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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 .
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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!
4 months ago
Just a nice park at end of Capital Drive with steps or ramp for going to Lake Michigan beach, playground, and an impressive sculpture. read more
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
8 months ago
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
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
3 years ago
4 years ago
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
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
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
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
6 years ago
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
5 years ago
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
9 years ago
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
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
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
10 years ago
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
6 years ago
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
6 years ago
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
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
11 years ago
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
7 years ago
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
9 years ago
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
6 years ago
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
13 years ago
13 years ago
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
5 years ago
8 years ago
11 years ago
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
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More info about Atwater Park
4000 N Lake Dr
Shorewood, WI 53211
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Outdoor Amenities
