Milwaukee Visitors Guide

Milwaukee is known for its scrappy, blue-collar roots: breweries, manufacturing and shipping put it on the map. Today, the city embraces that heritage, but gives it a new twist. The waterfront, once blighted, now features walking and biking trails. Polka and beer—remnants of the city’s German and Polish heritage—have been re-embraced by new generations. The city also takes advantage of Wisconsin’s many farms with local, seasonal fare at its many downtown restaurants. Arts, entertainment, sports and a great food scene: Milwaukee has it all.

Reasons to Visit Milwaukee

• Cruise for Brews: Milwaukee has been called “the city that beer built,” and the industry still holds a firm place in the town today. Hop on a boat at the city’s Riverwalk for a water-bound tour of four lakefront breweries.


• Get Your Motor Runnin’: Harley lovers from around the world flock to Milwaukee’s Harley Davidson Museum, close to where the company’s first motorcycles were made more than 100 years ago. An impressive riverfront complex, the museum features more than 450 motorcycle models, special exhibitions and a café.


• A Walk in the Ward: Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward was once a run-down part of town full of empty warehouses. Today, it’s the city’s Arts and Fashion District, home to dozens of galleries, cafés and shops. Don’t miss a stop at Milwaukee Public Market, where you can sample artisan cheeses or sit down for made-to-order sushi at Thai-Namite Thai café.


• Polka, Polka, Polka: In case you didn’t get the memo, polka is cool again. Find out why at Kochanski's Concertina Beer Hall, where German and Polish beers flow from the taps and live polka music fills the venue every Friday and Saturday night. Head from your Milwaukee hotel and stop in on Thursday nights for dance lessons.

Best Bet: Quadracci Pavilion

In 2001, the Quadracci Pavilion was completed at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The structure was conceived by architect and sculptor Santiago Calatrava as a postmodern interpretation of a Gothic cathedral, with “wings” that open and shut, resembling a bird in flight. Inside the museum, you’ll find works by Van Gogh and Jackson Pollack among the collection of nearly 25,000 pieces.

Off the Beaten Path: Safehouse

For quirky fun in Milwaukee, make a stop at SafeHouse, a spy-themed restaurant with secret doorways, passwords and spy memorabilia. Order an appetizer and a spy-inspired cocktail while you embark on a scavenger hunt or watch the live magician, performing nightly.

When to Visit Milwaukee

Milwaukee loves baseball, so Milwaukee Country Inns & Suites hotel guests who visit in the spring will find the locals at Miller Field enjoying a Brewers game with its famous bottom-of-the-sixth-inning sausage race.

Planning a summer trip? Check out the 11-day Summerfest music festival, which brings approximately 800 bands to its stages each year, making it the world’s largest music festival.

In winter, head to downtown’s Red Arrow Park and strap on some rental skates for a spin around the outdoor rink.

Milwaukee Travel Tip

The Friday night fish fry is a Milwaukee tradition. At Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden, you can experience it weekly with live polka music, organic beer, fresh fish and traditional sides such as potato pancakes, slaw and applesauce. Be sure to take a brewery tour while you’re there.