Milwaukee is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan’s western shore.
Wisconsin’s largest city is the main cultural and economic center of the state.
The city is known for its breweries and beer culture, art museums, historical sites, sports venues and festivals.
There are also interesting areas to meander through like the Victorian Brady Street and the Historic Third Ward.
Milwaukee is a great city for tourists to visit, with plenty of things to see and do.
If you’re looking for a fun and vibrant city to explore, Milwaukee is the perfect place for you.
Things To Do In Milwaukee
1. Harley-Davidson Museum
The Harley-Davidson Museum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Milwaukee with more than 300,000 people visiting the museum each year.
The museum is a three building complex that covers more than 130,000 square feet and sits along the banks of the Menomonee River.
The Harley-Davidson Museum is home to more than 450 motorcycles and artefacts, including “Serial Number One,” the oldest Harley.
The Harley-Davidson Museum is open daily from April through October, and from November through March on weekends only.
If you’re a fan of motorcycles or history, then the Harley-Davidson Museum is a must-visit destination.
With its impressive collection of bikes and artefacts, the museum offers something for everyone.
Address: Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W Canal St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203
2. Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum was founded in 1888 by a group of citizens who wanted to bring the arts to the city.
Located on the lakefront of Lake Michigan, the Milwaukee Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the United States.
The Milwaukee Art Museum is made up of three buildings by three renowned architects and is an architectural landmark.
The museum has a collection of over 30,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
Highlights of a trip to the museum include viewing its many European, American, modern, and contemporary pieces.
The museum is also famous for its impressive collection of works by American artist Georgia O’Keeffe, a Wisconsin native.
The museum’s permanent collection features everything from modern art to folk art with works dating from as far back as ancient Egypt and Rome to the present.
The center also has a theater, a restaurant, and a gift shop.
The Milwaukee Art Museum is open every day except Monday.
Admission to the museum is free for children under 12.
Address: Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N Art Museum Dr, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
3. American Family Field
The American Family Field is a baseball stadium and is the home of the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
The stadium opened in 2001 as Miller Park and was renamed in 2021.
The stadium has a retractable roof to protect fans and players from the weather. The roof can be opened or closed in about 10 minutes.
American Family Field also has a natural grass playing surface. The stadium seats 41,900 fans for Brewers games. It also has 82 luxury suites and 4,000 club seats.
American Family Field hosted the MLB All-Star Game in 2002 and 2018.
The stadium is located just south of downtown Milwaukee. It is easily accessible by car, bus, and train.
Address: One Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53202
4. Milwaukee County Zoo
The Milwaukee County Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the United States.
The zoo has a massive 200-acre site, and it runs an active educational program with lots of entertaining seasonal activities.
The zoo has more than 300 species of animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and monkeys.
For youngsters, highlights include an animal petting zoo, a sea lion show, penguin viewing area, walk-through aviary and the fun Safari Train.
If you are looking for things to do in Milwaukee with kids, this is the place visit.
Address: Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226
5. Milwaukee Public Museum
The Milwaukee Public Museum is a natural history museum located in downtown Milwaukee.
The museum has more than four million artefacts and specimens in its collection.
Highlights include life-size dinosaur displays and a recreation of a tropical rainforest.
The museum also offers a variety of educational programs, events, and exhibits.
The Dome Theater, which is six stories tall and offers planetarium-style presentations, is well worth the extra money.
Address: Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233
6. Milwaukee Public Market
The Milwaukee Public Market is located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.
It is a year-round indoor/outdoor marketplace that offers a variety of local and ethnic foods, as well as unique gifts.
The market also features cooking demonstrations, educational seminars, and special events throughout the year.
Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, artisan cheeses, or delicious seafood, the Milwaukee Public Market has something for everyone.
With lots of vendors to choose from, you’ll be sure to find everything you need – and more! – under one roof.
Plus, the market is conveniently located near other attractions like the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World.
Address: Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
7. Pabst Mansion
Pabst Mansion is located on the west side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Pabst family were German immigrants who settled in the area in the early 1800s and started a brewing business.
The Pabst Mansion was built in 1892 by Captain Frederick Pabst, the grandson of the company’s founder.
It is now a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public for tours.
Visitors can learn about the family’s history, see original furnishings and artwork, and explore the grounds.
The Pabst Mansion also hosts special events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and holiday celebrations.
Address: Pabst Mansion, 2000 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
8. Henry Maier Festival Park
The Henry Maier Festival Park is a 75-acre music festival park in Milwaukee on the shore of Lake Michigan, which hosts the annual Summerfest musical event each summer.
Summerfest claims to be ‘the world’s largest music festival.’
The area also hosts ethnic festivals and live music concerts for a wide range of genres.
The park has five large, permanent stages, and the 23,000-seat American Family Insurance Amphitheatre.
A visit to this Festival Park is one of the best things to do in Milwaukee for any music lover.
Address: 200 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202
9. Milwaukee RiverWalk
The Milwaukee RiverWalk spans nearly three miles along the Milwaukee River from Lake Michigan to the Menomonee Valley.
The RiverWalk meanders through the city’s center, connecting three distinct riverfront communities: the Historic Third Ward riverwalk, Downtown Milwaukee, and Beerline B.
It serves as a doorway to some of the city’s finest restaurants, bars, brewpubs, boutiques, and nightlife.
It is a continuous path that provides access to many of Milwaukee’s favorite attractions, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, and the Harley-Davidson Museum.
The Milwaukee RiverWalk is also a great place for fishing, and access to kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner spot or a beautiful place to take a stroll, you’ll find it along the RiverWalk.
10. Discovery World
Discovery World is a science and technology center located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The center offers interactive exhibits, live animal demonstrations, educational programs, and more.
Visitors can learn about the Great Lakes, explore a replica of a 19th-century tall ship, or take a ride on an outdoor roller coaster.
Discovery World also has a state-of-the-art theater that hosts films, concerts, and other special events.
Address: Discovery World, 500 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
11. North Point Lighthouse
The North Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse built in 1888 in Lake Park on the East Side of Milwaukee.
The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
The building itself has a minimalist yet beautiful traditional design.
North Point Lighthouse Museum offers an insight into Milwaukee’s maritime heritage.
Visitors can also climb the tower and tour the museum to learn all about the history of the lighthouse.
Address: North Point Lighthouse,2650 N Wahl Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211
12. Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory
The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory is home to three dome-shaped glass greenhouses that house plants from around the world.
The Mitchell Park Domes are just a few minutes from downtown Milwaukee and are easily accessed from the express way.
The Conservatory is open year-round and offers a variety of educational programs and events.
Visitors can learn about plant care, take part in gardening workshops, or simply enjoy the beauty of the flowers and plants.
Address: Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, 524 S Layton Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53207
13. Grohmann Museum
The Grohmann Museum is located on the campus of the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is dedicated to the evolution of human work.
The museum features a collection of artwork that depicts workers in various occupations, including farming, manufacturing, and more.
With more than 1,700 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper representing the evolution of human work, you’re sure to identify with several pieces in the collection.
The museum also has interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience what it was like to work in different occupations in the past.
Address: Grohmann Museum, 1000 N Broadway, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
14. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is a hands-on, fascinating museum designed for children aged ten and under.
Located at Museum Center Park on the second level of the Miller Pavilion, the museum is full of fun places where children and grown-ups learn together.
The museum features interactive exhibits that teach kids about science, math, literacy, and more.
Visitors can also enjoy the museum’s many educational programs, events, and workshops.
Address: Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 950 N Broadway, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
15. Historic Third Ward
The Historic Third Ward is a neighborhood located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.
It is anchored on the north end by the Milwaukee Public Market and by the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design to the south.
The Historic Third Ward is a creative center, with art galleries and studios in former warehouses and performance arts locations such as the Broadway Theatre Center.
The area is also home to a variety of upscale retail shops, unique boutiques, spas, restaurants, and professional services.
The Historic Third Ward is also home to the Milwaukee Public Market, which features vendors selling a fresh array of Milwaukee food, including meats, cheeses, and more.
Address: Historic Third Ward, 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
16. Lakefront Brewery Tour
Lakefront Brewery is a Milwaukee institution.
In 1987, two Milwaukee brothers began experimenting with home brewing in a shuttered Riverwest bakery, and the following year they launched Lakefront Brewery.
The brewery offers the best brewery tours and tastings, and has a beer garden where visitors can enjoy a cold one with friends.
This is a hands-on tour of the technical facility that focuses on the brewing process and allows you to get up close to the equipment.
Visitors may then participate in a food-and-beer pairing session that will include Lakefront brews, local cheeses, meat, fruit, chocolate, and coffee.
Lakefront Brewery also has a restaurant where visitors can enjoy a meal before or after touring the brewery.
Address: Lakefront Brewery Tour, 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202
FAQ
What great lake is Milwaukee closest to?
Milwaukee is close to Lake Michigan which is one of the great five lakes of North America.
Three different rivers: the Menomonee, Milwaukee and Kinnickinnic flow throughout the city.
When is the best time to visit Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
The best time to visit Milwaukee, Wisconsin is in the summertime. The weather is warm and there are plenty of activities and attractions to enjoy. However, Milwaukee can be a bit crowded during the summer months, so if you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, fall or spring may be a better time to visit.
Why is Milwaukee called Brew city?
Milwaukee is known as Brew City because of all the breweries that were once located here.
Another theory suggests that the name comes from the city’s German heritage—Milwaukee was once a major hub for German immigrants.
Where is the home of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra?
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is located at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
What’s unique about Milwaukee?
There are a few things that make Milwaukee unique. One is that it’s the only city in the United States with three rivers flowing through it. Additionally, Milwaukee is home to the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest. Finally, the city is known for its many breweries and beer culture.
Is Milwaukee a walkable city?
Milwaukee is a fairly walkable city, especially downtown. There are also a number of bike paths and green spaces for exploring. However, the city does have some hilly areas, so be prepared for some uphill walking if you’re planning to do any sightseeing.
What is Milwaukee’s nickname?
Milwaukee’s nickname is the Cream City because of the cream-colored brick that was once used to build many of the city’s buildings.
