Top Milwaukee How to Get Around

Swap the big bus tours for a crowd-free experience. Traveling in an open-air, five-seater electric vehicle, you'll thoroughly explore the historic city of Milwaukee, from popular tourist destinations to some hidden gems that most visitors miss. As you travel, your guide will fill you in on Milwaukee's rich and exciting history. This tour has different lengths to suit your schedule.

Milwaukee is known for its beer, brats, baseball, and lakefront scenery, but it offers much more than most travelers realize. Learn about the city through the eyes of a resident guide on this Milwaukee sightseeing tour, see famous attractions, trendy neighborhoods, an art-filled alley, and so much more—including a bronze statue of the Fonz of “Happy Days” fame.

Milwaukee is a city shaped by its waterways, its waves of immigrants, and its bold spirit-famous for its German heritage, its brewing traditions, and its knack for reinvention over nearly two centuries. Our journey today starts at Wisconsin Historical Marker three three three, which marks the heart of old Kilbourntown, walk through stories of rivalry, resilience, and remarkable change, all the way to the bustling Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward. Go at your own pace. The tour never expires. This is a hand free experience, press play and put your phone in your pocket. The tour is location aware, and plays as you walk. It never expires.

As seen on BBC, NBC, and featured on Netflix’s Dark Tourist, this is one of the most talked-about true crime tours in the world. The Cream City Cannibal Tour explores one of Milwaukee’s most infamous criminal cases—walking through the exact neighborhood where multiple events connected to a notorious serial killer took place. This is not a casual history tour. Through guided storytelling, guests are led through the psychological, cultural, and real-world impact of the case, offering insight into how it unfolded and why it continues to be studied today. The tour has even been referenced in academic settings, including university psychology and criminal justice programs. Expect a deeper, more intense experience—focused on understanding, not sensationalizing. Outdoor tour. Rain or shine. Not recommended for those sensitive to true crime content.

Unveil the dark history of Brew City with this ghost tour of the city’s most haunted locations. Meet your guide for a ghoul-fueled stroll through the heart of Milwaukee to take in spirit-infested historic hotels, theaters, and even skyscrapers. Be entertained by bone-chilling ghost stories and tales of paranormal activity as you delve into Milwaukee’s ghoulish past.

Milwaukee is called many names; Brew City, City of Festivals, and Cream City, but it is most recognized as the place for great beer and cheese in the Upper Midwest. The large 19th century Germanic population continue to influence our local food products and dishes while some of the best restaurants from the historic Third Ward to East Town Downtown. When booking our winter exclusive Skywalk Food Tour you'll get to experience and enjoy all the best we have to offer from a warm second-story perspective. You'll get to experience and enjoy all the best we have when you book our Secret Food Tour: Milwaukee. As a private tour, everything works around you! Our start times are much more easy going, dates can open up. It's a much more intimate and cozy experience. No need to shout over other tourists, you will have every question answered, and leave feeling like a native yourself!

The Midwestern city of Milwaukee is known for its beer and cheese and this walking food tour gives you a taste of the best. Join a small group and enjoy a walk through "Brew City" to sample a number of beers and regional snacks. Learn about the 19th-century Germanic population that immigrated to the area and its influence on today's local cuisine.

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.

The Milwaukee Downtown ride takes you on a on an exhilarating helicopter journey down the Milwaukee Bay where you can witness Downtown Milwaukee like never before! This ride offers a truly unique perspective, soaring directly over the heart of the city. You’ll be treated to sweeping views of the Milwaukee River, the iconic Hoan Bridge, and the majestic Milwaukee Art Museum. But that’s not all – this ride encompasses the entire cityscape, ensuring you don’t miss a single landmark.

An immersive clue-solving adventure around RiverWalk Milwaukee. Search for real-world clues, solve puzzles, and discover the neighborhood with an experience you'll never forget! Reschedule anytime with no fees. It's a scavenger hunt, escape room, and urban crawl all-in-one. Follow the storyline around town as you find clues and use them to crack codes. Then enter solutions on the app to find out where to go next. Clues can be anywhere - murals, statues, landmarks, and more! Plan on about two hours of playtime, depending on your experience level and how much time you spend exploring along the way. Difficulty level is adjustable - take as many or as few hints as you’d like! PLEASE NOTE: Bookings made less than 7 days before your play date will be scheduled for local pickup. For bookings made 7+ days in advance, our team will contact you to arrange shipping.

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.

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.

Half the history talk calories of the Old Milwaukee Tour but with all the full bodied flavor! Ride 15 miles on a pedal assist e-bike through the best of Milwaukee. Enjoy a frozen custard at the beach, a local speciality. See incredible variety! Ride through historic working class neighborhoods and past ornate mansions that were built when Milwaukee was the machine shop of the world. Admire hidden alley street art. Gaze up at massive frescos inside our finest cathedral. Cruise along lakeshore parks and past downtown architectural gems. 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.

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.

Explore the culinary delights of Downtown Kenosha on a 3-hour walking food tour. Sample iconic street tacos and the renowned pizza that Kenosha is famous for. Enjoy a unique discussion about Chicagoland's popcorn connection, followed by a refreshing stop at a local brewery. Throughout the journey, delve into the rich food history of Kenosha and the impact of immigration on its vibrant culinary scene. - 3-hour walking tour with 5 delicious food stops - Taste street tacos and Kenosha's famous pizza - Learn about Kenosha's food history and immigration influences - During the tour we will walk by murals and various historic architecture - End the evening with ice cream

Discover the highlights and hidden secrets of Milwaukee without having to read a guidebook on this fun and interactive scavenger hunt. Even though it’s a self-guided hunt, the package includes a remote host to chat to and get support from along the way. With your group, work as a team to solve clues and explore the city’s unusual oddities, local hotspots, and hidden surprises.

One of the most haunted bars in the nation, Shaker’s Cigar Bar—a Milwaukee institution formerly owned by the infamous Al Capone—has a history as wild as its ghostly encounters. On this small-group tour, explore behind the scenes, hearing stories about its Prohibition-era connections, the bar's cemetery and brothel past, and accounts of lingering spirits. Part history tour, part paranormal experience, this tour is not for the faint of heart.

Guests will learn about Milwaukee’s thriving brewpub scene and visit four separate breweries, tasting up to 16 different beers on this guided brewery tour with a snack. Visit some of Milwaukee's most popular brewpubs, including Lakefront Brewing, Broken Bat Brewing Co, Ope!, Gathering Place, and Wizard Works, to name a few. Round trip transportation by bus in downtown Milwaukee is included. Please try to book your tour at least 72 hours in advance of the tour to confirm availability. Tours book up quickly, and tours booked inside this window may not have room.

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.

The Milwaukee River has many breweries and restaurants along its shores, but driving can be a bit of a hassle. Bypass the roads and take to the water with this Milwaukee River Kayak Rental. Float down the river at your own pace without being rushed by a group and decide how you spend your time in the river and out of it.

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.

Ever wondered what secrets lie beneath the shifting sands of Lake Michigan? Now is your chance to find out. Join us at Simmons Island Beach for an immersive, hands-on metal detecting tour that blends local history with the thrill of the hunt. Whether you’re a curious local or a visiting treasure seeker, this experience offers a unique way to connect with Kenosha’s storied waterfront.

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.