West Bend Attractions
West Bend, less than an hour north of Milwaukee, is a thriving community that hasn’t lost any of its wonderful small-town charm. The city of nearly 30,000 is often referred to as a “green community,” and it’s easy to see why. Situated as it is among the rolling hills of the Kettle Moraine and with an abundance of beautiful parks, West Bend is a verdant feast for the eyes. In the “green” spirit of things, we’ll leave our cars behind and take the Riverwalk starting at River Road and make our way through one of the Midwest’s most beautiful communities. 

Riverwalk
West Bend’s Riverwalk runs 3 miles along the bend in the Milwaukee River for which the city was named. A number of works of public art along the route, as well as excellent views of the river.

West Bend Sculpture Walk
The West Bend Sculpture Walk has over 25 outdoor exhibits of modern sculpture placed along the Riverwalk. There are pieces of sculpture created by local artists and artists from throughout the country. Set against picturesque views of the river, the sculptures have a wonderful way of forcing the viewer to see the landscape in a different way. About halfway into our walk, we’ll arrive at our first stop of the day—historic Downtown West Bend.

Historic Architecture
Downtown West Bend, with its landscaped brick sidewalks and magnificent storefronts, is a true pleasure to explore. The most prominent building in West Bend, the Old Courthouse at 320 South Fifth Avenue, dates back to 1889. The building itself is a true historic gem, a fine example of the Romanesque Revival style towering high above the city.

The Old Courthouse Museum
The Old Courthouse Museum is thought by many to be the best local history museum in the Midwest. The museum houses extensive displays on local business and industry, early settlers, family, and social and cultural life as well as the Norm Colby Interpretive Center, an interactive exhibit gallery. The Old Courthouse Museum is open Wednesday-Friday, 11am to 5pm, Saturday from 9am to 1pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free.

Old Jailhouse Museum
Old Jailhouse Museum was very recently restored to its turn-of-the-century condition and is now open during the same hours as the Old Courthouse Museum. Admission to the Old Jailhouse is $4 for the general public, $3 for seniors, $2 for children, and free for children under 12. 

Museum of Wisconsin Art
The Museum of Wisconsin Art, at 300 South Sixth Avenue, exhibits an extensive late 19th-century and early 20th-century collection of paintings and drawings, and holds 10-14 annual exhibitions. The museum features the Zinn Doll House, as well as a comprehensive collection of Wisconsin art dating from 1800 to 1950.  The museum is also home to the largest collection of works by Milwaukee-born, Munich-trained painter Carl Von Marr. The Museum’s hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 4:30pm, and Sunday, 1pm to 4:30pm. $5 for Adults, $3 for children under 18 and seniors. From Dec 10, 2007 to Jan 10, 2008 children are free.

Regner Community Park
Regner Community Park embodies the community spirit of West Bend. The natural landscape is interwoven with activity - playgrounds, nature trails, large play areas, tennis courts, soccer fields and baseball diamonds. But most unique about the park is the swimming pond. Standing on the sandy beach beside the bathhouse, one cannot help but feel like they’ve taken a step back in time. During the winter, the pond becomes a place for ice-skaters and hockey players. It’s truly a storybook setting.

Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture
One of the newest and most interesting additions to Regner Community Park is the Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture. The labyrinth is 90 feet in diameter and consists of a carefully planted selection of bulbs, perennials, herbs and annuals. Follow the winding path of the labyrinth will take you to the center of the circle and eventually back out again. It is a beautiful work of art that can be actively enjoyed.

Lac Lawrann Conservancy
Located at 300 Schmidt Road, the 136-acre Lac Lawrann Conservancy contains wetlands, a native hardwood forest, a red pine plantation, tall grass prairie, and glacial landscapes. The Conservancy serves as refuge to over 300 species of plants, over 200 species of birds, and a wide variety of mammals as well as reptiles and amphibians. The 4 miles of hiking trails are open daily dawn to dusk and about 3 miles are groomed for cross-country skiing when snow conditions permit.

Trail maps and additional information are available at the web site.