The city of Kenosha offers a unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. Kenosha's lakefront is a standout attraction, with the Kenosha Public Museum, Civil War Museum, and electric streetcar system that connects to the HarborPark and downtown area.
Kenosha is located between the major metropolitan areas of Chicago and Milwaukee on the western Lake Michigan shoreline.
It is the county seat of Kenosha County and is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin, with a population of nearly 100,000.
Aerial view of Kenosha, WI
Kenosha is a popular location for commuters who work in the larger cities and are attracted by the generally lower real estate prices. The situation on the lakeshore and the opportunities for outdoor activities also mean that tourism is an important part of the local service industry.
General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) - the Milwaukee airport is located around 35 miles north of Kenosha. It serves both domestic and international destinations and is the primary airport for the Milwaukee area.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) - this Chicago airport is just over 50 miles south of Kenosha. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world, offering numerous domestic and international flights.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) - Approximately 80 miles south of Kenosha, Chicago Midway is the city's secondary airport, offering a mix of domestic flights and limited international destinations.
The I-94 interstate highway runs a short way to the west of Kenosha, connecting it with Milwaukee to the north and Chicago to the south.
Wisconsin state highway 32 - also known as the 32nd Division Memorial Highway - runs closer to the lakeshore and follows it from the Illinois state line through Kenosha and up to Milwaukee.
Kenosha is linked to downtown Chicago via a regular service on the Metra commuter rail system.
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The Kenosha area was originally inhabited by the Potawatomi and other Native American tribes before European settlers arrived in the 1830s.
The village of Pike Creek was established in 1835, with the name changing to Kenosha a few years later. The name Kenosha comes from the Potawatomi word "kinoje", meaning "pike" or "pickerel".
By the mid-19th century, Kenosha had become a major center for manufacturing, particularly in the automotive and tool industries. Companies such as Nash Motors, Simmons Bedding Company and American Brass Company established factories in Kenosha, providing employment opportunities and driving economic growth.
In the late 19th century, Kenosha became known as the "City of Cheese" due to its thriving dairy industry.
During the early 20th century, Kenosha's manufacturing sector continued to expand, with companies such as Snap-On Tools becoming major employers in the area. The city also saw significant growth in its population, with immigrants from Europe, particularly Italy and Poland, settling in Kenosha and contributing to its cultural heritage.
Kenosha area video overview
In the 1950s and 1960s, Kenosha faced economic challenges as some of its major industries declined. However, the city worked to redevelop its downtown area and attract new businesses.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Kenosha saw a revitalization of its waterfront area, with the development of the HarborPark district and the construction of the Kenosha Public Museum and Civil War Museum.
Today, Kenosha is a thriving community with a diverse economy that includes manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The city is home to several universities and technical colleges, including the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Gateway Technical College.
The Kenosha Visitor Information Center is located in the Harborview Office Center at 600 52nd Street in Downtown Kenosha. It is open to the public on weekdays.
This scenic waterfront park features a promenade with stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Kenosha skyline. Visitors can enjoy outdoor concerts, festivals, and other events at the park's amphitheater, or take a stroll along the harbor walk. The park is also home to several restaurants and shops, as well as the Kenosha Yacht Club and a marina.
The Kenosha Public Museum is a natural history and cultural museum that showcases the history and culture of the surrounding area. The museum features exhibits on Native American culture, archaeology, and local history, as well as a planetarium and a replica of a Wisconsin farming community.
Located just next to the Kenosha Public Museum, the Civil War Museum is dedicated to the personal stories and artifacts of the American Civil War. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, including a replica of a Civil War camp, and learn about the role that Wisconsin and its citizens played in the war.
The Dinosaur Discovery Museum, located in the Heritage Center Complex, houses one of the largest collections of meat-eating dinosaurs in the United States. Visitors can see fossils and casts of dinosaur skeletons, as well as interactive exhibits that teach about dinosaur anatomy and paleontology.
The two grand buildings are part of the Third Avenue Historic District and house art galleries and exhibitions. They are on the shore of Lake Michigan and the landscaped grounds are frequently used for concerts.
North Pier Lighthouse in Kenosha
The North Pier Lighthouse, also known as the Kenosha Lighthouse, is a newer lighthouse located at the end of the Kenosha harbor breakwater. Built in 1906, this lighthouse stands 50 feet tall and is made of cast iron.
The North Pier Lighthouse is an active navigational aid that guides boats into the Kenosha harbor. Visitors can walk out to the lighthouse via the Kenosha North Pier, which features a scenic boardwalk and fishing areas.
The Southport Lighthouse, also known as Kenosha's Old Lighthouse, is the oldest and most charming of the two lighthouses in Kenosha.
Built in 1866, this lighthouse stands 55 feet tall and is made of cream-colored Milwaukee brick. Southport Lighthouse is located on the grounds of the Kenosha History Center and is open for tours during the summer months.
Visitors can climb the 72 steps to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding area. The Southport Light Station Museum showcases the history of the lighthouse and its keepers.
Kenosha offers a number of themed walking trails aimed at visitors (and residents!) wanting to get in their 10,000 steps. While some are in the city itself, others take in nearby country parks such as Silver Lake Park and Petrifying Springs Park. Longer hiking trails are also available here.
There are more than 150 miles of dedicated bike lanes and signed routes in Kenosha County, including the Kenosha County Bike Trail, the Pike Bike Trail, and the ten miles of year-round mountain bike trails at Silver Lake Park.
Kenosha has two marinas located on the Lake Michigan shore that offer boat slips, amenities, and services for boaters.
This marina is located on the south side of Kenosha and has 842 slips for boats up to 60 feet in length. Amenities include a swimming pool, showers, laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi. The marina also has a fuel dock and pump-out station.
This marina is located just off the Kenosha Harbor and has 500 slips for boats up to 60 feet in length. Amenities include showers, laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi. The marina also has a boat ramp, fuel dock, and pump-out station.
Kenosha is known as the trout and salmon capital of Wisconsin. The waters of Lake Michigan offer some of the best sport fishing in the Midwest and Kenosha claims the highest catch-per-hour rate in Wisconsin.
There are plenty of fishing charters available in the city as well as shore fishing from the piers at Simmons Island Marina and around the harbor.
Inland, the most popular fishing lakes are at Silver Lake Park, along with the twin lakes of Lake Mary and Lake Elizabeth.
Kenosha may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of winter sports, but there are still a few options for outdoor winter activities in the area.
Wilmot Mountain is a ski resort located just 30 minutes northwest of Kenosha in Wilmot, Wisconsin. This resort features 23 ski runs, ranging from beginner to advanced, as well as a terrain park for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. Wilmot Mountain also offers snow tubing, with 22 lanes and a magic carpet lift. The resort is open for winter sports during the months of December through March, weather permitting.
The Kenosha area is home to several lakes and ponds that are popular for ice fishing during the winter months. Some popular spots include Silver Lake, located in Wilmot, and Lake Breeze, located in Salem Lakes. Ice fishing enthusiasts can catch a variety of fish in the Kenosha area, including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Panfish.
The Pringle Nature Center in Bristol, Wisconsin, offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails during the winter months. This nature center features 100 acres of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands, as well as several miles of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. The trails are open seven days a week, weather permitting, and rental equipment is available on site.
The Kenosha area offers a few options for sledding and tubing during the winter months. Petrifying Springs Park in Kenosha features a large sledding hill that is popular with locals and visitors alike. The Wilmot Mountain ski resort also offers snow tubing, with 22 lanes and a magic carpet lift.
More information about the skiing in Wisconsin is available here: Ski Resorts in Wisconsin
Port Washington is a historic city of approximately 12,000 people, located on a picturesque bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Unique features include the 1860 Light Station, which is the oldest operational lighthouse in Wisconsin, and the annual Port Fish Day.
Sheboygan is known as the "Malibu of the Midwest" for its excellent surfing conditions. The city's lively arts scene is highlighted by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and its annual Levitt AMP Music Series, which hosts free concerts in the heart of Sheboygan.
Manitowoc is a city with an interesting maritime history. It is known for constructing submarines during World War II and it hosts the annual Sputnikfest, celebrating the 1962 crash landing of a piece of the Soviet Sputnik 4 satellite. It is also the Wisconsin port for the SS Badger ferry.
Situated at the intersection of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Sturgeon Bay is the heart of the beautiful and historic Door County area. The region features unique attractions such as the Door County Maritime Museum and the Cana Island Lighthouse, dating back to 1869.
Visit Kenosha : www.visitkenosha.com
Kenosha Public Museum : museums.kenosha.org
Kemper Center & Anderson Arts Center : kempercenter.com
Kenosha History Center : kenoshahistorycenter.org