Atwater Park — Attraction in Shorewood

We visited Milwaukee in early September of 2018, but the beach was not our primary destination. We were looking for something to do towards sunset, so we looked up beaches online and this one popped up as slightly more secluded than some of the busier beaches.

Atwater is definitely not secluded, but it also wasn't crazy busy or a tourist trap. It's a beautiful park and beach with a very cool view from above as you descend down several flights of stairs to get to the beach itself. Alternatively, you can walk a spiraling pathway that takes you down to the beach that is lined with flowers, grasses, and a nicely paved trail.

There are many overlooks from the top and from different places on your way down. When we first got there, there was a mist blowing in from the lake and it looked like we were up in the clouds. It eventually burned off from the afternoon sun, but it was still pleasantly cool and refreshing. Always expect the temperature to be a bit cooler on the lake (and especially down below right along the water).

The beach itself is not huge and there are signs on both sides warning you where the beach ends. There are a couple of boardwalks that are blocked off, but they have a neat look. There's a nice playground at the top and bottom of Atwater for the kids. The sand is pleasant to walk on, and the sun was shining on the entire beach and water from behind the park as the sun started going down. It's the perfect place to get some photos or portraits late in the afternoon (though I'd imagine it would be nice in the morning too as the sun rises above the water).

We didn't get in the water because the temperature was too cold, but we didn't come to swim anyway. We just came for some late afternoon relaxation and pictures, and Atwater was...

On Lake and Capitol Drive juncture, Atwater Park is a small, pleasant place to enjoy a brief respite, take in beautiful views of Lake Michigan, view a modern sculpture, have a number of lovely camera shot options for formal and informal photos, and give small children a variety of play activities on the kid's playground. The walk down to Atwater Beach offers very good walking/exercise options including wide, paved, curved path to beach, vertical wooden stairs, and a long boardwalk along the top of the beach. Walk down is fairly steep and can be challenging for some. The great new boardwalk also has sunbathing decks attached, keeping one up, off the sand. Swimming and wading in cold Lake Michigan is enjoyed by many. Old jetties are still present, but are very deteriorated (visual reminders of past.) They have fences and warnings to stay off, but too often this is ignored (dangerous.) There are a few pieces of playground equipment for kids to climb and swing on and whirl about on top of beach and tot lot on the bluff. There are bathroom facilities at the entrance on the top of the bluff (summer only.) Beach entrance...

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...