Beat the Summer Heat in Jefferson County!

Summer is here, and we know all the best places in Jefferson County to beat the heat! Cool down with an ice cream cone, relax on a sandy beach, or jump right in at a local pool! Keep on reading to add to your summer bucket list.

Frozen Sweet Treats:

📸 Frostie Freeze

Frostie Freeze | 208 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson

Only open March through September, this locally owned parlor specializes in soft-serve ice cream sold through a convenient walk-up and drive-thru window. With menu items including rainbow cones, banana splits, and even chocolate-covered frozen bananas, this is the perfect family-friendly activity during warm Wisconsin summers.

Jones Market | 601 Jones Ave, Fort Atkinson

The Jones Dairy Bar has teamed up with another great local Wisconsin company, Cedar Crest Ice Cream, to bring you an array of small batch ice cream flavors that’s sure to please. The Jones Dairy Bar features hand-dipped cones, delicious ice cream floats and “Sundaes of the Month” spotlighting seasonal flavors and topping (July’s Sundae of the Month is Red, White & Blue: Blueberry Waffle Cone & Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream with hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry on top!) Bring the entire family, including your dog for doggie cones and fresh water in a dish to cool your pooches’ palate.

📸 Wedl’s Hamburger Stand galore 

The Corner | 718 S Main St, Jefferson

Along with delicious burgers and deep-fried hot dogs, The Corner is a great place to stop for ice cream treats like fudge nut bars, root beer floats, and more.

Wedl’s Hamburger Stand | 200 E Racine St, Jefferson

Now open for the summer season, Wedl’s is serving up another favorite Wisconsin ice cream, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream out of Madison. Try a unique “Wedl’s Creation” flavor like Chocolate Fruit Bomb, Peanut Butter Passion, or Cheesecake Paradise!

📸 CJ’s Coffee N’ Cream

Timber Creek Pizza Co | 134 E Lake St, Lake Mills

Timber Creek Pizza Co offers classic frozen treats like shakes, malts, and sundaes. If you’re feeling up for the challenge, the restaurant offers a menu item called the “Mountain Man Sundae.” This massive treat is seven, yes seven, scoops of ice cream with your choice of 3 toppings, banana, crushed nuts, and whipped cream.

CJ’s Coffee n’ Cream | 209 Taft St, Palmyra

CJ’s features three businesses in one location: a laundromat, tanning, plus coffee and ICE CREAM! Offering Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, CJ’s Coffee n’ Cream features delicious flavors and take-home pints.

Waterloo Blooms | 119 N Monroe St, Waterloo

📸 Mullen’s Dairy Bar

Waterloo Blooms, a local florist in Waterloo, just started serving Sassy Cow ice cream last year. Stop in for a scoop, and also check out their flowers and candy selection!

Mullen’s Dairy Bar | 212 W Main St, Watertown

Mullen’s Dairy Bar has been making homemade ice cream since 1932. Once a local secret, Mullen’s Dairy Bar ice cream can now be found in retail locations across Wisconsin. Stop by the ice cream shop for a sundae, root beer float, or an old-fashioned ice cream soda!

📸 Brain Freeze

Rosa’s Pizza | 180 W Main St, Whitewater

Rosa’s Pizza is located in the heart of downtown Whitewater. They feature pan, stuffed and double-decker pizzas, plus sandwiches, calzones and of course, ice cream! Visit for a scoop of your favorite ice cream or a take-home pint.

Brain Freeze | 535 E Milwaukee St, Whitewater

This classic 50’s-style diner is serving up milkshakes, malts, and ice cream sodas in a nostalgic setting complete with retro decor and hometown memorabilia covering the walls.

Beaches:

Ripley Beach | N4310 Park Rd, Cambridge

📸 Chad Holpfer – Ripley Beach

Ripley Park is an 18 acre park located on the west shores of Lake Ripley. The wide, sandy beach provides lots of space and access to swim the waters of Lake Ripley. The lake also has two public boat landings, so grab your fishing poles to spend a day out on the lake! (Fun Fact: The most common fish in Lake Ripley are Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye!)

Along with the beach, the park also features two tennis courts, a basketball court, children’s play structure, a 9-hole disc golf course, volleyball courts and so much more!

Bartel’s Beach | 217 S Ferry Dr, Lake Mills

📸 City of Lake Mills – Sandy Beach

Extremely popular on hot summer days, the park offers a swimming beach, picnic areas, playground equipment, restrooms and fishing piers. Rock Lake is a crystal clear 1,371-acre recreational oasis, beckoning outdoor enthusiasts to its cool waters and tree-lined shores.

Sandy Beach | 345 Sandy Beach Rd, Lake Mills

The 14 acre recreational lakefront includes two large swimming beaches, five sand volleyball courts, and a single lane boat ramp. Located on Rock Lake, the waters provide the perfect opportunities for fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, and boating.

Lower Spring Lake Beach |  306 Anemone St, Palmyra

Open all summer, Lower Spring Lake Beach is a small 1-acre sandy beach on the shallow waters of Spring Lake with nearby access to a playground and grills.

📸 Visit Walworth County – Whitewater Lake Beach

Kettle Moraine State Forest | Ottawa Lake- S59 S36630 County Road ZZ, Ottawa & Whitewater Lake- W7908 Kettle Moraine Drive, Whitewater

The southern unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest has two swimming beaches, at Ottawa Lake and Whitewater Lake. Ottawa Lake’s beach has picnic and restroom facilities and grills, and even a special dog swim area by the boat launch to help your four-legged family member cool off. It’s also great lake to practice kayaking and stand up paddle-boarding on.

Grab a picnic basket, beach towels, and prepare for a fun-filled summer day at Whitewater Lake Beach. BBQ grills, hiking trails, jungle gym equipment, and of course a sandy beach are all here waiting for you and your family.

A Wisconsin state park sticker is required to access amenities.

Boat launches are also located within the Forest at Ottawa Lake, Rice Lake and Whitewater Lake. (Note: The use of gas-powered motors is prohibited on Ottawa Lake.)

Pools:

📸 Fort Atkinson Chamber – Fort Atkinson Aquatic Center

Fort Atkinson Family Aquatic Center | 1200 Lillian St, Fort Atkinson

Fun in the sun at Fort Atkinson’s aquatic center located in Rock River Park includes a zero depth entry, diving boards, six lane lap pool with a basketball hoop, a 175 foot water slide, sand playground, and toddler duck and whale slides. There’s also plenty of shade under the large umbrellas and frozen treats to go around, too!

📸Jefferson Chamber – Jefferson Aquatic Center

Jefferson Family Aquatic Center| 518 N Fifield Ave, Jefferson

Jefferson’s aquatic center calls Oakridge Park home, and activities include a zero depth pool, 148 foot water slide, floor fountains, overhead water raindrop, wooden sun deck, sand volleyball court, and more!

📸 Visit Watertown – Watertown Aquatic Center

Watertown Aquatic Center | 1009 Perry St, Watertown

The Watertown municipal pool in Riverside Park offers a large zero depth area, mushroom waterfall, floor fountains, 216 foot water slide, and endless memories!