Milwaukee’s location along Lake Michigan makes it the perfect destination for an urban outdoor adventure with guided sails, fishing, freshwater surfing, kayaking, and many more watery activities.
Summer may be drawing to a close, but there's still plenty of time to float, cruise, and sail before the weather changes! Make the most of the season and soak up the sun on any of Milwaukee's wonderful waterfronts.
Learn the ropes with guidance from places such as Milwaukee Community Sailing Center and Freedom Boat Club of Wisconsin providing sailing instruction and outings. Head on over to the McKinley Marina where Sea Dog Sailing welcomes you aboard a yacht for a private shoreline sail.
If boat tours are more your speed, hop aboard Milwaukee’s vessels from companies such as Edelweiss Boats, Milwaukee Boat Line, Milwaukee Duffy Boats, Kanaloa Tiki Lounge, and Riverwalk Boat Tours & Rentals. You may also consider forging your own water adventure path with equipment from Lakeshore Paddle Sport Rentals, Milwaukee Offshore Fishing Charters, and Nomad Boardsports.
Back on dry land, Milwaukee is home to 1,400 acres of beaches and parkland adjacent to the water. Milwaukee County Parks beaches along Lake Michigan — such as Bradford Beach and Warnimont Park Beach — are excellent for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing.
Take a spin with Wheel Fun Bike Rentals, then hit the trails of Lakeshore State Park, Wisconsin’s only urban state park. Head north on Lincoln Memorial Drive along Lake Michigan’s shores to fly a kite with Gift of Wings at Veterans Park or ride in a swan boat around the park’s nearby lagoon.
The Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers offer more watery getaways with the city’s three rivers perfect for boat cruises, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Allow resident waterway experts like Brew City Kayak, Milwaukee Kayak Company, and Adventure Milwaukee to guide your Milwaukee River kayaking trips. In fact, the Milwaukee County Historical Society teams up with local kayakers for guided historic river excursions. Or stroll riverside through three historic neighborhoods on The Milwaukee RiverWalk.
Time for a beverage? O.K., but you have to work for it. The Milwaukee Paddle Tavern's a floating pub powered by your group pedaling as they imbibe. For waterside eateries try Harbor House's seafood, Screaming Tuna's sushi, Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria's tacos, or Bridgewater Modern Grill's fine dining and Kinnickinnic River views. Head just outside of the city on Upper Nemabhin Lake to Panga Bar & Grill for burgers, tacos, and other outstanding food.
