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

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Kenosha Electric Streetcar

1. 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

Southport Light Station Museum

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

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Twilight Jazz Free Concert Series

11. 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

Sesquicentennial Bandshell in Kenosha

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

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Celebrate America - fireworks

19. 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

bike races at Washington Park Velodrome

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

Bristol Progress Days

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

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Biking along Kenosha Harbor

48. 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

Couple Hiking at Pringle Nature Center

Preserving History

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Hebior Mammoth at Kenosha Public Museum

64. 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

Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park Honor Plaza

Artsy Side

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Sculpture Walk - HarborPark

77. 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.

Greetings from Kenosha mural in Downtown

 

More #KenoshaFun

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93. 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

Mars Cheese Castle

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

  • Mammoths, electric streetcars, a cheese castle, automotive history including the AMC Gremlin, … READ MORE HERE>

  • 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.

  • 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>

  • 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:

    SPRING/SUMMER>

    FALL>

    WINTER>

     

  • 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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