Sunday, July 10, 2011
The woods, wild and water are just a part of a full day in this city.
Muskego's best face is its natural one. Featuring more than 30 miles of trails and its surface 22% lakes, spend a day walking, riding or hiking here, and relax on the beach afterward. Cap it off with a great meal from the generous front porch of an 1885 farmhouse-turned-restaurant, and the day will be one to remember, naturally. Where: Muskego is located in Waukesha County, and is just south of I-43. Access the city from the Moorland Road or Racine Avenue exits. If you're coming up from the south, its southern border is framed by Highway 36. When: Engel Conservation and the Old Settlement Centre are open dawn until dusk, as is Idle Isle Park. The Gingerbread House is open Mon - Thu, 5am - 7:30pm; Fri, Sat 5am - 10:30pm; Sun, 7am - 2pm…
Monday, June 20, 2011
Explore and learn about nature while having fun at this state facility in Kenosha County.
Roam through 4,515 acres of grassland, savanna, wetlands and woodland at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. There are 41.1 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATV and dirt bike riding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Fish off the pier, launch an electric/non-motorized boat or swim on the 200-foot beach. Visitors to the recreation area can also take advantage of special use zones to fly model airplanes, rockets, hang gliders and hot air balloons, and has space to train hunting and sled dogs, train falcons, ride horses and ATVs, and hunt in season. Want more than a day? There are 217 campsites and six group campsites, as well as a cabin for people with disabilities. Where: Richard Bong State Recreation Area…
Visit with more than 300 animal species, walk the floating boardwalk and take in the view at the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the country.
Horicon Marsh—the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the country—is the main attraction for the animals and birds you will find at this national refuge and state wildlife area. The marsh makes up 33,000 acres of the refuge, and is home or a migration rest stop for ducks, geese and other birds. Wildlife observation opportunities make activities like photography, hiking, bicycling incredibly popular around the marsh. For those who can’t get out of the car to walk around, there is a 3-mile paved driving route open during warmer months. Where: The marsh, and the federal and state wildlife refuges that surround it, is located just outside Waupun. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 22,000 acre Horicon National Wildlife …
Climb dunes and explore woodlands near Lake Michigan’s shore.
A cool breeze off Lake Michigan makes Kohler-Andrae State Park comfortable even when inland temperatures climb. And if the breeze is coming from the west, cooling off in the water is a great option. The park has a large sandy beach on the shore of Lake Michigan, dunes, woods and wetlands to explore. It is home to a variety of birds and other animals and plants, and features handicap accessible hiking options. You can rent one of 137 campsites at the park, and one handicap-accessible cabin is available. For a different experience, a canvas and pole teepee can also be rented. Where: The park is located about two miles south of Sheboygan on County Highway V, at 1020 Beach Park Lane, Sheboygan WI When: 6 a.m.-11 p.m. year round How much: …
Oak Creek park offers residents a quite place to enjoy Lake Michigan.
Oak Creek's Bender Park straddles Lake Michigan and offers gorgeous views of the lake, a sand beach, hiking trails and a six-lane boat launch. One of Milwaukee County's newest parks, Bender offers something for any resident, whether they are a boater or simply want to enjoy the lake without the hustle and bustle of Milwaukee. Where: Bender Park is on the far east side of Oak Creek, at 4600 E. Ryan Road. To get there, turn east onto Old Ryan Road off Highway 32. The road becomes gravel, but at the park gate, follow a paved road into the park. How much: Free Special treat: The bluffs make it arguably one of the best views of the lake in Milwaukee County and a great place to watch a sunrise. Phone number: (414) 762-1550 Website: http://…
You don't have to go far to enjoy the outdoors.
If you love the outdoors, Caledonia is your place, and River Bend Nature Center provides a great opportunity to explore. Located along the Root River, River Bend Nature Center is one of many green spaces we hold dear to our hearts in Caledonia. Snow shoe and cross country ski in the winter, hop in a canoe in the spring, summer, or fall. Enjoy the winding trails, ponds, and wildlife. The Root River always has its own personality depending on the season. Where: River Bend Nature Center, 3600 Green Bay Road When: Open year round from dawn until dusk. How much: Free Special treat: River Bend has Sugarin' Off Days in March, an absolute must for those with cabin fever. Phone: 262-639-0930 Website: http://www.riverbendracine.org/services.aspx …
A short drive goes a long way to environmental fun and education.
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Monday, June 20, 2011
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Family friendly nature center with over six miles of trails to hike, direct access to Lake Michigan, and TONS of events regularly. Upcoming events include the annual frogging festival, hatha yoga classes and birds of prey exhibits where you can see live birds. Where: East end of Brown Deer Road, right along Lake Michigan When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. How much: $6 Adults & $4 Children. Most families bring a sack lunch for the day. Also many local restaurants less than five minutes down Brown Deer Road. Special treat: Visitors can get within inches of birds of prey and a massive snapping turtle named Emerson. They can also hold snakes, turtles, frogs and search for many of these same animals …
One of Lake Michigan's hidden coastly gems can be found just off Lake Drive in Whitefish Bay.
If the weather is nice, take some time to bike down Lake Drive and hike down a couple flights of lannon stone stairs to take in the sights and smells of the one of the Lake Michigan shoreline's hidden treasures. While it may not be as prominent as Bradford or Atwater Beach, the beach at Big Bay Park has one of the best seats on the entire shoreline. You’re able to walk right out into the water on a stretch of beach that feels like your own, if you catch it on an off day. The 8.7-acre-park is part of the Milwaukee County Park System. To access the lakefront, either use the paved path or take the lannon-stone stairs through a more scenic, wooded area. The path follows a natural ravine from street level to the lake shore. Where: Just off of …
Upper Lake Park offers a great place for families and friends to grill out for lunch, as well as take part in a variety of free activities — including a beach.
Picturesque Port Washington offers an easy way to escape, with two beaches — north and south — as well as a marina full of activity. One great place to take the family for a getaway and enjoy the best of what Port's coastal location has to offer is by heading to Upper Lake Park. Located at the edge of the bluff overlooking north beach, Upper Lake Park has a breathtaking views of Lake Michigan on any day, rain or shine. The park is also a great place to hang out with a group of friends or have a family break together. The park has a lot of grass space, with plenty of places to set up for some frisbee tossing and other yard games. There's also charcoal grills available for cooking, and possibility playground in the park offers fun ways for …
Menomonee Park has its roots in the historic stone quarrying period of the 1800s.
Menomonee Park is the perfect getaway for the do-it-all solo adventurer or for the whole family. Whether you are into hiking, biking, horseback riding, swimming, geocaching or archery, there's a place for you at Menomonee Park. If you can't fit in all the fun in one day - no worries. There are seven group campsites and 33 family campsites you can reserve to plan a weekend retreat. Menomonee Park is 470 acres of forest, wetlands and a quarry lake. If you're a biker, there's a trailhead for the Bugline Trail that extends from downtown Menomonee Falls to the Town of Merton. The quarry lake is surrounded by a groomed beach, and is a great spot to catch some rays. There's also a section on the lake designated for scuba diving. Where: …
Margie Michicich
11:48 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
Thanks for the reminder about Kohler-Andrae State Park. We visited a few years ago and really enjoyed the Candlelight Hike along the tiki-torch lit beach after a day of swimming and picnicing. http://www.travelwisconsin.com/event_detail/Summer_Candlelight_Hike.aspx more ›