Things to Do in Sheboygan, WI with Kids
Did you know that Sheboygan, Wisconsin is known as the Malibu of the Midwest? This outdoor-loving city is perched on Lake Michigan in Central Wisconsin, and offers so many family-friendly activities!
It’s also home to the largest resort on Lake Michigan complete with a waterpark and game room, so even if the weather is bad and you’re stuck inside, you' won’t run out of ways to entertain your kids.
Our family lives only a short 30-minute drive from Sheboygan, so we’ve had several opportunities to enjoy the area. I grew up in Wisconsin, and truly had no idea how much there was to do here! Now that I’ve had a chance to check it out, I firmly believe that Sheboygan in an underrated vacation destination within Wisconsin and the Midwest as a whole.
If you love the water, the outdoors, and good food, make sure to spend a day, a weekend, or a week-long getaway in Sheboygan. Here are the top things to do, see, and eat in Sheboygan with kids.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Some of the activities listed here were complimentary to our family in exchange for consideration on my social media. I decided to put it all together in a blog post, too, so that I could give a detailed guide for the area.
Where is Sheboygan?
Sheboygan is located in Central Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. it is:
1 hour from Milwaukee
2 hours from Madison
3 hours from Chicago
1 hour from Green Bay
What is Sheboygan, WI famous for?
Sheboygan is known as the Malibu of the Midwest because it has some of the best waves for surfing on the Great Lakes. Because of this, surfing is a popular sport year-round, especially winter! Even if you’re not a surfer, you can still enjoy the beautiful beaches in Sheboygan, or other water sports like SUP, fishing, and sailing.
Sheboygan is also known as the Bratwurst Capital of the World, so if you love a tasty bratwurst fried to perfection, you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving it up!
Is Sheboygan worth visiting?
Sheboygan is a unique yet underrated destination, and is absolutely worth a visit! There is a perfect mix of outdoor recreation, relaxation, family-friendly attractions, and delicious restaurants to choose from, plus a quaint downtown and riverfront to enjoy.
The Ultimate Guide to Sheboygan, Wisconsin for Families
1. Bookworm Gardens
One of the most unique and enjoyable attractions in Sheboygan is Bookworm Gardens. Their mission is to inspire a love of books and nature in the young and young at heart, and they definitely succeed!
This whimsical garden brings your favorite children’s books to life as you wander a well-kept path. As you walk along, you’ll find life-size sculptures from children’s literature such as Little House on the Prairie and Harry the Dirty Dog,
The kids and I were really excited to find the Little House on the Prairie display as we had just finished reading Little House in the Big Woods together. There was a covered wagon the kids could climb into and even a little cabin with some of the tools and supplies Laura and her family might have used.
There’s also a really cool area where you can explore the Magic School Bus and pretend to drive. It’s a real school bus set up for kids to explore, and it made the perfect spot for me to sit and rest while the kids played.
This is a can’t miss attraction for kids in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, so be sure to check it out!
2. Above and Beyond Children’s Museum
Above and Beyond Children’s Museum is one of the top things to do with kids in Sheboygan.
All four of my kids could have easily spent hours playing and learning in the museum, including our youngest who was only 16 months old during our visit. She made full use of the Toddler Barnyard area where little ones can climb and slide on the play structure.
We must have spent at least an hour on the first floor testing gravity in the wind tunnel and building contraptions with pipes to roll a ball.
There’s also an Adventure Tree House that has a sky crawl that leads to the Mezzanine between the first and second floor. As you can imagine, the kids couldn’t get enough of that!
I think the coolest thing about the museum is the honey bee exhibit where children can view a real beehive in a glass enclosure that opens to the outside so bees can come and go as they need. Kids can watch the honey making process, which is absolutely fascinating! It’s so incredible to be able to teach kids about how important bees are for our environment.
The third floor encourages imaginative play with a grocery store, fire truck, and pirate ship, and I wished we had gotten to it sooner! The museum closes from noon to 1 p.m. daily for cleaning, so we had to head out before the kids were done playing.
It did leave us some time to explore the garden outside, though, which was whimsical and educational at the same time!
Check here for hours and admission.
3. Kohler-Andrae State Park
Wisconsin is full of surprisingly diverse state parks, and Kohler-Andrae State Park is the place to go if you’re looking for sand dunes, wildlife, and beach time!
There are also plenty of hiking trails of varying skill levels, including an accessible boardwalk trail (Black River Marsh Boardwalk). A few of the trails go over the sand dunes, like the half-mile Creeping Juniper Nature Trail.
There are 2 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline to choose from, so make sure to bring swimsuits, towels, and sand toys if the weather is nice outside.
(Tips for Bringing a Baby to the Beach // Tips for Bringing a Toddler to the Beach)
4. Blue Harbor Resort Water Park
One of the most exciting ways to spend the day in Sheboygan is to make a splash at Blue Harbor Resort’s water park, Breaker Bay Waterpark.
Waterpark passes are $40 for a full day and $30 for a half day for non-resort guests, although it’s important to check the website ahead of time to see if there is occupancy!
We stayed at Blue Harbor Resort for a weekend and had the time of our lives going down the waterslides, splashing in the pool, and winning prizes in the arcade.
If you’re visiting when the weather is nice they also have lawn games to play around the property, and an outdoor pool that’s only open seasonally.
A nice walking path along Lake Michigan is perfect for a sunrise or sunset walk. I got to do both, since we visited when our youngest was a baby. I took the older kids out around sunset to walk along the shoreline while my husband put the baby to sleep, and was up early the next morning with the baby, so I took her for a stroller walk around sunrise.
There are multiple restaurants on property to choose from, a bakery that also serves Starbucks coffee, and plenty of snacks available for purchase inside the waterpark.
I would highly recommend a stay here, or at the very least a visit to the waterpark for a day! We stayed at Blue Harbor Resort a year ago, but my kids still talk about it and ask to go back all the time.
5. Shaw Family Playground
If you have some time to kill or your kids have a ton of energy they need to burn off before you go to a nice restaurant, you must make a stop at Shaw Family Playground.
It’s a vast network of play structures for every age and ability which was perfect for our family with kids ranging from age 1 to age 8.
There are restrooms, picnic tables, and tons of benches for parents, so bring some snacks and head out to Shaw Family Playground for an awesome and FREE activity for kids in Sheboygan.
6. 3 Sheeps Brewing Company
I would not have immediately thought of visiting a brewery with kids, but this ended up being a really family-friendly spot.
We got to sit down with the owner, Grant Pauly, and learn about his passion for creating unique and high-quality craft beer by mixing science with creativity.
He’s a fellow Wisconsinite who also has a young family, so we really connected with his family’s story.
Not only that, but as someone who doesn’t normally like beer, I was delighted to find that there were some really tasty options that weren’t too bitter. I personally was a fan of Tiki Time, a seasonal passionfruit flavored beer. 3 Sheeps even has their own line of hard seltzer that was amazing.
My husband, a beer aficionado, gave his stamp of approval to everything he tried in his beer flight, including a few IPAs.
There are picnic tables and communal seating inside, plus lots of outdoor seating and yard games to play so you can let your kids run and play. It really is a family-friendly atmosphere, and I can’t recommend it enough! Get more information about the taproom here.
7. Hit the Beach
Aside from Kohler-Andrae State Park, you can still find several options for Sheboygan beaches open to the public.
General King Park (also referred to as South Beach) on Lake Michigan
Deland Park (also referred to as North Beach) on Lake Michigan
Sheboygan Quarry Beach and Park has tons of inflatables to play on
8. Visit Sheboygan Visitor Center
I think whenever you’re visiting a new city it can be beneficial to stop by the Visitor Center. They are so knowledgeable and can provide you with so much information and help you decide what to add to your itinerary based on your interests.
Sheboygan Visitor Center is really spacious and full of brochures, merchandise and souvenirs, and even art installments created by local artists.
You have to check out the Science on a Sphere display, located in its own room inside the Visitor Center. There’s a giant sphere suspended from the ceiling with information about our planet projected onto it. My older kids were mesmerized by it!
9. Riverfront Boardwalk
For a FREE Sheboygan activity, head to the Riverfront Boardwalk along the Sheboygan River.
We really enjoyed a stroll along the boardwalk at sunset after dinner at Harry’s Prohibition Bistro. We were so full from the incredible meals we had, so we wanted to walk a little bit before jumping back into the car to head home.
The kids were fascinated by the ships docked along the river, though we had to explain away a few of the ships’ names that were inappropriate for children. (My husband and I had a good laugh about it later in the car).
It was the picture-perfect end to the day. It’s also really close to Blue Harbor Resort, so if you happen to be staying there you can certainly work an evening walk into your plans.
10. Water Sports
It’s not called the Malibu of the Midwest for nothing! Sheboygan is a great destination in Wisconsin if you’re obsessed with surfing, SUP, kayaking, sailing, or fishing.
Sheboygan is the “Freshwater Surf Capital of the World” due to the incredible waves surfers can catch thanks to the city’s position jutting out into Lake Michigan.
Surfing isn’t the only way to take advantage of the waves, though. You can try your hand at kayaking or SUPing in Lake Michigan during the warmer months, or if you prefer calmer water try the Sheboygan River.
Head to EOS Surf Shop along the river to sign up for surf or kiteboarding lessons, or rent a kayak or SUP for the day to enjoy the water if you don’t have your own gear.
11. Take a Walk Downtown
Historic Downtown Sheboygan has a little something for everyone with shopping, unique restaurants, and beautiful murals around town.
Olivu is a shop that offers homemade natural hair, body, and face products, Victorian Chocolate Shop is a former trolley station turned chocolate shop that specializes in truffles, and Hello Happiness Creativity Center has an abundance of creative supplies for the artistic one in your family.
12. John Michael Kohler Art Center
This art museum is the perfect stop for a rainy day in Sheboygan. It’s a family-friendly spot that even provides a PDF on their website you can use to prepare your kids for what to do in an art museum. It gives kids “jobs” and even introduces art museum vocabulary they’ll need to know.
There are plenty of engaging art exhibitions around the museum, but there is also a performance center for theater, dance, film, and music.
The John Michael Kohler Art Center also offers programs and classes of all kinds so you can get kids involved in the arts, as well!
13. Johnsonville Marketplace
In 1970 Sheboygan won to title of Bratwurst Capital of the World over Bucyrus, Ohio. These fried sausages served on a hard roll are one of Sheboygan’s great traditions. Be sure to stop at the Johnsonville Marketplace to choose from dozens of varieties of sausages.
In addition to sausage, you’ll find Johnsonville merchandise, Wisconsin-made beer, cheese, and Kringle, and even gift boxes.
14. The Sheboygan Railroad Museum
If your kids are like mine and love anything related to transportation, be sure to schedule a stop at the Sheboygan Railroad Museum.
We didn’t have time to fit this into our visit, but since we live nearby you can bet I’ll be planning to drop by this winter! The museum has a collection of railroad artifacts and model trains.
Admission is free, but be sure to check the days and times the museum is open before you visit.
15. Lottie Cooper Shipwreck
For a peek into history, stop at the entrance of Deland Park to view the remains of the Lottie Cooper. This ship was built in 1876 in Manitowoc and capsized in 1894 while crossing Lake Michigan.
It’s free to go check out the shipwreck, and it’s a great way to see what the craftsmanship on old ships was like.
Where to Eat in Sheboygan
Harry’s Diner
One of the highlights of our day was starting our morning at Harry’s Diner. The owner, Harry Ljatifovski, is a huge fan of the 1950s, and the atmosphere of the diner reflects that!
You’ll find a statue of Elvis, servers dressed in poodle skirts, and 50s photos and paraphernalia adorning the walls. The checked floor and padded booths complete the retro ambiance, and our family had the best time filling up on pancakes, hash browns, and mimosas for the grownups.
My husband was a fan of the Farmer’s Breakfast, while I had the Hobo’s Special - a delightful mixture of potatoes, cheese, and eggs. Talk about a hearty start to your day!
We finished off the meal with Harry’s Sweet B - 2 cinnamon swirl French toast, walnuts, peanut butter sauce, Carmel sauce, chocolate sauce, ice cream, whipped cream and fruit sauce. All 6 of us shared it, and we couldn’t even finish it! This is a MUST ORDER item at Harry’s Diner!
Harry’s Prohibition Bistro
Lucky for us, Harry didn’t stop with a diner. He also owns Harry’s Prohibition Bistro, an authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria and Wine Bar.
This gorgeous restaurant is perched on the Sheboygan River, so be sure to ask for outdoor dining if the weather is nice! You’ll be sipping wine and enjoying a taste of Naples while watching the sailboats sway on the water.
I enjoyed the Bistro Bolognese, a penne pasta topped with braised beef and Italian sausage, tomatoes, vegetables and Parmesan cheese. Even though there is no kids menu, our kids loved the wood fire four cheese pizza, and for our pickiest eater we just requested noodles topped with parmesan cheese. Our waitress was so gracious and obliged, which we really appreciated.
DO save room for dessert. Your whole family can share the Camp Fire Pizza, a giant plate of dessert pizza topped with Nutella and toasted marshmallows. If you want something a little more sophisticated to satisfy your sweet tooth, order the tiramisu. It does NOT disappoint.
And good news! If you’re staying at Blue Harbor Resort, this restaurant is just steps away, so you can get dressed up for a nice dinner just before sunset.
Blind Horse Winery
Get a taste of Napa while you’re in Wisconsin! Blind Horse Winery is a Napa-inspired restaurant and winery located in nearby Kohler, WI. If you’re visiting between May and September, I would highly suggest sitting on the patio to bask in the sunshine while you sip local wine and enjoy some snacks.
My husband and I loved the taco board (the shredded chicken tikka masala was incredible), and the whole family went crazy for the jumbo pretzel and parmesan truffle fries. The Margherita pizza was really good, too!
Even though there’s no kids menu at this place, either, the food is really family-friendly and the atmosphere, especially on the patio, is welcoming to children.
South Pier Parlor
You can’t write a family-friendly guide to a destination without including a favorite ice cream spot!
South Pier Parlor is a perfectly sweet spot to finish a day of exploring in Sheboygan. This is another waterfront restaurant, so it’s also close to Blue Harbor and Harry’s Prohibition Bistro.
There is a large selection of ice cream flavors, malts, shakes, sundaes, coffee, and fudge, so everyone in the family will find something to enjoy.
Where to Stay with Kids in Sheboygan
Blue Harbor Resort
Blue Harbor Resort isn’t just the most kid-friendly place to stay in Sheboygan - it’s also one of the top kid-friendly hotels in the entire state of Wisconsin!
With a waterpark, an arcade, mini golf, and yard games, the kids (and adults) will never get bored spending time on-property.
We also loved that there are rooms specifically for families that include little alcoves with bunk beds where the kids even get their own tv! Honestly, it was the next best thing to a suite, because the baby in her pack n play had some separation from the noise of the tv, so the kids could stay up and watch a movie after we put the youngest to bed.
Read my full review of Blue Harbor Resort here!
Things to Do Near Sheboygan
Say Cheese! in Plymouth, WI
Plymouth, WI, the Cheese Capital of the World, is just a quick 20 minute drive from Sheboygan, and it’s the perfect small Wisconsin town for an afternoon out.
One of our kids’ favorite playgrounds in the world is in Plymouth! The Stayer-Junior Park is farm-themed with silo and barn play structures, pretend hay bales, and a delivery truck play structure.
There are activities for kids of all ages and abilities at the playground, including a zip line, swings, and a learning wall.
Head to downtown Plymouth to check out the murals, cute coffee shops, and, of course, the Cheese Counter, where you can buy locally-made cheese, learn about the cheesemaking industry, and grab a cheesy sandwich or some macaroni and cheese at the lunch counter.
Hike the Ice Age Trail
The Ice Age Trail National Scenic Trail is a thousand-mile path that stretches along the path of a glacier through Wisconsin. It’s marked by unique landscapes carved by the glacier, making it the perfect spot to hike in Wisconsin.
You can find the Greenbrush Segment near Sheboygan which runs through the Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit.
The trail is 5.5 miles out and back, but you don’t have to do the entire length if you’ve got kids in tow. Just a heads up - the mosquitoes might be plentiful on this trail, so be sure to wear long sleeves and bring the bug spray!
Take a Spa Day in Elkhart Lake
The Aspira Spa at the Osthoff Resort is just under a half hour from Sheboygan, so if you’re on a getaway sans kids, or you have someone to watch them for a few hours, take a spa day in Elkhart Lake!
With massages, facials, and many other spa treatments, you and your partner will both find something that fits your needs.
You can even reserve a day pass to enjoy the spa, sauna, whirlpools, and meditation sanctuary. If that doesn’t sound relaxing, I don’t know what is!
Day Trips from Sheboygan
If you’re looking to add Sheboygan as a stop on a Wisconsin road trip, here are some nearby destinations to complete your itinerary!
Door County
Milwaukee
Sheboygan, WI is one of the most surprising vacation destinations in the Midwest, and it’s perfect for families!
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Emily Krause is a Florida-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
