Labor Day Weekend: Summer Fun in Milwaukee County Parks
Activities over the Labor Day Weekend range from zipping down the slides at the waterparks to taking post-worthy photos at the Botanical Gardens' Trial Garden
As vacations come to an end, area residents and visitors are encouraged to squeeze in some summer fun in the Milwaukee County Parks. Activities over the Labor Day Weekend range from zipping down the slides at the waterparks to taking post-worthy photos at the Botanical Gardens’ Trial Garden or completing the tour of the Traveling Beer Garden.
Socializing at the Beer Gardens – throughout the Holiday Weekend
Juneau Park, 900 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee
Currie Park, 3535 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa
The Parks Traveling Beer Gardens will be serving up Gemütlichkeit—good friends, good beer, and good times—on this final weekend of the regular tour. Beers are served in souvenir glass pints and steins, which can be refilled at a discount. Guests can also bring their own mug or stein for a discounted brew. Last call is at 9 p.m.
Traveling Beer Gardens will open Friday at 5 p.m., and the weekend and holiday at 11 a.m., with live music Friday and Saturday from 5–8 p.m. Food and snacks are available for purchase.
For details on any of the Milwaukee County beer gardens, visit mkebeergardens.com.
Swimming at the Waterparks – throughout the Holiday Weekend
Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park in Greenfield Park
2028 S. 124 St., West Allis, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Holiday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
David F. Schulz Aquatic Center in Lincoln Park
1301 E. Hampton Ave., Glendale, noon–6 p.m.; Holiday, noon–6 p.m.
Families can end the summer with a splash. Both parks feature giant waterslides, beach entry, and interactive water toys. Admission at either location is $7.75 for age 12–59 or $6 for age 3–11 or 60+. For details, call the Aquatics Hotline at 414-257-8098 or visit countyparks.com.
Taking Post-Worthy Photos at the Botanical Gardens – throughout the Holiday Weekend
Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners
Every day from 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m., visitors are invited to explore the renowned Botanical Gardens and participate in this year’s All-America Selections Display Garden Challenge, “Get Social in the Garden.”
While phlox, hardy asters, chrysanthemums, and tuberous begonias will be thriving in the formal gardens, guests are encouraged to also visit the Trial Garden to see recently introduced plants. Here guests will find brightly colored frames to define the border of post-worthy garden photos and selfies. By posting the images with #AASWinners, visitors help spread the news about the Trial Garden’s status as an All-America Selections Display Garden.
Visitors may also catch a glimpse of displays under construction for China Lights: Panda-Mania, coming to the Botanical Gardens Sept. 21-Oct. 21.
Admission to the Botanical Gardens is $6.50 for adults age 18 and up; $5 for students of any age with ID, Milwaukee County seniors age 60 and up with ID, and people with disabilities; and $4.50 for youths age 6–17.
For details, call Boerner Botanical Gardens at 414-525-5601 or visit countyparks.com.
Enjoying Friday Fish Fries at the Golf Clubhouses – Final Friday!
Grant Clubhouse, 100 E. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee
Whitnall Clubhouse, 6751 S. 92 St., Franklin
The popular Friday Fish Fry in the Parks golf clubhouses will close its season Friday of Labor Day Weekend. The Traditional fish fry includes baked or fried cod, French fries or roasted potatoes, coleslaw, rye bread, and a cookie. The fish fry will be served from 4–8 p.m. Reservations will be accepted only at Grant, at 414-762-4817. The Traditional fish fry is $9.95 per person.
Listening to Music at The Beach – Friday only
Ferch’s Beachside Grille
Grant Park, 100 E. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee
At the concessions area on the shore of Lake Michigan, visitors will take in the last performance of the season’s free music series, Music at The Beach. From 5-8 p.m., singer/songwriter Phil Norby will perform on guitar. For details, visit ferchs.com/grant/
Watching Free Summer Nights Movies – Sunday Only
Gift of Wings Kite Store
Veterans Park, 1300 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee
Families have one more chance to catch the popular Gift of Wings free movie series. Sept. 2 at dusk, Summer Nights Movies comes to a close with a double feature—the original Karate Kid (PG) and Spaceballs (PG). Plenty of free parking is available. Popcorn (at only $1), ice cream, and other snacks will be available for purchase. For more information call 414-273-KITE (5483) or visit giftofwingslanding.com.
Golfing at Special Rates – Labor Day Only, for tee times after noon
Regardless of residency, all golfers can enjoy special Labor Day pricing after noon by mentioning this offer to the golf starter at any of the six participating Milwaukee County Parks golf courses.
The PGA-tested golf course at Brown Deer Park, 7625 N. Range Line Road, and the Dretzka Park Golf Course, 12020 W. Bradley Road, are offering Monday-only specials. Golfers play 18 holes and receive an $8 merchandise gift card for $39 ($49 with golf car) at Brown Deer and $29 ($37 with golf car) at Dretzka.
Other Labor Day specials are available after noon at Oakwood Park Golf Course, 3600 W. Oakwood Road, and Whitnall Park Golf Course, 6751 S. 92nd St., where golfers can play 18 holes for $27 ($37 with golf car). In addition, golfers at Grant, and Greenfield golf courses can play 18 holes with a golf car for $27.
For reservations, visit mke.golf.
Seeing the Summer Floral Show – throughout the Holiday Weekend
Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee
The Domes will be open for the final days of the summer floral show, To Bee or Not to Bee, Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and the weekend and holiday, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The exhibit takes visitors on a journey through Shakespeare’s language of flowers and includes a honey-bee display. Viewing the pastel-tinted exhibit, visitors will see scroll-shaped signs with quotes from Shakespeare that relate to the nearby flowers or plants.
Admission fees range from $5 to $8. When presenting IDs for proof of status, Milwaukee County residents, students of all ages, and people with disabilities receive discounted admission. Children age 5 and under are admitted free. Because Monday is a federal holiday, the free day for Milwaukee County residents is suspended.
The show runs through Sept. 9. For more information, call the Mitchell Park Domes at 414-257-5600 or visit countyparks.com.
Playing FootGolf – throughout the Holiday Weekend
Lincoln Park, 1000 W. Hampton Ave., Glendale
Doyne Park, 5300 W. Wells St., Milwaukee
Noyes Park, 8235 W. Good Hope Road, Milwaukee
Zablocki Park, 3717 W. Howard Ave., Greenfield
FootGolf courses will be open for play throughout the holiday weekend. FootGolf, the cross between soccer and golf, uses a regulation size 4 or 5 soccer ball and 21-inch-diameter holes cut into the rough of a golf course. The objective of the game is to advance the ball from the tee box into the hole in the fewest number of kicks.
Residents and visitors of all ages and abilities have enjoyed the game since the first course opened at Lincoln Park in 2013.
Each FootGolfer must have his or her own ball. Ball rentals will be available at Lincoln for $5 each.
The green fee for FootGolf at Lincon (18 holes) is $16. For reservations at Lincoln, call 414-962-2400 or visit mke.golf. Play at Doyne, Noyes, and Zablocki (9 holes) is $5, and reservations are not needed.
And shortly after the holiday. . .
Flying Kites at the Kite Festival – Saturday & Sunday After the Holiday
Veterans Park, 1300 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee
The 40th annual Wilde Subaru Frank Mots International Kite Festival, presented by Prairie Farms Certified Angus Beef and Gift of Wings, will be held Sept. 8, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sept. 9, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The Fast Track Grand Launch of more than 600 kites will take place at noon, and performances by professional kite-flying teams will occur throughout the day, including Yves Laforest and the Canadian Dream Team with their giant kites. At about 2 p.m., the first 100 kids participating in the Kaplin University Kids Mad Dash will receive free kites. The festival and parking are free. For details, call 414-273-KITE (5483) or visit giftofwings.com.
Having a Brew and Going to an Art Fair – Saturday & Sunday After the Holiday
Trimborn Farm Park, 8881 W. Grange Ave., Greendale
Sept. 8 and 9, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., visitors at Harvest of Art & Crafts, now in its 36th year, can browse quality handmade items while exploring the historic Trimborn Farm grounds. The juried show features work from some of the best artists in the Midwest. Items for sale include wearable art, holiday decorations jewelry, paintings, and sculpture.
To provide an area for shoppers—or non-shoppers—a place to relax and socialize, the Traveling Beer Garden will set up just outside the admissions area, offering a variety of Sprecher products including craft beers and sodas.
For details, visit trimbornfarm.com.
For other activities in the Milwaukee County Parks, call 414-257-PARK (7275) or visit countyparks.com.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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