Top Wisconsin Historical Tours - page 2

If you don't see a time frame that works for you please contact me to arrange that. This workshop is addressed to adults to learn and expend their knowledge of Polish history and culture. The course is also a perfect opportunity to gain more understanding of your Polish heritage or prepare you for a visit in Poland. I will take you on a tour what my country looks like today. Starting with a short language lesson, I will then cover Polish geography, climate and interesting facts. We will spend some time talking about Polish history, World War II, Solidarity movement and changes that took place in Poland in 1989 and helped the country transition to democracy. Moving on, we will learn about Polish wedding traditions, by watching a video of my brother’s wedding. There are 16 Holidays in Poland, and I will talk about one of the favorites, the All Saints Day. At the end, we will try the famous homemade pierogi and share the recipe how to make them.

See a quieter, more natural side of Door County on a guided Segway tour focused on lighthouses, shoreline scenery, and local history. Glide along scenic sections of Ridges Road near the Ridges Sanctuary and Toft Point Nature Preserve while your guide shares stories about historic navigation lights and Door County’s fishing heritage. This tour moves at a relaxed pace, includes personal Segway training, and is well-suited for first-time riders looking for an easy, informative outdoor experience in Door County.

Explore Wisconsin Dells like never before with this interactive scavenger hunt walking activity. Delve into the city’s vibrant history, uncovering fascinating facts about its evolution from Kilbourn City to a bustling tourist destination. Engage your mind with challenging questions while visiting iconic sites, including the largest candy store in Wisconsin and the famous WWII DUCKS fleet. Perfect for families, friends, or anyone looking for a unique way to sightsee, this self-guided adventure allows you to navigate at your own pace and enjoy a mix of fun and learning along the way. - Duration: 60 to 120 minutes, covering 1.5 miles - Ideal for kids, teens, families, and friends - Accessible via an interactive app with no reservations needed - No limit on team sizes, but smaller groups recommended for optimal fun

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.

Our guided City Skyline Kayak Tours are 1.5–2 hours long and follow the Milwaukee River up towards downtown Milwaukee. We do not make any stops along the way for this tour, but we do provide details about Milwaukee's history and attractions along the river. Our knowledgeable guides will provide you with any kayaking instruction you may need and ensure you feel safe and comfortable on this beginner-level tour.

Like many communities in the industrial Midwest, Milwaukee’s ecological legacy has a significant period of pollution. Thankfully, in the late 1980s & early 1990s, driven by Mayor John Norquist and others, Milwaukee dedicated resources to water clean up and the reinvigoration of the buildings along the Milwaukee River. This reinvestment included the creation of a public-private partnership known as the Riverwalk (1993). Today, the Riverwalk extends 3.1 miles along both sides of the Milwaukee River, from the site of the former North Avenue Dam, through Downtown and the Historic Third Ward to Lake Michigan. The tour will explore the industries and early city growth that impacted the river so greatly and also a number of the historic buildings along the way. You’ll also learn about some of the temporary and permanent public art on display. This walking tour is 1.2 miles in length. We recommend that travelers bring: good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

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.

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 to know one of Milwaukee‘s most haunted neighborhoods, Westown, and discover why Marquette University is considered one of the nation‘s most haunted schools. On this self-guided walking tour, you‘ll visit eleven haunted locations and hear some of Milwaukee‘s most spook-tacular tales! Starting in front of the Milwaukee Public Museum, you‘ll stroll around Marquette Campus and along Wisconsin Ave to Straz Tower, where our tour ends. Along the way, you‘ll meet some of Milwaukee‘s most famous ghosts, including a professor who continues to report to work, and a home-proud beer baron. You‘ll also see the site of one of the city‘s most notorious murders. Lace up your shoes and join me in discovering the haunted side of this historic neighborhood. This family-friendly hour-long walk does contain content that may be disturbing, including details of murders, mentions of suicide and accidental deaths. Please use caution when selecting this tour for very young or sensitive audiences.

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.

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.

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.

Explore Milwaukee’s criminal underworld on the Mobsters and Mafia Tour, a guided walking experience that uncovers the rise and fall of the Milwaukee Mob and the powerful Balistrieri crime family. Visit historic locations while discovering how organized crime, political influence, and underground enterprises shaped the city throughout the 20th century. Hear captivating stories of power, loyalty, corruption, and betrayal as your guide reveals the real people and events behind one of Milwaukee’s most fascinating chapters. While the tour touches on the city’s Prohibition-era roots, its primary focus is the Milwaukee Mob and the figures who dominated the city’s underworld from the 1960s through the 1980s. Perfect for history enthusiasts, true crime fans, and curious travelers seeking a side of Milwaukee few visitors ever discover.

The home of American lager and once a rival to Chicago in size, Milwaukee’s history and preeminence may not be as obvious as it once was—unless you look. With this self-guided audio tour, you’ll travel down Brew City’s most opulent drag, from the Milwaukee Public Library to the Milwaukee Art Museum. Across 150 years of history and plenty of steps, you’ll get a guided-tour experience without any of the crowds.

Get to know Green Bay’s scenic side on this sunset Segway tour. You’ll start on the Fox River—which cuts right through the heart of the city—glide onto the Fox River Trail, scope out The CityDeck, a riverfront promenade, and then zoom all the way across the Broadway District. Perfect for couples, families, and friends, this all-abilities, all-ages tour gets you experiencing a different side of Green Bay’s nightlife.

See the sights of Milwaukee while learning facts about the city's history, art, and architecture on an entertaining and interactive scavenger hunt. This app-based game leads you through the city, challenging you with trivia questions and tasks as you pursue the items on your list. This is a fun group activity for team building, parties, or anyone looking for a playful and memorable way to get to know Milwaukee.

Shakers Bar in Milwaukee, formerly owned by the infamous Al Capone, has some gritty stories that have happened behind its walls. Dive deeper into the stories, spirits, and paranormal encounters that have earned this bar a spot among the most haunted bars in the United States. Enjoy this experience with just a small group for company and an included cocktail—an ideal tour for those who want to go beyond the basics.

Step back into Milwaukee’s Prohibition era and uncover a world of speakeasies, madams, gangsters, corruption, and scandal. The Whorin’ 20s Walking Tour explores the city’s notorious vice district during the Roaring Twenties, when bootleggers, brothel owners, politicians, and organized crime figures helped shape Milwaukee’s nightlife and underground economy. Led by expert storytellers, this entertaining and historically grounded walking tour reveals the hidden stories behind the city’s most colorful characters and forgotten locations. Along the way, guests will discover how Prohibition transformed Milwaukee and why the era continues to captivate visitors nearly a century later. Perfect for history enthusiasts, groups, couples, bachelorette parties, and anyone looking for a different side of Milwaukee beyond breweries and ballgames. Bride goes free with qualifying bachelorette party reservations.

Skip the standard walking tour and get an upgrade—one you can take on your own time, even at home. Using just your smartphone, you’ll have your guide in your pocket, taking you across the city’s eras, from lumber and steamboats to opera houses and more. Complete the 30-topic audio tour in 90 minutes, or stop and start as you like. You can even hop on virtually at home.

Skip the crowds this is a private tour for your group only! Embark on a captivating 2-hour private tour of Milwaukee, where you’ll explore iconic landmarks, vibrant street art, and cultural gems. With comfortable transportation, this curated journey includes glimpses of Lakefront Brewery, the artistic wonders of Black Cat Alley, architectural beauty at Villa Terrace, the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum, culinary delights at Milwaukee Public Market, and the energetic ambiance of Fiserv Forum. Enjoy the city’s diverse offerings while our expert guide provides insights into Milwaukee’s rich history and culture. Throughout the tour hear intriguing stories about the most iconic landmarks of Milwaukee, becoming familiar with the city’s history, culture, heritage, and unique stories.

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.

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.

Leave behind the group walking tours and explore Madison in a wilder way—via a photo scavenger hunt. Using just your smartphone, you and your crew 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, complete crazy photo challenges, collect clues and points, and experience Mad City’s musical side.

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.