River Water Trail. The Fox River is Kenosha County’s largest river; the 11-mile section we have here has four non-motorized watercraft launch sites. Or spend the afternoon at the beach. Silver Lake’s a great option!

4 p.m. As the sun starts to dip to the west, visit Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. In additional to beautiful walking trails and a peaceful lake for boating and photo ops, you’ll find the newly installed Honor Plaza.

6 p.m. After all the afternoon adventures you’ve had, you’re ready for a relaxing dinner at The Red Oak Restaurant, featuring locally sourced ingredients for a farm to table dining experience. Another great option for dinner is Silver Spoon Gastropub & Pizzeria.

Or: You may want to plan your dinner around your evening plans. Enjoy an Aquanut Water Show. The award-winning water ski show team performs on Lake Mary and are five-time National Show Ski Association Show Ski Team of the Year! Or head to the races. Motorsports entertainment can be found at Wilmot Raceway, a 3/8-mile clay, semi-banked oval.