Often called one of the most underrated cities in the Midwest, Milwaukee is full of farmers markets, festivals, beer gardens, and more than 150 spacious parks to visit. The best part? Many of these activities are free to experience.
Black Cat Alley
Black Cat Alley is one of the few curated outdoor street art galleries in the city, where visitors can see works by creatives and muralists from Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Berlin, and more. This location makes for a great photo stop, allowing you to snap a selfie with one of the many beautiful backgrounds. The art rotates, so check the website to see which artists are showcased and when you can catch the art transitions.
Alice’s Garden Urban Farm
Alice’s Garden Urban Farm is a community space for connection and bonding outdoors. This two-acre farm on Milwaukee’s north side hosts events such as contemporary dancing with the local company Danceworks, guided and self-guided meditative walks in an herbal labyrinth, art activities for kids, and live music during a fish-fry night.
Free prescheduled tours or a self-guided tour are available to learn about the garden’s Black history and its role as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Although most events at Alice’s Garden are free, a few special events may require a small fee. From June until September, you can visit its Artisan Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays to browse products from local vendors, including jewelry and herbal body products.
Hank Aaron State Trail
The 14-mile Hank Aaron State Trail, named after the Milwaukee baseball legend, doubles as a walking tour through the city. You can walk through the greenery and along the Lake Michigan shoreline as you pass Lakeshore State Park. Along the trails in the Milwaukee metro area, visitors can make pit stops at the Urban Ecology Center for more wildlife and nature activities, get a view of the white wings on the Milwaukee Art Museum pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava, and relax at Bradford Beach. Additionally, the Hank Aaron trail connects to other trails in the city, including the Beerline and the Oak Leaf.
Veterans Park
As you head toward the lakefront from downtown, you’ll notice large and spacious grassy areas with a lagoon full of swan pedal boats at Veterans Park. Bring some snacks and set up at one of the picnic tables facing the lake. On a busy summer day, you will see people riding rental bikes and flying kites as high as the surrounding trees. During spring and summer, the park hosts outdoor events like the Gift of Wings Kite Store’s free movies in the park that are kid-friendly. The park also features an annual free Kite Festival where hobbyists showcase their best and biggest kites of various designs.
Swing Park
Milwaukee has no shortage of parks for visitors to explore, but the Swing Park is one of the most delightful and least known. It is the only Milwaukee park with adult-size swings, but kids enjoy it too. To find it, search for the Marsupial Bridge Media Garden and Holton Street Bridge. Underneath them, you will discover a mix of swing styles if you need a break from the busy, restaurant-filled Brady Street nearby.
Bradford Beach
Pack some snacks and a beach towel to head to the lakefront and bask in the sun at Bradford Beach. You can catch a free sand volleyball game organized by a local league, join a frisbee game, hop in the freshwater lake, or simply lay out on the sand all day. Additionally, you’ll observe people rollerblading and biking along the sidewalk in the inland areas surrounding the beach.
Bradford Beach is the go-to summer spot to experience Milwaukee in action, especially on a hot day. Be prepared to hear music, smell delicious food, and see people of all ages enjoying the atmosphere around Lake Michigan and on the beach.
Milwaukee Farmers Markets
Farmers market season coincides with the warmest months of the year and tourist season in Milwaukee, making it free to walk through them and peruse local goodies. Many of the farmers markets also have live performances, including music and contemporary and Irish dancing. The Shorewood Farmers Market offers a mix of fresh local produce and food trucks that serve a variety of treats. The South Shore Farmers’ Market is located near Lake Michigan and hosts stalls from farmers and local food purveyors. Most markets run from June through October.
Basilica of St. Josaphat
The Basilica of St. Josaphat welcomes anyone to visit its grand granite structure, complete with Italian-style domes and decorative plaster. Built for Milwaukee’s Polish immigrant community, the red, blue, yellow, and orange stained-glass window designs from Austria and its European-style murals contribute to its historic significance. You can schedule a free tour online or do a self-guided visit that includes a free exhibit detailing the basilica’s history.
Milwaukee Public Library
Established in 1878, the Milwaukee Public Library system is the largest public library system in Wisconsin, with the downtown branch showcasing extravagant architecture. Visitors can admire the mosaic-tiled floors, marble columns, and grand staircases reminiscent of the French and Italian Renaissances. The downtown branch also provides free activities and storytimes for families.
Jazz in the Park
For lovers of jazz, blues, and funk, Jazz in the Park is a must-visit free event. Having been a staple for almost 30 years, it occurs at Cathedral Square Park. This series is Milwaukee’s largest weekly music gathering, with more than 5,000 people attending each week, making it a great social outing.
Sculpture Milwaukee
The outdoor exhibition Sculpture Milwaukee brings vibrancy to the tall buildings and parking structures downtown. More than 20 sculptures are scattered over two miles, showcasing both local and international artists. The installations change annually and are especially open during the summer months.
North Point Lighthouse
Recently restored, the North Point Lighthouse, originally constructed in 1891, stands as a picturesque landmark in Lake Park. The lighthouse is free to view from the outside, reminiscent of an old postcard; however, it incurs a fee to enter the museum and climb to the top for a panoramic view of downtown Milwaukee and the lake.
Milwaukee RiverWalk
The three-mile Milwaukee RiverWalk flows through the heart of downtown, with several access points where you can stroll through the artsy Historic Third Ward neighborhood and the European-style Old Third World Street that honors Milwaukee’s German roots. If you need a break, there are also breweries along the way. Be sure to explore the art from the RiverSculpture outdoor art gallery and learn more about the featured artists.
South Shore Beach
A visit to Milwaukee’s South Side should include a relaxing day at South Shore Beach. Here, you can decompress in green spaces and enjoy beautiful views of Lake Michigan, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown and Bradford Beach. South Shore also features areas for sand play and beach volleyball. Climbing on surrounding rocks offers gorgeous sunset photos over the lake.
