Timeline
05:16
Arrive at the Simmons Island Beach House. This historic site offers a clear view of the lighthouse and is close enough to the anchor point to set up comfortably before the sun appears. The 9-minute walk from the lighthouse makes it an accessible starting point for this early start.
06:46
Watch the sunrise. Between 18 November and 26 November, and again from 15 January to 24 January, the sun rises directly behind the Kenosha North Pierhead Light when viewed from this area. The golden light begins to spread across the sky, highlighting the red tower against the morning horizon.
07:31
Head to Franks Diner for breakfast. Located in a historic 1920s diner car, this spot serves homemade food that is worth the wait. Since the sun rises around 07:07 in early January, you will arrive just as the diner opens for its morning service. The wait can be long on weekends, but the food is highly recommended.
Local tip
Check the opening hours for Franks Diner to ensure you arrive when they are serving breakfast. The diner is open from 06:00 to 13:30 on weekdays and 07:00 to 13:30 on weekends.
Check before you go
- Franks Diner hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-13:30; Sa 07:00-13:30; Su 07:00-13:30
- The alignment is only visible from 18 Nov to 26 Nov and 15 Jan to 24 Jan
- Sunrise times vary slightly by date; check local sunrise times for your specific visit date
Worth knowing
- Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kenosha (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).