What We Love About Kenosha

Peacefully nestled between Milwaukee and Chicago, Kenosha has a charming small-town feel. But it’s also the fourth largest city in Wisconsin, with a vibrant downtown and plenty to do. Carthage students love Kenosha’s restaurants, cafes, locally owned boutiques, beaches and parks, streetcars, and arts scene.

The iconic North Pier Lighthouse in Kenosha was built in 1906 and still serves as the active lighthouse for the Kenosha harbor.

The Kenosha HarborMarket is open from mid-May through October. Shop for local produce, proteins, cheeses, baked goods, and crafts from local artists, while enjoying live music from local musicians and food from local restaurants and food trucks.
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In downtown Kenosha, visitors can stop at the many restaurants, shops, and breweries.

Ride the streetcar in downtown Kenosha and enjoy a scenic tour of the Lake Michigan shoreline, HarborPark, the Sculpture Walk, and two historic districts.

The electric streetcar in downtown Kenosha.
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The Lakefront Trolley operates from May through September and stops right in the heart of campus.
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Kenosha has several beautiful lakefront parks, like Southport Park.

Got time for a ball game? The Kenosha Kingfish are members of the Northwoods League and feature elite collegiate baseball at Historic Simmons Field.

A view of the North Pier Lighthouse in Kenosha.
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You may catch a rainbow over Lake Michigan after a storm!

Photo submitted by Cam Kubasta ’23

Photo submitted by Cam Kubasta ’23

Photo submitted by Jenna Hutchings ’26
Visit Kenosha!
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City streets are easy to navigate. Just about anything is accessible by car or the many public transportation options, including the , buses, and the .
While strolling downtown, admire the artistic murals and beautiful buildings and catch views of the city and lake from the .
“Exploring the downtown area has been a joy growing up, with its fascinating museums, vibrant harbor markets, and charming craft fairs that showcase the local art scene.” — Summer Zilisch ’26
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
- Be entertained at
- Ski, tube, or snowboard at
- Mountain bike at
- Hike at
- Ride the roller coasters at
“I love how close everything is. It is so easy to plan an evening in Milwaukee to go to a concert or even a day trip to Chicago to see a Broadway show. I love how simple it is to have fun off campus.” — Madison Bazylewicz ’26
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.

- Internships with local businesses, like , , , , 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.
“I have an internship at Froedtert South in their Rehabilitation Department. I discovered this position at a Carthage career fair, and I have gained so much knowledge about all different aspects of rehabilitation, such as inpatient, outpatient, pain management, sports medicine, and cardiac rehab.” — Payton Lange ’26

“I love being able to go down to the Carthage beach and look for beach glass with my friends or just going for a walk by the water.” — Skylar Farr ’26
- Ice Rink at
- Church festivals
- Concerts and movies in the park
- Art fairs
“I love the HarborMarket here. I found a new favorite at the market, Fizzy Bizz, that makes dirty sodas that need to be tried at least once. There are many jewelry makers and food vendors, as well as cars to gaze upon, live music, and more.” — Line Wisely ’26
See more things to do in Kenosha at !
From fine dining to late-night pizza delivery; from drive-in burgers to weekend brunch, Kenosha has something to satisfy every craving.
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Drive-in restaurants like and .
- Coffee shop favorites, including , , and , as featured on Food Networks’ Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
- In the mood for sushi? Try or in Downtown Kenosha.
- Got a craving for German? Go to the .
- Satisfy your hankering for supper club fare at the .
- Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Get ice cream at or .
- Two local favorites within walking distance from campus are and .
- Kenosha’s MANY pizza places, like , , , , or .
- Local breweries like , Kenosha Brewing, , and Rustic Road Brewing Company.
- And close downtown favorites including , , , , , , and more!
Say cheese! When you think of Wisconsin, you think of cheese.
“There are so many good spots to get food in the area. On the cheaper end are Big Star and The Spot, which are both drive-ins. They are both great for some good old burgers and fries. On the nicer end, Waterfront Warehouse, Church and Market, and Captain Mikes are my favorite sit-down restaurants. My favorite place for ice cream is Scoops.” — Meg Schultz ’27
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Local bakeries like , , and
“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
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“I love how walkable the city is! My friends and I have taken multiple trips into Kenosha on a whim and got to explore the city. The history of Kenosha is fascinating and they have many small businesses that students can support.” — Basil Kiracofe ’27
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Lakeside Living

