Lakeshore State Park

Surprising fact: it's a state park! This place is like Veterans Park, but more secluded. Hidden behind the Summerfest grounds, it stretches along the Lake Michigan shore and gets wider as it approaches the Discovery World building. I love the lighthouse and the view of the Hoan Bridge. Walking here reminds me how beautiful our city is.

favorite state park in mke area and one of the only, free to enter, right by summerfest and discovery world. dog friendly! on the lake obviously! can't get better

This is a great place to relax or walk by the lake, cast a fishing rod or just sit and enjoy the view.

This park is a true gem in Milwaukee. I had no idea how beautiful this city was. Even if you don't have a car, the park is incredibly accessible from downtown, either by walking or taking The Hop. The design is beautiful and inviting with gorgeous views of both the water and the cityscape. I was impressed by the art museum architecture and the nature walk. What a beautiful gift this park is.

We reserved a slip for our boat online with ease. The marina had 50 amp and 30 amp power pedestal. But there was no water hookup at all--which seemed really strange. The docks were in fair condition, a little worn. Some rub rails had become detached and were hanging from the dock. 10' depth was seen through the breakwater entrance to the slip. Overall, an excellent value for the prime location to Milwaukee. Would stay here again.

A beautiful park with a picturesque view of Lake Michigan.

Vibrant,clean ,wonderful. People fishing in the calm water of the little lake next to the GreatLake. People jogging, striking children, longboarding. Music artists filming videos, and people enjoying the red lighthouse! Free parking amazing view of the city, the Art Museum and the nearby bridge. The colors on the sky for the sunset, with the shadows... Thanks Milwaukee!

This is a beautiful and peaceful place to be with the Lord. It’s quiet and filled with tranquility. The skyline is gorgeous, and the water is still. There are all kinds of people who go to the park to walk, run or ride bikes. I would say this park came straight from heaven.

This park is next to the Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse, so if you want to walk around you can also check out the pier. The park itself has plenty to offer, with a gravel beach, trails, and gorgeous sights. There are signs lining the walkway with information about the history of the park and about the prairie plants that are being established in the area. As it's near the lake, the breeze cools off the area so it's perfect for jogging or biking. The paths are pretty well maintained and there's plenty of room for everyone to share the space.

Great park to go for a walk/jog behind the Summerfest grounds. My pup loves to go for long walks here. It really is a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Various events are held here throughout the warmer months, sometimes incorporating the park on the mainland just to the north. Public fishing is available on the southern end of the park and off of the pier. A gem of a park, highly recommend visiting for a breathe of fresh air while visiting Milwaukee.

Quality/Quantity - What a great way to end the trip in Milwaukee. This place is so beautiful. The architecture, water, trails, bridges, and neighboring communities. Historic Milwaukee. Atmosphere - Open year round. Beautiful easy trails, also bike friendly. Events, see their website. Volunteer opportunities. Kid and school friendly. Saw many buses taking kids to the museums. Service - N/A, self service. Price - Free, unless you want to visit the beautiful museums, etc. Owner Comment - Thank you for such a beautiful place.

It's a State Park! In Milwaukee! Lakeshore State Park is my Monday night after work walking jam, and I've really grown to love the change of seasons here. Park by Discovery World, or enter by Sail Loft & go under the Hoan for ample parking by the red lighthouse. Lakeshore SP has: - Paved walking/biking loop - Native prairies - Fishing/Ice Fishing - A fox family - A groundhog - Great views of the City - Activities I took a naturalist led hike here once, and learned that this Park was landfill from the underground tunnel project. And now it's not landfill! What a great connector for the Lakefront path to the Third Ward, and site of all manner of great activities. I look forward to great things to come for this li'l State Park!

The most perfect park for a walk and to view the water and city of Milwaukee. This is located near the harbor house restaurant if you are looking for seafood or a cocktail after visiting. There is a paved trail that you can use to walk around the park and it's maybe a mile or so around. You can walk through wild plants (stay on the trail!) And get close to the water or just stay on the trail. Lots of people were out and about walking. Great views of lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee. There is a parking garage attached to the discovery center that you can use to park.

I love it here! It's Milwaukees only "urban" state park. I think it's just beautiful, especially during our summer months, it's a sight to see! It's so nice to see the people around you staying active with walking, riding a bike, and lake activities surrounding you. Downtown can have quite the hustle and bustle, so to break away so close by to a place like this really puts your mind at ease with nature around as well!

The trail for running/jogging/cycling/dog-walking is unprecedented at this park as it goes up to the Milwaukee art Museum and towards the Summerfest venue. The views when the sun is out and the breeze on your face simply cannot be beat! Visiting Milwaukee, I'd visit this park everyday with the scenery and peaceful feelings. Obviously do this when it's warm. Cold weather need not apply .

It is the park where Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse is located. It is small with the focus being the lighthouse, However, the jogging path extends all the way to the end connecting other parks even. Lighthouse is a small, cute, and very scenic place for photography. It is a small lighthouse, in fact, the smallest, we have ever seen but the area around is very picturous and highly recommended for a quick stop. We got some really good photos. Parking is free and the street is just in front of the pier. It is not a very crowded place too.

What a view! The park is just off of the southeast side of downtown, a short walk to the south of the Milwaukee Art Museum. The walking trail's main loop is about one mile. You'll share it with other walkers, joggers and some bikers. Dogs are welcome, as long as they're well behaved. For those who are looking for a longer run or bike ride, the trail breaks off at its southwest point and forms longer trail that tracks to the south along the lake. There are green spaces, which are a perfect place to be when the weather is right. They're good for a picnic, playing catch, laying out while reading a book and whatever else you can think of. I saw a few souls who were fishing. If you want to join them I recommend checking to see if a permit is required.

Sweet end of our daily bike rides during the summer. A little pond/lake in between the summer festival grounds and Lake Michigan (I always want to call this Lake Wisconsin/Lake Milwaukee lol). The pond/lake is connected to Lake Michigan in one spot but the water here is super calm, and I see people in the lake all the time. There's also one section of the pond with a beach and shallow waters where I see little kids (3 and younger) with their parents all the time. For parents with little ones too scared/little for the big lake, this seems to be a great area to picnic and waddle. We always just fly past it, but it's a nice pond to bike around to get to the other side, where the trail faces the big lake. On that side, there are 2 "rest areas" with 3 benches each, facing the beach. Super sweet spots. There's also lots of sprawling grass to just lie and read a book on, or park your bike and play dead. Usually, there's not all that many people, so you can sit, enjoy a sip, and watch the clouds roll by and listen to the water break the rocks. On the other hand, come here during a weekend with nice weather, and it becomes an obstacle course, since weekenders don't really seem to know that the trail should be shared - guys, it's not a one-way road. Please leave some room for people to pass by. It's still not too bad, though, and quite possible to stay 6 feet apart from one another. As long as you share the road and are considerate!

One of Wisconsin's only urban state parks, this is such a must visit when you're sightseeing in Milwaukee. Flanked by the Milwaukee Art Museum, lake Michigan and a beautiful Red lighthouse, its THE place to be no matter what season. In the summer, take a picnic (clean up after yourself) to watch the beautiful blue waters of lake Michigan and watch the water fowls play aofundwirh their young ones (do not feed them) . In the winter, you can find a bunch of icefishers carve out holes and setup shop on the frozen waters. Get your butt to Lakeshore and catch Summerfest while you're at it!

How can I have lived in Milwaukee for 3 summers, have gone to the Summerfest grounds and the Art museum plenty of times, and not known this was here? We're lucky in Milwaukee to have so many parks. This weekend was not quite as nice as last weekend, when I also took a walk by the lake near the marina. This weekend I was at Lakeshore State Park for an event, to release sturgeon into the lake. So it was a good opportunity to learn more about the ecology of the lake area and the plant and animal life in and around it. But it's also a good place just to take a walk. You can see boats go by and try to get a good photo of the lighthouse. There are beautiful views and it's a relaxing atmosphere, though I can imagine if there's something going on at the festival grounds it's noisier. Also of note are all the open-to-the-public musical instruments at the entrance of the park (didn't get a photo--my bad). You don't really get too old to experience the pleasure of hitting something with a mallet and having it make music. Another great park in Milwaukee. It's going to get cold again soon so I recommend going.

This spot has many ways to come and enjoy their beautiful Scenery with family and friends. Came here with my oldest Son, we walked around to witness this beautiful lake. Bike rides, walking, running, and etc......you could do all those things and more. Love coming here since the first time I moved to Milwaukee 22 years ago. Taking pictures also at the Milwaukee Art Museum and the boats are one of my favorite places too. I recommend coming to this place is very great for everyone that loves to relax and enjoy the beautiful Lakefront Scenery.

Park it This is a great park on the lake. It's perfect for walks with the family with awesome views of the city.

The best completely land-fill State Park in all of Milwaukee! This has been the most inventive use of a breakwater barrier. The BEST views of the city! I love the nice mile or so loop around the "island" on my bike. It looks like it would be a great place to watch the sun rise over the lake. During festival season, come listen to the music for free!! Here's the breakdown: Convenience: 5 Peacefulness: 5 Size: 3 Naturescape: 4

I do like this little park. It's between the museums, and a good place to stop by if you're taking a leisurely Oak Leaf Trail bike ride. Great for a relaxing stroll early Spring through late Fall, a little bracing in Milwaukee Winter. Good choice for admiring the lake, the Milwaukee skyline, sunrises, or if you want a peaceful break after an ethnic festival at the Summerfest Grounds. In summer it's not far from food trucks servicing downtown, so it's also a good choice for a picnic lunch but carry your litter back out with you please.

Beautiful natural lake from park with walkways, bike paths and fishing spots. A great place for all types of interested persons and families. Great jogging paths with spectacular views along lake of water and downtown skyline.

Lovely park to run in. Lots of runners and bikers, but don't be afraid to stroll casually along and take photos either. Piers for boating and fishing around located around, although I saw neither the two times I visited. The views here are great, with a selfie station even located along the trail to take a photo of yourself in front of Lake Michigan, which I appreciated even if it was a bit silly! I didn't get to check out the whole park, I just ran along the running trail, but what I saw was great. If you love the outdoors, water, or running/biking, then check this park out.

There's fishing, running, booking, walking, roller blading, hand stand trails. This park has been utilized by rei in the past​for kayak and canoe clinics. My dog chases after the geese here. It's a small park but it's kind of neat being in the city downtown and in a prairie with foxes and wildlife.

Nice park right on the lakefront. This extends Milwaukees lakefront with parks from lake park all the way down. There's a big trail that loops around from discovery world at the north end to Marcus ampitheater at the south end. You can also keep going on a path that goes under the hoan bridge into the 3rd ward too. (And the same with the north end-paths continue on past discovery world and the art museum. You'll see lots of wild flowers, birds, other wild life (lots of crawfish - I've seen a fox here once while jogging. There's.actually a cute little beach here , but note the signs saying fishing permitted but not swimming. It definitely has that 'cooler by the lake thing' going, so if you go in a season other than summer dress appropriately. If you go while a festival is going on at Henry maier park, you can often hear a lot of the music at lakeshore. The only thing I wished ? That there was a bathroom and a drinking fountain! It could be a logistical issue, or there may be some I just haven't found them yet. Anyhow, its a cute little park. Definitely something to check out in Milwaukee.

Great place for a walk.... stroll.... biking.... fishing..... general exercise during these days of Covid-19. We go there frequently and has always been a very pleasant experience.

Beautiful park love the nice long walks you can take :) Love by the lake too!!

Man made park overlooking Summerfest, Downtown Milwaukee, Discovery World, and Lake Michigan. Nice trails to walk or ride.

Such a nice place to walk or bike in Milwaukee. I love the wildflowers and the lake views. Some friends from out of town appreciated the info plaques on wildlife and plants, nice educational touch. I have been lucky to find free parking here when wanting to visit MAM. Of course I usually come here by bike and link up to trails north of here.

This is pretty incredible. You can see lots of museums such as the art museum and the war memorial. Also, there is a Miller Pavilion. State Park is pretty where there were events such as Wall to Israel.

Great way to enjoy the lakefront. Day or night. I prefer to come here after dark because of the magnificant view of the cityscape when everything is all lit up. I love this place. Check it out. And it's FREE. Helpful tip: If in doubt, bring a sweatshirt or jacket. Even on some summer nights, the wind off the lake can at times make it slightly chilly.

Some folks have poo-pooed this park for its lack of trees. The park is constructed on a pile of huge chunks of bedrock excavated from deep beneath the city, so no trees will ever grow here. But it's not a State Park in the sense of lush, forested place with hiking trails and camping sites. It's an urban park, an oasis where folks can take a short stroll, connect with the waters of Lake Michigan, sit and contemplate the harbor, the skyline, and the blue expanse of the Lake. Lakeshore State Park is not a destination in and of itself. It's a place to chill for a bit while visiting Summerfest, the art museum, Discovery World, or while riding your bike up and down the Lakefront. As a bicyclist, I love the fact that this park finally connects the lakeshore bike paths north of the downtown with bike lanes through the Third Ward and south. It makes riding from the north shore to the south shore much easier and more pleasent.

Whether the sun is just coming up or going down, Lakeshore Park is a great spot to enjoy the view. Between the urban surroundings and the lake view, it's such a gorgeous spot. It feels like a piece of serenity so close to downtown. Runners love the lakefront and I love to add this as the turnaround spot on my runs. You can't beat the even, pristeen paths. Sometimes I have to share the sidewalks with the geese and there are usually a fisherman or two around adding character to the surroundings. It is a beautiful urban park with prairie grass, rocks and park benches to sit and relax, and of course, incredible views.

I wish a place like this was in Chicago. Despite walking around downtown and feeling the heat. For some odd reason this place has a consistent cool breeze. The walks are long and very scenic. Sidewalks are free from gum, graffiti, trash, etc. A very nice park with good upkeep and respected by the public.

Insanely nice park right in the heart of Milwaukee. Beautiful and well kept grounds. Plenty of paths with views of the water and the city. Easy access to nearby museums. We were able to find good parking behind the main festival stage area, along the 'Hank Aaron State Trail' -- you can find this on a map by following East Erie Street until it ends near where the Milwaukee River empties into Lake Michigan. Continue following that road around and you'll find some nice parking spots just past where it appears the road is going to end. We walked this area twice up to Veterans Park and were blown away by the views of the lake, the Milwaukee skyline, as well as the beautifully tended park and prairie lands along the trail. We visited on the first warm day of this last spring and it was stunningly picturesque (and, bonus for us, nearly empty!). This should be a model to other cities of what can be done in terms of nice park space right on a waterfront, etc.

I hit here at the end of April. It's not bad for an urban "state park". It's a pleasant walk filled with pleasant people. There were lots of coots (ducks, not old men) and Greater Scaups in the lake, both of which I'd not seen before. The usual assortment of terns and gulls, some of which had been snacking on purple crayfish, as evidenced by their claws lying around on the sidewalks. Seeing nature at work even in the big city is pretty cool.

If I were rating this as a state park, it would probably get a 2/5--and the extra star would only be because it's free. It's just an empty space, every bit as scenic as the fairway on a golf course. But that's not what it is. This is an attempt to give our state's urban dwellers a taste of nature and for that, it's a valiant effort. Milwaukee is already too built up almost everywhere for a city core arboretum such as Madison's (although we sort of have something like that in the near Southwestern suburbs, in the Wehr Nature Center/Root River Parkway area). As an open area, there's plenty of space to walk, run, ride a bike, play frisbee with a friend, or whatever. They've made good use of the breakwater and you get some good views of the city just behind you. There are also events scheduled here regularly, although I've never been to any of them so I can't comment. As a natural area, it obviously can't compare to the rest of the State Parks system. As an urban oasis, it does okay.

We are so fortunate to have this beautiful park, lake in MKE. I enjoy running from MSOE on the Riverwalk and around the park/lake. I remember when this was a hidden gravel mess a few years ago and now we have beautiful wild flowers, benches and wild life (the fox family!). I recommend taking the new awesome Burbler bikes on a spin around the park or keep heading to veterans/McKinley or even Bradford! Only con- please please put a water fountain Down here!

Lakeshore State Park is the gateway to our great lake. The Gathering Waters Festival held every year in the beginning of June is an amazing event. It was family friendly and educational. I love bringing my kids to the park to ride around the island. Oh and to the doubters who think there should be trees.....where else are you going to see birds that only like wide open spaces, not to mention the star gazing in the middle of the city.

This is a very nice facility (Summer Fest grounds) located right on the lakefront, it has several concert venues located on the grounds. It would be nice if it had some more green space as it is called a park. The food and beverages are overpriced if there is an event. My wife also said the bathrooms could stand to be hosed off from time to time. We were there for the Indian Summer event which had its own problems not related to the grounds. We will probably return but will most likely not purchase food or drinks.

So it wasn't quite a summertime stroll, but now I know why I cannot row all year round here in Wisconsin! Before ducking into Discovery World, I wanted to show Mr. Snarky the lovely Lake Michigan. Even if you are not a fan of Milwaukee, you have to give them credit for this lovely park and view. Even in the winter when it is very windy by the lake, it is still very peaceful and still attracts a number of lunch time walkers. I cannot wait to get out here in the summer time and just stroll about. Bet it is tres romantic!

I really like this park. I am always using it as an end to my bike ride from Shorewood. I love the prairie and views you get from the park. It is interesting to go to this park while Summerfest is going on. You can play a fun game of trying to distinguish one stage from another. It can get pretty windy out here.

What a beautiful view of lake michigan, views of downtown milwaukee and the art museum and the list could go on forever. This prairie restoration park is a great continuation of the lakeshore trail and there are a few different paths to take south toward 794 and under it even! There is a large outdoor convention/concert space here as well, although I've never been to an event here. A very nice urban park with wide-open spaces.