7 Lake Michigan Beaches To Check Out As Milwaukee's Weather Warms

MILWAUKEE, WI — As the weather warms and we have more sunny days, you may be looking for a new spot to check out and unwind next to our city's Great Lake.

Besides the views, Milwaukee's parks on Lake Michigan offer a slew of options for recreation and relaxation. From north to south, here are seven Milwaukee beaches to check out this summer as the weather becomes more amicable:

Doctors Park - 1870 Fox Lane, Fox Point.

Located in Fox Point in Milwaukee's North Shore communities, Doctors park offers a sizable beach and park. A somewhat steep ravine trail opens up to Lake Michigan and a beach. The park also offers picnic areas and a playground. A parking lot is available.

Klode Park - 5960 North Lake Drive, Whitefish Bay.

Klode Park located in Whitefish Bay offers a playground, tennis courts and atop Lake Michigan's bluffs. A descent down to the water reveals Lake Michigan and a sizable beach. A parking lot is available.

Atwater Park - 4000 North Lake Drive, Shorewood.

Located in Shorewood, Atwater Park features a beach with piers that jut out into Lake Michigan. A trip here in the summer may garner views of boats large and small off of the coast. An iconic statue also sits atop the bluffs, peering out into the lake.

A playground sits atop the park's bluffs, while a staircase and a winding trail can take you down to the lake. When summer sets in, the trail down to the lake is often lined with foliage and flowers. Parking can be found on the street.

Bradford Beach - 2400 North Lincoln Memorial Drive.

Milwaukee's largest beach offers much more than just sandy shores and views of Lake Michigan. Often during the summer, Bradford becomes populated with people from across the area. Volleyball courts pop up most summers and two "Tiki" bars offer drinks for those looking.

The beach is sizable enough for you to spread out and get some time in the sun or to toss a ball around.

The area around Bradford Beach also offers much to do. A walk or drive south toward downtown will reveal a Colectivo Coffee shop, a kite shop called Gift of Wings, and more. Limited parking is available in lots, there is also street parking in the area.

For more information on Bradford Beach see VisitMilwaukee.org.

South Shore Park - 2900 South Shore Drive.

This park on Milwaukee's south side is host to a yacht club, a historic 1930s bathhouse, a beach, and a beer garden. The South Shore Terrace, the park's beer garden, also offers food and exclusive Miller beers, according to its website.

The Terrace's menu also offers soft pretzels, fries, wings, a host of sandwiches and burgers, plus salads and a Friday fish fry. Learn more about the beach on the Terrace's website.

Grant Park - 100 East Hawthorne Avenue, South Milwaukee.

Grant Park offers a wide variety of nature to check out. A waterfall and miles of trails through the woods are complemented by a large sandy beach on Lake Michigan.

The seasonally open Ferch's Beachside Grille offers classics like hotdogs and burgers, plus sandwiches and of course ice cream sundaes. The park also has chair and umbrella rentals, plus volleyball.

Bender Park - 4503 East Ryan Road, Oak Creek.

Bender Park in Oak Creek features access to a small sand beach plus a trail network on top of Lake Michigan's bluffs. The hiking trails will take you through woods and alongside wetlands. A parking lot is available.

Several overlooks offer scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee area's bluffed landscape.

The National Weather Service forecasts weather conditions, including possible swimming hazards.

You can check the water's health status using this Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tool. Sometimes advisories may be issued for elevated bacteria levels or other beach health concerns.