The Secret's Out

In April, Eric and I took a bike ride from my apartment towards Lake Park where we hiked a couple of times before (and will again this fall). Normally we’d head right towards Bradford Beach, but this time we kept en route to Shorewood.

For some reason, maybe because I live in a bubble, I’ve never thought to venture beyond Lake Michigan’s span from Lake Park to the Summerfest grounds, which is pretty pathetic. I have no excuse either since it’s obvious that Lake Michigan doesn’t evaporate after the festival grounds.

While we peddled through Shorewood admiring the gorgeous homes along the way, I gasped, “ohmigod,” as we came upon Atwater Park, the most breathtaking view of Lake Michigan in all of Milwaukee. This was without a doubt the most amazing park and beach I never knew existed – and the crazy thing is that it’s only maybe three miles away from my apartment.

We hopped off our bikes and walked them to the edge of the hill. Lush green grass and wild flowers canvassed the steep decline all the way down to the beach.

Next, we took our bikes down the paved ramp that snaked through the prairie grass and took us onto the shore. Our tennis shoes squished in the soft sand as we shuffled closer to the lake. The dark blue water stretched as far as the eye can see and almost made me think that I was looking out at the ocean!

Besides the scenic valley that framed the lake, there was a play set for kids, benches to relax on, and three old piers made from uneven slabs of wood or concrete where Eric and I sat dangling our feet into the cool, clean-looking water.

Even on that gorgeous Saturday afternoon when the rest of Shorewood was bustling with joggers and bicyclists, Atwater Beach was quiet and serene. There were only a few people on the secluded beach at that time – high school kids reading on the piers, a man walking his black Labrador along the shoreline and a little girl building a sandcastle with a bucket and plastic shovel – it was so picturesque that it was almost cliché.

Since Atwater Park is only a couple miles from my place, I have gone again and again (including Tuesday to snorkel, but that’s another story). I’ve even bragged about my findings to my sister who also never heard of it, which makes me feel better knowing that I’m not the only one…

So I’ve decided that the next time my sister and I go running, instead of jogging on our typical route – Lake Drive to Bradford Beach, past McKinley Marina to Veteran’s Park – I’m going to lead her straight towards Atwater Park. And like the high school kids from our first visit, I foresee an afternoon spent sitting on one of the piers catching up on “summer” reading or simply wasting time.

After stumbling upon Atwater Park, I've had the urge to explore each of Lake Michigan's nooks and crannies around Milwaukee. Treasures like this are few and far between, but are also one of the reasons why I feel so fortunate to live in Milwaukee.

Atwater Park is a place to lose yourself as you take in one of Milwaukee’s best kept secrets - see it for yourself!

Comments

[jordan]

I'm not from the Milwaukee area, but secret or not, it's a place I'd like to relax - maybe swim too.

[Char]

I've never heard of Atwater Beach, but it sounds great. I enjoy your pictures.
Are you planning to go to the Breast Cancer walk?

[Josh]

Atwater is a great beach! If you want to take a Sunday drive north on Lake Drive past Whitefish. You should take a right on Beach Drive. It's a beautiful view of the lake, at the end of the drive there is a house with tons of unique sculptures in the yard.

A very interesting place to vist on a dark rainy night...

[mjonthemove]

I got engaged on the end of the right pier. It's been my favorite spot for years.

[Karen]

Char- Yes, I'm hoping to participate in the walk. Are you going?
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Josh- Thanks for the fantastic suggestion! I think tonight is calling for rain, so I might find myself out that way...
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Matt- What a beautiful place to propose! I’m sort of jealous...

[bluesphee]

Atwater is definitely a great beach, but my personal favorite beach is Doctors Park. If you continue up on Lake Drive you'll get to it. It's right before you hit Brown Deer Road (where the Best Buy is). We go swimming there a lot during the summer though now it would be too cold. It's very sandy and only has a few sporadic rock patches. The water is great too.