What We Love About Kenosha

Sitting along miles of sparkling Lake Michigan shoreline Kenosha’s vibrant downtown is filled with many hidden gems, including small businesses and restaurants, museums, art galleries, and family-friendly activities.

City streets are easy to navigate. Just about anything is accessible by car or the many public transportation options, including the Kenosha Street Car, buses, and the Lakefront Trolley

While strolling downtown, admire the artistic murals and beautiful buildings and catch views of the city and lake from the Kenosha Southport Lighthouse.

Milwaukee and Chicago offer access to big city amenities, transportation, and career opportunities. But the 90 miles in between are packed with something for everyone!

• Shop at the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets
• Be entertained at The Bristol Renaissance Faire
• Ski, tube, or snowboard at Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort
• Mountain bike at Silver Lake Park
• Hike at Richard Bong State Recreation Area
• Ride the roller coasters at Six Flags Great America

People in Kenosha are willing to aid Carthage students. There are so many programs at Carthage that partner with Kenosha residents and businesses. Just by saying, “I’m a Carthage student,” Kenosha residents become eager to help students find a job, internship, or anything else they need.

Recent opportunities for students include …

• Internships with local businesses, like Jockey International, Snap-on Inc., LMI Packaging, and more!
• Real-world experiences like nursing clinicals at local hospitals and student teaching in the Kenosha and Racine school districts.
• Collaborating with local government on special projects and assisting small businesses with marketing initiatives.

Everyone says this, but living in Kenosha is second-best only to living on the ocean. A showstopper from sunrise to sunset in just about any weather condition, Lake Michigan puts on a different show daily. With beaches, lighthouses, piers, boating, and many more opportunities made possible by the lake, living in Kenosha can make you feel like you’re on vacation every day. 

• Petrifying Springs Park  
• The Kenosha HarborMarket 
  “My friends and I also love to visit the Kenosha HarborMarket on Saturdays in the warmer months. Besides food market stalls, many small businesses join in and showcase their products. This is a great way to support local small businesses and get fresh produce or baked goods.” — Alyssa Sayatovic ’24
• Kenosha Kingfish baseball club
• Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum
• Jerry Smith’s Produce and Pumpkin Farm
  ”Every Carthage student makes at least one trip to Jerry Smith Farms during their time at Carthage. They have student nights where kids from Parkside and Carthage enjoy discounted pumpkin patch fun!” — Bella Lambrecht ’23
• Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park
• Church festivals
• Concerts and movies in the park
• Art fairs

See more things to do in Kenosha at VisitKenosha.com!

From fine dining to late-night pizza delivery; from drive-in burgers to weekend brunch, Kenosha has something to satisfy every craving. 

• Drive-in restaurants like Big Star and The Spot. 
• Coffee shop favorites, including The Coffee Pot, The Buzz Cafe, BLAK Coffee, and Franks Diner, as featured on Food Networks’ Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
• In the mood for sushi? Try Soon’s Sushi Cafe or Ono Sushi in Downtown Kenosha.
• Got a craving for German? Go to the House of Gerhard.
• Satisfy your hankering for supper club fare at the HOBNOB Restaurant.
• Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Get ice cream at Scoops or Sweet Corner Ice Cream.
• Two local favorites within walking distance from campus are La Fogata and Waterfront Warehouse.
• Kenosha’s MANY pizza places, like Kaiser’s, DeRango’s, Ruffolo’s, Valeo’s, or Infusino’s.
• Local breweries like PUBLIC Craft Brewing, Kenosha Brewing, Rustic Road Brewing Company, and 1ofUs Brewing Company.
• And close downtown favorites including Sazzy B, Yee’s Oriental Inn, Marina Garden Family Restaurant, Boat House Pub and Eatery, Villa D’Carlo, The Apis, Slip 56, and more! 

Say cheese! When you think of Wisconsin, you think of cheese. Check out Visit Kenosha’s restaurant guide to all things cheesy.

Photo credit: VisitKenosha.com

• Local bakeries like Paielli’s, Oliver’s, and O&H in Racine
• Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets
• Tenuta’s Italian Delicatessen
• Mars Cheese Castle
  “Every year when my family comes up to visit, we always make a pit stop at Mars Cheese Castle to buy all of our favorite cheeses, crackers, and drinks. We lose track of time there, but it is totally worth it in the end.” — Stewart Lilly ’24
• To & From Gift Shop
• Authentique Gift Shop
• Sandy’s Popper
• Peacetree Originals
• Blue House Books
  “Stepping into Blue House Books is akin to entering a mystical land: the colors and decorations are stimulating, the vibes are immaculate, and the collection of books is diverse and thought-provoking. Be prepared to stay longer than expected, as a simple browse may turn into an hour-long ordeal.” — Lorin Bucur ’26

• Equinox Botanical Boutique

Photo credit: VisitKenosha.com

• Kenosha Public Museum
• Kenosha History Center
• Civil War Museum
  “I love to take my family here whenever they visit. The museum is so interactive and interesting for history majors it even boasts several exhibits that focus on Kenosha’s community impact throughout the years. So much fun!” — Ava Serfling Bennett ’24
• Southport Light Station Museum
• Dinosaur Discovery Museum
• Pollard Gallery and Gifts
• Rhode Center for the Arts
• Anderson Arts Center
• Lemon Street Gallery
• Re:Vision Art Gallery

Photo credit: VisitKenosha.com