10 Best Outdoor Activities To Do Around Milwaukee: Team Wimmer Staff Picks

When Team Wimmer is out of the office, we are OUT-DOORS soaking up the fun, fun, fun in the sun, sun, sun all around the Milwaukee area.  Whether you’re new to MKE or have lived here all of your life, read on to find exciting ways to have (as Sly & the Family Stone so eloquently put it) “hot fun in the Summertime!”

Rooftop lunch at Café Hollander – Meagan, Property Manager, Poplar Creek Apartments

Alfresco dining is at the top of Meagan’s list this summer.  She recommends a leisurely rooftop lunch at Café Hollander at The Corners of Brookfield, directly across the street from the Poplar Creek Apartments.  Whether you like people-watching or gazing out at lush views of the wooded conservancy and creek that gave Poplar Creek its name, the rooftop views are entertaining.  If you’re up for an adult beverage, why not try a made-from-scratch Bloody Mary or Mimosa with lunch.  Afterward, you could take a turn through the outdoor mall or better yet, pop on over to Poplar Creek for a tour of this gorgeous community.

Café Hollander offers daily brunch, lunch, and dinner.  Visit the website

State Fair – Lori, Property Manager, The Artisan at Georgetown Square

Summer Festivals are Lori’s favorite part of summer, but when pressed, she will tell you that State Fair is her absolute favorite.  And who wouldn’t love spending a summer day (or days!) watching livestock competitions and auctions, shopping for unique items, checking out art exhibits, wiener dog races and beer, food and wine competitions?  Then there are the games and rides, concerts, and the highlight of all: FOOD!  Did you know there are 200 concession locations offering over 800 different food and beverage options?  Wow!  But (and this is important) save room for the original State Fair cream puffs!

Wisconsin State Fair, August 5-15, 2021 – Visit the WI State Fair website

Motorcycle Rides – Jack, Maintenance Technician, The Club at Brookfield Hills

To Jack at The Club, summer means motorcycle rides.  And who can blame him?  Just imagine the sun on your face and the wind in your hair as you traverse the beautiful Milwaukee area on two wheels.  Some of Jack’s favorite destinations are Milwaukee County Parks, especially those with traveling beer gardens.  Refresh yourself with a Bavarian pretzel and root beer float while enjoying the sites and sounds of the park.  On Thursday evenings, Jack can be found at the Harley Museum for the Bike Night Concert Series.  Whether you ride a motorcycle or not, check out the band, sculptures and outdoor food and beverages.

Traveling Beer Garden   

Thursday Bike Night Concert Series – Visit the Harley Davidson museum website 

Tennis and Golf – Tyler, Assistant Property Manager, Georgetown Square Apartments

Tennis and Golf are two summer highlights for Tyler at Georgetown Square.  He recommends playing tennis at area parks.  Public tennis courts are available near Georgetown Square in Brookfield and Elm Grove, as well as all over the Milwaukee area, including some with lights.  And if you want a tennis court at your doorstep, check out Wimmer Communities’ Lake Country community, Oakton Beach, on the shores of Pewaukee Lake.  Oakton’s regulation tennis court is free to residents.

When Tyler isn’t swinging the old racket, he can be found enjoying a round of golf at the Brookfield Hills Golf Course, which coincidentally, is adjacent to two of Wimmer’s premier properties, The Linx Club at Brookfield Hills and The Club at Brookfield Hills.  This beautiful golf course is extremely affordable and open to the public. And if you want to play a FREE round or two of golf or practice your swing, residents of our Brookfield apartment communities receive golf privileges at Storm’s Driving Range and Brookfield Hills Golf Course!

Area tennis court locations  

Storms Driving Range  

Brookfield Hills Golf Course  

Urban Ecology Center – Molly, Leasing Consultant, The Club at Brookfield Hills

The Urban Ecology Center is the place to be this summer, according to Molly at The Club.  The Urban Ecology Center’s mission is to connect people in cities to nature and each other.  They have three locations within Milwaukee County: Riverside Park, Washington Park, and The Menomonee Valley.  Molly’s favorite location is Riverside Park where she enjoys the trails, kayaking along the river, and just relaxing in this beautiful urban park.  They host summer camps for children, as well as canoe and kayak outings on the river for adults, such as the full moon outing led by a NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassador!

Visit the Urban Ecology Center website

Trail Map (PDF)

Brookfield Farmers’ Market – Theresa, Property Manager, The Linx Club at Brookfield Hills

On Saturday morning you’ll find Theresa at the Brookfield Farmers’ Market located in the south parking lot of Brookfield Central High School.  If you love locally made arts and crafts, home-grown flowers, produce and meats, or bakery and other yummy treats, check it out.  For the past 30 years, this thriving market has been a staple for area residents who value superior foods for their tables and supporting local farmers and artisans.  Fresh produce is always found at the top of Theresa’s list. 

The Brookfield Farmers’ Market is open rain or shine every Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. to noon, beginning in May through October.

Brookfield Farmers Market  

Bike Riding – Mackenzie, Assistant Property Manager, The Linx Club at Brookfield Hills

Summer means fun on two wheels for Mackenzie.  Her favorite trails are the Hank Aaron and Oak Leaf, both of which are scenic, paved trails.  The Hank Aaron State Trail, named after the Milwaukee Braves’ great, runs east-to-west from Lake Michigan to the Milwaukee/Waukesha County line.  The Oak Leaf Trail includes over 125 miles of riding vista, about 25% of which traverses Milwaukee’s crowning glory Lake Michigan shoreline.  All summer long the Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail host events you might enjoy, such as the July 24^th event: “Walk the Hank – Footsteps of a Civil War Soldier,” which includes a guided tour of the trail and the Milwaukee Soldier’s Home Grounds.

Hank Aaron State Trail  

Oak Leaf Trail  

Hiking – Katie, Leasing Consultant, The Club at Brookfield Hills

Katie’s favorite outdoor activity is hiking and one of her favorite hiking locations is the Seven Bridges trail in Grant Park on Milwaukee’s gorgeous Lake Michigan shoreline.  Oddly enough, this heavily wooded trail crosses even more than seven bridges and has a stream that runs down the ravine to the lake.  If you love it so much you don’t want to leave, you can rent the Wulff Lodge overnight.  This quaint, rentable cottage is named for the 1910 immigrant, Frederick C. Wulff, who was the Milwaukee County Park System’s first-ever Superintendent of Horticulture.  Thanks in part to his knowledge and skill, beautiful Grant Park was developed so that Katie could enjoy her hikes 100 years later.  Thanks, Fred!

Trail Map of Seven Bridges (PDF)

Wulff Lodge rental (Click on “View Lodges”)  

Minooka Dog Park – Madison, Assistant Property Manager, The Club at Brookfield Hills

Minooka Dog Park is a summer hot spot for Madison and her dogs.  This popular dog exercise area is fully fenced and features 19 acres of parkland for your pooch.  There are separate large and small dog areas, and Fido will love that there are both mowed and un-mowed sections, in case he’s an explorer.  As a bonus, there is an area of the beach where your dog can go swimming but be aware that you may not swim or wade with your pet.    

Minooka Dog Park  

Whitnall Beer Garden – Kassie, Property Manager, The Club at Brookfield Hills

Stop by the Whitnall Beer Garden within Milwaukee County’s Whitnall Park and you might see Kassie enjoying one of the 24 craft tap beers.  Most of the beer is Wisconsin-brewed, but you will find some from other states or even other countries.  If you get hungry, there is a full menu of both snacks, like Bavarian pretzels, and burgers, brats, and fish sandwiches.  Speaking of fish, there is a fish fry every Wednesday and Friday and what drink goes best with fish fry?  You guessed it – beer!  As if that’s not enough incentive to try out the Whitnall Park Beer Garden, once a month you can luxuriate in a pig roast with your suds. 

Whitnall Park Beer Garden