Summer is in full swing, and it’s time to soak in the season! Visit water parks and splash pads, check out the new Community Park in Summerfest (it’s amazing!), and see which must-visit sculptures are only here until August.
FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS
GLENDALE
Fourth of July is ON in Glendale, and they want everyone to feel welcome at their free celebration. If your community isn’t celebrating this year, and you’re looking for a spot, Kletzsch Park in Glendale is your answer.
The parade starts at 3:00, followed by a Food Truck Festival, live music from the LoveMonkeys, and the Grand Fireworks Display at dusk.
Covid Precautions are in place. It’s a no-contact event, so this year they will not have face-painting or bounce houses. There will also be additional hand-washing stations.
Parking is available on city streets, and there is an Uber/Lyft drop-off area.
Find out more at www.glendale4thofjuly.com.
FIREWORKS WATCH PARTY
Celebrate the 4th of July at The Ingleside Hotel’s FREE Fireworks Watch Party! The event will begin at 5pm in the east parking lot of The Ingleside Hotel. Live music will be performed by Phil Norby Music, starting at 6pm. There will be a variety of family fun activities throughout the event; including inflatables, yard games, giant pong, and more. The Waukesha Fireworks Show will begin at 9:30pm. Admission is free, and concessions will be available at the event.
MORE EVENTS
Check our Events Calendar for more Fourth of July happenings around town.
WATER PARKS
We’ve got the lowdown on which water parks and pools are open this year, and what you’ll find at each one. Find one near you!
DINO ENCOUNTERS AT BAYSHORE
Bayshore invites families for free family movies this summer.
Jul 28, 2021 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Yard at Bayshore
Bring your whole family and travel back in time, 65 million years to the Cretaceous period and discover the world of dinosaurs that lived right here in North America. You’ll learn about the prehistoric environment, fossil formation, species adaptation and meet five dinosaurs! Dino Encounters shows feature music, special effects, and life-like realistic dinosaur puppets to create a visually engaging, interactive, and entertaining performance! Events are free and open to the public. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Dogs are prohibited.
Plus, Bayshore is welcoming kids of all ages (and adults too!) to enjoy the FREE Family Flicks movie series playing from the Bayshore Marquee facing The Yard. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join on Wednesday evenings for fun family entertainment. Movies start at 5pm!
SPLASH PADS
Photo: Facebook, @HickoryParkSplashPad
With the recent heat wave and area schools wrapping up the academic year, it’s clear that summer is upon us! There’s no better time to hit the nearest watering hole and cool off.
SUNFLOWERS
Keep an eye on MKEwithKids.com in mid July to find out where you can see gorgeous sunflower fields in bloom (and maybe pick up some ice cream, too!).
BEACH DAY
From Doctor’s Park to Bender Park, discover all nine beaches along Lake Michigan. Read about all of them here.
MUST-VISIT PLAYGROUNDS
The new Community Park at Summerfest is now open to the public during set hours.
The brand new Community Park is now open to the public. Check out “15 Must- Visit Playgrounds Around Milwaukee.”
STATE PARKS WITHIN ONE HOUR
The sand dunes at Kohler Andrae State Park are fun for kids!
Visit the sand dunes at Kohler Andrae State Park, or climb the observation towers in Wisconsin State Parks! There’s a great tower in Lapham Peak State Park in Delafield, and at Pike Lake’s Powder Hill. We rounded up 13 State Park Within One Hour of Milwaukee to make it easy for you.
FARMER’S MARKETS
Photo: Brookfield Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Markets are in full swing! They offer a great outdoor option for families to get their shopping done, connect with local business, and in some cases, hear live music and participate in crafts and activites. Click here for a complete listing of 40+ Farmer’s Markets in Milwaukee.
BEER GARDENS
Estabrook Beer Garden. Photo: Instagram, @leahelizabethogden
By definition, a biergarten is simply an open-air space where beer and food are served. But in reality, they are so much more than that. Popular in Bavaria and Germany, beer gardens are a festive place for people to get together and delight in good food, beer, and the outdoors.
Many have popped up over the years around Milwaukee, and they are definitely family-friendly. They are set in parks, often near playgrounds, and many serve non-alcoholic options.
We do not condone alcohol abuse. Drink responsibly!
Check out all “8 Kid Friendly Beer Gardens Around Milwaukee“.
101 DAY TRIP IDEAS
Bookworm Gardens is a short car trip away, and it’s definitely worth the ride.
Plan some epic day trips for Summer 2021! From petting zoos to amusement parks, we’ve got 101 ideas for you, organized by region for maximum convenience.
LIGHTHOUSES:
Kids 5 and up can climb the tower at North Point Lighthouse in Lake Park.
Whether just down the road or a short day trip away from MKE, each of the following lighthouses has something to offer everyone in the family. Older kids will especially love climbing to the top of a tower to take in some spectacular views. Check out 6 Lighthouses To Visit Around Greater Milwaukee.
Love this content? Subscribe to our e-Newsletter.
Do you have a comment or question? Email hello@mkewithkids.com.
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.
