Keeping it reel: Kenosha, WI

Keeping it reel: Kenosha, WI

Posted on March 1, 2025 • by Becky Noble

Category: Uncategorized

Historic lighthouses, fascinating museums and plenty of ways to enjoy Lake Michigan await you in the perfect Wisconsin harbor town of Kenosha, just over the Illinois border.

A prime beach lakefront and delightful downtown dotted with restaurants, bars and shops make Kenosha, Wisconsin, a special destination. Kenosha is the kind of place where you’ll feel right at home thanks to its warm, Midwest hospitality and cool things to do. If you want to catch a line on premium sportfishing, Kenosha is the salmon and trout capital of the state. Let’s dive in.

Hit the beaches!

Kenosha offers five public beaches, so you can hang out wherever you want; sit on the beach, swim or just watch the waves roll in. They include Alford Park and Beach, Eichelman Park and Beach, Pennoyer Park and Beach, and Southport Park and Beach. Walk along the waterfront and admire the sculptures created by local artists. For a little shade, Simmons Island Park and Beach has beach umbrellas (for rent) for sun protection and is lined with swaying palm trees to create a tropical feeling. Kids will love the two playground areas.

New on Simmons Island is the Kenosha Beach House, reopened in 2024, which offers a variety of food, beverages and convenience store items for beachgoers. There’s also a beer garden where you can sit and relax with a brew and look out at the exquisite views of Lake Michigan. You can also rent bikes here and enjoy a beach bonfire, yoga, games and live music. Check out Lakeshore Pedal Tours for group bike rides from the venue. To celebrate the joys of summer, the Beach House also hosts many family-friendly activities like a BBQ Cook-off, Nature Art Festival and LakeFest featuring the Venetian Night Boat Parade.

Tour the lighthouses

Kenosha boasts two lighthouses that stand as beacons in the night, one of which is still in operation for navigational assistance.

The Southport Light Station Museum features the lighthouse, built in 1866, and the lightkeeper’s house. Visitors can climb the 72 steps to the top of the tower in season from May to October. Look out of the Lighthouse Tower on a clear day and you can even see the Chicago skyline. Climbing the lighthouse costs $10 per person ages 12 and up, and $5 for children 8 to 11 ( you must be 8 or older to climb).

Take a complimentary tour of the lightkeeper’s residence, which is now a maritime museum. You’ll take a step back in time as the home has been restored to its authentic 1908 décor. See the original Fresnel lens, learn more about the shipwrecks buried in the lake, as well as the first and only female lighthouse keeper, Lorinda Merrill.

The North Pier Lighthouse still operates as a lighthouse for Kenosha Harbor and also serves as a studio and gallery for local artists.

Two full-service marinas

Kenosha offers Simmons Island Marina and Southport Marina with transient boat slips available. Located near Simmons Island Park and operated by Great Lakes Yacht Sales, Simmons Island Marina has 142 slips and five launch ramps for powerboats only from April 15 to October 31, 2025. Amenities include electricity, restrooms, showers and laundry. Go fishing from the pier at Simmons Island Marina.

Charter sport fishing for salmon and trout is big here with the Kenosha Charter Boat Association (KCBA) leading the way out of the Simmons Island Marina.

Kenosha is recognized as the salmon and trout capital of Wisconsin with the highest catch rate per hour. With the KCBA, you’ll enjoy expert licensed captains, large, comfortable boats, and convenient morning and afternoon departures.

Southport Marina offers 435 boat slips with free Wi-Fi and cable, a pool and hot tub, along with showers and laundry facilities. Winter storage and boat repair facilities are located on the premises. The Kenosha Community Sailing Center is an excellent resource, offering kayak, stand-up paddleboard and duck pedal boat rentals. For those in the market for a new boat, CenterPointe Marine has a location in Southport Marina, selling new models from Beneteau, Nimbus, Chris-Craft, Godfrey and more, along with pre-owned boats.