Located so far in the southeast of the state on the shores of Lake Michigan and within a very few miles of the Illinois border, Kenosha Wisconsin is not far from the greater Chicago metropolitan area and well-connected to the nearby city of Racine. If you're considerinig a Kenosha vacation and wondering which of the airports in the state to fly into, it might be most economical to fly into Chicago's O'Hare or Midway. Kenosha Wisconsin is about sixty miles from Chicago, about forty miles from Milwaukee, and about 100 miles from Madison. When you've run out of things to do in Kenosha you are in a good position to access other regions with plenty to offer.

As the city is located right on the shores of Lake Michigan, a Kenosha vacation is often centered around the beaches here. There are several city and county Kenosha beaches to enjoy; most of them are also parks offering a number of activities other than the water sports. These Kenosha attractions offer year-round beauty, but are used primarily in the spring, summer, and autumn months. Some are quite isolated, and provide beautiful areas for solitary walks and biking. Pennoyer Park has fishing and outdoor summer concerts to enjoy. Fox River Park has a boat launch if you want to do a little fishing. Simmons Island Park has access to a major marina and two historic lighthouses, one of which is located in HarborPark, a project aimed to redevelop Kenosha's downtown.

To discover the entire length of the Kenosha beaches you can explore the Pike Bike Trail which meanders for over ten miles from Winthrop Harbor south of the city through the downtown area, past the marina and Simmons Island, and along the least populated part of the shoreline nearly halfway to Racine. There is also a shoreline drive that follows this scenic route. And, you can hop on a vintage electric streetcar to tour the entire area. A Kenosha vacation is sure to include some time on Lake Michigan and the area beaches; Geneva Lake and its recreational possibilities are also not far away.

Wisconsin Map

Just to the west of the lake are some smaller lakes, providing opportunities for more water activities as well as camping. This makes the Kenosha Wisconsin area a great family desitination, as there are also numerous lakes in the Wetosha region and more camping available at the nearby Bong State Recreational Area. You'll find another of the Kenosha attractions near Paddock Lake in the community of Bristol. The popular Bristol Rennaisance Faire runs from early July through Labor Day, and offers hundreds of costumed performers, scores of shops, and sixteen open-air stages.

There are plenty of things to do in Kenosha around the downtown area. Among these are the Civil War Museum that chronicles the war experience of the people from Wisconsin and the upper Midwest, including the surrounding states of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan. You can learn about the making of Ronald Reagan's favorite candy at the Jelly Belly Center in nearby Pleasant Prairie; relive the history of the region at the Kenosha History Center; and watch high-speed bicycle racing at the country's oldest operating velodrome. Kenosha also has a wide selection of restaurants, so guests will have no trouble finding a good meal to end the day.

Kenosha attractions also include shopping. More than 90 outlet stores are available in one location, though the Outlets of Kenosha are also located in Pleasant Prairie. Downtown Harbor Market offers a European-style market with food stalls, dining venues, arts and crafts, and entertainment. This is accessible to many of the other things to do in Kenosha and is open most of the year, although it moves indoors during colder weather.