8 Things To Do In Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I’m on a mission to visit all 50 states. My friend Julia and I decided to take a road trip from Michigan to Wisconsin so we can check a new state off the list. We’re both from the Detroit area — she lives there and I was visiting my dad — and Milwaukee is about a 5-hour drive from there. She drove her car, so we were able to save on the cost of renting or flying. And since it’s the Midwest, it was overall a pretty affordable weekend trip. As someone who lives in New York City, it was definitely a very calm, quiet city, but still very charming. Although Milwaukee may not seem like a booming destination, it was actually a really cool city with some awesome stuff to do!

Where To Stay In Milwaukee

We stayed at the Aloft in Downtown Milwaukee and had a great experience. We got a room with two queen beds and a waterfront view, which was a little over $200/night. The hotel has a pool, bar, gym, and a really cute game/lounge area. There is also an outdoor sitting space that goes right out onto the Milwaukee RiverWalk. It’s also a dog-friendly hotel, if that’s something you’re looking for. We took advantage of a lot of the amenities — we went swimming twice and got a drink at the bar one night. It had a super modern, fun aesthetic and great vibes.

Things To Do In Milwaukee

From good food to unique sites, here are the things I did in Milwaukee that I suggest you check out the next time you’re there.

Eat brunch at Blue’s Egg

We made reservations to have brunch at Blue’s Egg, which is an American diner-style restaurant. You have to order the “browns” which are fresh-cut hash browns cooked in butter. They also have the most delicious pulled ham! And we had some homemade monkey bread for dessert. It was delicious!

Take a walk along the RiverWalk

The RiverWalk connects three riverfront neighborhoods: the Historic Third Ward, Downtown, and Beerline B. As you walk along, you’ll come across a lot of breweries, restaurants, and art. There were also plenty of cute areas to sit, hangout, or have a picnic.

See The Bronze Fonz Statue

One of the most notable sculptures along the RiverWalk is The Bronze Fonz. You can go and take a selfie with the statue the pays homage to Fonzie from the sitcom Happy Days, which was set in Milwaukee in the ’50s. The statue has been in Downtown Milwaukee since 2008.

Get drinks at The Outsider

This rooftop bar has great vibes. Good drinks, food, and a view — the perfect spot for putting on a cute outfit for a laid back night out. And if you’re looking for cheese curds (a Milwaukee specialty), then they had some really good ones!

Visit the Mitchell Park Domes

This unique botanical garden has three large domes with different themes that house beautiful plants and wildlife. They have a desert dome, a tropical dome, and a “show” dome (which changes themes). It’s a great photo spot and it was a really lovely way to spend an hour or two.

Take a guided tour of the Pabst Mansion 

The Pabst Mansion was owned by the family who ran Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. We took an hour long guided tour for $15 each and it was super interesting. The mansion was beautiful and the guide was very knowledgable about the family that used to live there. There was mixture of original, restored, and loaned artworks and furniture. It really felt like traveling back in time. Definitely a fun and unique experience if someone who enjoys history, architecture, or interiors. They even had a selection of Pabst beers we could sip during the tour. I am not a beer drinker, but I actually really enjoyed their hard coffee drink (it tasted like a Yoo-hoo).

Get frozen custard from Leon’s Frozen Custard 

A few of my friends told me that I absolutely had to try frozen custard while I was there. One of the most popular spots I came across was Leon’s — and it did not disappoint! I got their specialty sundae with butter pecan ice cream and it was delicious.

Go to a game or concert at Fiserv Forum

Although we didn’t get to see the Milwaukee Bucks play during our short trip, we still took a walk by the stadium. Fiserv Forum opened in 2018, so it’s fairly new with tons of art and nightlife spots surrounding it. In 2021, the Bucks won the NBA Championship — Milwaukee’s first championship in 50 years. They have started calling the area the “Deer District.”

More things to do in Milwaukee

Here’s a quick list of recommended places we didn’t get a chance to check out:

• The Harley Davidson Museum 
• Milwaukee Art Museum 
• Lakefront Brewery Tour 
• Milwaukee Public Market
• North Point Lighthouse 

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Have you ever been to Milwaukee?

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