Top 13 Things to do in Kenosha, Wisconsin for Every Visitor
Looking for your next Midwest road trip complete with outdoor adventure, a delicious food scene, and lakeside views? Look no further than Kenosha, Wisconsin. Located along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, Kenosha combines small-town charm with lakefront beauty.
Sam and I recently spent a jam-packed weekend exploring as much as we could of this impressive Lake Michigan community. I started the trip not sure what to expect, and left wishing I had more time to spare.
This post covers the best things to do in Kenosha for every visitor, from museums and markets to beaches and hiking trails.
And just a heads up that my trip to Kenosha was graciously hosted by Visit Kenosha, but all recommendations, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
When you make purchases through the links in my post, I may earn commissions at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As always, I only provide links to products and services I recommend. Read my full disclosure here.
Where is Kenosha & How to Get There:
Kenosha is located along the shores of Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin. It’s important to note that Kenosha is both the city and the county. The city is about 45 minutes south of Milwaukee, WI and 90 minutes north of Chicago, IL.
Kenosha is easily accessed via I-94/I-41, making it a great road trip destination. The city also has a Metra station that can transport visitors to and from Chicago.
If you are flying to the area, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) or the Chicago-area Airports (Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW)) are your best options.
Best Things to do in Kenosha:
Museums:
Kenosha Public Museum
5500 1st Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
Established in 1933, the Kenosha Public Museum is a natural sciences and fine and decorative arts museum with over 80,000 collection pieces.
The museum is highly interactive and kids LOVE exploring the exhibits. I visited the museum right as it opened on a Saturday morning and was so impressed with the number of kids who ran through the museum doors, straight to the exhibit entrance.
The museum’s main permanent exhibit takes visitors from the 1600s to the modern world, exploring ecosystems, artwork, and specimens along the way. The highlight for me was seeing the fossils of the woolly mammoth that was actually excavated in Kenosha County.
The museum is free to visit, although a $5 donation is suggested.
Dinosaur Discovery Museum
5608 10th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
Dinosaurs, birds, and fossils, oh my! At the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, both kids and adults explore the link between meat-eating dinosaurs and birds. While I ran out of time during my trip to check out this awesome spot, I had to add it because it comes highly recommended by locals and visitors alike.
The Dinosaur Discovery Museum collaborates with the Carthage Institute of Paleontology to present current, ongoing research through field study, interactive exhibits, and dinosaur skeletons.
The dinosaur-lover in your family will never want to leave this museum. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12pm until 5pm, and general admission is free.
Civil War Museum
5400 1st Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
The Civil War Museum is located on Kenosha’s scenic lakefront and provides a unique perspective of the Civil War from the people of the seven states of the upper middle west (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio). I was shocked to learn that these seven states sent over one million people to serve for the union army.
Sam is a huge history buff (he was a poli-sci major afterall) and absolutely loved this museum. He thought it was really well done and showcased a fascinating perspective.
Admission to the main exhibit is $15 per adult and $8 per youth age 12-17. There are discounts available for seniors and military/veterans. Parking for visitors is free in the lot behind the main entrance.
Kenosha History Center
220 51st Pl, Kenosha, WI 53140
The best spot to learn about Kenosha’s automotive and industrial past is the Kenosha History Center. Located on Simmons Island, this spot features three exhibit galleries, a gift shop, and archives.
Many of the items in the museum are donated by Kenosha locals and are really cool to see. I love the collection of dealer data brochures and books from as far back as the 1970s. I find it amazing that in some regards, not much has really changed in 50 years – people still focus on car upgrades like color, material, and style.
The museum does not have an admission fee, although donations are encouraged.
Southport Light Station Museum
5117 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
Part of the Kenosha History Center, the Southport Light Station Museum includes the Southport lighthouse, lightkeeper’s residence, and the surrounding grounds.
The museum is located in the lightkeeper’s residence and includes incredible ship models, details on local ship wrecks, and the history of the lighthouse.
I had the chance to speak with one of the current keepers, Ronald Luttrell, during my visit, and he is a wealth of lighthouse knowledge. If you have any questions, make sure you ask.
You can also climb the 72 stairs to the top of the Southport Lighthouse for $10 per person. I highly recommend doing this if you are able. It’s so cool to see the inside of the lighthouse, and the views are amazing. It was a bit overcast on the day I visited, but Ronald shared that on a clear day you can see the Chicago skyline – how amazing!
Outdoor Beaches, Parks, and Activities:
Simmons Island Beach and Kenosha Beach House
5001 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
If you only have time for one beach during your visit to Kenosha, it should be Simmons Island Beach. It’s a very popular destination in the summer, and for good reason.
The park and beach is free for all to enjoy (and so is parking!!), and the Kenosha Beach House provides yummy concessions, an on-site beer garden, gift shop, and rentals like beach chairs, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Seriously, the views are so good you’ll never want to leave this Lake Michigan slice of heaven.
Chiwaukee Prairie and Kenosha Sand Dunes
8228 7th Ave, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
A little ways from downtown Kenosha you’ll find a beautiful spot full of wildflowers, Lake Michigan views, and sand dunes – Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area. Recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service, this state natural area contains a wide variety of plant and animal species.
I visited in mid-July and the prairie was full of beautiful, colorful wildflowers. However, my favorite part of the state natural area were the Kenosha Sand Dunes which are located at the northernmost portion of the prairie.
You can hike through the sand dunes (I recommend starting at Southport Park & Beach) where you’ll enjoy views of Lake Michigan on one side, tall trees on the other, and amazing sand dunes in between. There is no charge to explore the dunes.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area
26313 Burlington Rd, Kansasville, WI 53139
Although technically in Kansasville, Wisconsin, not Kenosha, Richard Bong State Recreation Area is located about 30 minutes northwest of the city and is absolutely worth the drive. The park offers over 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, lakes for water activities and fishing, and campsites.
If you only have time for one trail, check out the 0.7-mile nature trail right near the visitor center. The trail is beautiful, peaceful, and incredibly kid-friendly with numerous stations to “build” things, explore with water, and climb.
An annual WI State Park Vehicle Admission Pass is required to visit Richard Bong State Recreation Area, or you can purchase a daily pass at the entrance.
Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum
880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144
Located about 15 minutes northwest of downtown Kenosha, Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum is a must-visit spot during your visit to the area. Hawthorn Hollow is completely free to visit and provides almost 5 miles of hiking trails, an arboretum, and an observatory.
The property is so well-designed. You could spend hours exploring the trails, searching for wildlife from the observation blind, or visiting the pet cemetery.
Hawthorn Hollow is a highlight of any trip to Kenosha for my fellow nature-lovers out there.
Unique Spots & Shops:
Shops & Restaurants Downtown
Downtown Kenosha
Downtown Kenosha has it all – beautiful lake views, shops, restaurants, bars, and museums. One could easily spend an entire weekend enjoying all that the downtown area has to offer.
My favorite part about downtown? Free parking! There are no parking meters and the downtown lots are also free. Park your car and take the low-cost, electric streetcar for a fun and easy way to explore the area.
Kenosha’s Electric Street Car
Downtown Kenosha
You need to ride the electric, pollution-free streetcar at least once if you’re in Kenosha. In the early 1900s, the streetcar was a regular mode of transportation in Kenosha, and today it operates a two-mile loop route from the Metra Station to Southport Marina.
The streetcar runs every 15 minutes during operating hours and it’s so fun to see it pull up to the stops. The city currently has seven streetcars that were refurbished and relocated from Toronto, Ontario and Philadelphia, PA.
While the streetcar operates year-round, it does have very limited hours in the winter months of January and February. Exact fare is required when boarding, and current fares are as follows:
– 4 & under: Free
– 5 to 12: $.50
– 13 and older: $1
– All day pass: $3.50 per person
Mars Cheese Castle
2800 W Frontage Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144
A visit to the Mars Cheese Castle should be on every Kenosha itinerary. This iconic Wisconsin shop is filled with products local to the state, and of course plenty of cheese.
Stop in to restock your shelves, grab snacks for your road trip or find your newest food addiction. Those with more time can grab a drink and food from the tavern, or head to the food court for a quick snack. I’ve heard their grilled cheese sandwiches are to die for!
Mars Cheese Castle is definitely one of Wisconsin’s more unique shops, and it’s one of the coolest things to do in Kenosha.
HarborMarket
2nd Ave &, 56th St, Kenosha, WI 53140
Founded in 2003, the Kenosha HarborMarket takes place year-round every Saturday and is one of the top things to do in Kenosha. The market is held outdoors near the marina and museums from May through October, and indoors at the Women’s Club of Kenosha from November through April.
During the summer market months, over 100 vendors come out each Saturday selling fresh produce, meats, artwork, and more. It’s a great spot to grab breakfast or lunch (maybe even both!), while enjoying the Lake Michigan views as you browse.
Conclusion:
Kenosha is a must-visit Wisconsin harbor town. If you’re like me and obsessed with these lakefront communities, consider visiting some of my other favorites, including Sheboygan, Door County, Ashland, and Bayfield. Do you have a favorite Wisconsin Harbor Town?
