Experiencing end-of-summer blues? Perk up, because we’ve got exactly what you need to complete your summer bucket list! With both outdoor and indoor experiences on this list, you’ll fuse summer and fall fun together effortlessly. Maximize your time and enjoy!

1. Visit an Art Gallery

 Visit the Roberta Avonn Fiskum Art Gallery in the UW-Whitewater University Center or the Whitewater Arts Alliance's Cultural Arts Center to take in an end of summer exhibit. Free to enter, spend time in these intimate spaces and enjoy a walk around campus or downtown afterward.

2. Have a Fire and Make S’mores

📸: Camp Kettlewood

Who doesn’t love flame gazing and indulging in a crunchy, chocolatey, marshmallowy treat? Book a night (or full weekend!) at Whitewater Lake Campground, Scenic Ridge, Camp Kettlewood, Bark River Campgrounds, or Pilgrim's Campground. Spend your night telling ghost stories or listening to the podcast Spooked. Everyone could use s’more camping in their life. 😉 Booking a trip with your boo? We love these romantic camping ideas.

3. Go to a Concert

Tuesdays in Whitewater, WI were made for the market and music. Pop over to the Whitewater City Market for all your fresh, local goodies and enjoy the musician/band of the evening. Not free Tuesdays? Head to the park on Thursdays at 7p for Concerts in the Park and Family Fun Night. Or check out this great list of places to catch live music throughout Jefferson County!

4. Take an Afternoon Roadtrip

There’s nothing like being out on the open road. Enjoy quality time with yourself or your loved ones cruising scenic roads through the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Begin with coffee from Sweet Spot and end with lunch at Taco Fresco.

5. Visit a Fair/Festival

📸: Walworth County Fair

Rides, funnel cake, fresh squeezed lemonade, and unique wares and celebrations. End-of-summer fairs and festivals create smiles. Treat yourself to your favorites in the area and usher in fall with play. 

Upcoming fairs/festivals:

Walworth County Fair
Sheep and Wool Festival
Gemuetlickkeit Days
Scarecrow Fest

6. Take a Hike

Explore areas you’ve never been (like ☝️ Rice Lake Nature Trail or Aztalan State Park) or revisit your favorite path in the woods. With terrain ranging from easy to challenging, there’s no shortage of good hikes in and around Whitewater. Plus, it’s good training for the Mammoth Hike Challenge happening the entire month of October on the Ice Age Trail! Lace up and #optoutside.

7. Have a Drink (or Two!)

📸: Second Salem Brewing Co.

Follow our Spirits Tour and get to sippin’! Who doesn’t love a cool beverage after a hot day? Grab your buddies and enjoy the tour! *Please be safe and wrangle yourself a DD.*

8. Have a Tapas Hoppin’ Night with the Fam

📸: Tatchos at 841 Brewhouse

You could pair this with #7 or enjoy tapas hoppin’ without the libations. Whitewater’s restaurants have an abundance of small plate options for you to indulge in throughout the night. Start with Tatchos or Onion Tanglers at 841 Brewhouse, then hop over to Second Salem Brewing Co. for crispy brussel sprouts with beer mustard, and finish with a slice of cake or tiramisu and coffee at Fanatico. Make your tastebuds dance.

9. Bike the Ultimate Loop Around Whitewater, WI

Clocking in at roughly 30mi with the highest elevation at 1025ft., this road biking route will make you sweat. It will also make you say, “Oooooo.” This loop follows the Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr. and takes you out to Bluff Rd. -- two beautiful stretches of Whitewater and highly favored areas by bicyclists. Summer doesn’t have to be all leisure. Gear up and get out on the road!

10. Go to a Drive-In Movie

Throw your favorite blanket and pillow into your vehicle and head over to the Hwy 18 Outdoor Theater. Nothing says end-of-summer like popcorn, candy, an icy soda, and classic movies on the outdoor big screen at a drive-in. Check their website for the double feature of the weekend and load up your friends for an entertaining night under the stars.

Summer, we bow to you.