Hawthorne Glen

Officially called the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, this is a great stop to learn about some plants and take some photographs.  You can even catch live music or a light show!    Location: Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory - 524 S. Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53215 Admission prices: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/Explore/The-Domes More info: https://milwaukeedomes.o...

To access the complex, head south from downtown Milwaukee along 1st St. Once you reach Greenfield Ave., turn left heading East. You'll pass under a concrete train bridge before seeing an open field on your right. Park your car along the street and head south past the crumbled brick of another former Solvay building. Follow along the train tracks to the West, through shrubbery, weeds and more. J...

Lakeshore State Park is kind of considered a hidden gem. While yes, it's right along the Milwaukee lakefront, people don't realize just how nice and beautiful it is! This urban state park features two loops (the Hank Aaron and Oak Leaf) that total 1.7 miles. To access the park, you can either park downtown near the Discovery World Museum or take Harbor Drive south past the Summerfest grounds to...

Elm Grove Park is one of the most picture perfect parks in the SE WI area, so be sure to stay for sunset as the sky lights up! The 1 mile long trail wraps the perimeter of the park. It is paved the entire way, if you want to venture off trail feel free. Dogs are permitted at this park! There is a sledding hill near the north end of the trail that you can climb during all seasons which offers a ...

Urban explorers, meet your new favorite spot. Located right outside of downtown Milwaukee, Jones' Island is home to a water reclamation facility, road salt storage, milorganite, the Port of Milwaukee and more. But us explorers view it as a desolate haven ready to become our canvas. Train tracks are everywhere with unused rail cars sitting on top. Mounds of salt beg to be climbed. Rusting, aband...

There are not many sandy beaches in the lovely state of Wisconsin.  This might be the best one.  If you are from Wisconsin, you also might consider Lake Michigan an ocean when you are craving a real ocean.  And it comes close!  Even though it’s not on a real ocean, this beach has it all. There’s tiki bars, beach volleyball, incredible sunrise views, and more!   https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/P...