Traveler Stories

"Every Saturday from May until November we drive across the IL/WI border to Kenosha to shop. When we moved to Illinois three years ago from Missouri, we were accustomed to shopping at the farmers market on Saturdays. Our local market is during the week which doesn't fit our schedule, so we searched for area farmers market and found the HarborMarket fit our needs. I've been to many markets including the famous Ferry Plaza in San Francisco, and I have to say the HarborMarket is top notch! Driving to the market we accidentally stumbled upon Tunuta's Market. So now every week we drive up to Kenosha for a fun day of shopping near the lake.  Last weekend we hit the farmers market, Tenuta's, and Woodman's, and filled the gas tank with cheaper gas before we went home! See ya on Saturday, Kenosha!"

- Leslie from Lake Villa, IL, 5/12

Write about a favorite place you like to spend time at in Kenosha County: "Trolly Dogs (Trolley Dogs) is a restaurant that sells hotdogs, corndogs, and stuff like that. I would recommend there corndog or trolly dog. The owner messes around with you, and if you ask for a balloon he will go to the freezer and get you a balloon. He has a radio and he sings along with the song. If they call your number (your order number) and you don’t go get your food he yells your order then you and him should start laughing. And that is why you should got to trolly dogs."

- Samuel, Southport Elementary, Local Third Grade Essay Contest Winner, 5/12

Write about a favorite place you like to spend time at in Kenosha County: "My favorite landmark is The Veterans Fountain. It’s my favorite because people go there to honor veterans. I like it because you can see how it works through the window on the side of it. I like beautiful it is. Also it is super cool when the water shoots up in the air. When I go to see Peanut Butter & Jam, I love looking at the fountain. What I don’t like is that people think it’s okay to swim in the fountain. The fountain is like a globe. That’s why the veteran’s fountain is my favorite landmark."

- Layla, Grewenow Elementary, Local Third Grade Essay Contest Winner, 5/12

Write about a favorite place you like to spend time at in Kenosha County: "My favorite place in Kenosha is the Kenosha Public Museum because they have sharks, animals, Indians, fish and things about Kenosha. My favorite thing is the Indian history because there are models, pictures, and movies. I used to be scared of the Museum because there was a gigantic shark model that gave me the chills. The model was up high so when I went on my dad’s shoulders I was really freaked out. I really like the wooly mammoth. The animals are very cool. I absolutely love the Kenosha Public Museum."

- Michael, Southport Elementary, Local Third Grade Essay Contest Winner, 5/12

Write about a favorite place you like to spend time at in Kenosha County: "I like to go to Kenosha by Lake Michigan. When I go to the beach, I play in the water and try to catch fish. Then, I like to burry myself in the sand and cover my head with a bucket so nobody can see me. Then, I like to play tag with my brothers. Then, I go under shade on the beach. Then, it gets really hot at the beach, so I dunck my body into the water and hold my breath. I like going to the beach because the waves really fun to go under the water."

- Keane, Pleasant Prairie Elementary School, Local Third Grade Essay Contest Winner, 5/12

Write about a favorite place you like to spend time at in Kenosha County: "Wolfenbytyl Park (Wolfenbuttel Park). My favorite park is Wolfenbytyl Park. I like it because my family bike rides there every summer. I like to also sit and look at the beautiful flowers. I sometimes try to name the kinds of flowers. My favorite flowers are the dark purple ones. I can’t wait to go there again."

- Brandy, Pleasant Prairie Elementary School, Local Third Grade Essay Contest Winner, 5/12

"To the Kenosha CVB,

Seven-year-old Andrew had such a good time visiting your city that he told his teacher (see image). Andrew's mom, however, had an even better stay. She hit the Premium Outlets. Many thanks!"

- Charles and family from Highland Park, IL, 11/10

"What a gorgeous city! I came to visit family and loved it so much, I'd like to live here. There are so many fun shops and great restaurants. Scoops Ice Cream has the best ice cream in town. Try Blue Moon! If you're looking for a genuine Chicago Style hot dog, Trolley Dogs is the place to go. We climbed the historic SouthPort lighthouse, visited all of the museums and even rode the electric railcar around the city. The harbor is beautiful and there are so many free beaches that would be perfect to go to in the summertime. If you friend the CVB on Facebook, there are many deals to be found for bargain hunters. I love Kenosha and will definitely be back!"

- Christine from Jackson, MO, 11/10

"I am from Zion, IL so I am close to Kenosha. We go there often as they have some of our favorite restaurants and stores in Kenosha. We love the Boathouse as we can see the the beautiful lake scene from the back. We recently found a good little restaurant called Antonio's on 52nd St. Very good authentic, homemade Italian food and reasonable prices. We like Tenuta's store and many other places in Kenosha. It's nice to get out of town even to surrounding towns for a little change of pace."

- Marti from Zion, IL, 6/10

"Well I grew up in Kenosha... I'm glad to see that downtown is finally transitioning. Kaiser's had really good pizza... good enough to even ruin my diet for the day. Scoops was really cool. It reminded me of the ice cream shops up in the Dells with Ice Cream and an assortment of different candies and confectioneries. My favorite place however was right next door at Heim's. I love toy stores... old school toy stores. Nowadays it's just action figures and dolls at Target... but this place had a lot of old toys with an updated look. There were puzzels, games, stuffed animals, magic tricks, and a lot of things I remember from my childhood. I bought an old toy I used to have, a little rubber band nerf rocket, and some noise makers... I was ecstatic. I will definitely be going there again."

- Chad from Milwaukee, WI, 6/10

"I relocated to the North Shore area of Milwaukee County and come back often to visit family and friends. I have yet to find a pizza place in the Milwaukee Metro area that can compare to any of the pizza places in Kenosha. My young boys love riding the trolley (electric streetcar) and stopping at Scoops for a treat; and my teenager daughter is a big fan of shopping at Prime Outlets. I love coming back and noticing all the changes and development Kenosha has going on. I am a big fan of my Hometown!"

- Angie from Glendale, WI, 6/10

"Came into town for a graduation party, and then took my 5-year-old to Luigi's for dinner so he could have "rabby-rollys" which the rest of know as Ravioli's. Of course I had to stop by Tenuta's and pick up some must-have's. And my son LOVES the parks, went to four different ones over the weekend, including the splash park at Roosevelt (the neighborhood I grew up in). BTW, the parks are looking great -- kudos to whoevers job it is to keep them looking awesome!"

- Karla from Shell Lake, WI, 6/10

"Recently visited Kenosha for a fishing trip with a guide. We had the most fun we have ever had and caught 18 big ones the first day and 20 the second day (there were four of us on the trip). We are planning to visit again in October for another fishing trip and would love to visit some of your other sites."

- James and Judy from Dupo, IL, 8/09

"I just wanted to let you know that my wife & I had a truly wonderful time this past weekend in Kenosha. Our stay at the Radisson was a great treat. Since I've been laid off from my job last September, we haven't had the ability to get away much, so it was a real treat. We hadn't been in Kenosha for probably a good 10 - 15 years and I must say, your city has really grown and is a real gem. I (was) especially impressed at the Harbor area and (by) the electric trolleys. We will be returning to spend more time there when we possibly can. Thank you again for a great surprise and a wonderful experience."

- Jim from Wheaton, IL, 5/09

"I grew up in Kenosha, moved to Dallas in 1983. I come back to Kenosha every year for a visit. I just retired but am planning on moving back in late May. I stay with my brother, who lives over by Tremper. Last time I was there I toured Jelly Belly Center, spent a beautiful autumn day at Petrifying Springs, and I ate at two of my favorite restaurants. Franks Diner, for that fantastic "Garbage Plate". And Luigi's Restaurant on 39th, for the best pizza imaginable. And I always stop at Paielli's Bakery. Their pastries I cannot resist."

- Robert from Dallas, TX, 3/09

"We really had a wonderful stay in your city. The Radisson was tops!...from the in-room Jacuzzi to our Sleep Number Bed! Really felt pampered. The Civil War Museum was excellent...we spent nearly 3 1/2 hours in there...so much information! Our first stop at Franks was a good experience...the fellow who waited on our table was definitely enjoying his job. And we both enjoyed our "garbage can breakfasts"!!"

- Ginnie and Dale from Rochelle, IL, 10/08

"While our husbands were fishing in Canada, my friend and I took advantage of my May 2008 Getaway Giveaway prize. Kenosha is awesome! We had a fabulous time! The Country Inn & Suites folks made us feel right at home, Mo's Cafe and Franks Diner fed us well and we had a blast at the Renaissance Faire. In fact we've raved about you all so much, some of our friends are coming up next weekend. Thank you so much for selecting my name!"

- Judy from Lincoln, IL, 8/08