Keeping it reel

History and museums

From history buffs to dinosaur lovers, Kenosha offers several fascinating museums that teach and inspire. The Civil War Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum and Kenosha Public Museum — all Smithsonian Institution Affiliates — are free (although the Civil War Museum charges a fee for its main exhibit). Visitors can learn more about the area’s past at the free Kenosha History Center.

The Dinosaur Discovery Museum showcases meat-eating dinosaurs. Aimed at kids is “Little Clint: The Story of a Baby Dinosaur.” This 3-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex was excavated in southeast Montana. Kids can learn everything about him from his hatching during the Cretaceous period to his arrival at the museum. This interactive exhibit includes puzzles, activities and a dinosaur dig ideal for children ages 3-10.

Why is there a Civil War Museum in Wisconsin? This unique museum focuses on the soldiers from the Upper Midwest and their experiences during the war. These states sent over one million men for the Union army, while the people who stayed home provided food and supplies necessary for victory. Listen to their personal stories and the impact the Civil War had on the home front.

The Kenosha Public Museum is a natural sciences and fine arts museum that opened in 1933. The museum’s collections have grown to over 80,000 pieces, including 1,200 works of fine art. Explore world cultures, Native American history and countless fossils, which is like looking back on millions of years of history.

Electric streetcars were all the rage back at the turn of the 20th century but were retired in 1932. The Kenosha city fathers thought they would add a touch of nostalgia and serve as additional transit, so they were brought back into operation downtown in 2000. Each of the streetcars is named for a different city.

Today, your family can ride on these authentic electric streetcars that travel around a 2-mile loop by the lakefront. As a bonus, you’ll get a scenic tour of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Fare per loop: $1 for ages 13 and older; 50 cents for ages 5 to 12; 4 and under is free; and $3.50 for an all-day pass. Exact change is required.

It’s a foodie town

Wisconsin is known for its abundant natural resources, which is why it’s called “America’s Dairyland.” More than 600 kinds of cheese and cheese products are made throughout the state. In Kenosha, craft beer, fried cheese curds and bratwurst reign supreme in this culinary capital, giving you a taste of Wisconsin’s finest.

You can’t go too far in Wisconsin without stumbling on an authentic Wisconsin brewery. The Kenosha Brewing Company is famous for its giant calzones, Friday night fish fry and Saturday night smoked rib dinner. Local ales include blonde, red and hard seltzer.

Captain Mike’s Beer and Burger Bar is a great place to chow down, which is distinguished for its great selection of Kobe and grass-fed burgers. Check out its Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup or create your specialty mac and cheese by adding your favorite meats, cheeses, vegetables and sauces to the mix. There’s a great selection of local beer, too.

At Fin and Ale, you catch ’em and they’ll cook ’em with the Shore Lunch, or smoke your catch and bring it all home.

Mars Cheese Castle is an experience that is not to be missed. It looks like a castle and you’ll be treated like royalty as you shop. If you’ve never tried authentic cheese curds, this is the place to s-t-r-e-t-c-h them out. Stop in the Mars Cheese Castle restaurant for sandwiches, burgers and beer.

Other attractions

Walk through the beautiful grounds of the Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum while enjoying its full slate of activities. Kenosha offers 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 mountain bike trails at Silver Lake Park. Get your hiking boots ready to walk the 4 miles of hiking trails at the Bristol Woods Park in nearby Bristol, Wisconsin.

Enjoy America’s favorite pastime at a Kenosha Kingfish game played at the historic Simmons Field from May to August. The Kenosha Kingfish team plays in the collegiate summer Northwoods League and offers a chance to get up close and personal with these college athletes while cheering on the crack of the bat!

Kenosha offers visiting boaters a chance to step back in time, while also enjoying the beautiful natural Wisconsin lakeshore and a bounty of attractions.

Dock your boat and stay awhile!