Milwaukee- where is a good place to see fireworks? (McKinley: tenant, camping)

[Midwesterns45]

any suggestions on where to see good fire works in milwaukee for 4th of july? it would be nice to be near the lake in a park or on the lakeside. thankz

[karfar]

If you're going to go to the lakefront, Veterans Park, but I will warn you, you have to get there VERY VERY early, lots of people even camp over night for a spot. AND, there are a lot of rude people who rope off areas for themselves. It can be a nightmare. But like I said, if you can get there super early in the morning, you should be able to get a good spot. Anywhere along the lake would be good.

[43north87west]

Obviously, on a boat in Lake Michigan is the spot. But...

After 15 years of fighting the following each and every year:

1) Traffic to get to the boat (McKinley Marina) on the road, including all the marina tenant special permits, passes, and conflicts just to get anywhere near LMD and Veterans Park)
2) Traffic on the water leaving the marina (amateur night, no less)
3) Traffic going back into the marina after the fireworks
4) Traffic LEAVING the marina on the roads (lots of drunks)

I decided it was better to walk to Lake Park from my East Side home, watch from St. Mary's hill or that area, and then walk home. Leave boating for a another day. Great view, easy escape, no driving. It's nice to go boating for the event if you have the option, but it's better NOT to, IMO.

Having said that, it took me 15 years to figure that out...

If you can get a rooftop view on a building downtown, that's the best possible place to watch from. The traffic in and out of downtown Milwaukee is tough, but it's a great view and the display is worth seeing. Karfar said it best--get there EARLY, if you want a spot in the park. And after the fireworks, don't bother driving for 2 hours, all you'll do is sit in traffic. Leave 2 hours after the fireworks are done, and you'll have clear traffic the whole way.

Enjoy.

[davidanice]

Originally Posted by karfar

If you're going to go to the lakefront, Veterans Park, but I will warn you, you have to get there VERY VERY early, lots of people even camp over night for a spot. AND, there are a lot of rude people who rope off areas for themselves. It can be a nightmare. But like I said, if you can get there super early in the morning, you should be able to get a good spot. Anywhere along the lake would be good.

The camping and roping off of areas has been allowed for many years. Some people get prime spots by getting there very early (day before) and hang out, cook out, camp out, etc.
It really is quite an endeavor what with hauling tents/canopies, grills food, beverages, chairs, tables, etc. I have found that people that rope off sizable areas often allow latecomers to use the leftover space when the fireworks begin, after packing away any valuables. Most people do not hog large areas but try to get enough space for everyone showing up for their "party". There are always some rude people at events, but this one is pretty civilized and cooperative.