Top Wisconsin Culture - page 2

The Historic Third Ward was the first stop for many of Milwaukee's European immigrants, particularly the Irish and later the Italians. Close to cheap housing and available jobs, these new arrivals created close-knit communities. Like most major industrial cities, the Third Ward had a significant and destructive fire in 1892, which reshaped the landscape to much of what you see today. In the 1970s, this area experienced a resurgence that transformed factories and warehouses into condos and mixed adaptive reuse. On this tour, learn about the neighborhood landscape as well as the Irish and Italian immigrants as well as the impact of the LGBTQ+ community and other residents. Stops include the Milwaukee Public Market (2005), Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) (1974), and Commission Row (1894). This walking tour is 1 mile in length. Travelers are recommended to bring (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

This key commercial corridor on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side was settled by Polish immigrants who built St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church (1886) as the center of their community. Their residences, seen mostly north of Brady, became the ubiquitous Milwaukee Polish Flat. Later the neighborhood became home to a number of Italian families, who transformed many commercial buildings into businesses that are still on Brady today like Glorioso’s Italian Market (1946) or Peter Sciortino’s Bakery (1947). On this tour, you’ll also hear more about the counterculture era from the 1960s and 1970s and learn how Brady Street has reinvented itself in recent year. The tour blends local history and cultural insight with the sights and atmosphere of one of Milwaukee’s most engaging urban corridors.

With 191 different blocks, it should come as no surprise that Milwaukee is known as a ‘City of Neighborhoods’. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll be introduced to two of its most interesting suburbs, Brady Street and the Lower Eastside, and their architecture. You’ll begin by discovering the impact that Polish and Italian immigrants had on Brady Street Historic District, including delicious Italian cuisine at Sciortino’s Bakery and Glorioso’s Deli. Finally, you’ll stroll down the city’s former Gold Coast to end this tour at the Oak Leaf Trail on Prospect Avenue, giving you the opportunity to continue your Milwaukee adventure independently on the Lake Line Trail. This family-friendly tour is an easy stroll, with the option to pop inside some of the city’s most interesting churches. Come hungry, there are plenty of opportunities to grab snacks, or discover your new favorite restaurant along the route.

Find out about Milwaukee’s dark history and most haunted places with this ghost-themed tour. Opting for a private tour means you’ll hear your guide clearly and can ask all the questions you want along the way. Find out about the city’s devastating fires in 1892 and the ghosts that are still believed to haunt the city. Learn about apparitions in a pub’s basement and bathroom mirrors, and visit the city’s most haunted location.

Half the history talk calories of the Old Milwaukee Tour but with all the full bodied flavor! You’ll ride about 16 miles with a magical feeling boost from a pedal assist e-bike. Try a tamale on the south side. Enjoy a frozen custard at the beach, a local speciality. See incredible variety: from the historic Polish working class neighborhoods to the ornate mansions along the lake that were built when Milwaukee was the machine shop of the world. You'll also get time to view the inside of a magnificent landmark. Wrap it all up with a visit to a beer garden, a city tradition since 1848, and you'll have a real taste of Milwaukee.

Travel back in time and learn more about Wisconsin’s first company town. Today, Bay View is one of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods but it was originally established in 1867 for workers at the Milwaukee Iron Company. The tour will explore houses built for laborers and managers and discuss the development of the mill and town before it incorporated into Milwaukee in 1887. Beyond residential streets, stops include important businesses, community spaces including the Beulah Brinton House (1871), houses of worship, and landmarks like the Pryor Avenue Iron Well (1882). The tour will also share immigrant stories from Welsh, English and later Italian families who established deep roots in Bay View. This walking tour is 1.9 miles in length. We recommend that travelers bring (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

West of the Milwaukee River, you’ll find the historic arts and entertainment district of Downtown. Today, the area known as Westown includes several theaters and arts venues as well as sports arenas, the Baird Convention Center, and several historic hotels. Also in the district is the multi-block Grand Avenue Mall (1982), now redeveloped into The Avenue (2018) with updated food hall and shopping. This tour will explore the recent transformation of several historic buildings into mixed-use development with apartments, new coffee shops, and gallery spaces, and the reinvigoration of office space. Included on the tour are Milwaukee’s large blue building, the Reuss Federal Plaza, now known as 310W (1983), the historic Hotel Wisconsin (1913), and the Pabst Theater (1895). This walking tour is 1.4 miles in length. We recommend that travelers bring (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or an umbrella.

Set on a bluff, overlooking the northern point of Milwaukee’s harbor, this neighborhood boasts an incredible collection of mansions from the early twentieth century. The tree-lined blocks feature a variety of styles including German Renaissance Revival, English Tudor Revival, Mediterranean Revival and others popular from 1890-1940. The houses were designed by some of the most notable Milwaukee architects including Eschweiler, Clas, Niedecken and even Wisconsin’s own Frank Lloyd Wright. Beyond the architectural details, the neighborhood’s past residents include many prominent Milwaukeeans who made money in wheat, railroads, straw hats, fur coats, ice cream and more. The tour also includes non-residential neighborhood landmarks like a historic hospital complex, water tower and lighthouse, as well as a Frederick Law Olmsted designed park. This walking tour is 1.4 miles in length. We recommend bringing (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

See the natural splendor of Fish Creek in Wisconsin’s beloved Door County from the comfort of a Segway on this fun and unique guided tour. You’ll see all the charming town’s highlights, from the scenic Niagara Escarpment to Peninsula State Park to the tony Millionaire’s Row to the Alibi Dock Marina bobbing with boats. Finish at the stunning Sunset Beach State Park and understand why it has that name if you go at the right time of day.

Gift the Packer fan in your life an experience they can’t replicate—a Segway tour along the Packers Heritage Trail, through Green Bay’s historic downtown. Showcasing the wild history of this NFL team, you’ll zoom over the Ray Nitschke Bridge, wheel across City Deck, count 22 bronze Packer plaques, and learn all there is to know about Green Bay’s football history. Small-group or private, this tour brings the Packers to life.

Discover the best of Door County, Wisconsin as you embark on a day trip to the area’s top landmarks. Join a small group and spend the day exploring outdoor areas like Whitefish Dunes State Park, Cave Point County Park, and Ellison Bluff. Other points of interest include Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, Sister Bay, Ephraim, and Baileys Harbor.

Make exploring Manitowoc a family-friendly adventure with this Segway tour. Covering far more ground than you’d ever see on foot, you’ll glide from a WWII submarine to the dock of the S.S. Badger and beyond—you’ll even see where Sputnik crashed. Good for most ages and abilities, travel as fast or slow-paced as you like, taking in this historic Lake Michigan town.

We are the highest rated kayak tour company, as well as the most affordable tour company, in Door County. We are local, born and raised in sunny Jacksonport, and we hire responsible, professional guides, and take care of you from the moment you walk in the shop til the time you get back in your car. We do not abandon you on the Lake, we train our guides to not only provide you with a safe, reliable, fun trip, but also knowledgable about the local ecology of the area.

Combine serenity and adventure on this small-group kayaking tour. Discover several secret scenic spots in Door County, including the Fleetwing schooner shipwreck, Native American pictographs, rock cairns of Door Bluff County Park, and views of Washington Island. Groups are limited to 12 participants, who should have a moderate physical fitness level.

Downtown Milwaukee's growth began around the intersection of N. Water St. and E. Wisconsin Ave. but expanded quickly as the small settlement became a large city. If you are looking for an introduction to Milwaukee's history, this is the best place to start. The tour will explore this commercial district from the earliest beginnings at the river's edge all the way to the modern office buildings along Lake Michigan's shore. Stops on the tour include a variety of architectural styles including Alexander Eschweiler's Art Deco Gas Light Building (1930), the Richardsonian Romanesque style Federal Building (1892), and Northwestern Mutual's Neoclassical Headquarters (1914). This walking tour is 1 mile in length. We recommend that travelers bring (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

Set off on an exciting journey through Milwaukee! Dive into the city’s vibrant past—from its Native American heritage to the waves of European immigrants who shaped it. Explore the stories behind its landmark buildings, discover the legend of the famous “Fonz,” and learn why locals call ATMs “TYME machines.” Put your sleuthing skills to the test with fun challenges and clever clues along the way. And be sure to grab a selfie with the Fonz for extra points! Get ready to experience Milwaukee in a whole new way!

Washington Island, with its rich maritime history and Scandinavian heritage, is a perfect escape from the mainland bustle. On this self-guided driving tour, you’ll explore a place where shipwrecks shaped the community, and where ”island time“ means slowing down to appreciate Washington’s natural beauty, historical sites, and its unique character. The tour starts at the Washington Island Welcome Coffee Pot. You’ll wind through rustic roads, past historic buildings, pristine beaches, and peaceful nature preserves. The route includes stops at quaint village shops, Jackson Harbor, and secluded spots like Little Lake with its hand-built museum. You’ll learn about the Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic immigrants who shaped the island’s culture, and hear fascinating stories about the ferries that have connected this remote community to the mainland for generations. You’ll also hear about the surprising connection between West Harbor and the Underground Railroad.

Get ready to dive into Madison—the city of four lakes and the ultimate college sports town! Explore its fascinating history, from its founding by James Doty to its reputation as a hub for sports fans. Admire the world’s largest granite dome, tackle riddles at the State Street Capitol Parking Garage, and discover the city’s unique ties to buffalo robes. Be sure to capture a team selfie at the iconic Wisconsin State Capitol!

If you've already seen most of the sights of Milwaukee, get a different perspective on the city with this haunted history walking tour of Lake Geneva. As you stroll in a small group, your guide will fill you in on all the colorful history and characters, from haunted mansions and vengeful spirits to lake monsters and more.

Explore Sheboygan’s highlights in a fun way, on a Segway, on this small-group excursion. Cruise along the Sheboygan River and Lake Michigan shoreline to see the lighthouse, shipwreck sites, schooner remains, and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. If you’d like, you can upgrade to a private tour for a more personalized experience.

Leave behind the group walking tours and explore Madison a wilder way—via photo scavenger hunt. Using just your smartphone, you and your crew will wander from the Wisconsin State Capitol and famous State Street to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the lakefront Union Terrace, and beyond. Along the way, you’ll complete crazy photo challenges, collect clues and points, and experience Mad City’s musical side.

Madison's original ghost tour. This haunted history walking tour of Madison’s historic Capitol Square will give you a unique perspective on the history of the city. Your guides are expert storytellers who will let you in on the ghost stories, urban legends, and paranormal activity that are sprinkled throughout Madison’s past. This is an outdoor walking tour, so please check the weather before coming and dress accordingly. The tour runs in cold temperatures and light rain. Please wear walking shoes and dress appropriately for walking around outside.

You’re never too old to get on an e-scooter—especially when it sends you deep into nature. On this tour, you’ll follow your guide along Door County’s best backroads, getting away from the crowds and into North Fish Creek and the Ephraim Wetlands. Practically effortless to learn, you’ll glide along at speeds above 19 miles an hour, making the most out of your time in Wisconsin’s most picturesque county.

Set off on an action-packed adventure in Green Bay! Dive into the city’s fascinating past, from its days under British control to its ties to the American Revolutionary War. Celebrate the legacy of the legendary Green Bay Packers, stop by the Cherry Street Ramp, and snap fun selfies along the way. Discover how Green Bay earned the nicknames “Titletown USA” and the “Toilet Paper Capital of the World,” explore its lively Irish pubs, historic roadways, and iconic bridges, and don’t miss the chance to strike a pose with the museum’s towering T-Rex!