|
Washington Park
Sunday, July 12, 2026
|
Show day weather:
Forecast is for high of 83 and sunny. Perfect day for some Shakespeare. Washington Park is a dappled combination of sun and shade so bring sunscreen. |
Navigation (this page, not your car. we'll get to that...)
Using this page
You’ve Planned Your Visit. Now Let’s Get You Here.
|
This page is designed to work as your Shakespeare in the Park guide to Washington Park.
Use it on show day for things like....
We recommend bookmarking this page before heading to the park |
Companions = This Page + The Main SitP 2026 Page
The main SitP 2026 page contains a great deal of detailed information and is where you'll do your planning. This page focuses specifically on this location and might reference the more detailed info on the main page. |
Please register
We highly recommend that you register to receive the fastest updates. The person who typically maintains this website is at the park and wifi can be spotty. The person who sends updates to people who register is sitting at a desk with an excellent internet connection. You decide. No pressure. ----- Details are on the Main SitP page - Navigate to "Gather Your Party" ------ |
Getting to Washington Park
Arrival Lead Time
Historically, there’s been plenty of room at Washington Park, so there’s no need to arrive especially early unless you’d like first choice of seating.
Historically, there’s been plenty of room at Washington Park, so there’s no need to arrive especially early unless you’d like first choice of seating.
|
Your Driving Route
For the sake of your GPS, let's start with the street address for the Washington Park Senior Center: 📍 4420 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI This address will get you close, but not all the way to the performance site. Enter Olmsted Way from Vliet Street just east of the Senior Center. Follow Olmsted Way toward Picnic Area 2 Alternate Entry: W Washington Blvd You can also enter the park via W Washington Blvd, which turns into Olmsted Way. Picnic area 2 is closer to this entrance. |
An important tip
Before you start driving, open the Google Map for Shakespeare in the Park at Washington Park and look for the pin for the Olmsted Way entrance near Vliet and 40th. If you end up in the Senior Center parking lot, pause and double-check your map. You’re very close.
Avoid This Address Do not use 1855 N 40th St. This will take you to the far side of the park near the Urban Ecology Center and on the wrong side of the lake.
|
Map Links
These maps show you performance locations, restrooms, where to park, helpful hints and more.
These maps show you performance locations, restrooms, where to park, helpful hints and more.
Getting around at Washington Park
Performance location within Washington park
Performances take place on a grassy hillside near the Goethe-Schiller monument.
Look for the Picnic Area 2 sign on Olmsted Way. It marks the start of the paved sidewalk leading into the park and toward the performance space.
Performances take place on a grassy hillside near the Goethe-Schiller monument.
Look for the Picnic Area 2 sign on Olmsted Way. It marks the start of the paved sidewalk leading into the park and toward the performance space.
|
Parking
Parallel park along Olmsted Way near Picnic Area 2
If, somehow, you end up in the bandshell parking lot, you can either park there are start hiking or drive around to Olmsted way.
Drop-off Anyone: Near Picnic Area 2
|
Walking
From the Picnic Area 2 sign near the street, you can either follow sidewalk, veering left where it forks, or cut across the grass toward the Goethe-Schiller monument. SitP signage will also help guide you Pathways A flat sidewalk with a curb cut near the Picnic Area 2 sign leads most of the way toward the performance area.
|
Enjoying the Park
|
Sun and Shade*
Washington Park is one of our shadier locations, though portions of the hillside do receive sun depending on the time of day. We will be following the shade between shows, so let's do our best to make everyone comfortable. Did you bring a chair* Just a reminder even though it's probably too late since you're already here. Check-In / Info Tent* At Washington Park it's located on a sunny hilltop near the performance space.
Seating Surface Audience seating is on grass. The hillside is fairly gentle however there is an incline.
|
Picnics
You’re welcome to picnic before, during, and after the show. There are no picnic tables near the performance space, but you’re welcome to set up nearby.
Concessions Light snacks will be available for a suggested donation starting around 1:00 PM Pets*
Well-behaved pets and service animals are welcome at Washington Park |
Restrooms
An portable, accessible restroom will be available for Shakespeare in the Park guests. This unit is rented specifically for the event and is not part of general park facilities.
The restroom is located closer to Picnic Area 2 and the street than to the performance area, so please allow extra time to travel back and forth. Depending on your comfort and mobility needs, guests may either:
An portable, accessible restroom will be available for Shakespeare in the Park guests. This unit is rented specifically for the event and is not part of general park facilities.
The restroom is located closer to Picnic Area 2 and the street than to the performance area, so please allow extra time to travel back and forth. Depending on your comfort and mobility needs, guests may either:
- cross the grass directly, or
- use the longer sidewalk route
*----- Details are on the Main SitP page -----
Enjoying Shakespeare in the Park
It's all led up to this
|
Daily Schedule
1:00 PM ... Games and activities open Available all afternoon, including....
1:40 PM ... All About Richard III The low-down, the gossip, the history, and oh, the drama. 2:00 PM ... Richard III (Puppet Edition) Approximately 55 minutes. About 3:30 PM ... Reset the stage reconfiguration and shift to follow the shade.
4:15 PM ... All About The Merry Wives of Windsor Our version, and what we’ve gotten ourselves into. 4:30 PM ... Early Music Now Approximately 25 minutes. 5:00 PM ... The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff’s Tale With live musical accompaniment by Early Music Now. Approximately 40 minutes. |
Sun, Stages, Shade, Shift*
The Seating and Stage Configurations and the Stage Location Will Change Between Shows Sun... The audience seating area at Washington Park is near trees however, in years past, we attempted to find a spot that provided shade for both the 2:00 and 5:00 performances. That was less than successful. Stages... Richard III at 2:00 uses an intimate thrust-style stage where the audience sits on 3 sides of the action. After the show, the stage crew will reconfigure the stage by turning the thrust into more traditional proscenium set-up. Shade... Because we have to reconfigure the stage and seating area after the 2:00 show, we're going to shift to follow the shade. At Washington Park, that might mean it will assume a different angle. Let's find out together. Shift... Just relax while we make the shift. Please re-join the fun after we're done. 
|
Program & Show Info
- Explore the digital program and show details anytime:
Fun-Facts About Washington Park
- Olmsted-designed oasis:
Originally called West Park, it was designed in 1891–92 by Frederick Law Olmsted & Co. as part of Milwaukee’s citywide parks effort—emphasizing rolling terrain, scenic views, and native plantings - Milwaukee’s first zoo:
From 1892 to 1958, this park was home to the city’s first zoo. It grew to 23 acres by 1902, becoming the sixth-largest zoo in the country by 1907—including polar bears, seals, buffalo, and more - Emil Blatz Temple of Music:
Built in 1938 and funded by Emil Blatz, this striking bandshell hosted the beloved Music Under the Stars concert series. It once drew crowds of over 40,000—and featured performers like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and even President Barack Obama in 2004 - Goethe‑Schiller Monument:
This 1908 bronze monument honors German poets Goethe and Schiller. One of only four castings in the U.S., it was relocated within the park in 1960 - Historic landmark recognition:
In 2023, the park was officially designated a Milwaukee County Historic Landmark, reaffirming its importance in landscape architecture and community identity
Join Us Again
Did you have a good time? Come again and bring new friends. Washington Park is the second stop on our 2026 tour with 9 more chances to join us. The grid at the top of the main SitP 2026 page shows the whole season.
Thank you for coming to Milwaukee's free Shakespeare in the Park.
Did you have a good time? Come again and bring new friends. Washington Park is the second stop on our 2026 tour with 9 more chances to join us. The grid at the top of the main SitP 2026 page shows the whole season.
Thank you for coming to Milwaukee's free Shakespeare in the Park.