Milwaukee is one of America’s great park cities. With over 15,000 acres of parkland managed by Milwaukee County Parks, the city offers green spaces for every kind of outdoor adventure — from quiet nature walks to competitive sports to family picnics to world-class golf.
Estabrook Park
Estabrook Park along the Milwaukee River is one of the city’s most beloved green spaces. The park features a beer garden (the oldest in Milwaukee, recently restored to its original 1930s glory), a wading pool, picnic areas, and miles of trails along the river. The beer garden is a Milwaukee institution — families, couples, and groups of friends gather there on summer evenings in a tradition that stretches back nearly a century.
Whitnall Park
At 600 acres, Whitnall Park in the southwestern suburbs is Milwaukee County’s largest park. It’s home to the Boerner Botanical Gardens, one of the finest public gardens in the Midwest, as well as a golf course, picnic areas, and miles of trails. In spring, the botanical gardens’ lilac and rose collections are breathtaking.
Grant Park
Grant Park on the South Side offers Lake Michigan access, a beach, picnic areas, and the Seven Bridges Trail — a beautiful wooded path that crosses a series of stone bridges built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It’s one of Milwaukee’s best-kept secrets.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park in the Riverwest neighborhood is a beloved community green space along the Milwaukee River. The park hosts concerts, festivals, and community events throughout the summer, and its riverbank is a peaceful spot for a walk any time of year.
