Milwaukee Brochure

MILWAUKEE GET T O KNOW

Your pocket guide to MKE

A GREAT PLACE ON A GREAT LAKE

Welcome to America’s Fresh Coast!

Located at the confluence of three rivers flowing into Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is truly a water city with plenty of ways for visitors to get their feet wet.

Milwaukee’s location along Lake Michigan makes it the perfect destination for an urban outdoor adventure with guided sails, fishing, freshwater surfing, kayaking, and many more watery activities.

Learn the ropes with guidance from the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center (1450 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.) and Freedom Boat Club (E. Lagoon Dr.), providing sailing instruction and outings. Head on over to the McKinley Marina where Sea Dog Sailing (1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.) welcomes you aboard a yacht for a private shoreline sail.

If boat tours are more your speed, hop aboard Milwaukee’s vessels with Edelweiss Boats (205 W. Highland Ave.), Milwaukee Boat Line (1124 N. MLK Dr.), Milwaukee Duffy Boats (820 S. Water St.), Kanaloa Tiki Lounge (1230 N. MLK Dr.), and Riverwalk Boat Tours & Rentals (950 N. MLK Dr.). You may

also consider forging your own water adventure with equipment from Lakeshore Paddle Sport Rentals (500 N. Harbor Dr.), and Nomad Boardsports (34422 Delafield Rd., Summit). For the brave of heart, winter creates gnarly waves on the lake that are perfect for surfing. Grab your board, a wet suit, and hang ten on the nation’s fresh coast.

The Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers offer more watery getaways with the city’s three rivers perfect for boat cruises, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Allow resident waterway experts like Brew City Kayak (820 S. Water St.), and Milwaukee Kayak Company (318 S. Water St.), to guide your Milwaukee River kayaking trips. In fact, the Milwaukee County Historical Society (910 N. MLK Dr.) teams up with local kayakers for guided historic river excursions. Or stroll riverside through three historic neighborhoods on The Milwaukee RiverWalk.

Back on dry land, Milwaukee is home to 1,400 acres of beaches and parkland

Donut Boats

Winter Surfing

adjacent to the water. Milwaukee County Parks (county.milwaukee.gov/EN/ Parks) beaches along Lake Michigan — such as Bradford Beach and Warnimont Park Beach — are excellent for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing. Take a spin with Bublr Bikes, a convenient ride with stations throughout the city, then hit the trails of Lakeshore State Park (500 N. Harbor Dr.), Wisconsin’s only urban state park. Head north on Lincoln Memorial Drive along Lake Michigan’s shores to fly a kite with Gift of Wings (1300 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.) at Veterans Park or ride in a swan boat around the park’s nearby lagoon.

Time for a beverage? O.K., but you have to work for it. The Milwaukee Paddle Tavern (113 E. Juneau Ave.) is a floating pub powered by your group pedaling as they imbibe. For waterside eateries try Harbor House’s seafood (550 N. Harbor Dr.), Saffron’s (223 N. Water St. Ste. 100) modern Indian dining, Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria’s tacos (249 N. Water St.), or Bridgewater Modern Grill’s fine dining and Kinnickinnic River views (2011 S. 1st St.). Just outside of the city, head to Upper Nemabhin Lake to Panga Bar & Grill (34422 Delafield Rd., Summit) for burgers, tacos, and other outstanding food.

Bradford Beach

DISCOVER MKE DEALS

The Cream City Convention Pass is the best way to explore everything that makes Milwaukee the Good Land. Take a break and savor a free dessert at a James Beard Award-winning restaurant to a beverage on the house in Deer District, roaring fun with discounted tickets to the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum to a weekend spin on a Bublr bike for a fraction of the cost, the Cream City Convention Pass will welcome convention attendees to everything that makes Milwaukee the Good Land.

visitmilwaukee.org/conventionpass

THE ABC’S OF MKE

THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO AND SEE IN MILWAUKEE, BUT IF YOU CAN CHECK OFF THESE GREATEST HITS, YOU’RE OFF TO A PRETTY GOOD START.

AART Ignite your creativity and see the sights throughout Milwaukee’s art scene. Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum (700 N. Art Museum Dr.) along Lake Michigan for an art experience second to none, the Marshall Building’s (207 E. Buffalo St.) many galleries, the Lynden Sculpture Garden’s (2145 W. Brown Deer Rd., River Hills) immersive 40-acre outdoor sculpture park, Black Cat Alley’s (alley between Prospect and Farwell, Ivanhoe, and Kenilworth) impressive collection of street art, or check out one of the many murals throughout the city.

BBALL IS LIFE

Looking for a new way to play?

Visit WhirlyBall (185 S Moorland Rd, Brookfield) to experience a sport that combines elements of lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and bumper cars into a fast-paced game that is truly oneof-a-kind.

EEXPLORE the hands-on science exhibits at Discovery World (500 N. Harbor Dr.). Curious kids will have their hands full learning about science, the Great Lakes ecosystem, and more.

CCREAM PUFF

Don’t forget the Original Cream Puff in August at the Wisconsin State Fair (640 S. 84th St., West Allis)! It may be messy, but it’s worth it.

FFROZEN TREATS Ice cream or custard? Take your pick or try them both! Kopp’s (kopps.com) specializes in frozen custard, a delicious frozen treat that’s creamier than ice cream or try Dairyland (275 W. Wisconsin Ave.) for fun twists on this Wisconsin classic. Purple Door Ice Cream (205 S. 2nd St.) offers unique flavor combinations for the traditional or the adventurous palate.

DDANCE

Stop by the Marcus Performing Arts Center (929 N. Water St.) for their free kids’ arts programming throughout the summer.

GGREAT OUTDOORS Take a hike, see a raptor up close, and get some fresh air on Schlitz Audubon Nature Center’s (1111 E. Brown Deer Rd.) 6 miles of trails. Check out the center or any of the more than 150 Milwaukee County Parks for an adventurous day out. Experience prime leaf-peeping in autumn and watch the brilliant hues of fall foliage change before your eyes at any one of our parks.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON Rev up at the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum (400 W. Canal St.). You can learn about the history of the iconic bike brand, take pictures on motorcycles, and even design their own Harley.

INTRIGUE

IAdd a dash of mystery and espionage to your next dining experience. Visit the spythemed restaurant SafeHouse (779 N. Front St.). Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to acquire the password.

JJURASSIC Head to the Milwaukee Public Museum (800 W. Wells St.) and see your favorite dinosaurs roar back to life at the Third Planet exhibit. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the universe throughout the many exhibits including the Streets of Old Milwaukee, the rainforest, live butterflies, and more!

KKAYAKING Explore Milwaukee’s downtown by water! With tandem kayaks and canoes for rent, Milwaukee Kayak Company (318 S. Water St.), or Brew City Kayak (820 S. Water St.) makes it easy for kids and families to see the sights safely.

LAKE MICHIGAN

Lis a source of endless fun family activities. Fly a kite from Gift of Wings (1300 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.) along the shore in Veterans Park, play a game of beach volleyball, or even take a tour of the harbor on Milwaukee Boat Line (1124 N. MLK Dr.). You’ll discover there’s a reason they call our lake great!

Harley-Davidson Museum

MARVEL Bobble

Mon in to the National

Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum (170 S. 1st St., Ste. C) to marvel at a massive and eclectic collection of bobbleheads.

NNORTHWESTERN MUTUAL COMMUNITY PARK

(Chicago St. and Lincoln Memorial Dr.), opened in the summer of 2021, the park features a fully accessible playground. Located on the Summerfest grounds, adjacent to Lakeshore State Park, the playground is open year-round.

OUT OF THE BOX

OBetty Brinn Children’s Museum (929 E. Wisconsin Ave.) is the perfect place for kids to let their imaginations run wild through the immersive and hands-on exhibits like a pretend TV studio, construction zone, and so much more!

PPLAY AT POTAWATOMI CASINO | HOTEL

Hit the jackpot at Potawatomi Casino | Hotel (1721 West Canal Street)! Roll the dice at the casino’s table games, take a spin at the 2,500+ slots, or get caught up exhilarating thrill of bingo for a full day of play then savor the authentic flavors of Asian cuisine at RuYi.

QUENCH Sprecher

QBrewing Co.’s (701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale) award-winning root beer, along with their other craft sodas, is fire-brewed at the brewery. This premium root beer with a scoop of ice cream makes the perfect root beer float.

RROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM

From Milwaukee Bucks basketball to Milwaukee Brewers baseball, Milwaukee Admirals hockey to Milwaukee Wave indoor soccer, enjoy championshiplevel play in a family friendly atmosphere.

TTROPICS IN MILWAUKEE

Whether you’re looking for the tropics, the desert or seasonal botanicals, the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, “The Domes” (524 S. Layton Blvd.), offers an escape while teaching about the plants indigenous to those regions.

SSLEDDING

Head over to the hill at Currie Park (3535 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa), featuring a heated snack stand, glide down a hill at Whitnall Park (5879 S. 92nd St., Franklin).

UURBAN ECOLOGY CENTER

The Urban Ecology Center (1500 E. Park Pl.) puts a fun spin on conservation and nature with educational classes and programs designed to engage kids and adults at their three locations throughout Milwaukee.

VVANTAGE POINT

A tour of the North Point Lighthouse (2650 N. Wahl Ave.) at Lake Park is the perfect way to get a vantage point over Lake Michigan. Discover the history of the 130-year-old lighthouse, and see the sights.

WWISCONSIN HISTORY

Take a trip to Old World Wisconsin (W372 S9727 Hwy. 67, Eagle) for a fun and interactive look into the lives of 19th century Wisconsinites. Learn about the lives of the early Wisconsin settlers through immersive experiences.

XXC Milwaukee County has more than 125 miles of urban trails for running, walking, and biking. Take a stroll, roll, or jaunt down one of the many trails or parks throughout Milwaukee County. (county. milwaukee. gov/Parks)

YOUNG TALENT

YSee the stars of tomorrow in adaptations of your favorite plays at First Stage children’s theater (325 W. Walnut St.). Audiences of all ages can enjoy theater featuring a company of talented young actors.

ZZOO Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! See your favorite animals at the Racine Zoo (2131 N. Main St., Racine) or check out the new hippo exhibit at the Milwaukee County Zoo (10001 W. Bluemound Rd.).

Milwaukee County Zoo

INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS IN MKE

THANKS TO A DIVERSE AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY, MILWAUKEE IS HOME TO A WIDE VARIETY OF ETHNIC AND INTERNATIONALLY FLAVORED RESTAURANTS. MANY OF THE CITY’S RESTAURANTS ARE BROUGHT TO LIFE BY CHEFS SHARING THEIR OWN TRADITIONAL CUISINE. EXPLORE THE FLAVORS OF MILWAUKEE BY TRYING OUT THIS DIVERSE ARRAY OF DINING EXPERIENCES.

Asian Fusion

Alem Ethiopian Village

Serving Ethiopian food that’s fun, tasty, and healthy, featuring dishes made of beef, chicken, and lamb, as well as vegan delights such as vegetables, split peas, lentils, and salad. (307 E. Wisconsin Ave.)

Anytime Arepa

This restaurant gives customers Milwaukee’s first authentic Venezuelan arepas experience. All food on the menu is gluten free. (636 S. 6th St.)

Asian Fusion

This East Side Pan-Asian restaurant serves a wide variety of traditional Chinese and Korean fare. (1609 E. North Ave., Ste. C)

Botanas Restaurant

This unpretentious, familyowned restaurant features fresh, authentic Mexican food inspired by Chef Jaime’s home, Guadalajara. Enjoy a margarita, made from one of 100+ brands of tequila, on their spacious patio. (816 S. 5th St.)

Casablanca

Chef Jesse Musa, a Jerusalem native, serves fresh, authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in a two-story restaurant. With two full bars, a hookah bar, and a heated terrace, this spot also provides a great nightlife experience. (728 E. Brady St.)

CAVAS

Drawing inspiration from Spanish and Latin cultures and cuisines, CAVAS features a rotating menu of made-fromscratch family recipes with a twist. (401 E. Erie St.)

Cubanitas

Cubanitas

Cubanitas is Milwaukee’s first entirely Cuban restaurant and bar, serving authentic food and drinks, such as the Cuban sandwich, black bean soup, ropa vieja, daiquiris, and mojitos. Locations in Downtown Milwaukee and Oak Creek. (getbianchini.com)

DanDan

Named after two co-owners named Dan, this popular Third Ward restaurant puts an American spin on Chinese food. (360 E. Erie St.)

Damascus Gate Restaurant

Syrian refuges are actively involved in the management and operation of this restaurant, which makes a variety of authentic Middle Eastern dishes. (807 W. Historic Mitchell St.)

Lebnani House

A celebration of the rich history, centuries-old culinary evolution, and Arabic

hospitality, this restaurant serves authentic Levantine cuisine with a modern twist. (5051 S. 27th St., Greenfield)

Maharaja

Family-owned Indian restaurant that has been in operation for more than 20 years. The menu features freshly prepared chicken, lamb, goat, seafood, and vegetarian specialties. (1550 N. Farwell Ave.)

Saffron

Located along the Milwaukee River in the Historic Third Ward, this restaurant offers a modern twist to traditional Indian cuisine. (223 N. Water St. Ste. 100)

Uppa Yard

This authentic family-owned Jamaican restaurant serves delicious and traditional dishes in the heart of Milwaukee for over 15 years. (4925 W. Fond du Lac Ave.)

Saffron

ACCLAIMED EATS

ENJOY AWARD-WINNING DINING ANY TIME OF DAY AT RESTAURANTS RECOGNIZED BY THE JAMES BEARD AWARDS (AKA THE OSCARS OF FOOD).

Amilinda

315 E. Wisconsin Ave. Spanish & Portugueseinspired restaurant with a menu that changes weekly.

Ardent

1751 N. Farwell Ave. New American cuisine blending the earthy with the contemporary.

Bavette La Boucherie

217 N. Broadway

Local and sustainable woman-owned butcher and restaurant.

Birch

459 E. Pleasant St. New American restaurant with an ever-changing menu.

Braise

1101 S. 2nd St. Farm-to-table restaurant that also features a cooking school.

Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge

1579 S. 9th St. Milwaukee’s oldest cocktail lounge with a vintage flair.

DanDan

360 E. Erie St. The creation of two owners named Dan offering ChineseAmerican fare.

The Diplomat

815 E. Brady St. Approachable American fare in a sharable plate format.

EsterEv

360 E. Erie St. Located within DanDan, the restaurant offers a special ten-course menu on weekends.

Goodkind

2457 S. Wentworth Ave. Restaurant and corner tavern taking a modern approach to Old-World dining.

Lake Park Bistro

3133 E. Newberry Blvd. Overlooking Lake Michigan, this restaurant specializes in French cuisine.

Lupi & Iris

777 N. Van Buren St. Mediterranean-inspired restaurant serving thoughtfully crafted dishes.

Odd Duck

939 S. 2nd St. Serves an everchanging globallyinspired menu featuring local ingredients.

Sanford

1547 N. Jackson St. New American restaurant with a seasonally driven menu that changes daily.

Solly’s Grille

4629 N. Port Washington Rd. Family-owned restaurant home to a local staple, the butter burger.

Three Brothers

2414 S. Clair St. Serbian restaurant family-owned and operated for more than three generations.

Bavette la Boucherie

MEET & EAT

COMBINE THE CONVENIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY OF A FOOD COURT WITH QUALITY, LOCAL FOODS AND YOU HAVE A FOOD HALL! MORE THAN A GRAB-N-GO MEAL WHILE SHOPPING, THESE PLACES ARE DESTINATIONS.

MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET

➞ With unique, high-quality selections of artisan and ethnic products and freshly prepared foods, you’re sure to enjoy shopping the independent merchants of the market, located in the Historic Third Ward. (400 N. Water St.)

CROSSROADS COLLECTIVE

➞ Located in the heart of Milwaukee’s lively East Side, this food hall is home to local food vendors ranging from Atwood HWY BBQ, featuring southern cooking, to Scratch Ice Cream. There’s also a full-service bar in the middle of the hall and, if you know where to look, you might even find a speakeasy tucked away in a back alley. (2238 N. Farwell Ave.)

SHERMAN PHOENIX MARKETPLACE

➞ A place of unrest has been transformed into a place of support and community in this North Side neighborhood.

Sherman Phoenix provides quality commercial space to entrepreneurs of color, including several food vendors. Try Junior’s Smoked BBQ, Lush Popcorn, Buffalo Boss, and more. (3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave.)

3RD STREET MARKET HALL

➞ Opened in 2021, this food hall is at the center of the reinvention of a downtown mall into The Avenue. 3rd Street Market Hall offers burgers and custard, pizza, salads, and more. Try your hand at shuffleboard or level up in the gaming lounge. (275 W. Wisconsin Ave.)

NORTH AVENUE MARKET

➞ Milwaukee’s newest food hall and market, the multi-level space features a wide selection of dining and retail options offering everything from coffee to cocktails. (5900 W. North Ave.)

3rd Street Market Hall

A CITY FOR SPORTS FANS

DINING, DRINKS, AND MORE AROUND MILWAUKEE’S DOWNTOWN ARENAS

The 30-acre Deer District that surrounds Fiserv Forum is packed with bars, restaurants, and yearround activities. Just outside of the arena you’ll find The Mecca (1134 Vel R. Phillips Ave.), a fan’s dream sports bar home to the city’s largest TV screen; Good City Brewing, (333 W. Juneau Ave.) the second location of a popular local craft brewery; Drink Wisconsinbly Pub (320 W. Highland Ave.), a bar themed around all things Wisconsin; and Punch Bowl Social (1122 Vel R. Phillips Ave.), a grownup playground with bowling, karaoke, and more. The Beer Garden (1133 N. MLK Dr.) is always hopping, whether fans

are grabbing a drink before the game or watching the game on the massive outdoor projection screen. Steps away is the historic Turner Hall, home to Turning Tables Tavern and Eatery (1040 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave.) and The Trade (420 W Juneau Ave.) a new modern luxe hotel that features rooftop dining and stunning city views.

The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena (400 W. Kilbourn Ave.), home of the UWM Panthers, AHL Milwaukee Admirals, and Milwaukee Wave indoor soccer team, is just a few blocks south.

Fiserv Forum and the UW-Milwaukee Panther

Arena are also a block away from Old World Third Street Historic District, one of downtown’s most popular nightlife destinations.

You’ll find establishments like Old German Beer Hall (1009 N. MLK Dr.) and Milwaukee Brat House (1013 N. MLK Dr.) that harken back to the street’s history as the center of German culture in Milwaukee alongside sports bars like Who’s On Third (1007 N. MLK Dr..). Grab a drink at Oak Barrel Public House (1033 N. MLK Dr.), a diner and pub in a historic district building, or get your game on at the Third Street Tavern (1110 N. MLK Dr.) with arcade games, burgers, and drinks.

American Family Field’s massive parking lots make it a favorite for tailgating, but there are more ways to get in the spirit before a baseball game. There are also local

HOME TEAMS

FISERV FORUM

Milwaukee Bucks

High-flying NBA team

AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD

Milwaukee Brewers

Barrel-rolling MLB Team

UW-MILWAUKEE PANTHER ARENA

Milwaukee Wave Champion indoor

men’s soccer team

Milwaukee Admirals

Family-favorite AHL hockey team

HART PARK STADIUM

Milwaukee Torrent

Professional outdoor men’s and women’s soccer team

KAPCO PARK

Lakeshore Chinooks

Collegiate summer baseball team

FRANKLIN FIELD

Milwaukee Milkmen

Independent baseball team

WISCONSIN BREWING CO. PARK

Lake Country DockHounds

Independent baseball team

spots that offer free shuttles to the stadium. Stop in for some classic barbeque at Saz’s State House (5539 W. State St.) or one of Milwaukee’s most popular Bloody Marys at Steny’s Tavern (800 S. 2nd St.) before catching a ride to the ballpark.

EXPLORING THE CITY

FOUR WHEELS, TWO WHEELS, NO WHEELS — NO PROBLEM!

BY FOOT

Milwaukee has a compact, highly-walkable downtown that’s easy to explore on foot. Downtown neighborhoods are connected by the 3-mile Milwaukee RiverWalk that winds through the city. The Milwaukee Art Museum and the lakefront are approximately 1 mile, or a 20-minute walk, from the Wisconsin Center and central hotels.

BY STREETCAR

The Hop, Milwaukee’s streetcar, begins and ends its 2.1-mile route at the Milwaukee Intermodal

Station. Each of the five streetcars has capacity for 150 people, with a mix of sitting and standing. Simply head to one of The Hop’s 18 M-Line stations and wait to board. The Hop arrives every 10-15 minutes depending on operating times. Visit thehopmke.com for real-time car updates and more.

Bublr Bikes

The Hop

BY BUS

Buses run throughout downtown Milwaukee and the rest of the county. WisGo powered by the Umo app makes it easy for all to get around with route information and real-time bus tracking – you can even buy your ticket directly from your phone! Learn more at ridemcts.com.

BY CAR

Milwaukee has ample parking, both in metered street spaces and parking structures. Use the handy MKE Park app to pay for meter parking directly from your phone or find lots and structures like Interstate Parking for parking options near popular downtown attractions. Your hometown disabled parking placard is valid in Milwaukee. Out-ofstate parking permits are recognized by the State of Wisconsin. If you prefer to rideshare, Uber and Lyft both operate in Milwaukee as well.

BY BIKE

Milwaukee is a city of yearround bike commuters with ever-expanding bike-friendly infrastructure. Throughout the city you’ll find over 100 miles of bike lanes, including buffered lanes, green bike lanes, and shared lane markings, as well as paved multi-use trails. If you didn’t bring a bike, take advantage of Milwaukee’s bike share program, Bublr Bikes. Stations are located throughout the Greater Milwaukee area, including Wauwatosa and West Allis. Milwaukee is a BCycle city, so use your home pass to check out a bike and start riding!

BY E-SCOOTER

One of the city’s newest modes of transportation, E-Scooters from companies like Lime (li.me) and Veo make getting from A to B and anywhere you want to be a breeze. Just download the app, locate a scooter, and cruise around town with ease.

Milwaukee Food & City Tours