Milwaukee comes alive during the summer to offer residents and visitors non-stop excitement. Whether you want to enjoy a massive music festival or unwind on a sandy beach, summer in Milwaukee is the time and place to do it. Let’s look at what makes Milwaukee such an exciting summer destination.
Outdoor Adventure
Wisconsin is famous for its scenic natural settings, and although Milwaukee is quite a large city, it is still a beautiful place to explore the outdoors. This is particularly true in the summer, when the warm temperatures make your ventures much more enjoyable. Milwaukee has a diverse natural environment that includes scenic rivers, over 100 miles of multi-use trails, and a large Lake Michigan coastline.
Visitors can enjoy kayaking, sailing, and fishing on Milwaukee’s surrounding waters and even freshwater surfing on Lake Michigan. If you want to enjoy the summer sun, head to one of the many beaches around Milwaukee, such as downtown’s Bradford Beach. The city also has pleasant parks with hiking trails and picnic areas, including Back Bay Park and Wilson Park.
City Festivals and Events
Even though Milwaukee remains a busy metropolis throughout the year, most of the city’s festivals and celebrations tend to be held during summer. Milwaukee hosts massive events, centered around everything from music and art to food and culture, that draw in thousands of visitors from around the country.
Milwaukee’s biggest event of the summer is Summerfest. This is a massive music festival and one of the biggest in the country. This year’s lineup features renowned artists such as Imagine Dragons, Sheryl Crow, and Eric Church. The event also has delicious food and drinks. The Milwaukee Air and Water Show is an incredible spectacle in late July that showcases military and civilian air pilots and boaters executing jaw-dropping stunts. For art lovers, the Lakefront Festival of Art is an incredible weekend in June featuring art, food, and music.
Ideal Time to Experience the City’s Culture
Milwaukee, boasting everything from world-class museums to a superb food scene, is at its busiest in the summer. Patios are open, rooftop bars fill up, and the city comes to life as crowds of residents and visitors take advantage of the sunny weather.
There are many communities in and around Milwaukee to explore during this busy time of year. Below are some highlights:
Franksville: A pleasant area outside the city that offers a scenic place to unwind away from the busy feel of Milwaukee
Mequon: A Milwaukee suburb on the shores of Lake Michigan that has pleasant beaches to enjoy
Pewaukee: An affluent suburb based along Lake Pewaukee. It is famous as one of the top destinations in the state for anglers thanks to its large Muskie population.
Saint Francis: A quiet suburb with leafy public parks and a large slice of Lake Michigan shoreline, making it ideal for a summer stroll
Delafield: A scenic little town based near forests, rolling hills, and the deep blue waters of Nagawicka Lake
Elm Grove: A charming town that was ranked number one on Business Insider’s 2014 list of “The 50 Best Suburbs in America.” It is a quiet, relaxing place with an all-American look and quaint shops to explore.
