Which Milwaukee park has the best 4th of July Fireworks?

[MessiahRp]

I live on the South side of Milwaukee and last year after moving here I took my son to Wilson Park on the 4th of July. The fireworks were incredibly disappointing.

 

Fireworks from neighboring parks could be seen shooting off in the background before Wilson's started and were still going off long after Wilson's completed. A slow, stalling pace between fireworks and a very short overall display made me believe the park didn't have very many fireworks to begin with.

 

My son is with his Grandmother until the 4th, so the lake fireworks are out. What park then, is the best choice for the Fourth? Keep in mind our south side location.

 

Rp

[bball123h2]

Humboldt Park on Howell and Oklahoma is pretty solid. A family tradition for at least 20 years now (my aunt lives across the street, making seating a breeze). Long fireworks, usually a pretty good show (though, admittedly, not the Big Bang).

[BraunsBoyfriend]

Downtown or bust.

 

The south side doesn't have very many wealthy neighborhoods so you won't see the kind of decent suburban municipalities often put on over there. You have to go to the north shore cities to get better fireworks, or now days out to some Waukesha areas.

 

The Milwaukee parks just don't have the money to put on good firework displays. They have what they have, but it isn't much. I remember just laughing at how terrible the Noyes Park fireworks were last time I saw those.

 

Make the trip downtown if you want to see good fireworks. You'll see really, really good fireworks this way. Get to Veterans Park early and make a day of it. Or just get down there sometime around 6 or 7 and stand around and wait.

 

Lots of people down there and it's a hassle, but they're good fireworks.

 

Or drive out to Brown Deer or Mequon. They usually have decent shows. Menomonee Falls always had a decent show.

 

On the south side maybe Franklin has a good show?

[bigredrobbo]

I dunno if they still do it anymore, but the best fireworks I've attended in the city were at Hart Park. We lay on our backs on the football field looking up and, with the fireworks being set off right outside, it was awesome!

 

All I needed was a good buzz and some Pink Floyd and I'd have been in heaven!

[JoeHova]

I second the choice of Humboldt. Those are my favorites and whenever I bring someone from another neighborhood to them, they tend to agree. Sit between the Tennis Courts and the (larger) pond.

[owbc]

I've been fairly impressed with the fireworks that Hales Corners puts on...at least compared to Greenfield.

[DHonks]

For years Elm Grove has been winning over more and more of the western suburbs crowd. It's been kind of fun seeing crowds increase, except it's harder to find space in Elm Grove Park than it used to be. Still, just for the memories, I wish I could be there. Plus, it was always neat the all day festivities they had for kids there

[patrickgpe]

I think the ones at state fair park are the best.

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I think the ones at state fair park are the best.

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Seconded. Haven't been there in 5-6 years but I seem to remember the show lasting a good 30+ minutes. Probably a much easier area to navigate than downtown Milwaukee in the midst of Summerfest, too.