Things to do in Whitefish Bay
Fresh Coast Dance was founded on the idea of being in and for our community. We wanted to be accessible where families can walk, bike or take a convenient drive to our studio - and enjoy the neighborhood. That’s uncommon for a dance studio our size.
We are fortunate to be in the heart of Whitefish Bay, surrounded by local shops, restaurants, cafes and beautiful outdoor hangouts that parents and families can visit. Our newly expanded studio is located at 177 E. Silver Spring Drive in Whitefish Bay.
Here is a list of neighborhood businesses and things to do that we encourage you to explore before or after dance class, or hang out after dropping off your child. Enjoy vibrant Silver Spring Drive and the nearby amenities!
Food and Restaurants
The Bay
342 E. Silver Spring Drive
The extensive patio is one of the go-to restaurant hangout spots of Whitefish Bay, and you can’t miss it in the middle of Silver Spring. Grab a craft beer or browse the wine list to go with their delicious burgers and salads. It’s also a great spot to listen to live music or catch a game.
Burke Candy
513 E. Silver Spring Drive
Burke Candy is a 4th generation family-owned business that has been creating confections for the Milwaukee area the past 20+ years. They're the place to go for sweet treats, gifts, corporate gifts, events, and weddings. Stop in and check out their large selection of candy!
Breadsmith
409 E. Silver Spring Dr.
You need to walk by when they’re baking bread at night - it’s a heavenly aroma. Pick up a fresh loaf, cookies, scones, granola or other baked goods from the handcrafted, European-style artisan breadmakers. Our go-to order is the country buttertop and ciabatta for making sandwiches.
Donut Monster
5169 N Elkhart Ave
The creative donuts and delicious English muffin sandwiches are just out of this world. The seasonal donut flavors are always interesting as they are delectable, with original styles like the Strawberry Rhubarb Brown Butter Donut (a brioche donut filled with from-scratch strawberry rhubarb jam and topped with brown butter glaze.) This neighborhood storefront is hidden away, but worth finding.
Forage Kitchen and Beverage
103 E Silver Spring Drive
Welcome to the Bay! The brand new location on the corner of Silver Spring and Bay Ridge offers fresh salads and bowls, along their their signature Kombucha. It’s perfect when you want something healthy and farm-to-table for before or after a class. “I look forward to a quiet dinner here while my kiddo practices every week,” one mom says.
Jack Pandl’s Whitefish Bay Inn
1319 East Henry Clay Street
A Pandl’s patio table is the perfect setting for a summer night after dance to relax and unwind. Pandl’s is the original Whitefish Bay dining destination - going back to 1915 when it was farmland. You no longer need to take a steamship from Lake Michigan to enjoy the traditional Germanic dishes here - it’s just a 4 minute drive from the studio.
MOXIE Food + Drink
501 East Silver Spring Drive
If parents want a nice sit-down dinner, MOXIE is your place. The North Shore’s premier upscale-casual restaurant features American comfort food and a full bar in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The shaded patio is a great spot in the summer for a glass of wine from the bar.
Pete’s Pops
334 E Silver Spring Drive
During the summer, you can get a sweet treat at the reimagined ticket window of the Fox Bay Cinema. Pete’s Pops offers their delicious line-up of imaginative popsicles Tuesdays - Sundays from noon to 8 pm. The hardest part? Choosing just one of their flavors. (But we recommend trying the root beer float, salted watermelon and birthday cake!)
Sendik’s Food Market
500 East Silver Spring Drive
There’s nothing as convenient as getting your grocery shopping done across the street during dance class, and Sendik’s has the best produce, meat and hot bar and deli around. If you’re a dad and you bring home a surprise flower bouquet from the floral department, you’ll earn major dance dad points.
Hangouts
Daily Dose
619 E Silver Spring Drive
One of the newest additions to Silver Spring, the Daily Dose has the perfect healthy treats in a warm, inviting space. You can choose from cold-pressed juice, delicious smoothies, smoothie bowls, coffee, avocado toast, peanut butter toast, and more small bites. Our favorite order? The almond butter smoothie with avo toast. Yum!
Fitzy’s Cafe
424 E Silver Spring Drvie
When Fitzgerald Pharmacy first opened in 1954, it, like many pharmacies of the era, was complete with a full-service soda fountain, serving everything from milkshakes to lunches. Fitzy’s is a modern take on the classic soda fountain, with a focus on local products, fresh ingredients, and seasonally curated menus. We recommend the ice cream float!
Klode Park
5900 Shore Drive
This gorgeous park is one of the best parks in all of the area, and has it all. Want to do something active? Meet a friend at the tennis courts. Want a quick workout? There’s a mulch-covered track around the perimeter of the park. Have another kid that needs to blow off steam? There’s a brand NEW playground! Just want a moment’s peace after a long day? Stare out over the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline on top of the bluff. You won’t want to leave when dance class is done!
Stone Creek Coffee
527 E Silver Spring Dr.
The beautifully new renovated space at Stone Creek Coffee has what you need whether you want to hang out and work with WiFi, grab a drink (including beer and wine!) or get a bite to eat. The entire food menu at the new Cafe & Kitchen in Whitefish Bay is also available to-go, and it has a kids menu! This take-out option comes in really handy when you've had a busy day and need a great dinner option. Our favorite is the Sweet Potato Fritter + Avocado + Gochujang Egg Bowl.
Whitefish Bay Public Library
5420 N. Marlborough Drive
We adore our local public library and the friendly helpful librarians! Located just blocks from the studio, the library offers FREE activities for siblings and of course books, periodicals and quiet, peaceful nooks to read for parents. It’s a refuge we can all use on a daily basis.
Self Care
DryBar
324 E.Silver Spring Drive
Newly opened in the Fox Bay Theater building, DryBar offers all of the salon’s signature services: Blowouts, styling services, professional hair styling products and tools. The salon features custom chairs, tufted fabric walls and a marble bar. Treat yourself!
Elements Massage
312 E Silver Spring Drive
At the end of a long day, what’s better than a message? Same-day appointments are available if you decide to stop in after dropping off for dance, and you can choose from a variety of styles and treatments, from cupping and trigger point to sports massage and prenatal massage.
Enliven Beauty and Wellness
412 E Silver Spring Drive
Enliven is a full-service salon and spa with the goal to provide a superior salon experience, but also through community outreach.
High Brow Boutique
5630 N. Lake Drive
High Brow Boutique offers a variety of waxing and facial services by award winning therapists, from waxing and lashes to peels and facials.
Honeycomb Salon
111 E Silver Spring Drive
Our next-door neighbors when we opened our studio, Honeycomb offers hair, makeup, waxing and microblading services. If you book an appointment with Jozette, make sure to ask her about her favorite Taylor Swift albums.
Indulge Salon & Skin
407 E. Silver Spring Drive
This salon and retail space specializes in haircuts, hair color and skin services. Plus, get all the beauty products you need to glow at the salon.
LIVE Hydration Spa
318 East Silver Spring Drive
Get a hydration treatment pick-me-up at LIVE Hydration. The spa offers a range of IV hydration therapies tailored to address various concerns, from dehydration to immune support. Live Hydration Spa's menu of IV cocktails is designed to deliver fluids, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also been a lifesaver during recital week.
Shopping
Fringe
133 E. Silver Spring Drive
Fringe offers distinctive and stylish home furnishings, decor and personal interior design service. Browsing the inviting shop will provide endless inspiration, from rugs to bedding to window treatments to accents.
Gerhard’s Kitchen, Bath and Lighting Store
402 E. Silver Spring Drive
Dream of home projects to upgrade your kitchen and bath at this beautiful showroom. Browse the stylish sinks, faucets, bath tubs, shower systems, lighting fixtures, cabinets and many more home decor and design products. Just beware - you can easily lose track of time walking the aisles here.
Great Frame Up
517 E. Silver Spring Drive
Want to polish up your memorable photos and paintings? The Great Frame Up is the perfect place for that, with professional eyes that can help you find the right fit. We have Taylor Swift concert posters designed by the Great Frame Up, and we love them.
Hounds Around Town
505 E Silver Spring Drive
This is an absolute must-visit for our beagles, Cleo and Twyla. Hounds Around Town has a passion for caring for our pets and keeping them happy and healthy. From healthy food & treats to toys, collars, beds, coats and more, they have your pet covered!
Mixed Bag
322 E. Silver Spring Drive
You could get lost in browsing these adorable gifts! Mixed Bag carries fun and curated items from a variety of talented local and Midwest makers. There is literally something for everyone here, from baby goods, to bath and body, puzzles, glasses and mugs, and a selection of cards for all your gifting needs.
Navy Knot
308 E. Silver Spring Drive
The Navy Knot is a women’s boutique run by a mother-daughter duo. From clothing and accessories to home decor and gifts, they put a fresh spin on the classic American style. They have some of our favorite dresses that are perfect for all occasions including recital season!
Yellow Wood
401 E. Silver Spring Drive
If you want to visit an outfitter gear store where people actually take time to listen and help you, Yellow Wood is the place. They will set you up with exactly what you need, whether you are taking a mountain expedition or just want to stay warm in the Wisconsin winter. This is our go-to place for coats, mittens, boots, hats and everything to take an adventure — or just walk our beagles down the street in January.
Winkie’s Toys & Variety
629B East Silver Spring Drive
Winkie’s is your go-to place to find gifts for birthdays, graduations, parties and all special occasions. You can find everything from Legos to puzzles to balloons. Pro-tip: Make sure to ask for the free gift wrapping - the staff does an excellent job.
Whitefish Bay Farmers Market
325 E Silver Spring Drive
From June through October in the Aurora parking lot, enjoy fresh flowers, produce, meats, eggs and cheese in addition to baked goods, crafts, jewelry, spa products and apparel. Enjoy hot food, entertainment and great deals every market. There are also night markets in the summer, and winter markets indoors at the library. “In the summer I like to walk to the WFB Farmers Market while Alice is in class,” one dance mom told us. We highly recommend the Cream City Crepes!
And there’s plenty more to do in the neighborhood! Here are 12 things to do around Whitefish Bay, and you can see a full list of all local businesses on the Merchants of Whitefish Bay website. You can also visit seasonal village festivals, stop at the ice cream socials or just take a walk in the beautiful neighborhoods. What’s your favorite? Add to this list in the comments. See you around the fresh coast!