The Man-cation
Gather your best buddies and plan a weekend of fun, relaxation, adventure, and plenty of food and drink to go around. From the obvious options like fishing, brats, and beer to museum tours, fine dining and wine tasting, there is an unexpected experience waiting for your fraternity of friends in the Kenosha Area.
Lakeside Lads
Fresh air and sunshine make for a great weekend with the guys. There is no better bonding experience than an outing on Lake Michigan with the Kenosha Charter Boat Association. The boat and all the needed equipment will be provided, all you have to do is reel in the fresh catch together and make memories. Bring your fillets to Boathouse Pub & Eatery where the staff will prepare your salmon and trout three different ways and serve it to you with sides on the patio overlooking the Simmons Island Marina. Gather together in the evening to tell stories and enjoy a few beers at the Lakeside Deck or the Kenosha Yacht Club. Day two has to start with homemade corned beef hash or a Harbor Benny at The Coffee Pot. Enjoy a round of golf at Petrifying Springs or Brighton Dale Links, and work up an appetite as you cruise around the Downtown area with Lakeshore Pedal Tours. Perhaps you’ll spend a few hours on the water with rented kayaks from the Kenosha Community Sailing Center, before having a delicious dinner at Ashling on the Lough, an authentic Irish pub overlooking the Southport Marina. Consider booking rooms at the Merry Yacht Inn – a converted firehouse that is now a hotel with a nautical, outdoorsman themed common room that boasts a pool table, flat screen tv, and dining area, or the upper flat at The Coffee Pot Inn for a retro vibe where the whole group can stay together.
City Slickers
Men about town will love urban outings in Downtown Kenosha. Kick off your weekend on Friday night with a famous pizza at Villa D'Carlo, followed by cocktails and comedy at the Kenosha Comedy Club. Located inside the Wyndham Garden, the location makes this a great choice for your weekend lodging and the views of the sunrise can’t be beat. Saturday will be devoted to fun all around. Begin with coffee and breakfast sandwiches at Harborside Common Grounds before checking out downtown shops, markets, and museums. In the afternoon, take in a Kenosha Kingfish Baseball game at Simmons Field. After the game, take on a self-guided tour of Kenosha's breweries Rustic Road Brewing Co., PUBLIC Craft Brewing Co., Kenosha Brewing Co. and R'Noggin Brewing Co. - you'll find great options for snacks, dinner, and beer sampling as you go. Sunday Brunch at Sazzy B and a stop at Tenuta's Delicatessen are a must before heading home.
History Buffs
Touring Kenosha offers plenty to see and do, especially when it comes to exploring the past. A Saturday morning visit to the Kenosha History Center offers a glimpse into Kenosha’s rich manufacturing and shipping history, including the strong ties to the automotive industry. Adjacent to the historical society is the Southport Light Station Museum which houses Lake Michigan maritime exhibits, and is the site of the 1866 Southport Lighthouse. Climb the lighthouse for incredible views of the water, Kenosha, and even the Chicago skyline (on a clear day). Break for lunch at tg’s Restaurant & Pub for their famous Hot Beef. This is a local icon, even John and Bobby Kennedy were known to grace a barstool here. Then, take a ride on an authentic Electric Streetcar as you cruise the lakefront to enjoy the Kenosha Public Museum and Dinosaur Discovery Museum in the afternoon. Dinner at Hobnob Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge will transport your group back to the days when Supper Clubs and weekend getaways were a common occurrence. Enjoy Old Fashioned Cocktails, perfectly grilled steaks and baked potatoes as you take in the view of the lake from the main dining room. Retire to your rooms at The Stella Hotel & Ballroom, formerly the Heritage House and Elks Club. It recently went through a massive remodeling. Wake up for breakfast at the hotel Café before a morning walk through historic districts – there are four of them. You might grab a treat from one of the nostalgic shops like Scoops Ice Cream & Candy or some popcorn to bring home from Sandy's Popper. The stroll will be just what you need before hitting the road.
For more trip ideas or assistance planning your getaway, contact the team at Visit Kenosha.
