FUN 101
SPRING / SUMMER 2023 FUN 101 Edition:
101 Things to See & Do in the Kenosha Area for $10 & Under (Many are FREE!)
Discover – and/or re-discover – what affordable adventures await in the Kenosha Area! We have the list divided into categories to make it easier to digest. Learn about these and more local attractions, restaurants, and shops at the website you’re on: VisitKenosha.com. Shop Local, Dine Local, and Play Local! Be sure to check the Visit Kenosha Events Calendar often as events continue to be added.
FUN 101 is a product of Visit Kenosha. Visit Kenosha has been producing the FUN 101 list since 2010. It’s updated twice a year – for the fall/winter and spring/summer months.
Fine Print: Prices, events, and other information reflected are subject to change. Prices do not include tax, service/handling fees, or gratuity. Retail purchases, as well as food and beverage prices vary based on selection.
Published online March 2023.
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Life By The Lake
Back to Top of List1. Watching a beautiful sunrise over Lake Michigan needs to be at the top of your itinerary while visiting Kenosha! FREE
2. Ride an authentic Electric Streetcar along the lakefront and to museums, shops, restaurants, events, and more. $1 & under for one loop
3. Lounge on a beach. Kenosha has five beaches on the Lake Michigan shore! FREE
4. During the summer months, Simmons Island Beach has portable mobility mats designed to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers on the sand. FREE
5. Climb a Lighthouse! The 1866 Southport Lighthouse tower is open to climb Thursday through Sunday, May through October. $10 & under
6. Hunt for sea glass / beach glass along Lake Michigan. FREE
7. View the shore from the water! Bring your kayak for a day on the Lake Michigan Water Trail. FREE access
8. Take a pic of one of Kenosha’s most recognized landmarks: the North Pier Lighthouse, home to the Kenosha Lighthouse Studio. FREE
9. Stroll along the lakeside promenade and watch leisure watercraft and sport fishing boats cruising the waterway. FREE
10. Ride the historic Lakefront Trolley through Downtown Kenosha and along Lake Michigan. This rubber-wheel trolley operates seasonally. $1 & under
Free Outdoor Concerts
Back to Top of List11. Experience Twilight Jazz concerts on the lawn of the Anderson Arts Center, overlooking Lake Michigan, on June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22. FREE
12. Tuesdays At The Shell happens at the Sesquicentennial Bandshell in Pennoyer Park, July 11 through August 29. FREE
13. Enjoy Wednesday evening concerts by the Kenosha Pops Concert Band at the Sesquicentennial Bandshell, June 14 through August 2 (inside Carthage College on July 26). FREE
14. On select Wednesday evenings, Lincoln Park Live happens at Lincoln Park. FREE
15. Bristol Woods Park is the setting for Bristol Woodstock. The concert series happens on Wednesday evenings from June 14 through August 16. FREE
16. On the Lake Michigan shore, enjoy music at Lakeside Lounge on June 21, July 19, and August 16. This is held on the north lawn of Kemper Center. FREE
17. Enjoy some PB&J! Peanut Butter & Jam is a concert series on Thursdays, July 13 through August 31, at Veterans Memorial Park. FREE
18. Enjoy the new Rhythm on the Lake Concert Series on Thursday evenings at Old Settlers Park, June 15 through August 17. FREE
An Eventful Time
Back to Top of List19. On the second Saturday of the month, enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the historic Simmons Library. Learn about Zalmon Simmons, Daniel H. Burnham, and the history of this beautiful building. FREE
20. During the Downtown Kenosha Small Business Bunny Hop on April 1, visit participating businesses to collect Easter eggs – filled with a treat for kids and special offers for adults. FREE
21. Browse for treasure at the seasonal Wilmot Flea Market, which takes place on Sundays, April 23 through October 15 (excluding August 13 and 20) at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds. Admission $2 & under
22. May 7-13, enjoy Tourism Week Free Days. Each day, a different attraction or business will be offering a free product or free admission. FREE
23. Kenosha HarborMarket® begins its outdoor season on May 13 at 2nd Avenue and 56th Street. Open Saturdays; its indoor season concludes April 29 at the Kenosha Union Club. FREE admission
24. Open year-round on Saturdays, the outdoor season of Kenosha Public Market begins May 13 near Veterans Memorial Park. It’s inside Kemper Center through April. FREE admission
25. Enjoy the Lakeside Players production of Charlotte's Web at the historic Rhode Center for the Arts, May 19-21. $10
26. Join fellow car enthusiasts in the Kenosha History Center parking lot and show off your classic automobiles. Cruise-In Nights happen the last Friday evening of the month, May through September. FREE
27. Enjoy an Aquanut Water Show. The award-winning water ski show team performs on Lake Mary, most Wednesdays and Saturdays, May 27 - September 2. FREE
28. Pose with King Elvis - the Kenosha Kingfish mascot - at historic Simmons Field. The collegiate baseball season opens May 29. Game tickets start at $8
29. Watch bicycle races at the Washington Park Velodrome. Built in 1927, it’s the nation’s oldest operating velodrome. FREE
30. Go fly a kite! You’ll see gigantic show kites in the sky at the Outta Sight Kite Flight, which is June 3-4 at Kennedy Park. FREE
31. June 3-4, it’s Free Fun Weekend at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. Identify animal pelts, see the live reptile and amphibian exhibit, toss a fishing line in the lake, and more. FREE admission
32. Go Fish! Fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license on Free Fishing Weekend, June 3-4. FREE
33. On select days of the week, Farmers Markets occur at various City of Kenosha parks. They are open based on produce availability. FREE to browse, prices vary
34. Mondays, June 12 through August 14, enjoy Yoga in the Park at Petrifying Springs Park. FREE
35. Enjoy a Movie Night in the Park on Fridays, June 16 through August 18, at Petrifying Springs Park. FREE
36. Enjoy special events and family activities – including Sunflower Fields – at Jerry Smith Produce & Pumpkin Farm. Prices vary
37. Enjoy the morning at Daniels Dairy Farm II for the Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast. It happens June 17. Breakfast costs $10 & under
38. Travel to the Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast on June 17 by bicycle! The Kenosha County DairyAir Bike Ride is a group ride to the breakfast. Free to ride; breakfast costs $10 & under
39. July 2 is the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade; "From Sea to Shining Sea" is the theme. FREE
40. Celebrate America - a festive event on the Lake Michigan shore - is July 3 and 4 with fireworks on July 4. FREE admission
41. Bristol Progress Days is a fun community festival July 7-9 at Hansen Park. FREE admission
42. Uke's is celebrating Harley-Davidson's 120th Anniversary Homecoming, July 12-16. Community events will be taking place as well. Find all the details HERE> FREE admission
43. Savor the flavors of specialty food and beverage vendors and enjoy live music at Taste of Wisconsin on our lakefront, July 27-29. FREE admission
44. “Barnyard Mardi Gras” is the theme of this year’s Kenosha County Fair, August 16-20. Admission $10 & under
45. During the Kenosha County Fair, enjoy free grandstand entertainment (with paid fair admission) at the on-site Wilmot Raceway. Car races are August 16, a Truck & Tractor Pull and a Combine Demo Derby are August 17, and a Demo Derby is August 20. Fair Admission $10 & under
46. Picnic in the Park features live music, food trucks, and fireworks at Petrifying Springs Park on August 19. FREE admission
47. Show off your car and see what Downtown Kenosha has to offer during the Kenosha Classic Cruise-In on September 2. FREE
Nature Break
Back to Top of List48. Kids can cool off on a hot summer day at the splash pad area near HarborPark. FREE
49. Play disc golf at Fox River Park, Lincoln Park, Silver Lake Park, or the UW-Parkside campus. FREE
50. Bring your pooch to play at one of our many off-leash dog parks. Up to $5 depending on park
51. At Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum, the kids will enjoy the Heritage Farmstead Learning Stations. FREE
52. There are more than 130 miles of bike trails in Kenosha County, including the Kenosha County Bike Trail, the Pike Bike Trail, and mountain bike trails at Silver Lake Park. FREE
53. Play pickleball at Pennoyer Park. FREE
54. Play at Kenosha’s inclusive, 100% accessible playground: the Dream Playground at Petzke Park. FREE
55. Fly down the 200-foot-long water slides at Washington Park Pool and Anderson Park Pool this summer. Prices vary
56. Go “over the river and through the woods” at Petrifying Springs Park – a hiking and biking destination. FREE
57. Have a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board? Experience the Fox River Water Trail! FREE access
58. Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area is a 482-acre remnant lake plain wet prairie, an ecological gem. Enjoy nature study, birding, photography, and hiking here. FREE
59. Pringle Nature Center offers many tools to explore Bristol Woods Park including GPS units that are pre-programmed with the known geocaches and ecocaches located in the park. $5 per unit for general public
60. Also at Bristol Woods Park is the Bristol Woods Nature Playground – which encourages free play in a natural setting. FREE
61. Spend the afternoon at the skatepark at Washington Park or Anderson Park. FREE
62. A labyrinth constructed by Girl Scouts can be found at Wolfenbuttel Park. The Peace Tree Labyrinth is a 6 circuit, 900 square foot permanent meditational labyrinth facing Lake Michigan.
63. Get your 10,000 steps in while sightseeing in Kenosha! Find some suggested routes at VisitKenosha.com/Steps. Most of the routes are FREE to access
Preserving History
Back to Top of List64. Get a pic by the Hebior Mammoth - a woolly mammoth (excavated right here in Kenosha County) - at the Kenosha Public Museum. FREE
65. Tour a maritime museum! Learn about Lake Michigan shipwrecks and more at the seasonal Southport Light Station Museum. FREE
66. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Durkee Mansion, an 1860s mansion that’s along the lakefront. Open the first and third weekends of the month, April through October. FREE
67. Kids love the Resource Center inside The Civil War Museum. There is a kid size cabin made out of giant Lincoln Logs and many more FREE family activities.
68. The Kenosha Public Museum has a new and improved interactive Trading Post area. FREE
69. Visit the Dinosaur Discovery Museum and its interactive exhibit Little Clint: The Story of a Baby Dinosaur. FREE
70. Explore Kenosha’s extensive AMC history and more at the Kenosha History Center. FREE
71. The Library Park Historic District contains many individually outstanding examples of 19th century and early 20th century architecture. Take a guided tour of the district on the second Saturday of the month, May through October. $10
72. The Third Avenue Historic District features Kenosha’s early 20th century mansions along the Lake Michigan shore. Take a guided tour of the district on the first Saturday of the month, May through October. $10
73. Also enjoy the Civic Center and Pearl Street Historic Districts – walk, bike, drive, or take the Electric Streetcar through these two districts. $1 & under for one loop ride on streetcar
74. At the Kenosha harbor, take time to stop and reflect at the Veterans Memorial Fountain and Lone Soldier Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park. FREE
75. Actor, writer, director, and producer Orson Welles is just one of many celebrities from Kenosha. A plaque sits in front of his birthplace in the Library Park Historic District. FREE
76. West of I-94, stop by the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park Honor Plaza, which serves as a tribute to veterans. FREE
Artsy Side
Back to Top of List77. Experience a “sculpture wonderland”! The Sculpture Walk – HarborPark is a biennial outdoor art exhibit that runs along the harbor and features 10 inspiring works of art. FREE
78. Bring a little art and take a little art at the Little Free Art Gallery, located in Union Park. FREE
79. For a taste of New York City … view a Miniature Statue of Liberty inside the Kenosha History Center. FREE
80. For a taste of Paris … Kenosha has its very own Wallace Fountain! The public, drinking water sources are primarily found in Paris, France. Ours is an art piece. FREE
81. Kenosha is home to many displays of public art. The Starry Night over Kenosha mural by artist Eric Houghton is painted on the west side of Deberge’s Framing and Gallery. FREE to enjoy
82. Check out the sculpture that commemorates the second stop on the Winter Dance Party Tour (Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and Dion and the Belmonts). FREE
83. Find impressive art on display during the Transparent Watercolor Society of America Annual National Juried Exhibition, May 6 through August 6, at the Kenosha Public Museum. FREE
84. A gift shop and art gallery in one, view the works of award-winning local artists at the recently remodeled Pollard Gallery. FREE to browse
85. Get your hands dirty at The Clay Studio inside Lemon Street Gallery & Artspace. The cost is $3 per pound of clay, and includes glazes and firing.
86. Visit Nature’s Gallery, an artist’s studio and creative space, with handmade local art available to purchase. FREE to browse
87. Visit the Pencillarium at ArtWorks. Part art gallery, part framing shop, and part pencil-enthusiast store, Pencillarium is almost a museum for those who work in sketch art. FREE to browse
88. On the side of the Kady B. Faulkner building at the historic Kemper Center is an outdoor mosaic made from items found on the nearby beach. FREE
89. View local and regional art exhibits at Anderson Arts Center, located inside a French Renaissance Revival style mansion on the Lake Michigan shore. FREE
90. At Donovan Scherer’s Studio Moonfall, purchase a coloring book with Kenosha scenes from The Color of Kenosha series. $10
91. Meet the makers at the Kenosha Art Market in the Union Park Arts District on the third Sunday, June through October. FREE admission
92. Get your picture taken with the Greetings From Kenosha mural by artist Kelly Witte in Downtown Kenosha.
More #KenoshaFun
Back to Top of List93. Are you a first-time visitor to our state? You must get your pic with the Welcome to Wisconsin sign at the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Kenosha! FREE
94. There’s nothing better than cheese and cannoli – not to mention homemade Italian Sausage cooking on the seasonal outdoor grill. Tenuta’s Delicatessen & Liquors is a Kenosha landmark. Prices vary
95. Mama P’s HoHo Cake is available at both locations of Lou Perrine's Gas & Groceries. $4 per slice
96. Quench your thirst with a Boba Tea, Fruit Tea, Frappe, or Smoothie at Smarty's Sweets & Treats. $6-$8
97. Come see our castle! Enjoy one-of-a-kind photo spots at Mars Cheese Castle. FREE
98. Take a selfie with your favorite brew from one of our local craft breweries. Prices vary
99. After enjoying a bratwurst, pick up some cheese curds at Brat Stop’s Cheese Mart. Prices vary
100. You’ll find Doggy Frozen Yogurt at Scoops Ice Cream & Candy for your four-legged friend(s); pumpkin and banana flavors are available. Pets are welcome to dine at the outdoor seating area! $3
101. At Sandy’s Popper, enjoy ice cream (every day is your birthday when you have a pint of Birthday Cake ice cream!), popcorn which is made in-house in small batches, and more. Prices vary
Frequently Asked Questions
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Mammoths, electric streetcars, a cheese castle, automotive history including the AMC Gremlin, … READ MORE HERE>
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Yes; it’s swim at your own risk. Beaches are not staffed with lifeguards. Refer to our BEACHES PAGE HERE to learn more about Great Lakes swimming and Lake Michigan Water Safety before enjoying our beaches.
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Ride an authentic Electric Streetcar, rent a duck themed pedal boat, see mammoths and dinos at our museums, create art at DIY studios, build sandcastles on a beach, visit an aerial adventure park, enjoy Kenosha Kingfish baseball games, or visit the Bristol Renaissance Faire. In the winter, go skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing at Wilmot Mountain. READ MORE HERE>
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It totally depends on what you want to do! Kenosha is a four-season destination. The bulk of our attractions are open year-round. You can certainly dine and shop no matter the time of year – and Lake Michigan sunrises are gorgeous no matter the season! Here’s a quick look at what differentiates the seasons in Kenosha:
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A variety of locally owned restaurants including supper clubs, gastropubs, drive-in eateries, diners, bistros, coffee shops, and craft breweries can be found in our community. READ MORE HERE>
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