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Our favorite summer adventures in Lake Country Wisconsin with kids
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items These are our tried and true summer adventures in Wisconsin on a single mom's travel budget. My daughter is 10 years old, she loves water, being outdoors, crafts, and day trips.
Map
Sections
7
Water fun
Day trips
Summer festivals
Outdoor adventures
Rainy summer days
Summer treats
Water fun
Wisconsin summers are short and we try to be in the water as much as possible!
I've been going to Noah's Ark for over 40 years! We get a season pass every year and we go about every other weekend during the summer. I have a Benable list on my profile just on this Water Park.
Noah's Art Waterpark
This is fun for just taking a dip in the water and its a free bee. We usually bring a friend or two.
Sussex Splash Pad at the Grove at Village Park
This is another favorite splash pad we hang at in the village of Hartland. Gotta keep the kids cool and its always fun to see our friends here.
Hartland Splash Pad • Lake Country Family Fun
This beach has quite the staircase and my daughter loves this place for endless hours building sandcastles.
Virmond Park | Ozaukee County, WI - Official Website
The water quality is not always great at this beach, so we may only swim once depending on if its ok to swim, but my daughter loves to go here and play on the playground and then walk downtown.
Oconomowoc City Beach
The pool is always nice in Cedarburg; we enjoy swimming here on hot days.
Pool | City of Cedarburg
This is our favorite local pool which we frequent probably once per week during the summer and we usually go at night after I'm done working!
Wiberg Aquatic Center | Brookfield, WI
This is a great beach that we stop at when we are on our day trips!
Sandy Beach Park - Legendary Lake Mills
This is a favorite stop for a quick afternoon dip when we are on our day trips in the Madison/Baraboo area.
Swimming at Devil’s Lake State Park - Devil's Lake State Park Area Visitor's Guide - DevilsLakeWisconsin.com
This is a great place to get a day pass and let kids have some fun.
Merry Mac’s Campground | Family Camping near Devil’s Lake & WI Dells
We call this place Watertucky....let's just say there's plenty to see here, lol, but the kids will have fun!
River Bend RV Resort - Attractions
This is definitely a beach that is off the beaten path, its hard to find, there's no lifeguards, and its the beach I grew up going to as a kid. Anytime we are back in Jackson County to visit, we stop by here.
Wazee Lake
This is another off the beaten path place we like to go. Often times we take the dog to the dog park in Mukwonago and then come here for fun.
Phantom Glen Park | Mukwonago, WI
We love paddle boarding in Pewaukee. I think Delafield also has paddleboarding but this is our favorite spot for SUP.
Paddle Pewaukee
Someone mentioned this and thought I would add it, I haven't been but the pictures look amazing!
Tiki Beach Resort on Kettle Moraine Lake Campbellsport
This place is awesome! Thank you for the tip on Nextdoor!
Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center | Hartford, WI
Thanks for the rec to the woman on Facebook-- I added it here-- Pike Lake Beach is a great place for water fun
Pike Lake Beach | Hartford, WI
Day trips
Some of our favorite spots in Wisconsin where we travel for a day trip
Old World Wisconsin is always a fun place in the summer-- if you haven't been here in awhile, it has been expanding. We were last here for Halloween and my daughter has a blast just walking through each of the buildings, going to the gift shop, and p...
Old World Wisconsin
This is a free tour but you need to sign up ahead of time. Usually when we go on this tour we either plan to go to beach in Madison and my favorite Crema Cafe in Monona.
Harry Potter Hogworts in Wisconsin Free Tour of Epic Headquarters
Kids love a car ferry ride! This is the only free ferry in Wisconsin and there's an ice cream shop on both sides! We do this throughout the summer and then head to Devil's Lake beach or Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells.
Merrimac Car Ferry
We love horseback riding in the dells, this is our favorite place to ride horse!
Canyon Creek Riding Stables
Every year we make a stop at the art markets here. Its fun to walk around and see all the vendor's homemade crafts and art.
Holy Hill Art Farm | Art & Farmers Market | Wisconsin
Lake Geneva boat tours is one of our favorite day trips. We usually pick one tour and then walk around downtown and have lunch. I usually time it when there's an art festival so there's plenty to do and see. We also like to drive to Fontana and walk ...
Lake Geneva Cruise Line: Lake Geneva Boat Tours in Wisconsin
My daughter loves zip lining and this is a great place to check out; we usually have other plans such as lunch or hanging out at the beach afterwards.
Zipline Tour Lake Geneva
Six Flags is one of our favorite summer destinations. We always take the Waukegan 41 exit and take a right going west on Wadsworth road, then a left going south on Dilleys Road-- you will go past what looks like Egyptian pyramids on the way!
Six Flags Great America
This is a fun place for kids; we have only been here once but I thought I would mention it.
The Bristol Renaissance Faire
Usually we make a day of this-- first breakfast at the farmers market, then we walk around the state capital (especially if we can go all the way to the top!), then we go to the beach!
Saturday on the Square Madison Farmers Market
This is a fun activity for kids and the observatory is not open to the public very often, only 2 times this summer!
Milwaukee Astronomical Society Open House 6/20 and 8/27
Summer festivals
We are not big on crowds so we might only go to one or two of these festivals this year
Goat June 11th; Wild Robot July 9th; Lilo and Stitch August 6th
Moonlit Movies
June 27-28th So much to see and do in Cedarburg every year at this festival
Strawberry Festival Cedarburg
Country in the Burg is always fun every year! I love it when I see everyone all dressed up in cowboy hats and boots! My nieces get all dressed up and are ready to stay up late for the music!
Country in the Burg
My daughter always gets great ideas at this festival and then comes home and makes her own crafts
Lake Country Art Festival July 11 2026
July 16-18th is the Delafield Block Party! We go every year! Food is always good and its just fun to walk around and hear the music
Delafield Block Party July 16th
My daughter goes to state fair every year with her grandma! They always get henna!
2026 Wisconsin State Fair, August 6-16 - Wisconsin State Fair
I just listed this in case you're interested but we usually steer clear of the traffic in downtown, we like smaller festivals
2026 Summerfest Lineup | Summerfest, The World's Largest Music Festival
We haven't decided where we will celebrate the 4th this year-- every year we go some place different. Cedarburg has a big shindig if you are interested!
4th of July Parade & Hometown Celebration in Cedarburg
The lakes have scattered fireworks dates! Check them out!
Hartland's Fireworks June 25th
This is the lake that has fireworks on Independence Day
Historic Village of Lac La Belle Fireworks July 4th
Okauchee has fireworks on Independence Day
Okauchee Lake Fireworks July 4th
Check out the family fun in Delafield
City of Delafield 3rd of July Fireworks • Lake Country Family Fun
This is a great little hometown celebration off the beaten path
Fireworks Over Blair July 3rd
Outdoor adventures
We try to be outside as much as possible in the summer! There is so much to do in 3 months and we make sure to fit it all in!
It is so fun to go here at night-- the boat ride to Witch's Gulch at night is fun and my daughter wasn't scared during the tour, she was more entertained, we loved this tour!
Dells Ghost Boat
We love the bike trail in Wales-- pretty much every summer day we get a bike ride near here.
Glacial Drumlin State Trail
Lapham Peak is one of our favorite parks for hiking, especially the area just for butterflies.
Maps | Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit | Wisconsin DNR
We know the trails well at this park and you'll find us often at the dog park!
Nashotah Park
Retzer Nature Center is one of our frequent stops-- we go here often! Its a nice short walk of trails fun to go into the learning center.
Retzer Nature Center
This is a favorite stop of ours and we usually bring a picnic lunch and bug spray!
Boerner Botanical Gardens | Parks | Milwaukee County
This is a fun stop if you've never been here and want something a little more cultivated than hiking a state trail.
Janesville Rotary Botanical Gardens
Get there early if you want a golf cart to ride in, which is the funnest part! I think it opens at 9 am!
Zoo | Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary LLC | West Bend, WI
Our favorite exhibit is the polar bear! This is usually a once a year trip for us.
Milwaukee County Zoo
This is our favorite mini golf stop and its usually busy so prepare for that!
18 Hole Mini Golf - Missing Links Golf Course
I've been going here for decades; its fun seeing that it survived along with Noah's Ark. Do you remember Family Land and the giant pirate ship that you could ride-- it was before Mount Olympus was built.
Pirate's Cove mini golf
Always fun to play mini golf here! We love it, never did the batting cages.
Holey Mackerel! | Mini Golf & Batting Cages | Greenfield WI
This is a pretty big state park, there's alot to do here, I love that there's kayaking, camping, a beach!
Hiking | Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
Who doesn't love an outdoor theater! This is fun with kids!
Jefferson Highway 18 Outdoor Theatre
Love this place!
Green Meadows Petting Farm
The last time I was tent camping, I was 8 months pregnant and the bathrooms were on the other side of the campground...Needless to say get a cabin! And bring your bikes and swim suit!
Ways To Stay | Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™: Wisconsin Dells
My daughter is like an animal whisperer and she loves any zoo, petting farm, dog park, you name it, she's there! This one is in Minocqua and its on our list for a fun filled weekend.
Wildwood wildlife park in Minocqua
Any time we go camping and fishing, we get a party boat, a pontoon. Everyone has room, plenty of coolers, plenty of fishing poles and bait, we are good to go!
Minocqua Pontoon Cruises and Rentals
My daughter loves log rolling and lumberjack shows are definitely the place to watch our world famous log rollers compete! The lumberjack show is good too!
Scheers Lumberjack Shows & Village Hayward, Wisconsin
I heard that the zoo is great but the food not so great- plan ahead
Green Bay NEW Zoo & Adventure Park
Rainy summer days
Sometimes we like to swim on rainy days but I thought it would be nice to mention places to get out of the rain and out of the summer heat, which can be brutal on some days.
Sometimes we need a break from the sun and the heat, this is a place to go and still get some exercise and release some energy.
Urban Air Adventure Park
This is one of our favorite places for indoor fun to get out of the sun and heat.
Adventure & Trampoline Park in Wisconsin - AirCity 360
There's alot to see and do here. We usually go to the state Capital and walk around too.
Visit | Madison Children's Museum
My daughter loves the butterfly exhibit. She will sit for hours and let the butterflies land on her.
Harvest Curiosity and Connection! | Milwaukee Public Museum
Discovery World is great for super hot days or rainy days. My daughter loves the STEM lab.
Discovery World Science and Technology Museum Milwaukee
Love the Shedd Aquarium once a year, but I don't love the Chicago traffic.
Chicago's Aquarium | Shedd Aquarium
I love that this is an affordable budget option for a rainy day.
Rivoli | Cedarburg Movie Theatre
One of our favorite theaters-- great place for rainy days and to beat the summer heat!
Majestic Cinema of Brookfield - Marcus Theatres
This is one of our favorite places to go and they have ice cream! We grab a piece, get a drink and paint. Its very relaxing.
Glaze! Paint Your Own Pottery and Glass Fusing Studio
Another favorite place for a rainy or super hot day! We love pottery but have yet to try glass fusing
Painting | Just Kiln' Time "Paint Your Own Pottery" | Menomonee Falls
My daughter loves this place, we come here all the time!
Home | soul-fire
Summer treats
You can't go all summer without a summer treat! Here are some of our favorites!
This is a favorite old fashioned place, its always busy but fun to go here in the summer!
Creamy Pig Cedarburg | Cedarburg WI
One of our many favorites when we are in the area.
Delafield, WI Ice Cream Shop | Here's the Scoop
Another favorite stop in Delafield
Wholly Cow Frozen Custard | Delafield WI
Great place for gelato in the summer especially summer nights
Golosi Gelato Cafe | Oconomowoc WI
The Kiltie is our favorite drive in dining! Its a tradition to go here at least once in the summer.
The Kiltie Drive-In | Oconomowoc WI
If you love boba tea, this is a great stop in Cedarburg
The Java House - Boba Tea
This is a fun stop for Bubble Tea! Our favorite flavor is taro
Idyllic Bubble Tea
Great stop when we are in the area or we want to get out of 894 traffic for a treat.
Melt n Dip Greenfield, WI
This is a favorite stop for Fro Yo
Yo Mama! Frozen Yogurt and Goodies
We love the flavors at Purple Door!
Purple Door Ice Cream
My daughter loves this place because they put sparkles on her drink
Goddess And The Baker
This is a fun stop and we love the flavors!
Pete's Pops Grafton WI
Summer reading and learning
Hartland's Summer Reading Program is great plus we stop here every once in awhile for lego night.
Summer Reading Program | Hartland, WI Library
Summer Reading Program is great for the whole family! I am a vintage book store fan, so I have a love for super old books, especially first editions.
Summer Reading Program 2026 - Cedarburg Public Library