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The Best of West Bend
West Bend’s tourism assets have earned impressive superlatives over the years. Here are more than a dozen examples.
West Bend may be relatively small compared to some cities, but our modestly sized city keeps piling up big-time awards: statewide recognition, regional nods and “did-you-know?” superlatives that might surprise even longtime residents.
From our nationally recognized downtown farmer’s market and award-winning parks system to the largest collection of Wisconsin art anywhere in the world, West Bend has built a reputation as a city that punches far above its weight class.
Here’s a look at some of the times West Bend has earned “best of” status across Wisconsin and beyond.
Westbury Bank Aquapark & Regner Beach: Wisconsin’s Top Aquatic Facility
Cost: $6-8
The Westbury Bank Aquapark at Regner Park didn’t just make a splash after premiering in summer 2025, it earned the highest aquatic facility honor in the state mere months later.
In December 2025, the Regner Park swim experience – including the Westbury Bank Aquapark, Regner swimming pond, splash pad, beach, and Beach House – was selected as the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association’s Outstanding Aquatic Facility Design/Renovation Award recipient for 2025.
And with good reason! In 2025:
- Nearly 40,000 people visited Regner Beach – the highest attendance the facility has seen since 1984.
- Visitors traveled from 98 ZIP codes across nine different states, cementing West Bend’s reputation as one of Wisconsin’s rising summer destinations.
With aquapark admission prices ranging from just $6–$8 for a two-hour session, the Westbury Bank Aquapark offers one of the most affordable aquatic adventure experiences anywhere in Southeast Wisconsin.
Brazenhead Pub’s Brazen Beer Cheese Burger: Best Burger in Wisconsin
Cost: $17
In a state that takes burgers seriously, one of Brazenhead Pub’s creations has risen to the top.
The downtown West Bend pub earned the Wisconsin Beef Council’s Best Burger in Wisconsin title in 2025 (the second year the contest was in operation) thanks to its Brazen Beer Cheese Burger: a half-pound Angus beef burger topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, onion rings, and Harp beer cheese on a pretzel roll.
The burger first made it to the competition’s Elite Eight by receiving the highest number of public nominations through the Wisconsin Beef Council’s website during the month of March. Then, a secret panel of judges traveled across Wisconsin to taste test the finalists, with Brazenhead’s burger earning top marks. Judges praised it for being “perfectly cooked, juicy, and packed with flavor.”
Perhaps the best thing about this contest is that it functions as a sort of “Best Burgers Hall of Fame.” Once a restaurant wins and earns its spot among Wisconsin’s elite burgers, it no longer competes in future years. The awards program seeks to create a cumulative list of the top burgers throughout the state. So, the fact that Brazenhead won in year two of the contest makes the accomplishment even more impressive.
And West Bend nearly doubled down on the honor this year! Another downtown favorite, Game Over, placed eighth in the state in the same competition – proving West Bend’s burger scene is no fluke.
Check out their full menu here.
City of West Bend Parkland: 2nd-Largest Public Park Acreage Per Capita in Wisconsin
Cost: FREE!
West Bend takes its green space seriously.
The City of West Bend’s Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department manages more than 1,300 acres of public parkland and open space across 36 distinct properties throughout the community, granting residents and visitors extraordinary access to parks, trails, recreation areas, and natural landscapes.
Altogether, nearly one-eighth of West Bend’s total land area is dedicated to free, publicly accessible park space. On a per-capita basis, that equates to nearly 41 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents – the second-highest amount of public park acreage per capita in Wisconsin.
Whether you’re looking for hiking trails, riverfront scenery, playgrounds, kayak launches, athletic fields, picnic areas, or quiet places to unwind, West Bend offers exceptional access to the outdoors. Local favorites include Regner Park, Riverside Park, Lac Lawrann Conservancy, Quaas Creek Park, and dozens more.
Best of all, every City-owned park is free and open to the public daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (with limited location-specific exceptions), making it easy for both residents and visitors to experience one of West Bend’s greatest assets.
Learn more about West Bend parks here.
West Bend Farmers’ Market: Best in Wisconsin by Popular Vote
Cost: Depends on what you buy…
The West Bend Farmers’ Market has firmly established itself as the public’s favorite farmers’ market in the state.
For the past four straight years, West Bend’s market has earned the No. 1 spot in Wisconsin as part of the annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AFMC). In 2025, the market even received enough support to rank among the top 10 farmers’ markets in the United States. The AFMC is an annual contest organized by the American Farmland Trust that highlights and ranks – according to popular vote – the top markets in the United States.
Once you experience the West Bend Farmers’ Market, it’s easy to understand why it continues to earn accolades.
Every Saturday morning – from the third Saturday in May through the end of October – downtown West Bend transforms into a vibrant gathering space featuring more than 90 vendors offering fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, artisan goods, handcrafted products, coffee, live music, and more. Thousands of visitors fill downtown Main Street each weekend, turning the market into a hallmark experience for anyone visiting the city.
Learn more about the West Bend Farmers’ Market here.
The Riverwalk: Project of the Year (APWA Wisconsin Chapter)
Cost: FREE!
The Riverwalk is one of downtown West Bend’s signature attractions, winding for approximately three miles along the Milwaukee River and connecting parks, pedestrian paths and trails, businesses, and gathering spaces throughout the city.
What visitors see today is the result of a major multi-phase revitalization effort. The east side of the Riverwalk was redeveloped in 2019, followed by a $10 million reconstruction of the west side that wrapped up ahead of schedule in early 2024. Together, the projects replaced aging infrastructure dating back to 1980 with modern, accessible pathways and riverfront amenities.
The transformation earned statewide recognition in 2025, when the project received both the American Public Works Association Wisconsin Chapter’s Project of the Year award and recognition through the American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin’s Engineering Excellence Awards program.
Learn more about the Riverwalk here.
Dirty Ninja Mud Run for KidsTM: Largest Youth Mud Run Event in Wisconsin
Cost: $30 through May 31; $45 through July 18
West Bend’s Regner Park annually plays host to the “mudder” of all youth events. Each July, the Dirty Ninja Mud Run for KidsTM brings thousands of young participants and spectators together for a high-energy, obstacle-filled fun run.
The event launched in 2014 with 583 “ninjas” and has grown to nearly 2,500 participants, ages 4-15, in recent years. While other communities in Wisconsin host similar events – typically ranging from a few hundred to, at most, 700 participants – West Bend’s scale sets it apart statewide.
This year’s event takes place July 18, and registration remains open through the morning of the event. It’s more than just a race; it’s an experience built around active play, confidence-building, and a whole lot of muddy fun. Plus, proceeds from the event directly support the City’s Parks and Recreation Division, ensuring more people than ever can take advantage of robust and economical outdoor activities.
Register for the Dirty Ninja Mud Run for KidsTM here.
The Museum of Wisconsin Art: Largest Collection of Wisconsin Art in the World
Cost: $15 for a year of access
West Bend is home to MOWA, which in turn houses the most comprehensive collection of Wisconsin art anywhere in the world.
MOWA’s stunningly designed building is situated near downtown West Bend, overlooking the Milwaukee River. The museum is dedicated entirely to preserving, celebrating, and showcasing the work of Wisconsin artists – from historical pieces to contemporary works that continue to shape the state’s creative identity.
The collection spans generations of artists and includes thousands of works that together tell the story of Wisconsin’s artistic heritage in a way no other institution does at this scale or focus. For visitors, that means an experience that is both deeply local and nationally significant.
Beyond its collection, MOWA also serves as a cultural anchor for the community, hosting rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and public events that make art accessible to visitors of all ages. In doing so, it has helped position West Bend as an unexpected but important destination for arts and culture in Wisconsin.
Adding to its mission to make art accessible, MOWA’s simple and affordable model replaces single-day admission with membership that offers free unlimited access for the entire year.
Purchase a year-long membership here.
Ice Age Trail: National Scenic Trail (One of America’s Elite Long-Distance Paths)
Cost: FREE!
Outdoor enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that West Bend is a true hiking destination.
Anchoring the City’s premier trail scene is the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the entire United States – placing it in the same elite category as iconic routes like the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. The West Bend segment of the Ice Age Trail is an exciting 6.5-mile course through parks and preserves, past lakes and along the Silver Creek.
And the hiking opportunities don’t stop there.
Altogether, West Bend features more than 46 miles of trails spread across more than 30 park properties, offering everything from paved urban pathways to rugged forest routes. Other popular destinations include:
- The Eisenbahn State Trail, a scenic former railroad corridor running through the countryside and downtown
- The award-winning Riverwalk along the Milwaukee River
- Trails at Lac Lawrann Conservancy, where hikers can explore woodlands, prairies, and glacial kettle landscapes
Additional trail systems weave through parks like Ridge Run, Riverside Park, and the Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Area, giving visitors an impressive variety of hiking experiences packed into one community.
The Bend Theater: Designated Historic Landmark
Cost: Ranges from FREE to upwards of $50 for certain acts
The Bend Theater is one of the region’s best historic restoration success stories.
Originally opened in 1929 as a Vaudeville and Art Deco theater, the venue underwent a major multi-million-dollar restoration in 2019 that carefully revived its historic murals, decorative artwork, plaster details, and iconic neon marquee while modernizing the space for live entertainment and film.
The restoration effort helped earn the theater a place on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places in December 2019. This designation is reserved for historically or architecturally significant properties that retain their original integrity. The listing requires a rigorous state review and nomination process.
Today, the beautifully restored theater serves as a centerpiece of downtown West Bend, hosting concerts, comedy shows, movies, and live performances year-round.
Check The Bend’s entertainment schedule here.
Throughout West Bend: The Geocaching Capital of the Midwest
Cost: FREE!
West Bend has long held a reputation as the “Geocaching Capital of the Midwest” – and for good reason.
The area is home to more than 1,600 permanent geocaches within a 10-mile radius, making it one of the most cache-dense regions anywhere in the country. Combined with scenic trails, riverfront paths, parks, and year-round geocaching experiences, West Bend has become a bucket-list destination for enthusiasts from across the United States and beyond.
Treasure hunters can enjoy the activity year round, but a hallmark event is the annual Cache Ba$h that takes place each August in Regner Park. Hosted by the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce, Cache Ba$h draws thousands of geocachers from around the world.
Part of what makes geocaching in West Bend so unique is the variety of terrain and experiences available. Participants can explore everything from downtown urban cache locations and Milwaukee River corridors to wooded trails and scenic routes like the Eisenbahn State Trail – all within minutes of each other.
Get started with geocaching here.
The West Bend Power Hockey: Central Division Champs & Fraser Cup Runner-Up
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for students, seniors, military; FREE for kids 4 and under
West Bend has quickly become home to a rising junior hockey presence through the West Bend Power – a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior team competing in the NA3HL. Since arriving in West Bend in 2022, the organization has rapidly emerged as a competitive force, developing players and bringing high-intensity, fast-paced hockey to the community.
Junior ice hockey is an amateur development level for players ages 16–21, designed as part of a tiered nationwide system that prepares athletes for collegiate (NCAA) and professional opportunities, including the NHL.
While The Power players are not yet professionals, they are on the path to becoming one – which means fans have the opportunity to watch high-caliber, fast-paced hockey at an accessible price point and close-to-home setting.
The West Bend Power have already become one of the NA3HL’s standout programs, capturing back-to-back Central Division Regular Season Championships in 2025 and 2026, including franchise-record 35-win seasons. In 2025, they also won the Central Division Playoff Championship and advanced to the Fraser Cup national tournament in St. Louis, finishing as national runner-up.
Labyrinth Garden: Official Daylily Display Garden
Cost: FREE!
The Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture is one of West Bend’s most unique and peaceful outdoor spaces — a living landscape where art, nature, and reflection come together. Designed as an earth sculpture and garden experience, it invites visitors to slow down, explore winding pathways, and enjoy a thoughtfully curated blend of horticulture and design.
In 2009, the garden received official designation as a Daylily Display Garden by the American Hemerocallis Society, recognizing its exceptional collection and presentation of daylilies. This distinction places it among a select group of gardens honored for both plant diversity and display quality, adding another layer of significance to an already distinctive destination.
From here, West Bend’s commitment to public art continues well beyond the garden gates.
Throughout the city, sculptures and installations are woven into parks, trails, and public spaces – turning everyday walks into open-air art experiences. One standout piece is Bird of Hope and Joy, located along the Riverwalk and created by noted New York-based artist Sheila Berger, who has been featured on Martha Stewart’s podcast. Positioned along the Milwaukee River, the sculpture adds a striking moment of reflection and beauty within one of the city’s most visited corridors.
Together, spaces like the Labyrinth Garden and the city’s growing public art collection highlight West Bend’s broader identity: a community where creativity isn’t confined to galleries but integrated directly into the landscapes people explore every day.
Locate the Labyrinth Garden and other public sculptures throughout the city.
Bonus: Soon to Host One of Wisconsin’s Largest Community Skateparks
West Bend’s list of superlatives may soon get even longer.
The city is on track to break ground in summer 2027 on a new community skatepark in Regner Park. Designed to be constructed in three phases, the full facility will be 22,000 square feet and completely free and open to the public. Once finished, it promises to be the second-largest community skatepark in Wisconsin.
Learn more about the West Bend Community Skatepark Project here.