4 things to do in Milwaukee during Fourth of July weekend (besides going to Summerfest)

1. July 3rd fireworks on Milwaukee's lakefront 

Milwaukee's biggest bang is back: The July 3rd fireworks go off above Lake Michigan at Veterans Park and Bradford Beach at about 9:30 p.m. Info: milwaukeefireworks.org. 

2. Fourth of July fireworks (and the 2nd and 3rd, too) 

Independence Day celebrations are back with a star-spangled vengeance this year. While most of the fireworks and parades in the Milwaukee area are on the Fourth of July — including at dusk in Lincoln, Washington, Lake and Humboldt parks — some communities hold theirs the day before, or the day before that. For a full list, go to jsonline.com/entertainment/events.  

3. World War II Heroes Tour at Forest Home Cemetery 

Try a different kind of patriotic activity with the World War II Heroes Tour at Forest Home Cemetery, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave. Milwaukee's historic cemetery is the final resting place of a number of the city's veterans, including Mayor Carl Zeidler, who enlisted in the Navy and was reported missing and presumed dead when his ship was sunk in 1943. The tour is 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 2. Tickets are $10. Info: eventbrite.com/e/ww-ii-heroes-tour-tickets-308912474527. 

4. $4 admission at Milwaukee County Zoo on Fourth of July 

Pretty sure it's patriotic to save money: Everyone can get into the Milwaukee County Zoo for $4 on July 4. The zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Parking fees are the same, though.) Info: milwaukeezoo.org.  

Contact Chris Foran at chris.foran@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cforan12.