In my opinion, this is the best beach in Milwaukee. It's always extremely clean, well maintained, and best of all - it is insanely beautiful with scenic views. The water here is clean and fit for swimming, and tgere is usually always a lifeguard in the summer which is great! You can get down to the beach by either using the stairs or the trails to the side. The only negative part about this park is that it is currently undergoing construction which limits parking. Other than that, it is a place I would highly recommend everyone to visit in Milwaukee. read more

Atwater Park - Atwater Beach - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

Absolutely stunning beach with a gorgeous, endless view of Lake Michigan! Beautiful sunrises, flowers, and trees. I love visiting anytime of the year; all the seasons have something beautiful about them and you can truly appreciate the beauty at Atwater. read more

Atwater Park - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

Very Beautiful Park and Beach. This beach reminds you of the beaches in Florida. If I lived in this area I would be here every chance that I could. Very clean, peaceful and serene . read more

Atwater Park - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

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My brother and I wanted to catch the sunrise today. I usually have my spots to go watch it. But he wanted to come to Atwater Park to see it. I personally haven't came to this specific park or area to watch it. Being my first time, it was really cool!! I would definitely come back to see the sunrise here again. read more

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I don't think there is enough I could say about Atwater. I have been coming here since I could drive cause it's a little ways away to walk from me. The beach is always beautiful, they keep it very clean and well kept. I like that it is a sandy beach instead of rocky, which is very common in most beaches along the lake. There is a lot of room to lay out and chill, or do things with friends/family on the beach. It is also very kid friendly with a park on the top of the stairs. It is also accessible for any kind of wheels (bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, wagons, etc.) so anyone can enjoy it. This is my go to spot to swim or to relax and it is always very calm, clean, and well taken care of. read more

Atwater Park? You mean Ocean Views Park!? Because that's what it feels like! What a stunning place nestled into Shorewood. We popped by here recently to enjoy the kids playground, which sits atop the massive hill overlooking Lake Michigan. This playground is great - quality and new equipment, a flooring that is squishy/rubber, and plenty of things to climb, swing and explore. There's also plenty of benches and shaded areas surrounding. There is a large space with a railing that overlooks the beach area. To get down, you'll find a big wooden staircase winding to the bottom. There isn't any kind of ramp that I can see, so just be prepared for the mini workout up and down. This park can be busy at times, but for the most part it's genuinely peaceful. Escape the madness of Bradford and opt for this local gem instead! read more

I spend more of my weekends outside exploring nowadays. Last weekend was beautiful and I passed up a chance to walk on the beach. Today was another beautiful day so I didn't miss out. I knew about the sculpture that sits at the top of the approach to the beach. I'm a fan of public sculpture so I think it's pretty cool that it's there. I started walking down the path but ended up taking the stairs down most of the way. It's a lot of stairs. But the reward at the end is an actual beach. And Lake Michigan. There's playground equipment at the bottom. It's a beautiful place to just sit and watch the lake. Walking up those stairs made me feel out of shape. My pedometer picked up 9 flights. I enjoyed one of the last warm weekends of 2022 at Atwater Park. read more

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I feel like this business listing should be two biz- Atwater Park and Atwater Beach. Don't get me wrong, the Park is great- with a kids' playground, grassy area, a few benches and picnic tables, a unique sculpture and a great overlook to the beach and Lake! But Atwater Beach is where it's at- Cerulean blue water, and a long stretch of beach that is popular, but way less crazy than Bradford Beach. Lifeguards man the post- especially that head lifeguard guy that bullhorns to encroaching boats to "fall back, skipper!" or tells parents and kids- no rock throwing! You're safe swimming here! Lots of people stand up paddleboard (SUP) and kayak here. The stairs are steep, and actually really great for running and exercise! But there's a ramp system here, so you can completely avoid the stairs down to the beach! Don't like stairs? Take the ramps! Top notch Milwaukee County "Park" in Shorewood! read more

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The View! I've been to Atwater in year's past, but over the past few months our small group has gotten together here for some group fitness on early Saturday mornings. Getting up early on the weekend for a drive in from the burbs is a tough sell, but the sunrise here gives you a view that is hard to beat while taking in some suck. Afterwards it's relaxing to head down to the beach for some stretching or taking a dip in the lake. read more

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As far as privacy goes, it's somewhere between Bradford beach and Klode Park. It's right off of Lake Drive, so it does't necessarily feel private, especially the playground (which I like better - playgrounds should be open and public). But the beach is way down the stairs, and once down there, you can't see the traffic anymore. And the beach experience is really nice. There are usually lifeguards on duty during summer months, and plenty of people. It is more isolated when it's colder. The views from above are stunning. There's a fenced in lookout point, as well as benches on the grass for you to just sit and admire the sunrise. Or sunset. Personally, I prefer a little more privacy and quiet. But when I was babysitting, this was an awesome park to bring the kids. read more

Atwater Park - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

Such a beautiful park, even in the winter. Bundle up and enjoy a walk and the sun. It's a well maintained park. There's a nice play area for the little ones and seating area available. read more

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One of the most beautiful parks in the area :) A few friends living in the area decided to show me this beautiful and unique park by the beach a decade ago. Since it's Earth month, there isn't a better time to appreciate this pretty place Mother Earth has to offer. The first time I visited At water it was early morning and the sun was just rising, it was just perfect! At water beach is so calm and peaceful and less crowded than Bradford so we loved it here. What's unique about Atwater is that the park is at ground level and for the beach you take steps down and it has an almost a hidden feel to it which i absolutely love! read more

Love this park to infinity and beyond. The blue waters, the sand and the walkway into the lake is just everything you need from a park. Must visit in the Shorewood neighborhood. read more

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I've lived in Milwaukee for over three years now, and I feel as though I've been missing out by just discovering this hidden gem. I am not really a fan of Bradford Beach...too crowded and dirty...and looking at the lake but not wanting to swim in it is just depressing. Enter Atwater Park, one of my new favorite places in the city. Just a short drive north, Atwater is worth the trip. Beautiful, not crowded, and CLEAN. A wonderful beach with more families than hardcore day drinkers. The water is welcoming and there was plenty of room for us to set up our towels and picnic. We spent a fair amount of time in the lake and had a wonderful afternoon. I would highly recommend coming to Atwater Park. I can't wait to go back. Fair warning: the stairs to get down to the beach are pretty steep and quite the climb, so if you have small children or aren't a fan, you may find them to be a challenge. But they're definitely worth the hike. read more

Atwater Park - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

This park makes me happy. It's as simple as that. At the end of a long day, my new favorite thing is to head here for a relaxing walk down to and then along the beach. Truly. It's serenity itself. The park is situated on a bluff overlooking the Lake and offers stunning views of the water and beach below. There's a couple play areas for the kiddos--one on the bluff and one geared toward older children on the beach itself. There's a paved trail you can take down to the beach that winds through a lush green landscape. Or, if you're feeling less leisurely, you can take the many stairs down. Once down at the beach level, there's a wooden boardwalk that runs the length of the beach. So? If you feel like avoiding sand in your shoes? Totally an option. The boardwalk has umbrella covered benches for sitting and lake gazing without a fear of sunburn. The fine details: +No dogs allowed on the beach (not sure about the grassy park area/bluff above, but definitely not though the gate) +The beach area closes at 9pm at which point the gate locks (you can still get out if you're on the beach past 9, you just have to press the red button adjacent to the gate and it will open) +There's no dedicated parking lot (that I know of), so parking is on street. That said, we've never had a problem getting a spot right by the park Get to it! read more

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It's a park at the water. But I'm certain that's not why the name is Atwater park. This is for those who want a million dollar view. Without the crowds of Bradford Beach Sometimes I like to just enjoy the view of Lake Michigan and breath in the beauty. They have a set of steps to get a good workout or use the long sloping ramp to get to the shore. This park has a piece of art I call it "David Letterman". But I was told by local art enthusiast Carrie G the proper name is Spillover2 she really knows art among events and who's who around the area. The parking is street side and the kids play area have benches for looking towards the east. 97/ 2014 read more

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The view is stunning. The bluff is so high up and the backdrop of Lake Michigan is breathtaking all on it's own. Just a few minutes outside the urban mass of downtown Milwaukee, Atwater is a serene place to relax and soak up the scene. It is situated in the "ritzy" neighborhood of Shorewood but still remains a part of Milwaukee. The beach is crystal clear and is a perfect spot to take a dip and cool off. Just an all around great place to chillax! Be prepared, the hike down to the beach is not so bad, it's the hike up that get's ya! So worth it though! read more

Atwater Park - Love this place - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

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Did you, as a kid watch those Alphabits cereal or Campbell's alphabet soup commercials on TV? I'd beg my mom for those foods and then get them home and be wildly disappointed when a.) I couldn't magically dunk my spoon in a bowl and have it come out with my name or some cute phrase, b.) The cereal/soup didn't taste very good itself. This reminds me of how i feel about modern public art - in this case public art statues with jumbled letters of the alphabet in them. Like the one sitting at the top of Atwater park. It seems like a fun, good idea, i want to like it..but i just. can't. somehow. It never quite comes together. Chicken and stars or fruity pebbles would've been soooo much more gratifying. (I fully realize this is a pretty loosely based, slightly self serving and not-very-good analogy. But I've wanted to complain about alphabet soup and Alpha-Bits cereal for a long, long time & really needed an outlet - just work with me on this one.) Anyhow.... Atwater park is a nice, hidden little gem of a beach in Shorewood. I learned of it when a college friend took me there as a newbie on campus and we walked up & down the many flights of stairs leading down to the pretty beach below (Sidenote: there are paths leading down as well that i'm pretty sure make it handicap accessible.) I later used the park as a turnaround point or marker in my 20s when I regularly ran up and down Lake drive. There used to be this giant birch tree that clung on to the side of the hill, roots completely exposed, in a menagerie of trees and bushes that used to line the paths leading to the beach. I spent a lot of time contemplating my life back then, at the top of the hill watching the leaves flutter against the water. One day I arrived and got my requisite drink of water, only to find the trees and bushes being completely removed. I'm guessing the tree was one storm away from crashing down the hill,and thick foliage is sometimes brewing grounds for nefarious activities. But I really remember standing there devastated that the park was undergoing such drastic changes. This was before I travelled with a camera phone so I don't even have a picture of it. Some group of pseudo hippies were there semi appearing to protest. Quite the scene. So today the park is different. There's playground equipment at the top and bottom of the hill. It's still got beautiful bluffs going down to the beach, but its more wildflowers and grass than the forest I remember on the hill. And of course, there's a giant sculpture of a "thinker" person made up of letters of the alphabet. I really preferred the big birch tree. But it's still a pretty nice park. read more

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Pre- COVID: I have come to this beach several times and always enjoy it!! I have done yoga here with my dental class and it was phenomenal! Doing peaceful, calming yoga with a physical sunset as my backdrop was unreal! I have not been back since COVID, and as I'm writing this review, I am wondering why lol! Will be returning sooner rather than later! Only down fall (pun intended), is now long the stairs are to and from the parking area above to the beach itself. Be prepared for leg day! read more

Best of the best beaches in Milwaukee. The park's views are absolutely stunning in the summer and fall (I haven't checked in winter or summer). Lovely place for dates, deep chats, alone time, or a group day out because of how pristine and fresh the environment is. One tip - be prepared to be out of breath on the way back up the stairs! read more

I love this park! It's so calming and relaxing, and separated far enough from the main road to make me feel like I'm transformed somewhere outside the city. I really like that parking is available right on the street. Access to the beach is available by stair or winding path. read more

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What a beautiful beach! I'm impressed. Nice clean beach with beautiful shady umbrellas, well maintained with beautiful flowers everywhere and a children's playground right in front. Folks are spread out and not on top of each other. On the beach. Lifeguards were super friendly. #wonderfulday read more

Atwater Park - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

The pictures say it all of this somewhat hidden gem. We went there in September and there were a couple surfers. Snorkeled out there a few times when the clarity was good and we loved it. Can't wait to go back in July when it's warm enough to swim again. read more

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Let's see. The park has all the basics: 1) A lake (albeit a chilly one) 2) A beach (albeit not as clean as bradford) 3) A bathroom 4) A bluff for nice photo ops 5) And on the day we visited, sun. So it checked off on our requirements. My faves still are Doctors Park and Bradford but if you are cruising the North Shore, I would recommend checking it out. As it is on Lake Drive, parking can be a hassle. read more

A nice park with lovely views of Lake Michigan, located in Shorewood. Took a morning walk in the wintertime, but it's still a great view nonetheless! Parking is street parking along N Lake Drive, which was pretty easy on a weekday morning. Not sure how easy it would be in the summertime. There's a small pathway along the street for a quick walk and a nice viewpoint. To get down to the beach, you can either take a winding path down or a more direct wooden stairway. Given the snow, we opted for the comfortable path in the snow as it's a fairly steep stairway. Jutting out into the lake are two breakwalls which are quasi-closed off with a fence. We'll definitely have to swing back in warmer weather. As a southerner growing up along the coast, I'm still just dazzled by the awe-someness of the Great Lakes. As a note, there was a sign for no dogs. read more

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After Kopp's, we started to drive towards the lake with the assumption that there has to be something nice along the lake. We hit Lake Drive and started driving south towards downtown along the coast. I couldn't believe it, the whole stretch of coastline had rows and rows of dream houses. The area had an Evanston feel, but these houses were just massive! Even more impressive was that every single house had a personality. It definitely wasn't just a neighborhood of large cookie cutter homes. So we decided to take a break when we saw the sign for Atwater Park. We walked towards the fenced ledge and it opened up to spectacular view overlooking a small sandy beach. I believe the strip is only 800ft, but the beach was very secluded and serene. It was just the perfect place to just lay in the sun and enjoy a book without much distraction, unlike North Ave beach where you're packed in like sardines. read more

Atwater Park - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

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A very beautiful beach right off the intersection of Capital and Lake Drive. The beach is at the bottom of a bluff...from the top you're welcomed with the prettiest panoramo view of Lake Michigan, and plenty of green space to plop down and picnic. To access the beach, you have two options...1) walk down a million stairs that made me dizzy and grabbing onto the rail for dear life 2) take a path that zig zags back and forth until you reach the bottom. Taking the stairs back up to the street is a great workout, as my calves were burning and I couldn't breathe but had to pretend like i handled it with no big deal because there were tons of people around including North Shore moms who pranced on past me without a bead of sweat. Ha! The beach itself is so clean and well taken care of. It's a section of water I would actually let my kids play in (if I had any!) compared to that filthy stinky section of the lake downtown. It's a narrow beach, but is a long stretch of beach so I couldn't see it getting too crowded. Families who make the trek down to the beach are awarded with the coolest of playgrounds. I wanted to play on it! It's a nice quiet oasis to read a book and relax on a hot day, without having to leave Shorewood. Two reasons I took away a star: 1) not dog friendly (I get why, but my dog is family and anywhere outdoors I go she should be able to enjoy it, too!) 2) parking is a pain. read more

Atwater Park - A large strip of beach, couldn't imagine it getting too crowded - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

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Must see in Milwaukee. Atwater Park is my favorite part of the "beach" - it's usually pretty quiet and I can almost always find a spot to hang out. In the Fall, it is a beautiful area to walk. If you're looking for some fresh air and a cool way to see MKE, this is the place to go. read more

One: No longer under construction. Two: Come hang out and bring the kids and the dog! C: I know it's getting cold, but bundle up! You can still enjoy the outside with the proper attire. D: Look at the lake. Look at it! It's so calming... Five: Take a stroll! Head down by the beach! Make sure you have mittens on though. And a hat. Ten: Stand by the newly-finished sculpture of a cross-legged contemplative man figure made entirely of metal letters! I don't get it! *I like this tiny park so now that it's done, it gets four stars. read more

Still loving this place!! Even on a beautiful summer day it is not overly crowded or crazy. It is my go-to relaxing place in my neighborhood and is always very clean. There are life guards on on duty during the day. Great views of Lake Michigan. The park is well maintained and there are beautiful flower beds. I will be back very soon; you will most likely find me reading or napping on the beach :) read more

I love this place. David letterman sculpture. Check. Beautiful views of the lake. Check. Nice beach way below with crazy steep stairs. Check. Bench to sit on and chill. Check. One of my favorite places to sit and relax. Different vibe than Bradford (which is also cool and has those surg tiki huts). Different vibe than bayview beach. Give it a try and then grab a bite in Shorewood. read more

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Its a beautiful view, they fixed the walk way down with wood work its a beautiful have two options to walk down to the beach

Two playgrounds, a couple of sculptures, a great swimming/lounging beach, beautiful views, and a little bit of history (read about the sunken ship that lies just off shore at the top of the bluff). This is a favorite stop for my family. Love it! read more

If you're an East-Sider stuck in your part of town and want to go to the beach but don't want to deal with the bros at Bradford Beach where do you go? Here, obviously. It's an alright beach. The steps and/or switchbacks can be...a challenge, to say the least. There's a play area on the north end that kids seem to just love--the swings are pretty different from what you'd expect and can accommodate two kids per swing. The water...well, it's the same water as at any place on Lake Michigan, except the beach seems a little cleaner than at, say, Bradford. It's starting to get busy enough, though, where it's losing some of the charm. Psst...potentially the best thing about Atwater is the somewhat illicit hike in from the south. There's a trailhead that starts just north of UWM. You're not actually supposed to follow it all the way here, but adventurers have mostly cleared a path. You pass by the Appomattox shipwreck, if you're paying attention to your maps app. That's all I'll say. read more

Atwater Park is absolutely wonderful if you want to feel like you've escaped the city without traveling very far. It took me six weeks to realize that I'm only a twenty minute walk from this beach, and although you're either going to do lots of stairs or a very long ramp to get down there, once you're down there, it's 10º cooler than it is up on the bluff, and all you see is nature. From this beach, you see nothing but trees and water, as Shorewood has great, mature trees in which the houses are tucked away. The beach is significantly cleaner, quieter, and more relaxing than the busier Bradford two miles south. I could have fallen asleep, as the sound of the waves crashing on the pier drowned out the conversations of my fellow beach goers. Had I fallen asleep, I would have awoken with a wicked sunburn though, so I'm glad I didn't. Now that Atwater is back on my radar (I probably haven't been since '06) I will definitely have to visit more often, and bring friends next time. Also, if you want to enjoy the views from the top of the bluff, and be sure to check out the statue at night. It's so much prettier when it's lit up at night, it looks like an ice sculpture. read more

This is my favorite beach in Milwaukee.. I'll tell you why. It's quiet, secluded, and well kept! I can only imagine with the recent renovations being done, this will be 5 stars in my book! I do have one question - What's up with that odd statue they just added? read more

If you are looking for a beach day but don't want to deal with the crowds at Bradford, this is the place to be! The sand and water are both clear and make a day of bumming at the beach very enjoyable. The park is also nice for the kids, nieces, nephews, or your inner child. This beach is definitely one of Milwaukee's hidden gems when it comes to clean beaches! read more

Atwater Park - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

Renovations are complete. When you are fed up with the rif raf of bradford beach you should take a stroll down atwater. On the corner of Capital and Lake drive the neighborhood is peaceful and quiet. The parking can be a pain at times. There is no police presence or car traffic to worry about. The steps leading down to the beach can be a bit of a challenge for some. The winding paved walkway should offer some sort of assistance for some. The actual beach is always free from debris and trash? The water quality? Depends on the day..there is usually a sign that notifies swimmers of the quality. The kids now have a play area uptown and down below a great addition. I have two gripes with Atwater. First is the bathroom are not always open and accessible. The second, they removed the large life guard chairs from the beach. My daughter and i loved them! Bring um back! read more

This is a very nice park with a view! You have to walk down many stairs to get to the beach but it's very well worth it! read more

Atwater Park - Parks Near Me - Shorewood, Wisconsin

Atwater Park is pretty awesome. I do not understand why there is s seasonal opening. It's very different than the Cali beaches like not a lot of tidal waves, and the water is very cold. read more