Explore Milwaukee: An Exciting Urban Retreat

Back in the day, Milwaukee was best known for beer, cheese, and Happy Days, but the city has recently undergone a revival of sorts. Between its thriving art and live music scene, as well as its outstanding culinary options, you’ll find plenty to experience during your visit to Milwaukee.

Mitchell Park Domes

Officially known as the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, the Domes are a local favorite. Each of three massive domes—measuring 140 feet across, 85 feet high, and 750,000 cubic feet—features a unique climate: desert, tropical, and a show dome. The desert and tropical domes house various species, including birds, frogs, fish, and lizards, while the show dome showcases rotating exhibits from Japanese gardens to scenes from the Nutcracker Suite.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Santiago Calatrava, renowned for designing New York City’s World Trade Center transportation hub, is one of the architects behind the Milwaukee Art Museum. This iconic structure not only hosts impressive permanent and rotating collections, but its glass atrium with retractable wings has become a symbolic image for Milwaukee. The wings open every morning and close in the evening, and the museum offers excellent photography opportunities on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Downtown Riverwalk

The charming Riverwalk in Milwaukee is enjoyable any time of the year. However, if you’re in town during summer, you can try paddleboarding or kayaking on the river. Don’t miss the Riverwalk’s most famous statue, the Bronze Fonz, a gleaming tribute to Arthur Fonzarelli, whose show Happy Days made Milwaukee iconic in the 1970s and ’80s. Conveniently located, the Riverwalk provides easy access to local attractions, including the Milwaukee Public Market and historic Old World 3rd Street, recently renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, though many still use the original name.

Milwaukee’s Brewing History

Milwaukee’s rich brewing history is noteworthy, as even the city’s Major League Baseball team is named the Brewers. Beer enthusiasts can explore various craft breweries and beer halls. For a deeper understanding, consider taking a brewery tour at the historic Pabst Brewery and visiting the elegant Pabst Mansion, home of Frederick Pabst, the company’s founder. The Pabst Theater, dating back to 1895, is a downtown landmark showcasing the grandeur of that era and hosts a variety of live performances and concerts.

Explore Milwaukee’s German Roots

Milwaukee is a diverse city with significant Hmong and Hispanic communities; however, it also has a large population of German descent. This heritage is celebrated in numerous restaurants and food purveyors across the city. Many classic German establishments, including restaurants, sausage shops, and beer halls, have been serving local residents and visitors for generations. Notable spots include Usinger’s Sausage Shop, Mader’s Restaurant, Milwaukee Brat House, and the Old German Beer Hall.

Harley-Davidson Museum

No visit to Milwaukee is complete without exploring the Harley-Davidson Museum, the birthplace of the iconic motorcycle brand. Here, hundreds of motorcycles display the evolution of design over the decades. Visitors can even sit on various bikes and capture memorable photos. The museum spans a 20-acre park-like campus situated in an industrial setting south of downtown.

Milwaukee Public Market

For a delightful culinary experience, visit the Milwaukee Public Market. This bustling downtown destination features an array of restaurants serving cuisines from Mexican to Middle Eastern. It’s an excellent spot for both locals and tourists to grab a meal or pick up groceries and souvenirs. Visitors can find well-stocked cheese shops, delis, and olive oil vendors, and remember to try one of the city’s famous over-the-top Bloody Mary cocktails, often garnished with fried cheese curds or sliders.

Summerfest Grounds

Often referred to as the Summerfest grounds, Henry Maier Festival Park is known for hosting Milwaukee’s largest festival, Summerfest, touted as the world’s largest outdoor music festival. Yet, Summerfest is not the only major event held at this location; throughout the summer and fall, the grounds feature diverse cultural and ethnic festivities celebrating Milwaukee’s rich heritage, including events for the Irish, African, German, Mexican, and LGBTQI+ communities.

America’s Black Holocaust Museum

Founded by James Cameron, a survivor of a lynching, America’s Black Holocaust Museum began as a virtual platform and has evolved into a physical location. This museum educates visitors about the “Black Holocaust,” tracing its origins from the Transatlantic slave trade through the Civil War and Civil Rights movement. The museum is currently closed for renovations but is scheduled to reopen soon.

Milwaukee’s Public Beaches

Wisconsin experiences cold winters; however, during the summer, Milwaukeeans flock to the city’s beautiful beaches. Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, the city boasts several excellent swimming spots. While quieter beaches can be found in the Bay View neighborhood and the suburbs of Cudahy, South Milwaukee, and Oak Creek, those seeking a vibrant beach atmosphere complete with volleyball and food vendors should head to Bradford Beach, which is accessible and offers free beach wheelchairs.