A Weekend of Exploration & Hands-On Family Fun in Milwaukee

Driving into downtown Milwaukee, the city’s beautiful skyline seems to rise up and welcome you in. It’s no surprise that this view made Architectural Digest’s list of the best skylines in the world. I knew a weekend away here would feel like a big-city adventure but with a little added Midwest coziness. Striking a balance between electric energy and discovery, this trip was sure to please everyone in my crew. Even my tweenagers, who are on the cusp of being a little too cool to admit they enjoy family vacations, would be all in.

The Cream City has a rich, bright history and an exuberant community, which meant a single-day trip to the city surely wouldn’t be enough. I wanted to take time to explore all Milwaukee had to offer — the well-known attractions, but also the city’s best-kept secrets.

Embark on a Journey of Discovery

Discovery World, a science-inspired learning center, was the perfect first stop on our Milwaukee adventure. Nestled up against the Lake Michigan shoreline and filled with a wide variety of activities and experiences, it turned out to be the spot the kids loved the most.

We began in the aquarium. Wandering amid the tanks ignited a spark of wonder in my children’s eyes. In a maze of crystal-clear water, we found all kinds of sea creatures — a few from the Caribbean, while others came right from Lake Michigan. As we dove deeper into this underwater world, we uncovered an exhilarating opportunity to gently pet sturgeon and stingrays, which my girls loved.

Exploring further, we discovered several exhibits with hands-on activities. The Block Party area brought out my kids’ inner builders — their creativity limited only by their imaginations. But hands down, the fan favorites were the flight and racing simulations, which rewarded each of us with an incredible adrenaline rush.

Milwaukee’s vibrant downtown has so many fun and interesting places to rest your head, but none like The Brewhouse Inn & Suites. Condé Nast Traveler calls it one of the “best hotels in the Midwest,” and our stay definitely did not disappoint. The building is a former brewery reimagined into a cool, retro-modern inn, with original Cream City brick that makes it feel like a home away from home. The beautiful winding staircases and the wide-open layout of our room made The Brewhouse a hit with my family.

Before dinner, we took a stroll along the Milwaukee Riverwalk, taking the opportunity to explore this lively section of the city. Soaking in the picturesque view of the setting sun, we opted for a family selfie over the Milwaukee River — the Insta-friendly backdrop earned glowing reviews from the tweens.

Next up was dinner at the highly recommended Lakefront Brewery. As we entered the restaurant, the scent of their must-try cheese curds greeted us, as did the sound of The Brewhaus Polka Kings, who created a fun environment for the whole gang. The energy in and around the restaurant was lively and full of laughter. We chatted about the highlights of our day over the delicious, famous Friday Fish Fry — the perfect wrap for our first night in Milwaukee.

The next morning, we went for a short drive to the North Point Lighthouse, taking in the beautiful views along the way. Set against a perfect bright-blue sky, with wisps of fluffy clouds floating by, the lighthouse looked like a stunning painting brought to life. I found the climb up the stairs of the 74-foot tower awe-inspiring, as I considered just how many people had climbed these same steps in the lighthouse’s 170-year history. The view from the top was breathtaking and, of course, made for the most gorgeous family photos. This hidden gem just outside of downtown Milwaukee felt like it could be a world away from the city. Driving from the shoreline back into the heart of the city made me appreciate the calm, quiet moments that can be found just off the beaten path.

Our next stop, known as the home of the Milwaukee Bucks, was Fiserv Forum. The brilliantly designed building covers more than 700,000 square feet and pays tribute to the heritage and history of Milwaukee. The space outside the venue, known as the Deer District, was filled with anticipation as everyone enjoyed the pre-entertainment excitement. Perhaps our favorite part of the Deer District was the colorful displays by local artists. Here, the kids raced from one small shop to the next and we stopped at a couple of restaurants to grab a bite to eat. The kids fawned over the delicious, crisp chicken tenders at The Cluckery, while craft beer and pizza at Brick 3 Pizza totally hit the spot for me and my husband.

As we entered Fiserv Forum, the energy was electric, and the kids could hardly wait for the game to start. The crowd was cheering and the lights were flashing as the starting lineup was announced. Even though this was their first time watching an NBA game, the kids didn’t hesitate to join in the fun, chanting, “Go Bucks, Go” with the rest of the fans. Eyes wide, full of exhilaration, my younger kiddo leaned over to ask me if I’d ever been on a jumbotron before. I told her no but that maybe it would be our night.

On the short walk back to the hotel afterward, it took very little convincing to add in a stop at Insomnia Cookies for a sweet treat to enjoy before heading off to bed.

On our final day in the city, the perfect end to our Milwaukee weekend getaway was highlighted by a stroll through the iconic Milwaukee Public Market. This lively, vibrant location in the Historic Third Ward had something for each of us. The kids couldn’t get enough of the tasty spread at Foltz Family Market, while I adored the arrangements at Marius Bell Floral — and picked up a few of my favorites to brighten our doorway at home. My husband couldn’t resist getting one of the Milwaukee-themed T-shirts at Brew City Brand Apparel to commemorate our trip.

Driving away from the city, I couldn’t help but appreciate the scene in my rearview mirror. As that memorable skyline shrank in the distance, my appreciation grew for our experiences during this weekend getaway to a city that we have visited often but never really knew until now. Milwaukee’s rich history, beautiful scenery, commitment to preservation and innovation, and deep sense of community reassured me that not only would we certainly be back, but also this fun family weekend would be one to remember.