28 Wow-Worthy Must-Do’s for Lake Country Area Boomers: Summer Edition

If you know the Lake Country area, you know it’s one of the best places to live, work, relax, and enjoy retirement. With nature, the arts, sports, community happenings, opportunities for learning, and more surrounding the area, it’s easy for the 55+ crowd to find something enriching to do – especially in our warmer months.

Perhaps you read our post about wow-worthy must-do’s for the autumn season, and now, after a frigid winter, we bet you’re ready to enjoy what summer has to offer!

Since our senior living community is located in Dousman, Wisconsin, right in the southeastern corner of the state in Waukesha County, our 300+ happy residents age 55 and better know firsthand about all the fun opportunities in the area. Most days of the week bring a new opportunity to hop on the bus and enjoy an outing, whether a trip to the local grocery store or an overnight getaway to see some sights. Every single trip is planned with input from our residents by our Recreation Therapists, Community Events Coordinators, Lifestyles Specialists, and assistants – a crew who never stops planning offerings to enhance the physical, social, emotional, environmental, spiritual, and intellectual wellness for residents. A well-rounded lifestyle for residents is their number one priority, and our warmer Wisconsin months bring prime opportunity to expand the offerings outside of the campus.

Last summer, in just the three months of June through August, residents on our campus went on more than 60 group outings to fun and unique destinations in the area, including destinations for dining, shopping, the arts, history, educational opportunities, and more.

Here’s an alphabetical list of highlights, including some special notes for when you plan your own trip. There’s sure to be one you haven’t visited, so consider checking some out this fall!

1. Boating (Delafield, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Potter Lake)
   Enjoy a carefree day on one of our area’s pleasant lakes. We had connections who shared their pontoons, but boat rentals are available at several local establishments.
   

2. Bookworm Gardens (Sheboygan)
   This unbelievable destination is a botanical garden inspired by favorite children’s books! They also offer a docent-guided tour for a mature audience. Open May 1 – October 31 annually, so it’s a summer and fall favorite.
   
3. Brewers game at Miller Park (Milwaukee)
   Nothing says summer quite like going out to the ball game! Bring on the peanuts and crackerjacks.
   
4. Concerts in the Park at Three Pillars (Dousman)
   This free summer series offers live music on select weekend afternoons under Three Pillars’ picturesque picnic pavilion in the woods. Join us in 2018 on June 24 and July 21!

5. Delafield Library Concerts (Delafield)
   This beautiful library in the center of downtown Delafield offers live music in the summer. Last year, one of our favorites was an Irish band, Ceol Cairde. Check their website for the schedule.
   
6. Derby Days (Dousman)
   A fun-filled July festival that features all the games, food, music, and fun you’d expect, as well as the Wisconsin State Frog Jump contest! The parade is renowned as the best in the area (look for Three Pillars’ award-winning float!)
   
7. Dousman Farmer’s Market (Dousman)
   Browse a fantastic variety of vendors selling their home-grown or handmade items. Wednesdays from May through October.
   
8. East Troy Railroad Trolley Rides (East Troy)
   With trips running from June through early November, this is a fun way to experience our beautiful corner of the state.
   
9. Friends & Family Chicken BBQ at Three Pillars (Dousman)
   Held annually the second Sunday in August, this is a family-friendly event not to be missed! Spit-roasted chicken dinners, free activities for the kids, live music, and more.
   
10. German-American Day at Carl Schurz Park (Stone Bank)
    This fun event, put on by the Kulturvereinigung “Deutsche Schule” (German school), features a parade, concert, food, and more.
    
11. Horicon Marsh Boat Tour(Horicon)
    Plus, stop by the Visitor’s Center / Explorium. Worth the road trip! Tours run May through September.
    

12. Jerusalem Presbyterian Church Annual Chicken BBQ (Wales)
    This annual event is typically the second Saturday in June, featuring mouth-watering charcoal-grilled chicken, homemade potato salad and coleslaw, rolls and homemade pie.
    
13. Kettle Moraine Drama Club Productions (Wales)
    We’re lucky enough to have this school district right in our neighborhood, and they put on excellent shows. Their summer production is always a musical, and each year, we enjoy a special “behind the scenes” tour and showing.

14. Kettle Moraine State Forest Scenic Drive or Park Visit (Dousman)
    A trip to the forest pairs perfectly with some relaxing tunes or a companion to chat with.
    
15. Lac LaBelle Beach American Legion Bandshell (Oconomowoc)
    The Oconomowoc American Legion band, established in 1924, graces the stage for a concert every Wednesday night in the summer, June through August. An additional Friday night series offers a variety of bands to suit every taste.
    
16. Lad Lake’s Kettle Classic BBQ (Dousman)
    This run/walk/bike event plus full barbecue lunch is a fantastic way to get moving and get involved for a great cause. Lad Lake provides support and opportunities for youth in crisis.
    
17. Marcus Majestic Theater (Brookfield)
    The hottest blockbusters show at this premiere facility every Tuesday for just $5 (in the air conditioning to escape the heat outside!). Concession specials round out the day.
    
18. Palmyra Flying Club Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast (Palmyra)
    2017 marked the 68^th annual event for this group, which is a favorite Father’s Day tradition for many. The breakfast is delicious, there are activities for the kids, helicopter rides are available for a fee, and an antique, car, and tractor show is on display.
    
19. Pewaukee Lake Waterski Club Shows (Pewaukee)
    This talented group puts on an entertaining presentation, and our group was treated extra-specially during their senior night show in July.
    
20. Plaza Centre Stage Summer Concert Series (Brookfield)
    The City of Brookfield offers this entertaining summer series of live music in the park, with a variety of performers offering noon and evening concerts. Perfect to pack a picnic meal and enjoy!
    
21. Pope Farm Conservancy Sunflowers (Middleton)
    Mid-August is the time to visit this impressive visual phenomenon: a 9-acre sunflower field with over a half million sunflowers in bloom! It is truly a magical experience
    

22. St. Mary’s Used Book Sale & Strawberry Fest (Dousman)
    There are deals galore at this beloved annual church book sale, and food, music, and fun for all strawberry lovers at the Fest! Both occur annually in June.
    
23. Stop and Smell the Roses (Delavan)
    This impressive paradise is home to 400 rose bushes, all started by a man at age 70. Today, he can almost always be seen outside pruning and nurturing the bushes that draw up to 1,700 visitors each summer. It’s a quiet getaway with wheelchair accessible paths where folks are invited to “stop and smell the roses.”

24. Summer Arts in the Park Concert Series (Milwaukee)
    Wisconsin Lutheran College invites all to come out and celebrate the beauty of Wisconsin summers at their outdoor concert series.
    
25. Swimming Indoors at Pabst Farms YMCA or similar (Oconomowoc)
    We enjoyed swimming indoors last summer at a venue that is no longer open. Consider a membership to enjoy the YMCA or a similar facility’s enjoyable indoor pool. Senior member rates are available. Fun for you, great for your body.
    
26. Tall Witch Red Witch Sailboat Cruise (Kenosha)
    We were lucky enough to have the Red Witch dock nearby in Kenosha for the 2017 season, so we had a chance to take an unforgettable cruise! Check the website to see if they’ll be back for future seasons.
    
27. U.S. Mailboat Cruise Tour (Lake Geneva)
    There are only handful of places left in the country where mail is still delivered by boat, and none offer a more exciting and scenic tour like this! June 15 – September 15 annually.
    

28. Wellness Connection Group Fitness Classes (Dousman)
    Whether you’re interested in yoga, tai chi, Zumba, or a walking club, the Wellness Connection at Three Pillars has a variety of offerings year-round! View the full list of fitness class offerings on the Three Pillars website, and consider contacting Dawn to drop in for a free trial class on us.