Visiting Milwaukee for the First Time? Here’s What To See and Do

Start your visit to Milwaukee with a stroll through the Historic Third Ward neighborhood or stop by on a guided tour of the city. Here, you’ll find an eclectic blend of boutiques and art galleries featuring work by local artists, as well as restaurants and coffee shops where you can refuel, including the local staple Colectivo Coffee. Stop for lunch at the Milwaukee Public Market, where you’ll find a selection of international cuisine and local specialties, including Wisconsin cheese and sausage. Then, make your way down the riverwalk to take in the city at your own pace and look for the Bronze Fonz statue, a quirky tribute to Happy Days’ Milwaukee setting.

Milwaukee may not be a classic coastal town, but in its Third Coast home, there’s plenty to do by the water and a bit of something for everyone on the shoreline, thanks to the wealth of lakefront parks in the area. Take a walk through the forest and tour the North Point Lighthouse museum in the Frederick Law Olmstead–designed Lake Park, which boasts some amazing views thanks to its high bluffs. Otherwise, get out on the water yourself: Rent a boat or board to paddle around the lagoon at Veterans’ Park, or book a guided boat tour to see the city from the lake.

A long-standing favorite just outside of downtown, Mitchell Park Domes Horticultural Conservatory—or simply “The Domes” to locals—consists of three dome-shaped greenhouses, each with a different climate. The Tropical Dome is home to a waterfall and a towering indoor rainforest, the Desert Dome houses a variety of cacti and succulents, the Floral Show Dome hosts seasonal showcases of its different floral varieties throughout the year.

Insider tip: Grab your tickets at the box office on-site; admission is typically just $5 on the last Thursday of each month.

The Milwaukee Art Museum hosts an impressive collection of art from around the world, including works by Wisconsin-born Georgia O’Keefe and art from Renaissance-era works to contemporary photographs and design. Beyond the collections inside the museum, the building itself is a work of art. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, this landmark building features a view of the lakefront and “wings” that open and close twice throughout the day. Pass by on a guided tour of some of the city’s landmarks for a primer before heading inside to explore the museum’s collection of more than 25,000 works.

After the majestic art museum, head to one of Milwaukee’s more unassuming museums for another perspective on the city. Explore local arts at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, located in a repurposed Italian-style villa, or bring the family to see the world’s largest collection of bobbleheads at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame, where admission is free for children under five. You can also explore the history of an American road institution at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Catch the exhibits at your own pace, or book a tour for more structure as you explore these sights.

Milwaukee earned the nickname “Brew City” for a reason. It’s the birthplace of famed breweries such as Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst, and Miller, the latter of which still produces beer in Milwaukee today. You can tour the facilities to dive into the history of Miller in Milwaukee. Otherwise, sample from a variety of local craft breweries from the historical Lakefront Brewing to smaller joints such as Ope! Brewing Co., which has 25 original brews on tap. Opt for a guided tour to sip across the city or, for a nonalcoholic option, swing by Milwaukee-based Sprecher Brewing Co., which makes craft root beer and other sodas along with its collection of ales.

The Brewers play lively games at American Family Field (formerly Miller Park) all summer long. The stadium features a retractable roof, and the crowds show up rain or shine. Tune in for the baseball and for the famous Sausage Race at the bottom of the sixth inning. Alternatively, in the Brewers’ off season, you can still head over to Fiserv Forum to see Milwaukee’s basketball team, the Bucks, play—and be sure to grab a pre-game drink at The New Fashioned in the Deer District just outside the stadium.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings are peppered throughout the Midwest but Milwaukee’s Burnham Block hosts one of Wright’s passion projects—affordable homes that he began work on in the early 20th century. Two of these homes are open to the public and have tours available, during which you can marvel at Wright’s signature prairie-style organic architecture, scaled down for accessible family homes. You can continue your journey into Wright’s architecture with a day trip to Taliesen, his personal home and studio, in Spring Green, Wisconsin, about 122 miles (198 kilometers) west of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee takes advantage of its position in the Dairy State and local staples include fried cheese curds (dipped in ranch), frozen custard, butterburgers, and Milwaukee-style pizza which is topped with Wisconsin cheese, sausage, mushroom, and onion on tavern-style thin crust. (Head to Kopp’s for hearty burgers and creative custard flavors that change daily.)

Along with these greasy favorites, Milwaukee’s prominent German community has influenced some of its classics, namely pretzels, beer, and bratwurst. Stop by the 120-year-old Mader’s for traditional German fare, or sample a smorgasbord of favorites on a Milwaukee food tour. However you choose to tuck into the food scene, complement your meal with a Wisconsin-style Old Fashioned—made with brandy, crushed ice, and soda, topped with a boozy cherry—for an extra local treat.

Situated on the lakefront, Milwaukee’s Henry Maier Festival Park draws in thousands of visitors every year for its festivals from the Black Arts Fest and Festa Italiana to PolishFest, Mexican Fiesta, and Pridefest events.

You can also catch Summerfest, one of the world’s largest music festivals that has hosted acts from Paul McCartney to Charli XCX. Regardless of what festival is going on during your visit (and there’s almost always a festival going on) the Festival Park is worth a stop for a ride on the Skyglider, where you’ll be suspended above the festival grounds in a hanging seat and take a leisurely glide over the length of the park.