Ahoy there, parents of young adventurers!
Are you ready to set sail on a nautical journey through Southeastern Wisconsin?
The history of Milwaukee is deeply rooted in commercial traffic on the Great Lakes.
These towering structures have been guiding ships safely to shore for centuries, and they’re also a great place to explore with your little ones.
Back in their heyday, Wisconsin lighthouses served a vital purpose, their beacons protecting and guiding ships along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Today, most of these lighthouse structures are historic places of interest in the badger state. You only need to stand in their shadows to feel like you’ve been instantly transported back to another time.
In this blog post, we’ll be highlighting some of the most picturesque and family-friendly lighthouses in the area.
Whether just down the road or a short day trip away from Milwaukee County, each of the following historic lighthouses has something to offer everyone in the family. Older kids will especially love climbing to the top of a tower to take in some spectacular views.
So, grab your camera, pack a picnic, and get ready to discover the magic of these historic landmarks.
Set your compasses, and let’s get started:
1. North Point Lighthouse Museum
Lake Park, 2650 N. Wahl Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
northpointlighthouse.org
Built in 1855, the North Point light station can be found in Lake Park and is one of the oldest standing structures in Milwaukee. This historic site has been open for public tours and visits since being restored in 2007.
Climb the 74-foot lighthouse tower for 360-degree views of Lake Park, Lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee, or tour the Queen Anne-style, wheelchair-accessible museum to view maritime industry artifacts and exhibits.
Children must be at least 5 years old and at least 38 inches tall to climb the tower. There are 84 steps and a ladder to reach the lantern room at the top.
There are guided and self-guided tours, plus a Lunch & Tour option available for larger groups Monday-Thursday.
2. Wind Point Lighthouse – Racine
4725 Lighthouse Drive, Wind Point, WI
windpointlighthouse.org
This active lighthouse is one of the oldest and tallest beacons on the Great Lakes, standing 108 feet tall. It was first lit on November 15, 1880. The park grounds are open year-round from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and they include a beach area, gardens, picnic tables and a memorial brick garden.
ower climbs are not available for children under the age of 6. Walk ups are welcome, but purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Pre-purchase tickets can be found on Eventbrite.
The lighthouse hall and south lawn may be rented out for private events.
3. 1860 Light Station Museum – Port Washington
311 Johnson St., Port Washington, WI 53074
Website
Situated on the north bluff overlooking downtown Port Washington, this historic light station resembles an old school house in design. Built of Cream City brick in 1860, the building features an interior that has been recently gutted and rebuilt to 1860 floor plans.
During your visit, be sure to check out the restored lighthouse keeper’s quarters and the local historical society museum on site. But the true highlight of your tour will be climbing up to the lantern room, an exact replica of the original square tower that was torn down in 1934.
All ages may tour the lighthouse museum, but children must be at least 6 years old to climb the tower. Timed entry tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite.
You can also check out the Art Deco Breakwater Lighthouse in the harbor (pictured below), originally built in 1849 and improved in 1931.
Pair it with a trip to Possibility Playground in Upper Lake Park and a stroll through downtown Port Washington!
4. Lakeside Park Lighthouse – Fond du Lac
Lighthouse Drive, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Tours: Self-guided, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8 a.m. ’til dusk (weather permitting).
Admission: FREE
Website
Trust us when we say that the Lakeside Park Lighthouse is worth visiting (and the drive). Built during the Great Depression in 1933, the 40-foot-tall working lighthouse was saved from disrepair in 1967 and restored again in 1993.
The lighthouse has a wooden spiral staircase attached to the interior walls that winds up to the top of the tower. Visitors who climb it all the way to the observation deck are rewarded with incredible views of Lake Winnebago and Lakeside Park.
5. Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse
604 N. 8th St., Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 923-3010
Website
Built in 1915, this skeletal steel pierhead lighthouse has a rich history. The original lantern room has been removed, but the top of its tower now serves as an NOAA weather station. Though you can’t go inside it, many people enjoy walking the breakwater that leads all the way out to the tower.
The best part? Also in nearby DeLand Park is the remains of the Lottie Cooper, a ship that sunk in 1894. The wreckage of the lumber schooner was discovered in 1990, and an 89-foot section of the ship was salvaged and put on display near the Harbor Centre Marina.
6. Rawley Point – Two Rivers
Point Beach State Forest, 9400 County Rd O, Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 794-7480
Note: The tower may be viewed from the beach, but tours are normally not available.
Park Admission: $8 daily; $28 annually (vehicle with Wisconsin license plates)
Website
At 113 feet above lake level, the skeleton iron tower of the Rawley Point Lighthouse is the tallest land-based lighthouse on the Great Lakes. It’s visible to ships up to 19 miles away.
The lighthouse is currently used as a rental cottage for Coast Guard personnel, so it is not open to the public for tours. You can view and photograph it from Point Beach, but you’ll need to first purchase a vehicle admission sticker to gain entrance to Point Beach State Forest.
7. Central Library Lighthouse
Central Library is definitely one of the best Milwaukee libraries, and there’s an adorable lighthouse there for kids to climb!
You’ll find it in the Betty Brinn Children’s room with plenty of cozy reading alcoves, dozen of computers, and special children’s book collections grouped together.
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mkewithkids
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
