1. Take in a Brewers Game at American Family Field this summer!  While there, check out the Barrel Yard restaurant and brewery + X Golf simulator. Bonus – you can eat at the Barrel Yard and golf on non-game days all year round! 
2. Enroll your child in a local summer camp! Yes, many are filling up fast, but there are still openings for late registrants (like me).
3. Go pick some strawberries! ***Strawberry picking is usually mid-June. For a few summers now, we have picked at Mayberry Farms and Basses and loved the experiences!
4. Enjoy Waukesha County’s beautiful lakes. Usually you could find us on a lake at least once a week in the summer, pending weather. This year will be different again, but we hope to still get out on the water often. Share your fun on Instagram, tag us @lakecountryfamilyfun, so we can follow your lake fun though our Lakes of Lake Country Guide!
5. Take a hike at Lapham State Park. We love climbing the tower and looking around at the lakes and hiking to through the butterfly prairie.  (Admission to the park is required or purchase a state park pass and use it all summer.)
6. Head to Ottawa Lake at the Kettle Moraine State Park Southern Unit. There is a beach there and plenty of picnic tables, so pack a lunch! Admission fees do apply. 
   Fun Fact – one time I was there, there was a (nonpoisonous) snake skimming across the top of the water! You bet I ran out of there like a scene out of JAWS 😉 
7. Watch a drive in movie at the HWY 18 Theater. Opening up in May 2024 through the summer!!
8. Go HIKING on a new trail. These 8 trails aren’t just for spring. We hike them year-round!

   

9. Go on a road trip – camping-style!
10. Stroll the Pewaukee Lake Front taking in the sights, shops, and eateries! We love sharing a nacho plate from Seester’s Mexican Cantina and an ice cream from the Chocolate Factory.
11. Catch some tunes at Waterfront Wednesdays at Pewaukee Lake at Lakefront Park. They start June 5, 2024!
12. Visit the Hartland Splash Pad. A must on 90 degree days. It’s OPEN for the SUMMER, starting Memorial Day weekend.
13. Visit any of the 20 best ice cream spots in and around Waukesha County to get some custard under their neon lights. New in summer 2022 was Little Dipperz in downtown Hartland. Check them out in 2024 if you haven’t had the chance yet! Plus, we’re excited to work with Lee’s Dairy Treat in New Berlin. So yummy – give them a visit.
14. Swim at City Beach or Bender Beach in Downtown Oconomowoc or venture to these other great beaches in Waukesha County. {Note many are swim at your own risk in summer 2024.}
15. Take the kids to the Waukesha Airport for Food Truck Fridays! Check out how awesome this is that you can grab lunch on the runway/next to the Terminal Building and watch the planes come and go! It’s outside!
16. Visit Cushing Park in Delafield and walk the trails. We like to dip our toes in the Bark River, too, on warm days.

    

17. Check out Mukwonago’s Maxwell Street Days.
18. Try kayaking or stand up paddleboarding! Our guide is a great reference for navigating the many waterways in and around Waukesha County.  Plus, DM the LCFF IG account to ask me questions directly.
19. Do you need a list of great lake side dining, burger spots or hiking spots? Grab a sitter and check out our Summer Date Guide.
20. Visit the Milwaukee County Zoo! We love the train ride after seeing all the animals.
    • Plus, check out the 2024 special exhibit: DINOSAUR DISCOVERY
      

      Sponsored by Sendik’s Food Market

    • May 18 through October 5, 2024
      • “Stomp back in time to meet some of the most formidable predators from the past! Be astounded by full-size and scientifically-accurate animatronic displays — moving, breathing, spitting, and more. Touch and feel what these dinosaurs were like, as you appreciate the role of predators in the ecosystem and be inspired to conserve their modern-day counterparts.”

      • Located outside, behind the Small Mammals Building.

      • $4 entrance fee for adults and children

      • For further connection, attend a special Roar & Explore Day on June 8 — featuring expanded content with unique, hands-on STEM and sensory activities for guests!
    • Just in time for summer, the Bonus Bucks special gift card promotion is back! For every $100 purchased in gift cards from now until May 31, you’ll receive $20 in Bonus Bucks to “cash in” this summer including for admission, special events, daily attractions like Gorilla Trek, and more!   
21. Try Pizza on the Farm! 3 different venues!
    • We love Grassways Organics Pizza on the Farm in East Troy. See our fun there HERE. 
22. Visit the Waukesha County Park system and go for a hike or a swim. We really enjoy the beaches at Naga-waukee park + Fox Brook Park.
    Admission fees apply or purchase a park pass to save money and go all summer long (and all year long).
23. Head to Caledonia and either stay at Yogi Bear Park Resort OR spend the day at Bear Paw Beach. We went in May 2022 – see our experience HERE.
24. Change up the pace and head down to the Racine Zoo. It’s in a beautiful location right on Lake Michigan.
25. Swim at the Ingleside! Summer Weekday (Monday – Thursday) Twilight Passes are valid 4pm-8pm for a special rate. This special is available select dates June 5 – September 1, 2023.  Passes must be purchased online prior to 4pm the day of arrival.
26. Go camping! We prefer to camp in our backyard, but you can find great camping around Waukesha County HERE.
27. Visit a farmers market every day of the week!
28. Head to Mukwonago on Father’s Day weekend for their annual Summerfeste Event.
29. Fly a kite at the Milwaukee Lakefront at Veterans Park.
30. Go mini golfing! To survive mini golfing with my kids, feed them first. It greatly decreases their frustration level 😉 Golf courses are open, too.
31. Smell the flowers at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners. They open for the season in May {technically open all year, but charge admission starting May 1, 2024}.

    • Margie’s Children’s Garden is a must see! View our visit on Instagram or Facebook. 

32. Visit the Vilas Zoo in Madison. It’s FREE!! Check out our itinerary for a fun day in Madison HERE.
33. Watch a movie under the stars. Find all the outdoor movies HERE.
34. Bowl for FREE all summer long!
35. Watch a ski show. There are SO many in summer 2024!
36. Find the 45 Best Local Parks picked by Lake Country Family Fun followers.
37. Enjoy a beer garden with friends, a date night, or with your family!
38. Take in a Dockhounds game in Oconomowoc! Lake Country’s home team is taking professional baseball “Off the Leash” beginning in the spring of 2024. We had so much fun at games last summer!
39. Find a pool to cool off. There are 10+ public pools open this summer!
40. Explore Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan. They are open as of May 1, 2024!
41. Check out an Indoor Play attraction on a rainy or steamy hot day.
42. Dance the night away at Nixon Park at the Hartland Street Dance – which is back to the STREET in summer 2024!
43. Take in a local show – in person with Lake Country Playhouse in Hartland or with Brio in Brookfield or Mosaic Creative Studios!
44. Spend your day at Hartland Kids Day! This year it is Wednesday, July 31 at Nixon Park, and it’s our 12th annual year!!
45. Have the kids join the Summer Reading program at their local library. We get SO many local passes or kids’ meals from the Summer Reading Program, plus we discover new authors and books we grow to cherish!
46. Celebrate the 4th of July with some fireworks. PS. Find more fun in our 4th of July Guide.

    

47. Celebrate our waterways at the 9th annual Watershed Paddle in Oconomowoc in July.
48. Hop onto the East Troy Electric Railroad.
49. See a cow or horse or take in a concert, plus the giant slide at the Wisconsin State Fair!
50. Ride a ride at Little Amerricka. They plan to open on May 25, 2024!
51. Find a treasure at the Dousman Community Rummage Sale in August or any other rummage sales throughout the summer.
52. Go frolfing at Harnischfeger Park, Wales Community Park, Dretzka Park or the New Berlin Disc Golf Course.
53. Head to Okauchee Lions Days Fest and Festival event and check out the newer playground in June 2024. Sunday is family fun day!
54. Embrace history!
    • Schedule a private tour of the New Berlin Historical Society building or park. 
    • Really into history – check out the Elmbrook Historical Society as well! They will be open for guided tours the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month, June through October (excluding Labor Day weekend).
    • Visit our favorite – Old World Wisconsin!
55. Take in live music on a week night along the lake at this concert series in Oconomowoc. 
56. Take a family bike ride! You could try a new route every week!
57. The Yellow Brick Road 5K and Kids Fun Run is coming back to Oconomowoc in June 2024.
58. Visit the Lake Geneva Safari and get up close and personal with the animals. 
59. Venture to a petting zoo at Green Meadows Petting Farm. *Affiliate link to Groupon/CJ to save you money! Lake Country Family Fun earns a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you!
60. We love the Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend. 
61. Dine alfresco with on one of these amazing patios – both on and off the lake! Our family favorite spots include the Delafield Brewhaus, Lucky Chucky’s, Bass Bay Brewhouse, and Foolery’s (but don’t do Foolery’s on the weekend unless you have unlimited time to wait. They will be BUSY!).

    

62. Have a staycation with an amazing deal from the Ingleside and Springs Water Park this summer!
63. Try out a new to your family experience at the Club at Lac La Belle. We’ve done lunch, yoga on the green, and tried our hand at golfing all 18 holes. Plus, flatstick on a Friday night is so much fun!
64. Pick Raspberries! They are sometimes more delicious than strawberries!
65. Do curbside pick up or takeout from your favorite local restaurant and have a picnic!
66. Take the family out for delicious local Mexican food! The Lake Country Family Fun readers voted in 2024 and The Spanish Traveler in Pewaukee/Waukesha and Contento in Delafield won!
67. Watch the Hartland Hometown Parade on June 28, 2024!
68. Take a field trip to Storybook Trail at Brandt Quirk Park  in Watertown. 📚 We go seasonally every year! 
69. Attend Matilda at the Fireside late July – September 2024.
70. Venture just 25 minutes north of Oconomowoc to Pike Lake State Park for a day on a beach including kayak rentals, dog swim area, picnic areas, a playground on the beach and more. We did in June 2022 and have been back many times!
71. Play in your backyard with a yard game from local small business JnJ Handmade or with these 3 fun ideas from the Town of Mukwonago Park and Recreation Department.
72. Check out Riverside Rhythms in downtown Waukesha. Take in some musical selections every Wednesday during lunch right on the riverwalk starting on June 12, 2024! 
73. Go on a Sassy Cow Creamery Farm Tour! Just outside of Lake Country near Columbus/Sun Prairie.
74. Have a family pizza night! Kids get to pick the toppings – bonus if you grill it!! 
75. Stay cool in your home with a virtual playdate from the Lake Country Family Fun YouTube Channel.
76. Venture out into the great outdoors with inspiration from our Ultimate Guide to an Outdoor Summer. 
77. Head to the Corners of Brookfield for their summer series: Town Food Truck Festival! It’s a monthly series from May through September 2024!

Don’t forget to share your summer fun with Lake Country Family Fun on Instagram (IG) with #lovelcff. 

Find us on IG here.

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