The Essential Guide to Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Located just an hour north of Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, feels like a secret coastal escape hiding in plain sight right in the middle of the Midwest.

Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, this laid-back town pairs freshwater surf culture with a thriving, yet under-the-radar culinary scene. Affectionately known as the “Malibu of the Midwest” and the “Freshwater Surfing Capital of the World” for its impressive waves, Sheboygan also embraces its heritage as the “Bratwurst Capital of the World“—a nod to the German immigrants who made sausage-making a local art form.

Together, these claims to fame capture what makes Sheboygan so unique: a Midwest surf town with heart, soul, and plenty of charm. All this, coupled with top-notch art installations, proves that this destination doesn’t need an ocean to make waves.

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Best Things to Do

Hit the beach or go surfing.

Sheboygan’s stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline shines any time of year. In warmer months, locals and visitors head to the North Beach at Deland Park—the city’s main waterfront area—to swim, paddleboard, and play volleyball along wide, sandy shores. Just south, King Park offers another relaxed spot for sunbathing and lake views.

But come fall and winter, the scene shifts. Colder air and stronger winds over Lake Michigan create ideal conditions for freshwater surf, drawing wetsuit-clad adventurers to North Point. Here, a curved section known as “The Elbow” produces some of Sheboygan’s most powerful waves.

Perfect your swing.

A few miles north of Sheboygan, Whistling Straits is the area’s undisputed crown jewel—ranked among the world’s top golf courses and host to three PGA Championships and the 43rd Ryder Cup. The Pete Dye–designed, 36-hole layout includes the famed Straits Course, which runs along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, and the Irish Course, its slightly more forgiving inland counterpart. Nearby, Blackwolf Run has another 36 holes. Both courses are part of Destination Kohler, anchored by The American Club, one of the region’s most indulgent five-star stays. 

Bookworm Gardens

Bookworm Gardens feels as if it’s been plucked straight from the pages of a storybook—literally. The seven-acre botanic garden seamlessly blends nature, art, and literature into a whimsical, flower-filled space inspired by beloved tales such as The Three Little Pigs and Charlotte’s Web. Here, sculptures, interactive exhibits, and winding paths encourage exploration at every turn. Open seasonally from May to October, it’s a nostalgic delight for visitors of all ages, celebrating the joy of stories in full bloom (see what we did there?). 

John Michael Kohler Arts Center & Art Preserve

Sheboygan’s creative side is on full display at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, a contemporary museum celebrated for its immersive, artist-built environments (think: entire rooms and installations designed by artists as works of art themselves). Just a few miles away, its sister site, the Art Preserve, is the world’s first museum completely dedicated to artist-built environments, displaying large-scale installations and restored environments in a striking, light-filled building surrounded by woodland. Bonus: Both spaces have free admission.

Kohler-Andrae State Park

Kohler-Andrae State Park feels worlds away from Sheboygan’s buzzy downtown, though it’s really just a seven-mile drive. As one of the last natural stretches of Lake Michigan shoreline, it’s known for its tall dunes, pine groves, and more than two miles of golden-sand beach. The park is a beloved year-round destination, with scenic hikes such as the Dunes Cordwalk Trail, which winds through dune ridges and along the lake, as well as shaded woodland and marsh trails. In summer, it’s especially popular for swimming, kayaking, and lakeside picnics, while fall and winter bring quiet hikes through snow-dusted dunes and views of the frozen shoreline.

See America’s tallest flagpole.

Rising 400 feet above the Acuity Insurance campus off Interstate 43, the ACUITY Flagpole is the tallest in the country—nearly 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. The 420,000-pound pole flies a 70-by-140-foot American flag that spans 9,800 square feet and weighs 250 pounds. It’s visible for miles between Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Is it a little over the top? Absolutely—but it’s also a proud symbol of the city’s big-hearted Midwestern spirit.

Where to Eat and Drink

3 Sheeps Brewing

A cornerstone of Sheboygan’s craft beer scene, 3 Sheeps Brewing has evolved from a small local operation into one of Wisconsin’s most celebrated breweries. Inside a converted warehouse (complete with an outdoor patio), the lively, family-friendly taproom serves creative small-batch brews, drawing a steady mix of locals and visitors. With food trucks, live music and events, and plenty of space to kick back, it’s no surprise it’s become one of Sheboygan’s most reliably buzzy stops.

Miesfeld’s

A Sheboygan institution since the 1940s, Miesfeld’s is less a restaurant than a rite of passage. This family-owned butcher shop helped earn the city its “Bratwurst Capital of the World” title with its award-winning bratwurst, which has taken home multiple state and national honors. Visitors can browse the market’s full butcher counter, stock up on house-made sausages and fresh cuts, and, if the grill’s fired up, grab a brat hot off the griddle. With more than two dozen varieties, from mushroom Swiss to jalapeño cheddar, there’s a brat for just about every taste.

Black Pig

Sheboygan’s streak of animal-themed favorites continues at Black Pig, a cozy downtown spot renowned for its creative take on American comfort food. The menu spotlights locally sourced ingredients—especially pork, which appears in everything from hearty handhelds to rich ragùs and crispy house-cured bacon. The space is buzzy and laid-back, with a beverage menu spotlighting craft brews, creative cocktails, and a solid selection of whiskeys.

Schulz’s Restaurant

Open since 1953, this old-school haunt feels like it’s been lifted straight from a bygone era. While best known for its charcoal-grilled sandwiches, brats, steaks, and burgers served on hard rolls, the diner also dishes up homemade soups, chili, and classic breakfast fare. With counter service, vintage signage, and unfussy charm, it’s the kind of place where time—and tradition—never seem to change.

Eb Flo Coffeehouse 

Perched along Sheboygan’s South Pier, Eb Flo Coffeehouse is a cozy waterfront café where locals and visitors linger over locally roasted coffee. Inside, the space pays homage to Sheboygan’s surf-town spirit with light-filled interiors, coastal touches, and a striking wave mural that nods to the nearby lake. You can’t leave without trying one of the café’s signature “croffles”—a flaky hybrid of a croissant and a waffle—in both sweet and savory varieties, from strawberry banana to ham and cheese. 

Where to Stay

The American Club 

Five miles west of Sheboygan, in the neighboring village of Kohler, The American Club anchors the area’s luxury scene. Built in 1918 as housing for Kohler Company workers, the redbrick Tudor property remains the centerpiece of the town. The adults-only Carriage House has direct access to the Kohler Waters Spa and includes complimentary hydrotherapy and wellness amenities, as well as daily breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and yoga classes. Across the resort, visitors can choose from eight distinct dining venues, while golfers can tee off at one of the two aforementioned courses.

Blue Harbor Resort

Perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, just steps from the South Pier boardwalk, Blue Harbor Resort is Sheboygan’s signature stay. The lakefront resort pairs breezy, coastal-inspired design with spacious 243 suites and villas overlooking the water, along with resort staples like a full-service spa and a 54,000-square-foot indoor water park that keeps families entertained year-round. Guests can dine at the on-site Beacon Restaurant, stroll the nearby boardwalk, or unwind by the fire pits as the sun seemingly dips into the glistening lake.