Summer days are made for family beach days full of sand and fun in the sun!
There are nine public beaches in Milwaukee County along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and you can actually enjoy them all year round, not just in the summer months.
Here are some local beaches, listed from north to south, along with info about what you’ll find at each one.
Plus, be prepared with our Ultimate Beach Packing List for Families.
1. Doctors Park
1870 E. Fox Ln., Fox Point, WI 53217
doctorsparkfriends.org
Located north of downtown Milwaukee in Fox Point, Doctors Park is a great place for families. It boasts nearly 50 acres of natural beauty on a bluff overlooking the lake. Near the parking lot, you’ll find a playground and practice fields. From there, you can take a paved trail, stairs, or a dirt trail down to the clean beach, called Tietjen Beach. It’s the perfect length nature hike for any child 4 and up, or a baby in a carrier.
Fun Fact: Doctors Park is located on the “point” from which Fox Point gets its name.
2. Klode Park
5960 N. Lake Dr., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
wfbvillage.org
Located north of downtown Milwaukee in Whitefish Bay, Klode Park offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, a winding path down to the beach, picnic areas with picnic tables, tennis courts, open fields for running and sports, and a nice-sized playground for the kids.
Helpful hint: There’s a clean, well-kept indoor bathroom in the shelter next to the playground.
3. Big Bay Park
5000 N. Lake Dr., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
wfbvillage.org
Big Bay Park is a bit of a hidden gem. You’ll find this small and quiet oasis tucked away in Whitefish Bay. You can enjoy a scenic overlook of the water, or take the short walk down to Big Bay Beach.
4. Atwater Park
4000 N. Lake Dr., Shorewood, WI 53211
villageofshorewood.org
When you first arrive at Atwater, you’ll see a playground in the park overlooking the lake. When you’re ready to head down to the beach, you can get there via an impressively steep set of stairs, or opt for a more gentle winding path. Once there, you’ll find 800 feet of flat, open beach. You’ll be steps away from the city and shops on Capitol Drive, but the wild foliage of the tall bluff behind you will make you feel far from the city streets.
The park is also home to local family-friendly events throughout the summer, including July 4th fireworks, a Memorial Day celebration, a summer Concert Band series, and the annual Shorewood Men’s Club Chicken Barbecue.
Don’t miss it! Look for this impressive sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa of a contemplative man overlooking the beach.
5. Bradford Beach
2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53211
bradfordbeachmke.com
A popular spot for college students, Bradford Beach is bustling and boisterous. On a hot summer day, you can watch or play on any of the 35 sand volleyball courts, grab some shade in a tiki hut, or rent a cabana. There’s also a boat house building with convenient restrooms and a concession stand. Just south of the beach, don’t miss MooSa’s, a cow-themed burger and frozen custard joint.
6. McKinley Beach
1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Grab a fruit smoothie and iced coffee from local café Colectivo on the Lakefront and head north to the bay-shaped McKinley Beach in downtown Milwaukee. It’s less crowded than neighboring Bradford Beach and has a playground to wear out your little ones.
You can also catch beautiful views of the boats in McKinley Marina.
If you’re up for a walk, check out Veterans Park, just south of McKinley Beach. There’s lots of space to run, fly a kite, or enjoy the lagoon.
7. South Shore Park
2900 S. Shore Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53207
county.milwaukee.gov
On the shores of Milwaukee’s funky Bay View neighborhood, this beach offers picturesque views of South Shore Yacht Club and the downtown skyline. There’s a large playground, picnic tables, and a sand volleyball court. In the summer, you can walk to South Shore Terrace, one of Milwaukee’s newest beer gardens. However, this beach frequently closes due to bacteria levels. The Milwaukee County Parks system has implemented a green infrastructure project to improve the conditions.
8. Grant Park Beach
100 S. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee, WI 53172
county.milwaukee.gov
“Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature.”
This message, written on a sign atop a covered bridge, welcomes you to the Seven Bridges Trail in Grant Park. So it’s no wonder that there are rumors the trail is haunted. But if you head there during the day, there’s nothing spooky about it. The nature trails run along a babbling creek, and lead all the way down to Lake Michigan.
To get there, enter Grant Park at South Lake Drive and Park Avenue, and travel about 1/8 mile. On your left you will find parking spaces with a path leading to the trail’s main entrance.
9. Bender Park
4503 E. Ryan Rd., Oak Creek, WI 53154
county.milwaukee.gov
Bender Park is one of the county’s newest parks, and it feels that way. It is well-maintained, not too crowded, and spacious. It has a harbor and large boat launches, but the dramatic bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan are what steal the show.
10. North Beach
North Beach in Racine, Wisconsin is a beautiful and popular public beach located on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is often referred to as “The Crown Jewel of Racine” due to its stunning scenery and recreational opportunities.
Situated on the northeastern edge of Racine, Wisconsin, it covers approximately 50 acres of land and boasts a long stretch of sandy shoreline along Lake Michigan.
The beach offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, with its crystal-clear waters and soft, sandy shores. Visitors can enjoy picturesque sunrises and sunsets over the lake, creating a tranquil and serene atmosphere.
North Beach features a designated area called Kids Cove, which is a large playground situated adjacent to the beach. It offers various play structures, slides, and swings, providing children with additional entertainment options.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
