Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee, WI
Hidden deep along the along the shores of Lake Michigan, Grant Park Beach is a treasure that is nearly undiscovered.
Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee is never crowded. Even if the parking lot were full, there is more than enough room for everyone. It is a large beach. You can walk north from Grant Park Beach and enjoy the shore nearly all the way to the Port of Milwaukee. It is easy to find a fairly secluded, yet sand spot to enjoy the lake.
The water temperature is usually too cold for much swimming.
While there is usually a few brave souls who will challenge the cold temperature and wade out a bit into Lake Michigan most come to enjoy the sun and sand. Swimming is best left for later in summer when Lake Michigan’s water temperature has had a chance to warm up a bit. Even then, it is usually very cold. An eastern wind can make the water much warmer and much more enjoyable to swim and play in.
Lifeguards are no longer on duty at Milwaukee County Beaches.
You swim at your own risk. Make sure you keep an eye on children playing near the water. At one time, there were lifeguards and Grant Park Beach resembled a scene from Baywatch on summer morning with Lifeguards practicing drills.
Sunrise on Lake Michigan at Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee can be beautiful.
It is a great time to take a walk along the beach and enjoy the first light of day. Often, there is a fisherman on the jetty in the early morning. You may find yourself with the drive down to the beach closed if you come too early or during the winter months. You can still get access to the beach by parking at the South Milwaukee Yacht Club. There is a footbridge for pedestrian and bike traffic that will take you to the beach from there.
Occasionally, sunsets can be beautiful too.
While the sun setting in the west will be block by the high ridge that makes it a step hill down to the beach and shore along this section of Lake Michigan the Lake is still beautiful. After a storm near sunset cloud will often catch the orange glow of the sun and contrast with the blue of the water.
Grant Park Beach as several amenities.
There is a beach house for changing if you do not want to wear your swimsuit to the beach. There are usually concessions available during summer months. There is a full playground at the beach. There are some picnic tables available also. There is no longer boat ramp access at Grant Park Beach. The public boat launch was moved south to Bender Park in Oak Creek, leaving much more parking space for beach visitors.
Grant Park Beach is well hidden in Grant Park.
Grant Park itself can be hard to find as it is part of the Oak Creek Parkway and many signs refer to that instead of Grant Park. It is also surrounded by the City of South Milwaukee. Unlike much of the Lakefront to the north, no main roads are near the Lakefront at Grant Park Beach. Just park roads, although Lake Drive does boarder the northern part of Grant Park.
Grant Park Beach is a great place to take the kids on a hot afternoon.
No matter how hot, it is always more pleasant at the beach. The cool water usually provides just the right amount of cooling. If not a quick dip will rinse the sweat off for quite a while. You can enjoy the sun while the kids enjoy the water and sand.
Winter can also be an interesting time to visit.
The area is beautiful when there is a fresh snow. Ice along the lake can make it seem like a trip to the arctic.
Phone numbers for Grant Park Beach:
- For beach closings call the Pool Hotline 414-645-4806
- Milwaukee County Parks 414-257-7275
The address for Grant Park Beach is:
- 100 South Hawthorne Avenue
- South Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53172
Map to Grant Park Beach South Milwaukee, WI
View Grant park beach in a larger map
Michelle Gartner says
May 8, 2008 at 1:47 pmI am thinking you should blog about Johnny Depp filming in Wisconsin- it was big deal in our local paper for weeks… 🙂
Eyes On Wisconsin says
May 8, 2008 at 7:05 pmI missed that one. 🙂 They weren’t filming Pirates of the Caribbean on Lake Michigan were they?
Eyes On Wisconsin says
June 25, 2008 at 9:00 pmI did see the Universal Studio trucks in hotel parking lot last week.