Here are 9 Milwaukee things to check off your summer bucket list (2024)

Summer always seems to be the fastest season in Milwaukee.

As a result, Wisconsinites flock outside in the fleeting nice weather to fill up on fresh air before spending more time inside during the cold months.

There is a lot to check out during a Milwaukee summer, but here are nine must-dos to check off your bucket list this summer.

Beach day

Milwaukee's beach season is short. Take advantage of one of thebeautiful beaches on Lake Michigan or elsewhere in southeastern Wisconsin while you can.

VisitBradford Beach,2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, for a lively spot with volleyball nets and tiki bars.

For a quieter beach that also has volleyball nets, visitGrant ParkBeach,100 E. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee, hidden in a woodsy park better known for its popular Seven Bridges hiking trail.

Or visit Atwater Park,4000 N.Lake Drive,Shorewood, for a beach with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan.

More: Here are beaches you can visit in the Milwaukee area and other parts of southeastern Wisconsin this summer

Beer garden

Check out a new park or restaurant by visiting a beer garden before the summer is over.

One good option is Milwaukee County'sTraveling Beer Garden. The beer garden, which is put on by Milwaukee County Parks and Sprecher Brewery, travels to different parks in the county throughout the summer. Here are the this years' dates:

• May 17-29: Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124th St., West Allis
• May 31-June 11: Froemming Park, 8801 S. 51st St., Franklin
• June 14-25: Cooper Park, 8701 W. Chambers St., Milwaukee
• June 28-July 9: Grant Park, 100 E. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee
• July 12-23: Lake Park, 2975 N. Lake Park Road, Milwaukee
• July 26-Aug. 6: McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland Ave., West Allis
• Aug. 9-Aug. 27: Doctors Park, 1870 E. Fox Lane, Fox Point
• Aug. 30 to Sept. 4: Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Drive, Cudahy

More: Milwaukee-area beer garden 2023 guide

Concert series

There are dozens of weekly free outdoor music concerts in Milwaukee during the summer.

Visit popular Washington Park Wednesdays(6 p.m., Washington Park, 1859 N. 40 St.) orBay View's Chill on the Hill on Tuesdays (6:30 p.m., Humboldt Park).

There are also many in the suburbs, including Brews & Bites Tuesdays at Konkel Park, 5151 W Layton Ave., Greenfield, and Tosa Tonight on Thursdays at Hart Park Rotary Performance Pavilion, 1190 N. 70th St., Wauwatosa.

Cruise the Milwaukee River

Enjoy views of downtown Milwaukee from a new angle by hitting the water on Lake Michigan or one of Milwaukee's three rivers.

There are many ways to voyageMilwaukee's waterways, from renting kayaks from the Milwaukee Kayak Companyto Edelweiss cruiseboats that can hold up to 145 passengers.

There are also various boat rental companies and other unique ways to cruise Milwaukee's waters, like vintage and "donut" boats.

Boaters can stop at various bars and restaurants with waterfront access including Barnacle Bud, The Harp, and Lakefront Brewery.

More: Here are 13 waterfront patios in Milwaukee to enjoy when the weather allows

Farmers markets

Youhave a little more time to complete this activity as many farmers markets open in spring and run through fall, and there are a few farmers marketsin the winter, too.

Still, don't miss your chance to buy fresh summer goods from local farmers.

Enjoy shopping in parks around southeastern Wisconsin,like the farmers market at Cathedral Squarefrom 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, or the Tosa Farmers Market along the Oak Leaf Trail, 7720 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

More: A guide to Milwaukee area farmers markets open in 2023

Festivals

It wouldn't be a Milwaukee summer without a different street, ethnic or church festival every weekend.

Milwaukee's Henry Maier Festival Park plays host to the biggest, including the world's largest music festival, Summerfest, and many other popular festivals like Pridefest, Germanfest, Irish Fest and Mexican Fiesta.

The area is also home to Wisconsin State Fair, August 3-13, at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis. Many surrounding counties have their own fairs as well.

Other popular festivals include:

• Summer Soulstice, June 17, E. North Ave. near N. Farwell Ave.
• Juneteenth Day, June 19, on King Drive between Center and Burleigh streets.
• Bastille Days, July 13-16, Cathedral Square Park
• Brady Street Festival, July 29, Brady St.

More: When and where the Milwaukee area's summer festivals and fairs are happening in 2023

Frozen custard

Sure, you can get frozen custard in the winter, but don't wait until then. Make a stop while the frozen delicacy is refreshing.

Cool offat any of the city's longstandingfrozen custard stands including Leon's,3131 S. 27th St.;Gilles,7515 W. Bluemound Road;or Kopp's, withlocations in Brookfield, Glendale andGreenfield.

More: Here are 10 Milwaukee area ice cream, frozen custard and gelato shops to check out this summer

More: Frozen custard didn’t start in Wisconsin, but it's still the custard capital

Milwaukee County Zoo

The Milwaukee County Zoo is open year-round, but more animals are out in the summer thanks to the dozens of outdoor exhibits.

During the summer, zoo-goers can enjoy the train ride that goes around the zoo through mid-October. Also during the summer, the zoo has a daily seals and sea lion show that runs from May 26 to Sept. 4.

Milwaukee County Zoo's summer exhibit in 2023 is an Ice Age exhibit.

Outdoor movies

Movies are a great winter and rainy day event, but outdoor movies area great option on a nice night as well.

There are various outdoor movie offerings throughout Milwaukee and the suburbs, including free weekly screenings atThe Corners of Brookfield, 20111 W. Bluemound Road; and the Bayshore Family Flicks series at The Yard, 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale.

Also, check out the Milky Way Drive-In, 7035 S. Ballpark Drive, Franklin, for a drive-in movie.

More: Where you can find free outdoor movies in the Milwaukee area this summer (and where you can still find drive-in movies)

Hannah Kirby, Piet Levy, Chris Foran, Amy Schwabe and Elaine Rewolinski contributed to this report.

Jordyn Noennig covers Wisconsin culture and lifestyle.Follow her on Instagram@JordynTaylor_n.Find her on Twitter @JordynTNoennig. Call her at 262-446-6601 or email Jordyn.Noennig@jrn.com.