Situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, this historic Wisconsin city is located roughly 40 miles south of Milwaukee and 66 miles north of Chicago. It is a great spot to visit on a day trip or for a weekend getaway.
Between 1902 and 1988, Kenosha produced millions of automobiles and trucks including makes and models such as Rambler, Nash, Hudson and American Motors Corporation or AMC. In May 1954, Nash acquired Detroit-based Hudson and the new firm was named American Motors Corporation.
It was the headquarters of Simmons Manufacturing Company, founded in 1889, before it moved out of town. Today it is the home of Snap-on Tools and Jockey International.
You can visit the revitalized downtown with repurposed buildings, many bars and restaurants, craft breweries, new hotels, several museums plus a marina, beaches, lighthouses and a park.
My top recommendations include:
Where to Eat
Kenosha is home to many supper clubs, coffee shops, waterfront restaurants, German-American restaurants, drive-in burger spots and craft breweries.
Make sure to visit:
Boat House Pub & Eatery: I enjoyed my lunch there upon arrival in town. This is a casual, nautical themed restaurant located near the harbor with nice views along with outside seating. They have a large menu of soups, salads, tacos, burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches, steaks and a classic fish fry. I had the fish fry and loved the beer battered walleye served with coleslaw and tartar sauce. 4917 7th Ave.
Franks Diner: This is the oldest lunch-car diner in the US that has been serving up burgers, breakfast and other classic diner fare since 1926. I read that Guy Fieri visited the restaurant and featured it on his show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” on the Food Network. Franks Diner has also hosted many celebrities, including The Three Stooges, Lawrence Welk, Bela Lugosi, Duke Ellington and Liberace. It is located downtown at 508 58th St. and is open only until 1:30 pm Monday to Saturday and 12:30 pm on Sunday.
The Spot Drive-In: Opened in 1945, this is an historic cash-only drive-up burger joint serving burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, milkshakes, sundaes, floats and homemade root beer and orange soda. I stopped in on the way to dinner and had a tasty pineapple milkshake. The server brings your order to your car.
East View Coffee Co.- Tasting Room: Make sure to stop in for a coffee, tea drink or a pastry at this local coffee roaster. It is family friendly and there is a kid’s playroom in the back. I enjoyed a latte after my lunch on the harbor. 716 58th St.
Scoops Ice Cream & Candy: My next stop was around the corner at this classic, old-fashioned ice cream shop featuring many ice cream flavors along with custom cakes and pies, brownie bowls, cookies and candy. I thought the bourbon pecan pie flavor was really tasty! 5711 8th Ave #4002.
The Coffee Pot: This is a popular old-fashioned American diner since the 1930s with nostalgic vibes and counter seats. It specializes in breakfast and lunch dishes. It was re-imagined under new ownership in 2004. I was hoping to eat there, but it was temporarily closed when I was in town due to a kitchen fire. I hope to go back and support his local business at another time. 4914 7th Ave.
Another great spot for coffee downtown is Anna’s on the Lake at 5159 6th Ave. It is open for coffee, tea and pastries along with breakfast and lunch. During the summer months, they have an outdoor bar and grill Friday through Sunday. It has great views from their outdoor terraces.
Rustic Road Brewing Company is a small local craft brewery with close to 24 beers on tap along with seltzers and cocktails. They make ales, IPA, stouts, porters, pilsners and blondes. They also have a Friday Fish Fry plus soups, salads, sandwiches, tacos along with trivia, open mic night, bingo and live music. I really enjoyed tasting the Hazelnut Harvest which is a light, amber ale hazelnut infused beer with notes of coffee and caramel.
Other bars and restaurants that locals recommend include Swedes for lunch, dinner and cocktails; Captain Mike’s Beer & Burger Bar for beer, burgers and mac and cheese; Union Park Tavern for its famous Friday Fish Fry; Big Star Drive-In for burgers, fries and shakes and Tavern on 6th for beer and cocktails.
Other area restaurants not to be missed include:
Wilmot Stage Stop: Located in Southwest Kenosha County, 35 minutes from downtown Kenosha, is the Wilmot Stage Stop. This is a legendary steakhouse and is Wisconsin’s oldest tap and dining room from 1848. It was originally built as a hotel serving weary travelers as well as vacationers and tourists. You can visit the museum on the second floor where you can see many antiques, recreated rooms and old photos.
After spending the day downtown, I drove out to meet friends for dinner. It has a rustic interior and a menu of steaks and other meats, lobster tails and shrimp along with a number of sides and homemade desserts. It is a fun experience that is not to be missed.
HOBNOB Restaurant, is located along Lake Michigan in, WI. This is a classic Wisconsin supper club opened in 1954. They have a large menu featuring steaks, seafood and a Friday Fish Fry. On a prior trip to Racine, local Kenosha friends and I went for dinner and tried the Friday Fish Fry with a baked cod, a salad, soup, bread and potatoes. They have porch seating as well as seating at the bar. They offer live music in the Bar on Friday and Saturday evenings. The architecture and decor is classic 1950’s. It is a 10 minute drive from Kenosha and is a great experience. 277 Sheridan Rd.
Make sure to make a stop at Mars Cheese Castle located at 2800 W Frontage Rd, in Kenosha on I-41. Opened in 1947, this large store opened a new building in 2011. It has a huge selection of cheeses, meats, baked goods, beer and souvenirs. They also have a bar and restaurant. I loved the Wisconsin cheeses that I bought to serve to several friends at home in Chicago.
What to Do in Kenosha
Simmons Island: While visiting downtown, take the 50th St. Bridge from downtown to get there. Here you will find a beach, a boardwalk and park along with playgrounds, a marina, two lighthouses and museums. You can also rent kayaks, paddle boats and duck-themed pedal boats to use in the harbor.
Southport Lighthouse: Built in 1886, this historic lighthouse is a major part of the history of Kenosha. It is the third lighthouse built on the current site. During museum hours, visitors can climb the 72-step spiral staircase to the lantern room at the top. The tower stands 55 ft. above the grounds.
Next to the lighthouse is the Southport Light Station Museum, located in a 1867 Light Station keeper’s house, it opened in May 2010 as a maritime museum. It features artifacts, maps and information about Kenosha’s important 19th century harbor, along with its shipping and commercial fishing history. There are other exhibitions on local shipwrecks, the US Coast /guard and a re-creation of a lighthouse keeper’s bedroom and office. I enjoyed learning about the history of the area. 50th Street and Lighthouse Drive (4th Avenue).
The North Pier Lighthouse, now privately owned, is currently an operational lighthouse for Kenosha Harbor. Also known as the Pierhead Lighthouse, this iconic red cylindrical tower sits at the entrance to the Kenosha harbor and also serves as a creative art studio. It was built in 1906 and stands 50 feet tall. You can see it from Simmons Island Beach or you can walk along the pier to get to it.
There is the Kenosha History Center nearby with additional industrial history of the town including auto-manufacturing along with information on the early settlement of the city. 220 51st Place.
Anderson Arts Center: Located at 6603 3rd Ave., this local arts center and museum was once the home of industrialist James Anderson. In 1990, this French Renaissance Revival mansion became the Anderson Arts Center. Today, it showcases diverse artworks and supports local and regional artists through exhibitions and educational programs. There is also a gift shop. I was very impressed with the quality of a curated exhibition of local artists that was on display when I was in town. They also have free outdoor music concerts, Music at Twilight, in the summer months.
Across from the Anderson Arts Center is the Kemper Center, which is located in a former private Episcopal girls’ school called Kemper Hall from 1865. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. On the property there is also the Durkee Mansion.
The Anderson Arts Center is located in the Third Avenue Historic District. This is a mansion district from the early twentieth century along Lake Michigan. It was the residential area for many of Kenosha’s important industrialists and their families. They include Simmons, Manufacturing Company, Bain Wagon Works, Chicago Brass Company, N.R. Allen & Sons Tannery and Nash Motor Company. The architecture styles include Gothic, Gothic Revival, Georgian Revival, Tudor Revival, Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Late Queen Anne Colonial Revival, Eclectic Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, French Period and Renaissance Revival along with Prairie Style.
Other events to check out include the Summer Beach Front Arts Fest downtown in July, the Kenosha Art Market held monthly the third Sunday of the month in Union Park for local artists, the Kenosha Harbor Market every Saturday from May to October on the lakefront, musicals and plays at the Rhode Center for the Arts, the Peacetree Music Festival in August, the HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm & Blue Festival in August and the Kenosha Pops Concerts in June and July at the Pennoyer Park Bandshell.
Shoppers will enjoy visiting the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Prairie on I 94, the shopping center has over 90 stores offering great prices. I have gone several times in the past, and went back on my recent trip to buy some new luggage for travel and other items.
Where to Stay
The Stella Hotel & Ballroom: Located in an historic building downtown, The Stella Hotel & Ballroom is an 80 room, full-service hotel and ballroom. The 100-year-old building has been transformed into a beautiful hotel, which previously was the Heritage House Inn and before that was the Elks Club, then prior to that, the Pettit Malting Company. 5706 8th Ave.
