Chicago family weekend getaway: Sheboygan, Wisconsin

This past weekend, my family and I decided to venture an hour north of Milwaukee to the charming town of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, known as the Brat Capital of the World.

Never be bored

We stayed at Blue Harbor Resort for the weekend and we couldn’t have picked a more perfect place to stay! Located right by the lake, the white Hampton-esque Blue Harbor Resort had rooms that were clean, spacious and comfortable. It’s evident that Blue Harbor has the family in mind with their kid-themed suites with bunk beds.

We took advantage of the resort’s indoor waterpark, Breaker Bay. This was, of course, the highlight with the kids. My two toddlers had a blast playing at the shipwreck area with zero-depth entry for the youngest visitors. There’s also another area where beginning swimmers can slide down the smaller slides, while older kids can enjoy sliding down the three-story waterslide. Being five months pregnant, it was a nice diversion for the kids as I slipped away to the spa for a relaxing prenatal massage and pedicure.

Families can seriously spend the entire weekend at the resort. But if you venture just a few minutes away, you can enjoy a little of what Sheboygan can offer:

Located right on 8th Street, the Above and Beyond Children’s Museum provided fun a couple hours of fun for the kiddos. The kids had fun exploring four floors of the museum where they could pretend to be a firefighter on a real fire engine, a captain of a ship, or pretend to fish off the boat with fishing poles. One of the other highlights for my sons was crawling through the skywalk tunnel and then sliding down the treehouse slide.

We were bummed we couldn’t check out Bookworm Gardens, a free storybook-themed garden where kids can dig for fossils in the dinosaur garden or even build a fairy house in the forest. There’s always next time!

Have a budding artist? Don’t miss out on visiting the ARTery at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and check out more fun things to do with kids in Sheboygan.

Fun shopping

We loved taking a stroll downtown on 8th street, especially since they had a few gems. If you love decorating without spending big bucks, you MUST check out Design Cents. While the store is a bit on the smaller side, you’ll score big finds! As the store implies, they have furniture, textiles, vases and decor items, all without breaking the bank. Plus, there’s locally made furniture, table runners and even paintings from local artists (some as low as $10). When we’re in the area again, we’ll be sure to make a stop here since their inventory changes weekly.

Where to dine

By the recommendation of locals and for no-frills eating, try the Charcoal Inn where brats are served on a soft kaiser bun. Truly delicious! Other recommended places include Field to Fork and the Highland House.

- Advertisement -

LATEST STORIES

Tap into fun at Chicagoland’s best maple sugaring events

Celebrate maple syrup season in Chicagoland with family-friendly events! Learn the sweet process of syrup-making, hike through sugar maple forests, and enjoy tastings at local nature centers.

Chicagoland families can have fun this Mardi Gras with these festive ideas and restaurants

Fat Tuesday falls on February 21 this year. Celebrate with southern food, crafts and other festive activities for kids.

The ultimate list of Valentine’s Day events for Chicago families

Celebrate Valentine's Day 2025 with fun family events in Chicago and suburbs, including crafts, storytimes, dances, and free activities for all ages!

Curious Chicago Parents: After-school care at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

For busy working parents, the transition between the end of the school day and the end of the work day can be a daily...
- Advertisement -


- Advertisement -