You’ve heard of America’s east and west coasts. Now, meet the Fresh Coast! Milwaukee’s location at the confluence of Lake Michigan and three rivers makes it a perfect place for watery group activities.
Head on over to the lakeside marina for a private shoreline sunset sail or forge your own path renting sailboats. Milwaukee’s sandy swimming beaches are places to chill out or play on. Volleyball anyone? Kite-flying is popular at the shoreside Veterans Park with Lakeshore State Park ideal for biking, hiking and more along the water.
The Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers running throughout the city offer more group water getaways. Milwaukee’s three rivers are perfect for boat cruises, kayaking and paddle boarding. Allow Milwaukee’s resident waterway experts to guide the group on a river ride or treat the group to a boat party with local food and brew.
Paddle on over to America’s Fresh Coast in Milwaukee.
Visit visitmilwaukee.org/bringing-a-group to learn more.
Lakeshore State Park
Only the best coastlines have a state park to boast of; Milwaukee’s is Lakeshore State Park. With 22 acres of park and 1.7 miles of trail, groups can bike and hike with shimmering waters in view. Rather stay off of dry land? A watercraft beach area is accessible by canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats. Plus, the state park has fishing areas, boat slips, overnight boat camping and festival grounds access.
Paddle Tavern
Milwaukee’s original pedal-powered party boat offers groups a fun activity combined with a scenic excursion along the Milwaukee River. Bring your own beverages and food, or make a pit stop at one of the many riverside bars on the 100-minute ride. It’s 14 people per boat with groups larger than 14 having the option to double their fun with two boats. (Psst! By the way, Milwaukee also has a pedal tavern available on dry land.)
Group kayaking
Explore downtown Milwaukee and its three rivers with group kayaking trips. Wind your way through city waterways for riverside food and beverages, while experiencing Milwaukee from a waterside seat. Kayaking companies offer a number of guided tour options for groups small and large. On certain summer days, the Milwaukee County Historical Society even offers kayaking with a bit of history on the side as groups travel up the river.
Bradford Beach
Milwaukee is home to 1,400 acres of beaches and water-adjacent parkland, and your group can enjoy them all. Take Bradford Beach for example. It’s located downtown and recognized as a top beach by the Travel Channel and USA Today. Have your group play a few rounds of beach volleyball on the sand courts, splash in the lake, sunbathe, and enjoy some concessions in the retro beach house or tiki huts.
Freshwater surfing
Milwaukee probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think about hanging 10. But this is America’s Fresh Coast after all, making Milwaukee’s Lake Michigan shoreline prime surfing territory. The more novice surfers should probably stick to the milder water and weather during the warmer months of the year. Advanced surfers can try to tackle the Great Lake in more frigid temperatures, when the wind and waves are at their strongest.
