Things to do in SMKE

Best Parks in the Milwaukee Area

August 16, 2024
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filed in:   Fun things to do

Exploring beautiful parks is one of my most cherished pastimes. What can I say? The desire to be surrounded by trees is in my DNA.

When I’m not dining at my go-to restaurants, cheering on my favorite sports teams, or hanging out with my fellow South Milwaukee friends, you can probably find me meandering through a local park. During my time here in the Milwaukee area, these are the best parks I have discovered so far:

1. Veterans Park: Milwaukee

Veterans Park is a perfect combination of city life and natural elements. Always bustling with people, this park sits right next to the Historic Third Ward, Discovery World, and the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum.

The paved Oak Leaf Trail winds through Veterans Park, where I wave to bikers, skateboarders, and rollerbladers zooming by. This park provides city-lovers with an urban feel, while simultaneously surrounded by grassy fields, a sandy beach, and a view of people paddling swan boats in the nearby lagoon. The best part? It’s located right on Lake Michigan—in case you want to take a dip on a hot summer day.

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2. Jacobus Park: Wauwatosa

If you crave a relaxing, scenic walk with greenery galore, Jacobus Park has your name written all over it. Located in Wauwatosa (Milwaukee’s next-door neighbor), this park features a beautiful lilypad-littered lagoon and a wide variety of feathered friends (perfect for bird-watching!) As you walk the winding, wooded trails, this seemingly sequestered park allows you to immerse in the calmness of nature.

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3. Grant Park: South Milwaukee

Last but not least, I can’t sing enough praises about the big, beautiful landscape located in the middle of South Milwaukee: Grant Park.

Complete with trees, trails, and the occasional turtle, Grant Park is where my happiness thrives. Personally, I like to spend the afternoon exploring the 7 Bridges Trail, and end my day on the sandy beach, overlooking the lake’s calm waves.

Grant Park is now my permanent home, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather spend all four seasons. I’m always happy to share the trail with fellow nature-lovers. I hope to see you there soon!

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