6 Can't-Miss Things To Do in Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a city on a Great Lake, home to world-class professional sports teams and a place to kick back and drink craft beer with friends while listening to live music.
The iconic city has been recently making national headlines, from National Geographic’s Best Places to Visit in 2023 to hosting Top Chef’s 21st season to being home to several James Beard Award semifinalists.
If you've never been to Milwaukee before, now’s the time to start planning your ultimate getaway. Here are some more can’t-miss activities and events in Brew City!
Experience Natural Beauty Within the City
Milwaukee is located on the shores of majestic Lake Michigan. This provides plenty of space for outdoor summer activities, from sailing and swimming to beach volleyball at Bradford Beach near downtown.
If you just want a taste of the lake, stroll through the loop inside Lakeshore State Park. Admission to this park is free and visitors can run, bike or stroll and enjoy the breeze off the lake and views of downtown and the nearby Milwaukee Art Museum, which features dramatic Santiago Calatrava-designed architecture.
Visit Legendary Breweries
If you’re driving to downtown from the west, you’ll notice the City Lights Brewery building overlooking the city. As the name suggests, this historic building once supplied power to light the city, and today people can tour the building and see the classic design by Alexander Eschweiler, steel exported by Andrew Carnegie and brickwork hand-glazed by Tiffany.
That’s just one of the many opportunities to tour and taste breweries in Milwaukee, from up-and-coming craft brewers like Urban Harvest and Third Space Brewing to classics like Miller Brewing, Milwaukee Brewing Company, Sprecher Brewery and more.
Sing Along at Summerfest
This 9-day festival headlines the peak summer season in Milwaukee, from late June to early July. Known as “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” Summerfest features multiple stages and hundreds of acts, from indie to hip hop to classic rock and beyond. And with carnival rides, food stands and a view of the lake, you and your group will never forget being a part of this only-in-Wisconsin experience.
Explore the Deer District
The NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has reinvigorated the Milwaukee Bucks franchise and fan base, and when you visit the city you can feel the energy and excitement. The Bucks play at the Fiserv Forum, a downtown arena surrounded by trendy restaurants and brewpubs within The Deer District. Popular spots include Good City Brewing for craft beer and burgers and Punch Bowl Social for food and games.
Watch the Milwaukee Brewers
The city’s major league baseball team plays just west of downtown Milwaukee. Tailgating is popular in the parking lot and you’ll spot fans grilling brats and hot dogs before every game. If you want a breather from the crowd, take a short walk along the nearby Menomonee River on the Hank Aaron State Trail, named for the famed slugger who played for the then-called Milwaukee Braves.
Take A Food Tour
If you want a broad taste of Milwaukee’s local food heritage and contemporary flavors, Milwaukee Food Tours offers tasty walking tours for groups. Tours explore neighborhoods originally settled by Italian, Irish, Polish and German immigrants and point out architectural highlights and cultural touchpoints while allowing you to sample plenty of delicious flavors from restaurants along the way. Choose from themed tours like the Bloody Mary Brunch Tour, Churches & Chocolate, a Fish Fry Tour and others!
For more to see and do in Milwaukee, check out these waterfront hotspots and ways to explore the outdoors while downtown!
