Wisconsin - Milwaukee Lakeshore Socially Distance Daytrip

During COVID, its important to find new things to occupy your mind and body, while maintaining social distancing and staying safe. A day trip to downtown Milwaukee is just the thing! There are a ton of great venues all along the lakeshore and visiting just one of these could become a day trip, so its best to enjoy them over several different day trips. All of the listed items are conducive to social distancing guidelines.

• Oak Leaf Trail Bike Path - My day trip started at Estabrook Park, north of downtown by a few miles, in Shorewood. There is easy access to the Oak Leaf Trail here, so I parked, and got out my bike. The Oak Leaf Trail is over 16 miles of paved trail, along an old rail line. Because of the history of the rail line, the trail is relatively flat and secluded. I biked from Shorewood all the way to the Art Museum without crossing a road!

• Lakeshore State Park -. Once downtown, I headed out to Lakeshore State Park. This is a relatively new State Park, and it has really grown and now offers all sorts of recreation opportunities. At the park, there is fishing available, spots for launching kayaks and canoes, a small nature trail, and beautiful views in every direction! There is a lighthouse to visit just north of the park, past the long fishing pier.

• Discovery World Museum - At this museum, you can and do something fun on just about every side of the building without ever going inside. On the north side of the Discovery World Museum, a vendor is there to rent paddle boats and hydrobikes, There were a lot of people enjoying the water there. On the east side of the building, you can see the Denis Sullivan three masted schooner. This beautiful ship is a great thing to see and learn about. On the west, there is a small park with interactive sculptures that are fun to play with.

• Art Museum – the Milwaukee Art Museum is a spectacular building that is just plain beautiful to look at. If you get there at the right time, you can see the “wings” open and close. Also on the art museum grounds, there is a nice fountain, and several benches where you can sit and enjoy the views of Lake Michigan.

• Wisconsin Avenue – Normally, a visit to Wisconsin Avenue would be one where you would visit restaurants and stores. During a COVID visit, however, one of the best things to do along Wisconsin Avenue, is to stroll through the Sculpture Milwaukee installations all along the road. There are some interesting, funny, odd, and beautiful sculptures to see!

• Veterans Park – At Veterans Park, which is north and adjacent to the Art Museum, you can have a picnic, and visit the Gift of Wings Kite Store to get a kite. In the same building as the kite store, at the Wheel Fun Rentals, you can rent a Surrey for up to 6 people as well as bikes. The Wheel Fun people have another site, a little west of the kite shop at the lagoon. At the lagoon location, in addition to bikes, you can rent a swan boat, kayaks or a canoe!

• Bradford Beach – The beach is located just north of Veterans Park and has all the typical beach things to enjoy – a beautiful lake, nice sand, and volleyball courts. There are a few vendors here that offer food and drink. Its location so close to all the other downtown opportunities make it a great place to stop to spend a day, or to just take a break.

• Beer Garden - After visiting the beach (and falling off my bike!), I headed back east and met up again with the Oak Leaf Trail to head back to the car. While on the way, I passed THREE open air beer gardens in the Milwaukee Parks. One was at Lake Park, one at Hubbard Park and the last one at Estabrook Park. A nice way to end the day!