Time for a road trip to my hometown of Kenosha, WI.
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Kenosha is only 90 minutes from the Stateline region so it’s the perfect distance for a weekend getaway. Kenosha is an easy-to-navigate city for families with kids. Parking is mostly free, and easy to find, and downtown is very walkable and stroller-friendly. There’s a lot to do in Kenosha and much of it is low-cost or FREE!
You will need a car to get around parts of Kenosha...but then a car is kind of a necessary component of a road trip, yes?
Driving in Kenosha is relatively simple. Streets run east-west and avenues run north-south. This means that streets are numbered from the lake (1st Street) to the Illinois border (128th Street), while avenues start at the lake and extend towards the suburbs.
However, if you get your accommodations in the downtown Kenosha and lakefront area, the electric streetcars run a 2 mile loop to just about anywhere you want to go in that area and that's where the bulk of Kenosha's major attractions are.
In 2000 the city brought back the electric streetcars that once traversed its streets. From 1903 to 1932, electric rail was a regular mode of transportation in Kenosha. On June 17, 2000, streetcar transportation returned to the community. Most of Kenosha’s streetcars are authentic 1951 President’s Conference Committee (PCC) cars. Each Kenosha streetcar has a name and color scheme that represents the legacy of streetcar transportation in North America.
Fare per loop: $1.00 ages 13 and older $.50 ages 5 to 12
4 and under free.
$3.50 for an all day per person pass.
When the streetcar arrives, board and have exact fare, pass or transfer ready. Deposit change (or show your bus pass) into fare box, no change is provided.
The streetcars travel a 2-mile loop, providing a scenic tour of the Lake Michigan shoreline, HarborPark, the Sculpture Walk, two historic districts, and Downtown Kenosha.
Kenosha also has the METRA train. The METRA is the rail system serving Chicago and the Northeastern Illinois region.
The METRA train
KAT (Kenosha Area Transit) also runs buses throughout Kenosha.
You can find bus information
here
Budget Friendly Accommodations In Kenosha
Comfort Inn & Suites Kenosha
Wyndham Garden Kenosha
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Pleasant Prairie-Kenosha
If you are traveling on a budget, you can find amazing deals at AirBnB’s in Kenosha.
Mid-range Accommodations in Kenosha
The Stella Hotel & Ballroom
Hampton Inn & Suites Kenosha
Best Western Executive Inn
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Kenosha Pleasant Prairie
If you prefer staying in a cool cabin near Kenosha, make sure to check the best cabins near Kenosha with VRBO.
Luxury Accommodations in Kenosha
Doubletree by Hilton Pleasant Prairie Kenosha, WI
In case you want to get to know Kenosha like a local, why not rent an Airbnb in Kenosha?
I'm partial to the Wyndham Garden, harborside in Kenosha. It's the only accommodation right on the lake.
Kenosha or K-Town as we call it, is the perfect tourist destination simply by its location alone, on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. That in itself is its major draw, as are the many attractions that now reside there.
Simmons Beach
A couple of decades before my time...but Simmons Beach as it appeared in 1937. It was a small plot of sand bordered by
a carefully cultivated patch of grass, on which sat a couple of park benches for good measure.
It was much the same during my years in Kenosha - sans the park benches.
Kenosha now has 5 beaches, the most infamous and visited being Simmons Island Beach. (above).
Simmons Island Beach today
Technically, it's not an island but a peninsula...but no matter. It's beautiful and engaging no matter what title you hang on it. People walk, bike, and drive here to see Lake Michigan in all its glory. Whether the season is summer, fall, winter, or spring, the lake with its gorgeous sunrises, always changing colors, and at times impressive wave action never disappoints.
Winter wave action on the Simmons Beach Lighthouse...
The 1934 Simmons Beach House is still there and after decades of sitting vacant has now been completely refurbished and transformed into a concession stand and much more.
Simmons Island offers plenty of things to do including:
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A beach
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A boardwalk
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A park
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Playgrounds
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A marina
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Two lighthouses
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Two museums
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Sailing lessons
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Rentals of kayaks, stand up paddle boards, duck-themed pedal boats to use in the harbor
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Kenosha Beach House on Simmons Island
You won’t go hungry while lounging on the beach with Downtown so close. There are abundant local dining and shopping choices as well as art galleries, entertainment venues, museums, historic districts, and lodging options.
On Simmons Island, guests will also find the Simmons Island Beach House, Southport Light Station Museum and the Kenosha History Center.
There's also beautiful Simmons Park with gardens to stroll or just sit and relax in.
Simmons Park ornamental garden
Southport Light Station Museum
Yes, the old lighthouse still stands...
In 1848, a wooden beacon was erected at the outer end of the north pier and a rubblestone lighthouse was erected on Simmons Island, just inside the harbor. In 1861 the lighthouse lantern ceased to function having recently been “carried away by the sea.”
In 1860 the pierwork was dilapidated and the temporary light that had been erected had blown down, stranding several vessels trying to enter the harbor “in gales of wind during the darkness of the night.” A new lighthouse was erected in 1866.
Today the lightkeepers quarters has been turned into a museum and you can now climb to the top of the lighthouse.
Also known as the "Old Kenosha Light", the lighthouse was replaced by the Kenosha North Pier Light in 1906. The keeper's house continued to be used for many years, however.
The light is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Kenosha Light Station. The lantern room was removed in 1913 but replicated in 1994. A lightkeeper's house sits near the lighthouse tower. The original section of the house was built in 1866 at the same time as the lighthouse. In 1907 the north ell with the two-story porch was added to the house, along with a 2-story addition to the kitchen at the southeast corner and bathrooms.
Lighthouse keeper's family lived on 1st floor. Asst. Lighthouse keeper's family lived on 2nd floor.
Restored bedroom
The outside wall of the room demonstrates the before and after of the 1908 addition.
Lighthouse tower stairs
72 of them to be precise
Another room covers shipwrecks and specifically, the SS Wisconsin. Model of the SS Wisconsin built by lighthouse attendant Ronald Luttrell.
View of Simmons Beach
from the lighthouse
Lighthouse Tours & Southport Light Station Museum Hours & Admission
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays (10-4 p.m.) & Sundays (Noon-4p.m.)
Opens Thursday May 1, 2026 Closes Sunday October 25, 2026
$10.00 Adults (non-members) for tower
$5.00 Members & Children 8-12 for tower
FREE admission to Southport Light Station Museum
For you scuba divers: The SS Wisconsin was an iron-hulled package steamer built in 1881 that sank in 1929 in Lake Michigan off the coast of Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States. In 2009 the shipwreck site was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
On 29 October 1929, the Wisconsin left Chicago bound for Milwaukee. Under the command of Captain Dougal Morrison, the freighter was carrying passengers, automobiles, and machine tools. The ship ran into a storm and began taking on water, sinking around 7:10 pm.
Rescue craft arrived 20 minutes later. Estimates of the number saved and lost vary widely, from 18 lost out of 26 aboard to 18 lost of 76 aboard. Estimates given around the time of the sinking give numbers of around 63-66 saved, 8-10 dead or missing. Sources agree the captain went down with the ship.
The wreck site is a popular location for historians, archaeologists and divers. It lies in 90 to 130 feet of water, 6.5 miles south-southeast of Kenosha.
It was the first wreck I dove after becoming certified and it's a great wreck to dive.
You might be interested to know Wisconsin hides more shipwrecks than most oceans so there are plenty of wrecks to dive.
Harbor Park
5501 Calabria Way, Kenosha
If there's one thing Kenosha is no longer lacking in it's beautiful parks!
HarborPark - a neighborhood - is the epicenter of Kenosha’s beautifully redeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline, encompassing 69 acres and offering an abundance of public activities. Celebration Place at HarborPark’s eastern edge is home to many festivals and events during the summer months and you’ll also find a lakeside promenade, a vintage streetcar line, unique attractions, fishing from the shore, and much more to enjoy year-round.
Children enjoy the free splash pad area, located south of 56th Street. Visitors to it may park in the Southport Marina parking lot, at 57th Street and Third Avenue. It's open Memorial Day through mid-September. Contact the City parks department with questions: 262-653-4080. There's also a nearby playground.
Attractions in HarborPark include:
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Celebration Place (green space where outdoor events are held)
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Navy Memorial Park
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Southport Marina Tot Park
Southport Marina Tot Park
Admission to HarborPark is FREE.
HarborMarket
Be sure to browse the HarborPark open air HarborMarket while you're there!
Held Saturdays May 2 - Oct 31, 9 am to 2 pm. It's fun to stroll through this market. Find local fruits & vegetables, meat, poultry, cheese, eggs, dog treats, artisan breads, baked goods, pantry staples, honey, prepared foods & beverages, soaps & body care products, arts & crafts, live music and more! FREE admission.
Rent A Duck
The Kenosha Community Sailing Center (5130 4th Ave.) is located on the harbor and rents kayaks, fishing kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and duck themed pedal boats to use in the harbor.
The duck boats will hold 4 people (Max weight: 550 lbs.) and must include at least one adult. There is a $50 fee if you enter the channel so stay in the assigned harbor area.
Rental: 45 Minutes $8 Kid/$12 Adult You must book your rental in advance online.
Kemper Center
6501 3rd Ave, Kenosha
Kemper Center, Inc. has roots dating to 1861, the year Senator Charles Durkee built his lake front home, The Durkee Mansion. Eventually Senator Durkee was appointed the governor for the Utah territory and transferred the property to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, who entrusted the Sisters of St. Mary to operate a girls seminary and school. By 1875 the school was renamed Kemper Hall, and shortly after the turn of the century the sisters had overseen an expansion that included: classrooms, dormitories, cafeteria, study hall, library, convent, rectory, bakery, observatory, and chemistry lab.
The school no longer saw a way forward and closed in 1975. While many developers had ideas of razing and redeveloping the lakefront property, others found a way to preserve the rich history for future generations. Penny Enroth and a group of concerned alumnae and neighbors formed Kemper Center, Inc., and raised enough funds to purchase the property. Kemper Center, Inc., presented the building and grounds to the Kenosha County Park system and leased the facilities to operate an historic cultural center on behalf of Kenosha County Parks.
There are 3 buildings you can tour at Kemper:
While at the historic lakefront Kemper Center, enjoy the outdoor mosaic on the side of the Kady B. Faulkner building. The mosaic is made from items found on a nearby beach. FREE (To view the mural)
Originally a bakery for altar bread, this building now commemorates the artistic contributions of Kady B. Faulkner through a distinctive outdoor mural.
The Kemper Center Grand Tour in Kenosha, WI, which includes touring Kemper Hall and Durkee Mansion, is $5 per person for ages 6 and up. Ages 3 and under are free.
This drop‑in style tour runs from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and features guided tours, a kids’ scavenger hunt (with a free Culver’s ice cream prize), souvenirs, refreshments, and a family photo booth. Alumnae of Kemper Hall share personal stories about the school’s history.
Civil War Museum
5400 1st Ave, Kenosha
The Museum focuses on the Civil War from the perspective of the people of the seven states of the upper middle west: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Replica train car
This museum took interactive to a whole new level. Sit down next to any of the not too creepy looking mannequin passengers in the replica train car and he/she will yack your ear off, telling you all about his/her life during the Civil War. (Thank the good Lord the not too creepy looking mannequins aren't animatronic!)
Live reenactors further bring the museum to life portraying real people, using personal letters and papers written by and about the person they portray.
In addition, the 360 degree film, “Seeing the Elephant” offers a one of a kind experience that you won’t forget. The saying "Seeing the Elephant" referred to how Civil War soldiers described their first time experiencing battle.
This film is a must see! It's incredibly well done.
Entrance cost: Entrance to the museum is donation-based, but there’s a fee to enter the Fiery Trial exhibit and watch the 360-degree movie. It’s $9 for non-residents and $5 for residents of Kenosha. It’s free for those aged under 15 years when in the company of a paying adult.
Don't miss the upstairs area if you have kids. There's a play area where they can dress in Civil War garb, play with Lincoln logs, play a Civil War game and more.
Dinosaur Museum
The FREE Dinosaur Discovery Museum takes you on a journey through time, discovering how dinosaurs evolved over millions of years. Be sure the kids say hi to “Little Clint,” the smallest T. rex ever discovered!
The dinosaur skeleton exhibits even have soundscape so you can hear what the dinosaurs sounded like. Kid's can do their own dino dig to unearth dinosaur fossils and the basement has a play area for kids, as well as a research laboratory where you can watch the paleontologists work on specimens.
There’s no entry fee, but donations are appreciated.
Kenosha Public Museum
5500 1st Ave, Kenosha
One of the highlights of the Kenosha Public Museum is its focus on two mammoths that were discovered right in Kenosha County.
Hebior Mammoth, the largest and most complete mammoth ever excavated
There are also several dioramas of Native Americans who lived at the same time, carving up a mammoth for food and other uses.
On the second floor is a collection of art including some magnificent watercolors.
Highlights also include taxidermy animals from six different ecosystems (including a life-size polar bear) and interactive games that appeal to all ages.
Admission to the Kenosha Public Museum is FREE.
Open daily 10 am to 10 pm.
Kenosha History Center
220 51st Pl, Kenosha
Museum on Kenosha’s harbor features the history of Kenosha County, including its early settlement and industrial history. Upon entering, you’re greeted by a nostalgic display of timeless toys that generations have cherished.
Visit the Yesteryear Gallery – from settlement to 1900 see how Kenosha County developed and grew. See the Upson Oxcart, a Barn Raising & Fanning Mill, Blacksmith Shop, Railroad Depot, General Store, Barbershop, One Room School, and more. Learn about Christopher Latham Sholes and the Bain Wagon Company. The Lyman Gallery in the lobby features various shop fronts, including a Photography Studio, a Millenary, and more.
In the Rambler Legacy Gallery – see how Kenosha’s auto-making legacy shaped history through the 20th Century. Displays on the perimeter of the gallery include
replicas of Thomas B Jeffery building, 1896 Fire Station No 4, and a Dentist office from the Willowbrook Sanitarium. Also see the permanent exhibit: Kenosha’s "Lost Industries" from 1850s thru 1970s.
There's also a hands-on area for kids to explore and play in. From light tables to building blocks to books and stuffed animals. There are lots of things to touch, feel and play with here!
Admission to the museum is FREE.
Open Tues.-Fri. 10am-4:30pm, Sat. 10am-4pm, Sun. 12-4pm
Kenosha has a total of eight parks in the Kenosha County Parks system, offering over 1,500 acres of managed recreational land. Additionally, the City of Kenosha has 70 park and conservation sites, covering approximately 1,000 acres of land.
Dream Playground at Petzke Park
2820 14th Ave, Kenosha
The 15,000- square-foot Dream Playground opened in October of 2015 as the City's first fully accessible playground.
Highlights of the playground include:
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2 bird nest swings
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Wheelchair swing (requires a key to operate – contact Parks at 262-653-4080 for more information)
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Accessible merry-go-round
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Adaptive side-by-side swings
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Braille and sign language alphabets
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Non-electrostatic slides
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Poured-in-place flooring for easier maneuverability
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Separate play areas for ages 2-5 and ages 5+
The playground incorporates elements of the Kenosha community, such as:
Lighthouses and ships
1960s Rambler replica
Local storefronts
Trolley car
Jelly bean-shaped stepping stones
The Dream Playground at Petzke Park is open April - November from sunrise to 8p.m. (or as posted).
Admission to the park is FREE.
During posted hours in the summer months, there are outdoor swimming pools in two city parks:
Quickly find details HERE
In addition to the pools, Kenosha offers splash pads, providing a fun and free way for children and families to stay cool during the summer months. The splash pads operate daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer. The exception is the splash pad at Anderson Park, which is open during pool hours only. Splash pads are located at:
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Anderson Park Pool, 8730 22nd Avenue
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Horizon Park, 6598 112th Avenue
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Roosevelt Park, 6801 34th Avenue
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Schulte Park, 4400 87th Place
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Southport Marina Park, 5707 3rd Avenue, at the edge of HarborPark
Petrifying Springs
Photo credit: Thomas Corrao
I couldn't even begin to count the hours my friends and I spent in Petrifying Springs park - or "Pets" as everyone in Kenosha calls it.
Urban legends have a way of captivating the imaginations of people, especially children, and leaving a lasting impact on their psyche. The tale of the Witch’s House in the woods of Petrifying Springs Park is just such a legend — one that has become an integral part of the city’s folklore and a source of fascination for children and adults alike.
Recently, my curiosity kicked in after reading a comment on Facebook about Petrifying Springs. The commenter was asking if anyone remembered the Witch’s House. Many people responded saying that they did and that it scared the heck out of them as a kid.
Deep in the wood lots of Petrifying Springs, there’s a structure that has become a legend among Kenoshans. It’s most known as the Witch’s House, but sometimes as the Witch’s Castle. Its ominous presence has long been a source of fear and intrigue, particularly among children who dare to venture too close. To them, the Witch’s House is a foreboding structure that has a dark history steeped in mystery.
The Witch’s House stands in an area of Petrifying Springs Park that was once heavily wooded. The building, made of wood and stone, stands back off the road at the base of a ridge that’s covered with a mix of hardwood trees. In the 1930s when the structure was built, it housed a pump, but to a child it is not inconceivable that it would have appeared to be a cottage, not unlike the witch’s cottage from the story of “Hansel and Gretel.”
Legend has it that a witch once lived in the house, using it as a base for her dark deeds. She was said to kidnap children that wandered through the woods when they got too close to her house for her liking. Once in her clutches, she would use her black magic to cast a spell trapping them inside of tree burls, where they would be lost forever. To this day if you walk the trails around the park, you will find many trees with large unexplained burls and some of them even look like they have faces.
Photo credit: Thomas Corrao
We believed that urban legend hook, line and sinker as kids. I made numerous visits to the witch's house - only to discover that which had a sense of foreboding as a kid was actually a pump house, housing the irrigation pumps for the nearby golf course. When the pumps kicked on at night they sounded like a witch howling - which I imagine is how of we kids came to believe it was a witch's house.
Of course, back in my day Pets wasn't as developed as it is now. The witches house was in a deeply wooded area, there was one playground with a few swings and a metal slide that would scorch your butt off on hot summer days and a creek overflow on the entry road that we kids would stand in, trying to get as wet as possible from the splashing of the cars driving through it.
Today, the "Witch's House" structure stands at the back of a clearing and has been incorporated into one of the park’s picnic pavilions. The wooden entrance door even looks like what you would expect to find on such a spooky cottage except today there is a metal screen door to keep unwanted visitors out.
If you would like to venture out to the park for a hike with your children, you can find the Witch’s House in the back of the picnic area called Pavilion #7 on the north end of the park. And pass on the urban legend of the witch's house to your kids. It would be a shame to let such a great urban legend die!
Today Pet's is an all-in-one park that has a huge play area for children, a river where you can go fishing, hiking trails, a golf course, a dog park, a volleyball sand court, and a Biergarten.
Entrance cost: Entrance for the park is $2 per day for residents of Kenosha and $5 for non-residents.
Watch out for that witch while you're there!
Washington Park
1901 Washington Road, Kenosha
Washington Park features Washington Pool (zero-depth entry, splash fountain and water slides), the country’s oldest operating velodrome for bike racing, and a 9-hole golf course. Also, playground, basketball, tennis courts, picnic areas, sledding and skateboarding.
The facility provides a variety of family-friendly amenities: a zero-depth entry pool with interactive water features, a 200-foot water slide, a drop slide, a diving board, deck chairs, and umbrella tables.
The Washington Park Velodrome opened in 1927 and is the oldest operating velodrome in the country. It’s the only track in the state. It’s a 333 meter track with 28 degree banked corners. The track has produced many National, Olympic and World Champions over the years. In 2015-2016 the velodrome had a much needed renovation, changing the surface to concrete and increasing the corner banking.
Racing:
June-August: Monday Night Stock Bike Racing. This is the introduction to track bike racing. Riders as young as three years old bring their stock bike and a helmet and give track racing a try. Generally geared to younger riders, adults are also welcome to race.
May-August: Tuesday Night Racing is the premier night of racing at the velodrome. Bike racers from around the Midwest come to compete in various endurance and sprint events with speeds reaching 35-40 mph in these exciting races.
Spectators are always welcome to watch and admission is FREE on “the hill” for any night of racing.
Note: Kenoshans refer to Washington Park and the Velodrome as "Washington Bowl".
Pike Bike Trail & Kennedy Park
Hike or bike along the 10.2-mile Pike Bike trail through the eastern edge of Kenosha County. The scenic trail runs along points of interest including three National Register Historic Districts, Lake Michigan, two historic lighthouses, recreational opportunities, Poerio Nature Center and more.
Kenosha Area Transit has bicycle racks on its buses. So now you can take your bike on the bus to your favorite trail!
Sheridan Road and 7th Avenue, Kenosha
The trail is FREE to ride.
If at all possible, make every attempt to visit Kenosha while the Bristol Rennaisance Faire is taking place.
You won't be sorry you did. This Faire is a blast! Plan on spending the day there.
Be transported back in time and experience 'all the fun of the faire' in Bristol's annual Renaissance Faire. Be entertained by jugglers, jesters, aerialists, and acrobats, and watch knights battle on horseback for the king's favor. Try your hand at axe-throwing, fire a cannon, and wield a crossbow before settling down for a show of fire eating, puppeteers, minstrels, and dancers. This is a festival where literally anything is possible.
Be sure to catch the jousting tournaments. They're the best part of the Faire!
You can walk around and check out all of the shops that only carry Renaissance era goods, that are handmade.
Then spend the rest of your time watching the fun shows! They have a mud wrestling show, Adult only Pub Crawls, Comedians, Acrobats, hawks and more.
The Bristol Renaissance Faire will take place from July 11 to September 7, 2026, and will be open every
Saturday and Sunday, as well as on Labor Day (Monday).
The admission cost to the Bristol Renaissance Faire is as follows:
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Adults: $30 (Box Office) | $46.91 (Online) | $36 (Menards - Best Deal!).
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Children (5-12 years): $15.
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Discounts: Available for seniors (62+), military personnel, and other special promotions.
You want to get to the Faire shortly before it opens to get a good parking space and avoid long lines.
Kenosha Comedy Club
5125 6th Ave, Kenosha
Kenosha has its own Comedy Club where you will see two opening comedians plus a national touring headliner for 90 minutes on Friday and Saturday nights. Make a night out of it in downtown Kenosha with dinner at one of the many downtown restaurants and then walk over to the Comedy Show or there's there was drink and food service during the show.
Cost: Tickets start at $16 each – check site for details based on show
Hours: Friday and Saturday nights – check site for times of shows.
Website: http://www.kenoshacomedyclub.com/
Visit Thompson's Farm
The Thompson family and my family go waaaaasy back to when they still owned the apple orchard before UW Parkside bought up the orchard land to build my alma mater there.
Then Chuck (Thompson) switched gears and went into strawberry farming. Now their son Jeff runs the farm in Bristol, right next to Kenosha.
You won't find better strawberries anywhere and we kids loved picking strawberries at Thompson's. You can also pick sunflowers, raspberries, and pumpkins (in season).
But that's not all Thompson's offers that kids will love! They have a 4 acre adventure park just for kids!
✨ Two Huge Bounce Pillows
🛝 Giant Tube Slide *Improved Design in 2025!
🧗 Low Ropes Course
🛢️ Rat Racers - NEW in 2025!
🏀 Gravity Wagon Basketball
🚲 Tricycle Track
🌾 Huge Bale Pyramid & Giant Bale Chair
🎠 Large Wooden Playground
🐰 Barnyard Bouncers - NEW in 2025!
🎯 Yard Games & Tug of War
📸 Fun Photo Ops Everywhere
🍻 Beer Garden (Weekends Only for Fall Festival)
🧺 Shady Picnic Tables & Open Grass Areas
👨👩👧👦 Expression Swingset
Strawberries are located at:
6521 156th Ave.
Bristol, WI 53104
Sunflowers, Raspberries, Pumpkins & Adventure Farm are located at:
7825 144th Ave.
Bristol, WI 53104
Visit Cooper's
Cooper's Uptown. 2401 60th St, Kenosha.
If you're familiar with Kenosha then you'll recognize Cooper's as the former Andrea's, Cooper's still carries a varied line of high quality gifts just as Andrea's did. And they still have great food and have retained the soda fountain look.
Free Concerts
Enjoy the Music at Twilight concert series on the lawn of Anderson Arts Center: June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, and August 25. FREE
Tuesdays At The Shell happens at the Sesquicentennial Bandshell in Pennoyer Park along Lake Michigan, July 7 through September 1. FREE
Bristol Woods Park is the setting for Bristol Woodstock. The concert series happens on Wednesday evenings from June 10 through August 12. FREE
It’s a tradition! Spend your Wednesday evening with the Kenosha Pops Concert Band at the Sesquicentennial Bandshell, June 17 through August 5. FREE
Lincoln Park Live happens at picturesque Lincoln Park on select Wednesdays: July 8, July 22, August 5, and August 19. FREE
Enjoy the Rhythm on the Lake Concert Series on Thursday evenings at Old Settlers Park, June 11 through August 13. FREE
Enjoy a serving of PB&J! Peanut Butter & Jam is a concert series on Thursdays, July 9 through August 27, at Veterans Memorial Park. FREE
Water Ski Show
Enjoy an Aquanut Water Show. The award-winning water ski show team performs on Lake Mary, most Wednesdays and Saturdays, May 23 through September 5. FREE
“Fill the Hill” on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Watch bicycle races at the Washington Park Velodrome. Built in 1927, it’s the nation’s oldest operating velodrome. FREE
Go fly a kite! You’ll see gigantic show kites in the sky at the Outta Sight Kite Flight, which is June 6-7 at Kennedy Park. FREE
Enjoy Movie Night in the Park at Petrifying Springs Park. This takes place on Fridays, June 19 through August 21. FREE
Petrifying Springs Movie in the Park
The Kenosha History Center presents its fourth annual Kenosha Taco Fest on June 26 at Kennedy Park. FREE admission
Don’t miss Kenosha’s patriotic celebrations. The Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade is June 28, while Celebrate America is July 2-4 with the fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Libertyfest happens in Twin Lakes. July 3 includes a festival and fireworks; July 4 is the parade.
Carhop service continues to this day in Kenosha! Get a taste of nostalgia with your order. The Spot Drive-In is open year-round. Big Star Drive-In is seasonal; get there before Labor Day. Prices vary
The Picnic in the Park event will be held on August 15 at Petrifying Springs Park. This event includes live music, family activities, and concessions. FREE admission
“Fun For The Whole Herd” is the theme of this year’s Kenosha County Fair, August 19-23. Every day is Senior Day! Seniors (65+) get in for $8.
Kenosha is a foodies paradise! You'll find just about any type of cuisine in K Town and several unique restaurants.
Frank's Diner
Have breakfast at what was once Kenosha's best kept secret - at least until everyone from morning news anchors to national food critics got wind of it.
Now you'll wait in line to get a seat.
But it's oh so worth it!
The interior of the diner is actually a railroad car with kitschy decor, including a sign that says SHUT UP AND EAT.
That's what's great about Frank's...the amount of food you receive is equal to the amount of sass that goes with it.
As they'd say at Frank's Diner "Welcome to Frank's, Sweetheart. Grab a stool, loosen your belt, and don’t get fancy. This ain’t no kale smoothie joint."
Frank's is noted for its Garbage Plate - 5 eggs mixed into a combination of hash browns, green peppers and onions. Add meat(s) (ham, bacon sausage, chorizo, Spam) or their homemade corned beef hash. Add your cheese(s). If you'd like a little zip, add jalapeño peppers.
You can order a half plate (will feed 2) if unable to pack it away like an NFL defensive end on the brink of starvation.
Their pancakes are the size of the steering wheel on your car.
Frank's has been a Kenosha institution since 1929 and has fed such notables as Guy Fieri and even the 3 Stooges.
508 58th St, Kenosha
The Garage
3001 60th St, Kenosha.
As Jay put it, "It's COOL inside there!"
You'll swear you're eating inside of a high end garage, right down to the Snap On Tools napkin holders on the tables.
But the quirky decor is not the only thing that makes the garage a great restaurant!
The Garage advertises it has the best burgers in town. I won't disagree, their burgers are a force to be reckoned with - and a very unique force to be reckoned with at that!
They've come up with burger creations I'd never even heard of before!
You can also Build Your Own Burger and they'll make your burger to your specifications.
Beef Burger stuffed with
cheese curds
Taco Burger
White Wall Hula Burger
(Hawaiian style)
For an added bonus, go on Wednesday nights for Bingo night.
Hours
Mon 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tue 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sun 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Ruffalo's Special Pizza 2
3931 45th St, Kenosha
There are any number of great pizza joints in Kenosha (Villa De Carlo, Casa Capri, Luigi's to name a few) but none can measure up to Ruffalo's pizza in my book.
Their authentic Italian dishes capture the flavors that generations have perfected in their kitchen. From Pizza to Fish, Ruffalo's has something for the entire family. I've never once had a bad meal there regardless of what I ordered.
HOURS
Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 4-9pm
Thursday 4-9pm
Friday 4-9pm
Saturday 11am-9pm
Tenuta's
3203 52nd Street, Kenosha
Visit Tenuta's just once and you'll be addicted. Whenever my brother comes up to visit, I have him bring me goodies from Tenuta's even after all of these years being away from Kenosha.
Tenuta's is a combination deli and grocery store featuring products they home make or that are from Italy.
Their marinara sauce is fantastic.
The Spot Drive In
2117 75th St, Kenosha
The Spot Drive-In was our high school hangout. It's a typical old fashioned drive-in, sans the waitresses still delivering food on roller skates - although they still deliver the order to your car and hang it on your window.
If you want a mouthwatering burger and a root beer whirl you will want to check out The Spot Drive-In. It's a Kenosha classic!
Waterfront Restaurant
3322 Sheridan Rd, Kenosha.
Love everything about Waterfront Warehouse - the ambiance, the service, the food - especially the Greek fries -
Waffle fries topped with homemade tzatziki (cucumber) sauce, imported Greek feta, Kalamata olives, organic Greek olive oil, chives, oregano and garnished with lemon wedges. 11.99
Add diced chicken or gyro meat for an additional 4.99
They have a great diverse menu and prices are reasonable by today's standards. They serve both lunch and dinner.
Hours:
Sunday - Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
Mars Cheese Castle
Before you hop onto Hwy. 50, to come into Kenosha you might want to make a pit stop at Mars Cheese Castle.
Mars Cheese Castle is located at 2800 W Frontage Rd, Kenosha, along I-94 along Interstate 94. It is situated between Milwaukee and Chicago, making it a popular stop for travelers.
Mars Cheese Castle has scrumptious cheese, meats, bakery, spreads, gift boxes and popcorn. You might want to grab a few treats to munch on!
Oliver's Bakery
3526 Roosevelt Rd, Kenosha
For years there's been a running debate as to which Kenosha baker is better - Oliver's or Paeillies.
Oliver's was a couple of buildings away from my dad's practice so we were in Oliver's every day to satisfy our sweet tooth cravings. Absolutely everything Oliver's makes is nothing short of scrumptious - from cakes to donuts to kringles to cookies.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Oliver's.
As you've seen a trip to Kenosha is very budget friendly, most attractions being low cost or free. And there's plenty to see and do that's both kid and adult friendly!