77 things to do this Summer Lake Country in Summer City Beach Oconomowoc

77 Things to Do this Summer

Summer is short but sweet! Especially here in WI, where we squeeze so much fun into three short months. Summer 2023 is coming quick, so let’s make the most of it. Are you looking for things to do this summer? Beaches and pools are opening, live music schedules are out in the communities for summer nights, and some festivals are back like Summerfest. I know I’m ready for the warm weather to return after a chilly spring and long winter!

Let’s Jump Into Summer with 77 fun things to do!

Take advantage of the wonderful Lake Country area and resources and have a fun filled adventure while the kids are out of school and the air doesn’t hurt our faces!  Lake Country Family Fun has put together a great summer bucket list of ideas of things to do in and outside of the Waukesha County area with your kids this summer. After all great parenting isn’t about spoiling the children with things, it is spoiling them with memories!

And while having all the fun, please remember to be safe, especially around water with little ones. Stephanie has written some Lake Safety Tips for families and you can find the helpful information here, at Lake Effect Co. 

A few things to note about summer 2023:

  • Watch out for these construction projects:
  • Slow down, drive safe and soon we’ll have smooth roads.
    • Delafield Street in Waukesha is under construction spring 2023-summer 2023.
    • CTH I between STH 164 and Big Bend Road in the Village of Waukesha will be under construction from April to June 15th.
    • Oakwood Avenue in Oconomowoc will be CLOSED to through traffic from Fowler Lake Bridge north to Lisbon Road from April 17th to late June, depending on weather.

When enjoying these fun activities and limited events this summer with your family, share on Instagram (IG) with #lovelcff and #LakeCountryFamilyFun. We love to see our readers out having fun!

Find us on IG HERE.

Thank you to our 77 Things to Do this Summer Sponsor:

  1. Take in a Brewers Game at American Family Field this summer!  While there, check out the new 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 loved the experience!

    Go Pick Some Strawberries Local U-Pick Strawberry Picking Guide Lake Country Family Fun
  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.  (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 – last 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 2023 through the summer!!
  8. Go HIKING on a new trail. These 8 trails aren’t just for spring. We hike them year-round!

    3 Great Spring Hikes in Waukesha County For Families

  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 7, 2023!
  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 2023 if you haven’t had the chance yet!
  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 2023.}
  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.
    Best Photo Locations Lake Country Waukesha County Julie Collins
    Image taken by Julie Collins Photography at Cushing Park in Delafield
  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 2023 special exhibit: DINO DON’S JOURNEY TO THE ICE AGE

      Sponsored by Sendik’s Food Market

    • May 20 through October 7, 2023
      • “A magnificent menagerie of giant mammals who roamed the world during this time. From Saber-tooth tigers to woolly mammoths and giant sloths, trek through the forest to meet these magnificent beasts!”
      • More than 20 animatronic creatures will be on display — breathing, roaring, gnashing teeth and flicking their tails!

        • Woolly Rhinoceros
        • Woolly Mammoth
        • Short-Faced Bear
        • Teratornis
        • Giant Rodent (Josephoartigasia)
        • Toxodon
        • Giant Cheetah
        • Wonambi
      • Most all of these animals, now extinct, have modern-day counterparts residing at the Zoo.

      • $4 entrance fee for adults and children

  21. Try Pizza on the Farm! 3 different venues!
  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 often. 
  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!Menomonee Falls Farmer's Market Local Farmers Markets Hartland Farmer Market Menomonee Falls Farmer’s Market Lake Country Family Fun West Allis Farmers Market New Berlin Farmers Market Oconomowoc Farmers Market Mukwonago Farmers Market Watertown Farmers Market Menomonee Falls Farmer's Market Dousman Farmers Market
  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, 2023}.
    • 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 2023!
  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 NEW home team is taking professional baseball “Off the Leash” beginning in the spring of 2023. 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 3, 2023!
  41. Check out an Indoor Play attraction on a rainy or steamy day.
  42. Dance the night away at Nixon Park at the Hartland Street Dance – which is back to the STREET in summer 2023!
  43. Take in a local show – in person with Lake Country Playhouse in Hartland or with Brio in Brookfield!
  44. Spend your day at Hartland Kids Day! This year it is Wednesday, July 26 at Nixon Park, and it’s our 11th 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.

    4th of July Event Guide Lake Country family Fun fireworks parades celebrations

  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 27, 2023!
  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 2023.
  54. Embrace history!
  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 2023.
  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!).

    Nomad Board Sports Upper Nemahbin Lake Panga

  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. 
  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 2023 and Seesters Mexican Cantina in downtown Pewaukee won!
  67. Watch the Hartland Hometown Parade on June 26, 2022!
  68. Take a field trip to Storybook Trail at Brandt Quirk Park  in Watertown. 📚 We go seasonally every year! 
  69. Attend Mary Poppins at the Fireside late July – September 2023.
  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 can’t wait to go back!
  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 14, 2023! 
  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 2023!

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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Free Summer Fun

Find free summer fun in and around Lake Country and Waukesha County, including all the information on the summer reading programs, sponsored by Bridges Library System.

Nomad Board Sports Upper Nemahbin Lake Panga

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Find everything you need to know about our lakes: dining on lakes, where to kayak or paddleboard, events on lakes, where to watch fireworks over lakes, etc...sponsored by Lake Effect Co.

4 thoughts on “77 Things to Do this Summer”

  1. I’ve done most of these 77 things last summer and will definitely do the rest on the next summer season. We really had a great summer this year.

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