Preview Post: Prentice Park

Prentice Park is Ashland's biggest park.  There is a natural spring well and a playground, as well as plenty of outdoors to explore.  Camping is also available.

Prentice Park
Turner Road ~ Ashland, WI

Preview Post: Central Railyard Park

Central Railyard Park in Ashland has a playground and a skate park.  They also have an ice skating rink in the winter.  It looks like a decent-sized park.  They also have bathrooms.

Central Railyard Park
6th Street & Vaughn Avenue ~ Ashland, WI

Preview Post: Kreher Park

Kreher Park is actually a city-owned RV campground, but it is also listed as a public beach, so I am assuming you can access the facilities without having a campsite there.  There is a playground and a beach...on Lake Superior.  Brr!  Most reviews I can find are from people who have camped there, and they have been positive.

Kreher Park
200 Prentice Avenue N ~ Ashland, WI

Preview Post: Maslowski Beach

Maslowski Beach in Ashland seems to be best known for its spring water.  It hosts a beach (obviously) but also has a playground.  There are also bathrooms, and it sounds like they are usually open based on reviews I've found in which people mention changing areas.  It is on Lake Superior, so pretty chilly, but by all accounts is usually a nice beach for playing.

Maslowski Beach
Highway 2 on the west side of Ashland, WI

Preview Post: Bayview Park

Dip your toes in Lake Superior with a visit to Bayview Park in Ashland.  Technically it's on Chequamegon Bay, so it has a LITTLE bit of a chance to get up to a swim-able temperature!  It looks to be a long and narrow park with quite a bit of lakefront.  There is a beach as well as a playground.

Bayview Park
1803 East Lake Shore Drive ~ Ashland, WI

Preview Post: Ashland Mural Walk

Ashland has a beautiful downtown, complete with murals painted on the buildings.  It is a point of pride for their city, and there is a whole map you can walk to see them all.  I think it would be worth seeing!

Ashland Mural Walk
Downtown Ashland, WI

Preview Post: Ashland Historical Society Museum

The Ashland Historical Museum does not look like a very hands-on experience, but it does seem to have quite a rotating assortment of content.  They change their exhibits up to keep things fresh, but I am guessing this still probably a pretty short visit with kids!

Ashland Historical Society Museum
216 Main Street West ~ Ashland, WI ~ (715) 682-4911

Preview Post: AmericInn Waterpark

The AmericInn in Ashland has an indoor waterpark.  It doesn't look like it's huge, but it might be a fun way to spend an afternoon.  From pictures I can find, it looks like there are two decent water slides and a splash area.  They do have day passes available.

AmericInn SplAshland
3009 Lake Shore Drive E ~ Ashland, WI
Admission: $10

Harry Nelson Recreation Center

 The Harry Nelson Recreation Center is on the edge of the town of La Pointe on Madeline Island.

They have a nice little playground that entertained my kiddo for about as long as most playgrounds do.  There is also a ball diamond, tennis courts, and picnic shelter.  They do have bathrooms.

Harry Nelson Recreation Center
Corner of Middle Road and Rice Street ~ La Pointe, WI ~ 715-747-6913

Big Bay Town Park

Big Bay Town Park is a superior park on Lake Superior!  (See what I did there?)  It is one of the parks on Madeline Island, the only Apostle Island that is not part of the Apostle Island National Shoreline.

There is not a playground, but there are trails and a great lagoon for swimming or kayaking/canoeing (available to rent).  Lake Superior is really too cold for swimming, but this lagoon is nice and warm-ish...and gorgeous!  We even saw a deer swim across the lagoon.  There is also beach to play in on the shore of Lake Superior.

Big Bay Town Park
2305 Town Park Circle ~ La Pointe, WI ~ 715-747-3031

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

The Apostle Island National Lakeshore is one of Wisconsin's most unique parks, and one of only two national parks in the state.  It consists mostly of islands, which are accessible only by kayak or boat.

 This is the headquarters in Bayfield.

Some of the park is on the mainland along the Lake Superior shoreline.  The largest draw to the Apostle Islands are the caves, especially the ice caves in the winter.  These can't really be seen from the mainland shore.

There are plenty of other activities, especially if you are willing to pay for them.  There is an Apostle Island cruise available.  We chose not to do that one due to the cost and duration (3 hours!) of the cruise.  You can also fish, tour some lighthouses, and there is plenty of hiking!

The park may be accessed for free, but there are fees for many specific uses.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Bayfield Headquarters
415 Washington Avenue ~ Bayfield, WI ~ 715-779-3397

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

 The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is just outside of Ashland.  It is a cooperative center run through the partnerships of multiple organizations.

They have a large property with trails to explore.  There is also a pond with some fish to feed.  We also found a giant turtle in the pond!

 Climb the observation tower for this awesome view!

 Be sure to walk through the interactive museum inside as well.  It's all about the history of the region, including the native heritage, the mining industry, and the fishing industry.  You can even try your hand at the detonator in the mine.

If you are in the area, this is a great place to stop and get some good information.  This is where we learned of the Powwow we attended while we were up there.

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
29270 County Highway G ~ Ashland, WI ~ 715-685-9983