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.
Milwaukee Art Museum
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 one-of-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.
C
CR EAM 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.
D
DANCE
Stop by the Marcus Performing Arts Center (929 N. Water St.), located in the Milwaukee Theater District, for their free kids’ arts programming throughout the summer.
F
FROZEN 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.
G
GREAT 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.
HHARLEY-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
Add a dash of mystery and espionage to your dining experience. Visit the spythemed restaurant SafeHouse (779 N. Front St.). Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to acquire the password. Decode messages and navigate hidden passages while enjoying your meal.
I J
JURASSIC
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 on 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.
NORTHWESTERN
MUTUAL COMMUNITY PARK
(Chicago St. and Lincoln Memorial Dr.), the park features a fully accessible playground. Located on the Summerfest grounds, adjacent to Lakeshore State Park, the playground is open year-round.
OOUT OF THE BOX Betty 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!
POTAWATOMI
CASINO | HOTEL
Hit the jackpot at Potawatomi Casino | Hotel (1721 W. Canal St.)! Roll the dice at the Casino's table games, bet at the new Sportsbook, spin 2,500+ slots or enjoy bingo. After playing, savor Asian cuisine at RuYi.
QUENCH
Sprecher Brewing 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, a nostalgic treat for all ages.
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.
TSTROPICS 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.
Urban Ecology Center
SLEDDING Head
over to the hill at Currie Park (3535 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa), featuring a heated snack stand or 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 early Wisconsin settlers through immersive experiences.
XC 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
See 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.
ZOO 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
A ON A GREAT PLACE 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 these Milwaukee 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.) 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.
Donut Boats
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 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 Lake Nagawicka for a stunning waterfront dining experience at The Commadore (1807 Nagawicka Rd., Hartland).
Bradford Beach
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 womanowned 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
2165 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., 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., Mediterraneaninspired 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.
EsterEv
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.
Alem Ethiopian Village
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 madefrom-scratch family recipes with a twist. (401 E. Erie St.)
CUBANITAS
Cubanitas is Milwaukee’s first entirely Cuban restaurant and bar, serving authentic food and drinks, such as the
Cubanitas
Cuban sandwich, black bean soup, ropa vieja, daiquiris and mojitos. Locations in Downtown Milwaukee and Oak Creek. (getbianchini.com)
DANDAN
In Milwaukee's Third Ward, co-owners Dan Van Rite and Dan Jacobs (of Top Chef Wisconsin fame) redefine Chinese-American cuisine at DanDan. This popular spot blends traditional flavors with Midwest flair. Don't miss their namesake dan dan noodles or the succulent Peking duck. (360 E. Erie 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.)
MOMO MEE
A relaxed dining experience featuring handcrafted dumplings, noodles and Cantonese clay pot dishes. Chef Tony Ho's team expertly crafts authentic Xiao Long Bao, bringing a taste of artisanal Chinese cuisine to this cozy venue. (110 E. Greenfield Ave.)
Saffron
RUTA’S FRESH INDIAN FARE
Ruta's Fresh Indian Fare reinvents traditional cuisine with a modern, health-conscious twist. Offering customizable bowls and Naanmelts, this eatery blends Ayurvedic principles with vibrant flavors, catering to today's light, nutritious dining preferences. (207 W. Freshwater Way)
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)
THREE BROTHERS
A family-run Serbian gem in Milwaukee's Bay View, captivates diners with its signature burek. Earning a James Beard "American Classic" award in 2002, this cashonly establishment offers an authentic taste of Serbia in a charming neighborhood setting. (2414 S. Clair St.)
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.)
VIENTIANE NOODLE SHOP
A family-run Laotian eatery, has delighted diners with authentic Southeast Asian flavors since 2001. With an evolving menu and a Top Chef celebrity chef visit in 2023, it transports your taste buds on a journey to Laos. (3422 W. National Ave.)
Momo Mee
Uppa Yard
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.)
3rd Street Market Hall
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 Baked Dreams, Fully Loaded, Planted Vibes and more. (3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave.)
3RD STREET MARKET HALL
➞ 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.)
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 year-round 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 The New Fashioned (1122 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave.), a grown-up playground with bowling, curling 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 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.
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
DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE
Explore the heart of the city
WANT MORE MILWAUKEE?
Scan for inspiration for your stay,
LEGEND
GETTING AROUND TOWN
Four wheels, two wheels, no wheels — no problem!
BY FOOT
Milwaukee’s compact downtown makes it easily walkable. The 3-mile Milwaukee RiverWalk winds through downtown, connecting the Beerline B neighborhood to Old World Third Street Entertainment District and then the Historic Third Ward.
BY BUS
MCTS buses, including the new Connect 1 Bus Rapid Transit Line (BRT), run throughout downtown Milwaukee and the rest of the county. Download the Umo mobile app, which makes it easy for all to get around with route information and real-time
bus tracking - you can even buy your fare directly from your phone! Learn more at ridemcts.com.
BY STREETCAR
The Hop streetcar connects some of Milwaukee’s most popular neighborhoods and attractions on its 2-mile route, starting at the Milwaukee
Bublr Bikes
The Hop
Intermodal Station and looping through downtown. Visit thehopmke.com for real-time car updates and more.
BY CAR
Milwaukee is conveniently located at the intersection of I-94 and I-43. The awardwinning $810 million Marquette Interchange completed in 2008 assures optimal downtown highway traffic flow. Parking downtown is readily available. Use the handy MKE Park app to pay for meter parking directly from your phone or find an Interstate Parking garage at interstateparking.com/ milwaukee.
BY BIKE
It’s easy to explore the city on two wheels. All city buses are equipped with a bike rack so you can decide how far you ride. If you didn’t bring a bike, take advantage of Milwaukee’s bike share program, Bublr Bikes. Stations are located throughout downtown and in neighboring Wauwatosa. Milwaukee is a BCycle city, so use your home pass to check out a bike and start riding.
BY E-SCOOTER
Residents and visitors can choose from Lime or Spin scooters. Scooters can be ridden anywhere in the city, including downtown and Historic Third Ward. Learn more about the program: milwaukee.gov/scooters.
RIDE SHARE
Uber and Lyft both operate in Milwaukee. Use code VISITMKE or visit lyft.com/i/ visitmke for $10 off two rides from Lyft.
MCTS
Food & City Tours
Milwaukee
