Gosh, aren’t we lucky! The Lake Country (& surrounding) area offers so many options for families to find all the fun! We have all these gorgeous lakes, trails and hidden gems all over. No matter the season here in Wisconsin, you will be sure to find something to do! Keep this list handy all year long!
“This is where the fun stuff happens!”
- Hike any of the Waukesha County Park trails There are more than 35 paved trails in Waukesha county!
- Find a park in the Waukesha County Park System: there are 8,500-acres-each with natural resources-based system with diverse landscapes, high-quality natural areas, a variety of trails, and beautiful lakes, ponds, and waterways!
- Climb Lapham Peak– a 45-foot observation tower atop the highest point in Waukesha County (1,233 feet above sea level). Have you seen the views?
- Attend a show at the Summer Stage is an outdoor stage for the performing arts within the boundaries of Lapham Peak. Summer Stage offers a unique outdoor venue for music, theater, comedy and dance. Performances are typically June through August.
- Attend a local beer garden during the season! Many have games, music, food and often at a park with a playground.
- Spend a day at the The Children’s Play Gallery in downtown Oconomowoc.
- Go ice-skating at the Naga-Waukee Ice Arena.
- Bounce with the whole family at Sky Zone Milwaukee (located in Waukesha/near Pewaukee)-also a great place to celebrate a birthday!
- Take the family bowling + grab some food at Mapleway Bowl in Oconomowoc, WI: Lake Country Wisconsin’s Favorite Bowling Alley – Family Friendly, Tasty Food, Full Service Bar, Great Fun, Leagues, ProShop. and Excellent Service!
- See a cheap $3 movie at any participating Marcus Theatre for their Kids Dream Winter Film Series: Join them January 5 thru March 3, 2024, to view your favorite family films for only $3 (+tax)!
- Find something fun for the whole family at the Pabst Farm YMCA in Oconomowoc! From classes, swimming, waterpark, rock wall + more!
- Attend a Lake Country Littles event: they host everything from mommy & me classes, park play dates, large-scale curated events & festivals to mom’s nights out, and coffee shop meet ups. This mom’s group has something for everyone!
- Spend an afternoon at the Oconomowoc Area Historical Society and Museum-committed to historic preservation and research; and to inspire and encourage curiosity and passion for our historic treasures.
- Attend a show at the Magic Mansion Concert on the Porch– a magical place for the neighborhood to enjoy amazing original live music in an intimate outdoor set.
- Attend Twilight Concerts at Fowler Park- A family friendly, sit down and listen, magical musical experience, featuring national touring musicians, right in our own back yard.
- Explore your natural surroundings with a walk around Oconomowoc’s Fowler Lake on the famous “Fowler loop.”
- Come splash around! Waukesha County Park System has six beautiful swimming beach locations! Find your favorite beach when summer is here!
- Attend a Winter and Summer Farmers Market here in Wisconsin. Stay tuned for the new year’s dates!
- Take the whole family to Waukesha Skateland for a night of rollerskating -they also have great birthday party packages!
- Take a tour with Oconomowooc Tours and Events-whether it is on foot or by boat (when in season) -Creating new memories while remembering our history.
- Get wet at The Lake Country Rotary Splash Pad at Nixon Park in Hartland, our personal favorite!
- Go mini golfing, go on the bumper cars and hit some balls at the batting cages at Prairieville Park.
- Go on a self-guided tour at Retzer Nature Center.
- Attend a show at The Lake Country Players in Hartland as a family.
- Drive-in and indulge at The Kiltie (when in season)
- Experience the wonder at the The Imagination Station.
- Ride the East Troy Electric Railroad.
- Spend a day shopping local in one of our favorite downtown areas: Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Delafield, Waukesha, Hartland.
- See an outdoor movie at the Highway 18 Outdoor Theatre.
- Go play and walk at Cushing Memorial Park.
- Horseback ride at Kettle Moraine Ranch.
- Grab the kids and head to Endter’s Sports Grill for a family friendly experience and great pizza!
- Attend a Moonlit Movie in Oconomowoc!
- Visit the Wizard of Oz characters in downtown Oconomowoc and walk the yellow brick road when they are back-they are out for a facelift right now but coming back!
- Celebrate the anniversary of The Wizard of Oz in 2024 in downtown Oconomowoc-This is your primary destination for all things Oz and discover the enchanting events and activities we have planned to make this anniversary truly unforgettable! Whether you’re a devoted Oz enthusiast or a newcomer, there’s something for everyone in Oconomowoc’s celebration of this iconic story. Get ready to follow the yellow brick road to a year filled with magic, excitement, and the spirit of Oz!
- Take the kids to Bug & Goose Cafe in Delafield- their intention for this space is that it may be a warm, welcoming, home-like cafe where moms, dads, nannies, grandparents, and other caretakers can find support, acceptance, a comfy place to sit, and have some caffeine.
- Take the whole family to Urban Air Adventure Park in Waukesha- the ultimate adventure park & birthday party venue with epic attractions for all ages!
- Spend a day at We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym Pewaukee-they offer Open Play daily, which is when children are welcome to enjoy full use of our sensory-safe gym with parent supervision. Our gym features therapy equipment, an arts & crafts area, a calming room, and more.
- Start your day right with coffee, breakfast and family at the Pink Mocha Cafe!
- Spend the day at one our amazing local libraries: Waukesha County Library , Pewaukee Public Library, Delafield Public Library, Hartland Public Library , Oconowomoc Public Library
- Find food truck in Waukesha County! Use this FINDER!
- Attend a Friday Night Fish Fry in Wisconsin, we recommend trying somewhere NEW! A Friday night fish fry in Wisconsin is a cherished tradition, especially in small towns and local communities. The scene typically unfolds at a family-run restaurant or a local tavern, buzzing with a friendly and casual atmosphere. The menu stars beer-battered fish, commonly perch, or cod, deep-fried to golden perfection. The fish is often accompanied by sides like coleslaw, rye bread, and French fries or potato pancakes, with tartar sauce, lemon wedges on the side and applesauce. YUM! Watch for The Lake Country Mom for our Official Southeast WI Friday Fish Fry Guide!
- Get Lost in the Spectacular Sculptures of Paul Bobrowitz: The Spectacular Sculptures of Paul Bobrowitz are located at N93W29174 Woodchuck Way, Colgate, WI, open to the public every day variable by time of year.
- Visit Holy Hill located in Hubertus, WI just a short drive from lake country-whether your attend a service, a craft/art fair, take in the views in every season, visit the gift store and more-there is something for the whole family.
- Visit the Frame Park Formal Gardens with the family in every season!
- Spend a morning at River Coffee in Oconomowoc, WI– coffee, food + community and they have plenty of seating options and there’s an indoor play space for the kids.
- Attend a Lake Country Dockhound’s baseball game or attend an event at the Wisconsin Brewing Company Park
- Follow the Delafield Chamber on Facebook and find fun events like DELAFREEZE
- Go snowshoeing this winter!
- Take the family out for dinner in a DOME or IGLOO- Imagine..watching the snow fall all cozied up with your friends or family, or on date night……under the stars with cocktails + hot food inside a sleek winter dome….we have round up some local options for this season for you all to enjoy!
- Go skiing or snowboarding with the family at Little Switzerland or Alpine Valley Ski Resort -both not far from lake country!
- Take the family out for some biking on the Bugline Recreation Trail
- Spend an afternoon at Lannon Quarry
- Visit Ten Chimneys it is the estate lovingly created by Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
- Grab lunch or dinner and AMAZING custard at LeDuc’s in Wales-our favorite! Open year-round.
- Attend and event at Hawks Inn and Delafield History Center.
- Attend a family friendly biking event by Wheel & Sprocket
- Ever wondered how to icefish? Attend an ice fishing clinic!
- Looking a short drive? Say “ayyy” to the Bronze Fonz! Located on Milwaukee’s RiverWalk just south of Wells Street, the Bronze Fonz is a must-visit selfie spot.
- Go on the Waukesha Historic Walking tour.
- Spend a day at the Springs Water Park
- Take a kid-friendly brewery tour with the whole family!
- Spend the day at the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum to foster an understanding of the American experience through the stories of Waukesha County.
- Visit the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium
- Find a show, fair or event at the Waukesha County Expo
- You have 33+ lakes to choose from to take the family for a walk or to watch the sunset!
- Attend a social meetup with Babbling Babes they connect and uplifts local moms while cultivating community at curated Gatherings with local businesses that believe in supporting the heart of the city- the moms!
- Book a kid friendly session at Board & Brush -let them be creative!
- Find + book a cooking class with Chef Pam’s Kitchen in Waukesha, WI
- Find a kid’s program through the Village of Hartland
- Take your kiddo to a kid’s workshop at The Home Depot
- Sign up for swim lessons with Goldfish Swim School– learn-to-swim facility for kids ages 4 months to 12 years!
- Register for a kid-friendly / family event at Faithful Farms
- Sign up for a kid’s class at Stone Bank Farm
- Go bowling at the The Thirsty Duck in Sussex, WI- 18 mini bowling lanes. The rules are the same as regular bowling, everything is just 1/4 the size. The goal is to provide their guests with the cleanest, safest, and most enjoyable experience possible. Kid friendly!
- Go shopping at the Corner’s of Brookfield, grab some food, check out one of the many family friendly events they have to offer all year long.
- Sign up for family for a workshop with Gals!
- Take the family to The Charcuterie House, it is a specialty market cheese shop and your go-to destination for all things charcuterie. You can purchase everything you need to craft your own perfect board, choose from our pre-made selections or do a special order with your individual preferences. Everyone can pick what they like! Make it a fun family stop!
- Find a family friendly crafting class with Michael’s either in person or online!
- Looking for a drive? Family favorites: Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee County Zoo, Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, Harley Davidson Museum
- Pack up the family and head to The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago, WI-all year long!
- Find a you-pick orchard or flower farm seasonally!
- Grab the kids and take a short drive to the Stone Creek Coffee Factory Tour-every Sunday at 9am and 11am for a tour of the Stone Creek Coffee Factory. Tours will start promptly. Participants will get the opportunity to learn more about coffee, starting at origin and tracing its path from seed to cup. We’ll tour the green storage area, roasting facility, cupping lab, learning lab, and outside our bakery. There will also be plenty of free coffee and some bakery treats to taste. At the end of the tour, you will receive a coupon good for a 20% discount in our cafe on the day of the tour, along with one free drink. In addition, you’ll get to go home with some freshly roasted coffee and SCC original pint glass.
- Find a local /seasonal Wisconsin Fair or Festival all year long
- Have a family outing for tactical laser tag at ICOMBAT located in Waukesha, WI
- Play at Whirlyball- play / eat / drink: Whirylball, Laser Tag, games, bowling + more! Located in Brookfield, WI
- Take a scenic drive over to Lake Geneva Ziplines and Adventures for a really fun and memorable day! Surprise the kids!
- Find a local sledding hill
- Pack up the family and dress warm this winter-go ice-skating!- try out the SK8_SLAB & Bluebell Warming House Hours: Sun-up to 9:00 pm. 7 days a week, weather dependent during winter. Check their FACEBOOK for updates.
- Visit The Oconomowoc Skate Park is at 130 East Forest Street, Oconomowoc within Roosevelt Park. The skate park is open to all ages and abilities. You can use scooters, bikes, skateboards and skates at this facility.
- Looking for a fun+ unique dining experience with your kids? Go back in time to Miss Katie’s Diner– they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with a full bar 7 days a week. They feature a unique 50’s theme throughout the facility. Their chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry malts and shakes are homemade and the best in Milwaukee. Very family friendly + unforgettable! Located in Milwaukee-but not too far of a drive from Lake Country!
- Take the family / kids to The Big Backyard-a full year round indoor playground! Let off some steam!
- Head over to A Kid at Heart PLAYLAND in Germantown, WI-the ultimate destination for thrilling slot car racing, imaginative play, and family-friendly entertainment
- Sign up for a class at Midwest Twisters in Hartland, WI
- Check out Lake Country Martial Arts-explore their classes for all ages!
- Take the whole family to enjoy a class at Soul Fire Art Studio in downtown Delafield.
- Go on the Sprecher Brewery Tour-all ages welcome, again short drive! Do something out of the ordinary!
- Find and visit a Wisconsin Cheese factory or tour
- Experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building (located at 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53702) is to see it for yourself. Free tours are offered daily!
- Get connected with GEE Funny Farm located in Mukwonago, WI- Learn animals through presentation, hands-on experiences, and activities.
