Things to do in Oconomowoc, in every season

By Heather Henry, broker and owner, more than 25 years in real estate. Updated November 2026.

First visit? Start here

An Adirondack chair at the top of the steps to Bender Beach, looking out across the lake

On the water

City Beach Park

A sandy beach and large swimming area on Lac La Belle, with a playground, watercraft rentals and an amphitheater that hosts free concerts. See the city’s City Beach page and beach hours and beach bands.

The sand at City Beach seen from the water’s edge, with lifeguard chairs and a playground
The band shell at City Beach, with an American flag on the stage and picnic tables in front

Renting a boat

The city rents kayaks, canoes, paddleboats and stand-up paddleboards at City Beach from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, for use on Lac La Belle. Rentals are first come, first served from the lifeguard house by the boat launch, usually 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the last one out by 5:30 (afternoons only until school lets out). You must be 18 with a driver’s license, and it’s smart to call ahead at 262-569-2199, since weather can close them. You can also rent from Sherper’s. For a bigger group, City Beach Pontoons rents a pontoon and a party barge, with or without a captain, that leave from City Beach.

The pier at the boat launch next to City Beach, reaching out into Lac La Belle on a clear day

Bender Beach

At 910 N. Lake Road, with a carry-in boat launch. Stay for the sunset. See the city’s Bender Beach page.

Sunset at Bender Beach, with gold light on the water under dark clouds and a covered boat lift at the right

Fowler Lake walk

Start at the downtown boardwalk and follow the shore. On a warm evening, bring a cone from Mullen’s Dairy Bar, 120 E. Wisconsin Ave. The city publishes a walking loop map.

The downtown boardwalk on Fowler Lake on a sunny fall day, with colorful Adirondack chairs along the railing and a blue lamp post

The city’s beaches at a glance

BeachSummer swim hours
City Beach10 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day
Bender Beach1 to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday

Both beaches are open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. For beach bands, rules and any changes, see the city’s public swimming page or call 262-569-2199.

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A big oak in fall color beside the fishing pier at Fowler Park, with Fowler Lake behind

Parks and trails

The city lists dozens of parks. These are good ones to start with. See the city’s full list, including where dogs aren’t allowed.

Fowler Park

A bright orange pumpkinseed sunfish on a lure, its tail resting on a person’s fingers, caught from shore at Fowler Park

A 10-acre park on the east shore of Fowler Lake, at 500 Oakwood Ave., open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It has a playground and swings, two lighted tennis courts, half-court basketball, and picnic areas with grills. The stone shelter has restrooms and holds up to 100 people; you can reserve it through Park and Rec at 262-569-2199.

Fish from the accessible pier or the shore: this pumpkinseed sunfish was caught right here. Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license. After dark, look across the water for the lights of downtown.

A big oak by the fishing pier at Fowler Park, with fallen leaves and fall color along Fowler Lake
The stone shelter at Fowler Park with picnic tables and the lake behind it
The playground at Fowler Park on a sunny fall morning
A bright orange maple on the lawn at Fowler Park, with the lake beyond
Downtown Oconomowoc lit up at dusk across Fowler Lake, seen from Fowler Park, with a crescent moon

Veterans Memorial Park

A memorial wall, a historic fountain and places to sit by Lac La Belle. See the park’s website.

The arch at Veterans Memorial Park, topped by an eagle, with stone columns, flags, a fountain and the lake beyond

Roosevelt Park

The city’s biggest community park, 99 acres with much of it still woods. It’s home to the accessible Imagination Station playground, a splash pad (Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) championed by the Oconomowoc Rotary Club, and the skate park, completed in 2021 and open to skateboards, scooters, bikes and roller skates (bikes need plastic pegs; no dogs). There’s also a ball field, volleyball, a walking path, exercise equipment and two open-air shelters you can reserve. The Lake Country Recreation Trail runs alongside it. 630 S. Main St.; the skate park and restrooms are by the main parking lot on East Forest Street.

The skate park at Roosevelt Park lit up at dusk, with skaters around its curving concrete bowl

Riverside Park

On the Oconomowoc River, with a playground and pavilion. See the city’s Riverside Park page.

By bike

The city has a bike map, and the county has trail information.

More parks worth knowing

The city looks after more than 49 parks and recreation spaces, 337 acres in all. A few more favorites:

  • Chapman Park: 18 acres on the southeast side, with grassy paths, a pond some call “Aunt Polly’s Washtub” and bronze plaques honoring attorney and community servant Bill Chapman.
  • Park Street Beach: a small neighborhood spot for a swim in Lac La Belle.
  • Champion Field Park: 19 acres with two lighted softball diamonds, a baseball diamond, a soccer field and a concession stand.
  • Westover Park: two tennis courts lined for six pickleball courts, plus a playground and half-court basketball.
  • River Bluff Upper Park: a gazebo and benches on the city’s west edge, looking out over the Oconomowoc River wetlands.
  • Fishing from shore: Lisbon Road Park and Memorial Park East on Fowler Lake, and the fishing pier at Chestnut Street Lake Access on Lac La Belle.

Bringing the dog? In city parks, dogs must be leashed and stay on paved paths, sidewalks and boardwalks. They aren’t allowed at City Beach, Veterans Memorial Park, Chapman Park, playgrounds, athletic fields, tennis courts or shelters.

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Statues of the Scarecrow, Dorothy and Toto, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion on a yellow and red brick swirl at Oz Plaza, in front of a Yellow Brick Road mural

Downtown and art

Wizard of Oz Plaza

A Yellow Brick Road mural with statues. A plaque downtown says The Wizard of Oz had its world premiere at the Strand Theater here on August 12, 1939. Out front of the 1886 City Hall, a statue of the Mayor of Munchkinland tips his hat. Locals call him the “Mayor of Oz.” Read about Oz Plaza.

A stone marker downtown that commemorates the world premiere of MGM’s The Wizard of Oz at the Strand Theater on August 12, 1939
A statue of the Mayor of Munchkinland, known locally as the Mayor of Oz, tipping his hat in front of the 1886 City Hall

Public art

Look for murals around town, or take the augmented reality public art tour on your phone. Start at Visit Oconomowoc. At City Beach, local artist Terri Field’s 2018 sculpture Where the Waters Meet overlooks Lac La Belle. Its four sail shapes stand for the four main lakes, Lac La Belle, Oconomowoc, Fowler and Silver, and it doubles as a bike rack. It’s a stop on the city’s Public Art Tour.

The sculpture Where the Waters Meet at City Beach, four metal sail shapes on a black base ringed by curved bike racks, with Lac La Belle behind

Make something

Stonecutter Arts, at 133 E. Wisconsin Ave., is a place to see art and make your own, with classes and a second-Friday art party. Oakbrook Esser Studios has a stained-glass gallery downtown.

Village Green

In the center of town, on the Fowler Lake walk, at 100 E. Wisconsin Ave., this is downtown’s gathering spot. The Chamber’s Summer Beer Gardens set up here one Thursday-to-Saturday stretch each in June, July and August, with taps from a featured local brewery, live music, trivia and food; local nonprofits can sign up to receive the tips. In September, Fall Fest brings a beer garden, food trucks and live music, and in late November the German Christmas Market moves in. The city is rebuilding the park now, with a longer boardwalk along Fowler Lake, stone steps down to the water and lighted seating walls; it should be finished in summer 2027, and planned events go on during construction.

Local history

The Oconomowoc Historical Society and Museum is at 103 W. Jefferson St., open Sunday through Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m.

The Oconomowoc Area Historical Society and Museum building
A night game at the DockHounds ballpark, seen from the stands, with the lights on and a dusk sky over the field

The ballpark

DockHounds Ballpark is home of the Lake Country DockHounds, at 1011 Blue Ribbon Circle N., with concerts and other events too. Batting cages are for rent all year on non-game days, and the ballpark hosts a fish fry and Brunch With Santa. See the ballpark’s site or call 262-468-7750.

A young fan poses with the DockHounds mascot by the field during a night game
A young fan lights up over a signed baseball at the ballpark
Dusk at Fowler Park before the Fourth of July fireworks, with people wading and paddling on the calm lake under a blue and orange sky

Through the year

Fourth of July fireworks bursting over the lake, seen through dark trees from Fowler Park

The Fourth of July at Fowler Park

By dusk, canoes and kayaks wait on the water and people line the shore. Then the fireworks go up over the lake.

Dates below are for 2026 unless noted. Check the Visit Oconomowoc calendar or the Chamber for the coming year.

Spring and summer

  • Summer Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon, May through October, 155 W. Wisconsin Ave.
  • Memorial Day and Independence Day parades
  • Fourth of July fireworks over Fowler Lake: check the date each year
  • Bands at the Beach at City Beach: May through August
  • Oconomowoc American Legion Band concerts: most Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., June through August, at the Rhodee Memorial Band Shell at City Beach. The city’s community band has played since 1924.
  • Moonlit Movies at Fowler Park: June, July and August
  • Summer Beer Gardens on the Village Green: one Thursday-to-Saturday stretch each in June, July and August
  • Twilight Concerts at Fowler Park: free concerts by touring musicians, one a month July through September. Bring your own chairs and blankets.
  • Festival of the Arts at Fowler Park: August 21 and 22, 2027

Fall

  • Fall Fest downtown and on the Village Green: a weekend in September
  • Witches Night Out: October 15
  • Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat: October 31

Winter

  • German Christmas Market: Thanksgiving weekend
  • Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: December 5
  • Noon Year’s Eve: December 31, MeadowView Elementary School
  • Cross-country skiing at Lapham Peak: 10 miles of trails, 2.5 lighted until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. A state trail pass is required for skiers 16 and older.

Questions people ask

Are Oconomowoc’s beaches free?

Not quite. Everyone 6 and older needs a beach band, sold at the beach. The city’s public swimming page has the current prices.

Can I bring my dog to the parks?

Yes, on a leash and on paved paths, sidewalks and boardwalks. Dogs aren’t allowed at the beaches, Veterans Memorial Park, Chapman Park, playgrounds, athletic fields, tennis courts or shelters. The city’s parks page has the full rules.

Where can I rent a kayak or paddleboard?

The city rents kayaks, canoes, paddleboats and stand-up paddleboards at City Beach from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, first come, first served. You must be 18 with a driver’s license. See the city’s rental page, or try Sherper’s.

When are the free summer concerts?

The American Legion Band plays most Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., June through August, at the band shell at City Beach. Bands at the Beach runs May through August, and the Twilight Concerts come to Fowler Park once a month, July through September.

What is there to do in winter?

Cross-country skiing at Lapham Peak, with 2.5 miles lit at night. Downtown has the German Christmas Market on Thanksgiving weekend and the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in early December.

Thinking about a home here?

262-617-2725

Call or text Heather Henry, Broker and Owner. No pressure. No obligation.

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Details checked November 1–8, 2026, using Visit Oconomowoc, the City of Oconomowoc, the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce, the Wisconsin DNR, the Oconomowoc Historical Society, the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts, DockHounds Ballpark and Travel Wisconsin. Details can change, so please check before you go. Photo of the museum by Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. All other photos and the fireworks video © 2026 Henry Real Estate Company. Please ask before using them.