Lake Michigan Beaches
In summer in Milwaukee, "It's cooler near the lake!" How true! In Milwaukee, there's no place cooler to cool off than on the Fresh Coast. Lake Michigan's shore is home to several swimming, wading, and sunbathing beaches. Swimming in the lake is at your own risk.
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Bradford Beach
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Grant Park Beach
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McKinley Beach
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Additional Beaches
Bradford Beach
The most popular beach in the park system is Bradford Beach. In 2009, it was one of Wisconsin's first beaches to receive Blue Wave Certification from the Clean Beaches Council of Washington, D.C. Since then, the beach has undergone a rebirth as a center of summer fun, and in 2020, improvements to Bradford Beach made it the most accessible beach in America.
America's Most-Accessible Beach: Rollout Mats & Wheelchairs
Bradford Beach features a permanent concrete ramp to access the beach and seasonal portable rollout mats (shown above) that provide access to the water. Reserve a beach wheelchair that features wide tires to allow you to maneuver in the sand and into the water. Reserve a wheelchair from The Dock: (414) 791-5440
Beach Volleyball
Leagues are available at Bradford Beach through Volley Life, six days a week from May through August. Toss in some major volleyball tournaments, and you have a volleyball paradise! Hourly court and ball rentals, summer youth volleyball camps, and small-group private lessons mean plenty of fun for everyone.
MooSa’s
This beloved custard stand, at the south end of Bradford Beach, serves burgers (including the Impossible burger), brats, walking tacos and more … and of course, custard!
The Dock at Bradford Beach
Kick back and relax while enjoying the beach, the sand, the lake, great food, and drinks! The menu includes appetizers, salads, burgers, wraps and tacos. The drink menu offers a selection of beers, wine and cocktails.
How to Find Us
2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee
Beach Access Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Dock: (414) 215-9830
Volley Life: (262) 515-7847
Grant Park Beach
With wooded areas as a backdrop, the beach on Milwaukee County's southern Lake Michigan shore has a relaxing vibe. Since its grand opening in 2016, the conversion of the beach house to a concessions area and the addition of new amenities have made this beach a "best-kept secret of summer."
Beach Volleyball
Hourly court and ball rentals are available during regular hours at Ferch's Beachside Grille. If you're looking to join a league at Grant Park Beach, Volley Life can help you with that; they offer leagues four days a week, from May through August. Also on the schedule is an adult beach volleyball clinic.
Ferch's Beachside Grill
Enjoy a lunch menu featuring Ferch's famous frozen custard, the menu also includes hot dogs, burgers, fries, beverages. To make the most of a sunny day at the beach, rent a lounge chair or beach umbrella from Ferch's Beachside Grille.
Play Area
Young children who enjoy active time out of the water will be thrilled with the play area. A slide and interactive toys make for fun in the sand off the beach!
How to Find Us
100 Oak Creek Parkway, South Milwaukee
Beach Access Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ferch's Beachside Grille: (414)-502-7368
Volley Life: (262) 515-7847
McKinley Beach
The adjacent play area and nearby concessions make visiting the beach for the day a real option.
A Wading Beach
Recently renovated with the addition of sand from about 1,000 fully filled dump trucks, the wading beach at McKinley Park is now a great spot to take young children.
Roundhouse Beer Garden
If you're a beachgoer looking for a snack or cold beverage, take a short walk to the Roundhouse Beer Garden at McKinley Marina. Here you'll find a lakeside gathering place for families and friends to enjoy shareable foods, brews, and outdoor lawn games.
Play Area
Featuring two slides, the interactive play structure invites young children to stay active. The play area is just a stone's throw from the beach.
How to Find Us
1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee
Beach Access Hours: 6am to 9pm
Roundhouse Beer Garden at McKinley Marina: (414) 395-4910
Additional Parks with Sand Beaches
- Bay View Park - Sunbathing Beach
- Bender Park - with rentals and concessions from Aqua Sports Rentals
- Big Bay Park - Sunbathing Beach
- Doctor's Park (Tietjen Beach)
- Sheridan Park - Sunbathing Beach
- South Shore Park - with a short walk to South Shore Terrace Kitchen & Beer Garden