Pleasant Prairie and the surrounding areas are full of unique, picturesque locations sure to brighten up your feed. This photo guide will keep any shutterbug busy with beaches, adventures, local favorites, and even a few hidden gems!
Don’t forget to use #VisitPleasantPrairie for a chance to be featured on our Instagram account!
SIGNS AND MURALS
There are 23 of these rustic wooden signs scattered around Wisconsin that welcome folks to our great state. The most photographed sign is right here in Pleasant Prairie!
Map it: Wisconsin Welcome Sign
You can’t miss this colorful Welcome to Wisconsin sign outside of the I-94 Visitor Information Center and Wisconsin Rest Area. Free regional and statewide brochures, state highway maps, directories, and guides from Wisconsin destinations (including ours!) are available inside the welcome center.
Map it: Wisconsin Welcome Center
Find this Pleasant Prairie wall art inside MOD Pizza. Don’t forget to grab a slice while snapping a pic!
Map it: MOD Pizza
CHIWAUKEE PRAIRIE
Any plant nerd or nature lover will love taking photos at Chiwaukee Prairie. Wildflowers begin to bloom in the beginning of May and typically last through the end of August, depending on the frost date. Please remember to try to not step on the flowers and follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace.
Map it: Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area
PRO-TIP: Chiwaukee Prairie is free and open to the public year-round, from sunup to sundown. There isn’t a formal parking lot, but there is free street parking available on the surrounding streets.
LAKE ANDREA
Located in Prairie Springs Park, surrounded by a 2.3 mile walking path, Lake Andrea is part of the impressive athletic facilities at the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex. Open year-round, Lake Andrea is sure to be one of your favorite photo spots in Pleasant Prairie.
Map it: Lake Andrea
PRO-TIP: Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from Froggy’s Landing Boat Rentals to capture some rad shots out on the water!
JEROME CREEK NATURE PRESERVE BOARDWALK
Located on the Donald Hackbarth Trail, this serene spot offers visitors a peaceful view of the Des Plaines River and the Jerome Creek Preserve.
Map it: Donald Hackbarth Trail
THOMPSON STRAWBERRY FARM
Thompson Strawberry Farm is a family-owned pick-your-own farm located in Bristol, Wisconsin. Depending on the season, here you can stroll through their fields while picking-your-own strawberries, sunflowers, raspberries, wildflowers, and pumpkins.
Map it: Thompson Strawberry Farm
PRO-TIP: Strawberry season is mid-June to early July. Sunflower season is from July to October. Raspberry season is from September to October. Pumpkin season is from mid-September to October.
PRAIRIE SHORES
Prairie Shores is a series of beaches and parks on the shores of Lake Michigan. This iconic Wisconsin shoreline is photographer’s paradise, especially during the golden hour.
Map it: Lake Michigan Beaches
PRO-TIP: Stretching from just north of 102 Street and south of 116th Street along Lakeshore Dr., Lake Michigan’s parks/beaches (often referred to as simply "Carol Beach") include Edithon Beach, Lakeshore Park, Prairie Shores Beach, Chiwaukee View, and Phil Sanders Park.
BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE
Party like it’s 1599! The Bristol Renaissance Faire recreates Elizabethan England, complete with 16th Century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music, and more. Whether you dress up in your best Renfair cosplay or just come as you are, photo ops are plentiful. Don’t forget to charge your phone and make plenty of space to fill up your camera reel.
Map it: Bristol Renaissance Faire
PRO-TIP: Weekends Only! The Bristol Renaissance Faire’s 2022 season opens on July 9, 2022 and runs through September 5, 2022. Days of operation are Saturdays and Sundays, plus Labor Day Monday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
LIGHTHOUSES
The North Pier Lighthouse is home to Kenosha Lighthouse Studio, an artistic workspace and art gallery. Take photos of this iconic red lighthouse as you stroll along its pier.
Map it: Kenosha Lighthouse Studio
PRO-TIP: Artists-in-residence create art inside the lighthouse at various times throughout the late Spring and Summer months. If you’re lucky and time your visit when they’re open, you might get to go inside!
The Southport Lighthouse, built in 1866, was the first navigational light a mariner would see upon entering Wisconsin from Chicago. Climb the 72 spiral steps to the top of the 55-foot lighthouse from May through October to snag a shot from the inside.
PRO-TIP: You can request to light the Southport Lighthouse for a special person, occasion, anniversary, birthday or memoriam!
Map it: Southport Lighthouse
