Sometimes glancing out your window and seeing the sunset or sunrise isn’t enough. If you’re looking to get out and make an event out of it, here are a few places close to campus to check out that are perfect for optimal viewing of these warm-colored skies.
Sunrises
The 16th Street Parking Structure
Sometimes the best spots to start a new day are up high. The 16th Street parking structure across the street from The Commons is a great is a place to watch the sun come up. Just take the elevator or stairs up to the top level and enjoy the view. The best part about this is that it is easy and accessible; The only thing you need is a relatively clear morning.
You might not be able to see the sun creep up over the horizon, but as soon as it pops up a little further, you can expect to see the rays zig-zagging their way through the Milwaukee skyline. You will be able to see almost all of the east side of campus all the way down to the lake and the Daniel W. Hoan Memorial Bridge.
Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum might be one of the more well-known spots in Milwaukee with the hustle and bustle of Wisconsin Avenue and the walking path that runs by the water. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunrise. There is also the option to walk along the water to Discovery World and Veterans Park, which are both nearby.
Here you will find a clean, uninterrupted view of a Milwaukee sunrise over Lake Michigan. Often geese and ducks will be swimming in the water below, which only adds to the picturesque view.
Atwater Park
This is the furthest of the three locations listed, but if you have a car on campus it might be worth it. Located about 4.5 miles north of the art museum, Atwater Park features a small green area with steep steps leading down to Atwater Beach below.
Since Atwater Park is a little further away from the city, it has a more private, secluded feel to it. Nevertheless, it’s a great spot if you’re looking for an even quieter sunrise in the surrounding suburb of Shorewood.
Sunsets
Lakeshore State Park
With the Milwaukee skyline hindering some of the sunset views, most locations don’t offer a clear view as the sunrises do but locations like Lakeshore State Park still provide a sunset in the city that’s worth watching. It’s located near the Summerfest grounds and sticks out into the lake with a short walking path around it. What makes it a great sunset location is its openness. Lakeshore State Park is A great spot to plop down a picnic blanket and watch the sky light up.
The park offers a combination of city and lake views. You can expect to see the sun setting through the skyscrapers of the Milwaukee skyline while also being right on the lake. Sunsets also reflect a light pink and blue light over the lake, which gives a nice contrast to the orange, red and yellow hues on the western side.
Chase Parking Structure
This is another spot where being up high can make a big difference. The Chase parking structure sits right in the Third Ward along the Milwaukee River, and is about five stories high.
On top, you’ll be able to see Highway 794 running east and westbound, the Milwaukee Public Market, the nearby business buildings and the river below. Because the structure allows you to be up so high, the sunset is pretty clear as it travels down towards I-43.
Kadish Park
Kadish Park is just north of the city along the river by BelAir Cantina. It can be a great spot to watch the sunset because the small amphitheater gives Kadish Park some character. It’s also perched on top of a hill so the sun can be seen easier than if you were down by the river.
Here you get a great outline of the Milwaukee skyline while also seeing the tall apartment complexes that are scattered along the East Village by the river. The park also has some close walking paths that pedestrians can utilize in addition to the amphitheater for optimal viewing.
There is some sun in the forecast this week so consider making an event out of watching the sun going up or down. Daylight saving time means that the sun will rise a little later on the clock, around 7 a.m., as the days continue to get longer.
