READ MORE FROM OUR 2025 SUMMER GUIDE HERE.
The sun rises in the east, and sets in the west … right? Well, yes and no.
Because Earth tilts as it orbits the sun, the angle of the sunrise and sunset actually moves quite dramatically from north to south over the year.
The effect is more pronounced in Wisconsin because of our distance from the equator, as opposed to Texas or Florida, for example. All of which is to say that if you get up early in the summer to watch the sunrise over Lake Michigan, you’ll want to face toward the north.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
Technically, the sun does rise in the east and set in the west – but only two days a year, the spring and fall equinoxes. The day after the spring equinox, the sunrise continues its trek north. By the summer solstice it rises about 22 degrees north of due east.
The next day, it reverses course and starts heading south, reaching 29 degrees south of due east at the winter solstice. The swing between those solstices is very noticeable if you’re paying attention.
“People will say, ‘How is it that I haven’t noticed this?’ If you think about it, you already have,” says Jean Creighton, the director of UW-Milwaukee’s Manfred Olson Planetarium. “There are certain times of the year when you’re driving to work and the sun is in your face, and then certain times of the year you’re driving to work at the same time and the sun is not in your face.”
So when you’re planning an early morning sunrise trek, make sure you find a good north-facing viewing spot – because the sun doesn’t really rise in the east.
Grant Park
Milwaukee has a bit of a problem if you want an unobstructed view of the summer sunrise – the breakwater. When the sun rises to the north, that line can somewhat obstruct a perfect sun-directly-on-
water view. To avoid that, head south to this park, which also sports some of the nicest trails in the city.
Sheridan Park
When the sun is at or near its northernmost point, this park in Cudahy, just outside the city, offers a beautiful angle on it. Hang out on the beach or walk down to one of the piers to get a better look.
Atwater Park
North of Downtown, the lakeshore curves eastward around Lake Park and just begins to curve back to the west at Atwater, making it a prime spot for a northeastern viewing of the sunrise.
Klode Park
In Whitefish Bay, you’ll find this stretch of shoreline with an unobstructed view of the lake to the northeast.
Reiman Bridge
Marry the sunrise with one of Milwaukee’s most striking buildings. Crossing from Wisconsin Avenue to the Milwaukee Art Museum on this footbridge, you can stop and gaze northeast to spot the rising sun over the water.
Kilbourn Reservoir Park
At the top of a hill, about a mile inland from Bradford Beach, this park gives you a glimpse past the surrounding East Side to the rising sun, along with one of the best views of Downtown you can find.
