Don't leave Milwaukee without.... (an insider's advice)
Ms_Miltown
Milwaukee resident who knows the city inside and out!
6 May 2006
based on 14 votes
There are certain things every first-timer must do when they pay Milwaukee, WI a visit; be it places to see, things to eat, activities to partake in.... Don't leave Miltown without experiencing these things!
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Milwaukee, Glendale
- Category: Other
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Traveler type: Culture, Never been before, Repeat visitors, Theater
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Appeals to: Business travellers , Couples/romantics, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travellers , Tourists
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: milwaukee, bars, history, culture, architecture, nature
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This long time Milwaukee tavern, with a hidden alley entrance, has a long standing reputation among visitors. Your first challenge is to find it, your second challenge is to figure out the password, and how to get in! Be sure to explore the entire bar, bathrooms included, to find all of its secret nooks and crannies. Certain weeknights will bring magicians and blackjack dealers to the bar. Sip martinis. Food can be skipped here. Also slip into their adjoining bar - The Newsroom Pub and Grille, to see chalkboard autographs from famous people the world over, and peer at the "black cat" mascot for The Milwaukee Press Cub.
I'd tell you the password, but then I'd have to kill you..... |
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| The Pabst Theater is a City of Milwaukee Landmark, a State of Wisconsin Historical Site, and a National Historic Landmark. This beautiful theater was built in 1895 by brewing magnate Captain Frederick Pabst, in the European Opera House style. The theater is decorated in reds and maroons with gold and silver accents. A massive crystal chandelier that weighs over two tons hangs over the theater, and is reason enough for a visit! Today, the theater hosts an array of diverse performances, be it local dance troupes, national recording artists, chinese acrobats, or national radio personalites. There is sure to be a show going on while you're in town. |
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No trip to the beer capitol would be complete without a brewery tour. My favorite is Lakefront Brewery - a small microbrewery that has experienced quite a bit of growth in the last decade. Not only are their beers excellent, but their tour is quirky, fun, and educational all at the same time. Visit their website for tour times. Lakefront Brewery is located in downtown Milwaukee, along the Milwaukee river. After your tour, sip more beers while relaxing on their riverside patio and chatting with other tour-goers from around the world. This is a popular attraction - so arrive early! Even the locals still take these tours from time to time - there are regulars who go practically every week - it's that fun! They also have a great tiny gift shop with reasonable prices - excellent souvenir ideas!
Other brewery tours include Spreche - a close tie with Lakefront in my book - north of downtown, and of course the Disney of breweries, Miller.
Kids would also enjoy these tours; it's fun to see the massive brewing equipment, smell hops, and see how beer is made! |
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4. Friday Fish Fry
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A midwestern tradition, it's the only choice for dinner on Friday nights. Your standard meal will include beer-battered cod, cole-slaw, rye bread, and french fries, or, if you're lucky, potato pancakes. Plenty of establishments will give you a choice of fish and preparations, be it walleye, blue gill, lake perch, fried, baked, or broiled. You can also get shrimp at some locations.
Some of the popular spots include: Lakefront Brewery- family style dining and a great polka band to boot! Turner Hall. Serb Hall. The Tracks Bar and Grlll (fried shrimp is excellent!), the Polish Center of Wisconsin, Don's Pub, and even the Mexican restaurants - where your sides include rice and beans! |
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5. Milwaukee World Festivals
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If you find yourself in Milwaukee during the summer season, there will almost always be some sort of party, festival, fiesta, etc. going on down at the lakefront, at the Henry Maier Festival grounds. You can visit the local tourist guides for a calendar of events. The most popular is the award winning 10 day music festival that takes place in late June/early July each year. The grounds are open from noon to midnight every day of the festival, and for a low admission price, you can hear dozens of bands, sample food from around the world, shop til you drop, ride the skyglider, or simply peer out at beautiful Lake Michigan. Opening night has a fireworks display large enough to be seen on the moon!
If you're not here during Summerfest, there are plenty of ethnic festivals to visit as well, be it Polish Fest, German Fest, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, Pridefest, the popular Festa Italiana, African World Fest, Asian Moon, or my favorite Indian Summer. Almost every one of these festivals have their own fireworks display. The one not to be missed is Festa Italiana's "Abondonza in the Sky!".
There are plenty of festivals that take place away from the lake too: Bastille Days, Riversplash, Wisconsin State Fair, South Shore Frolics, Locust Street Festival of Art and Music, Summer Sizzle Jazz Fest, Lakefront Festival of Arts, Harvest Fest, and of course the church festivals found throughout the city (you won't understand it until you see it!)
If you are here during the week in the summer, visit Pere Marquette Park for River Rhythms on Wednesdays, or Cathedral Square on Thursdays for live jazz.
Let the celebrations begin! |
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6. Kopp's Frozen Custard Stand
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If you have room left after your fish fry, custard in Milwaukee is a must have!
Kopp's is one of the most popular, with their daily selection of custards such as rum and coke, pistachio, black cherry, tiramisu, etc. Festival weekends find custard flavors appropriate for each event. Buy custard by the cup, pint, or gallon! You won't find a Kopp's downtown - but in three other locations around the city. My favorite is the South 76th street locale - with it's gorgeous patio and water-fall wal! They are also known for their massive burgers!
Downtown you can visit Bella's Fat Cat on Brady Street - also known for burgers as well as excellent custard.
If you want old school - drive to south 27th Street and park under the neon glare of Leon's Frozen Custard.
Gille's will also serve you up fresh smooth Wisconsin made custard. Yum! |
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7. Sporting Events
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Want sports action!? We've got it! Visit the gorgeous Miller Park to take in a ballgame. Even if it's not baseball season, Friday's Front Row Sports grill is open year round so you can get a peak at the domed ballpark, take a tour, or buy Brewers merchandise. Tailgate like the locals during the season. Pop up to the .300 Club to watch the game in style. Or watch a little league game at Helfaer Field, and munch on a brat smothered in secret stadium sauce.
Downtown will be abuzz with Milwaukee Bucks (basketball) or Admirals (hockey) fever! You can also catch an indoor soccer game by watching the Milwaukee Wave.
Like college sports? Get yourself a ticket to a Marquette or UWM sporting event.
Drive out to the Pettit Center to watch world champion speedskaters do their stuff!
A drive down to the lakefront in summer will get you free front row seats at a hurling or rugby game. Look lakeward to spot windsurfers, kayakers, and the rare surfer!
Late summer will play host to the Bradford Beach Jam, with a variety of outdoor sporting events including volleyball and beach soccer. |
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Movie buffs be sure to check out this rare gem! This beautiful ornate theater, built in 1927, features 2 minaret towers, three marvleous stained glass chandeliers, 6 larger-than-life Buddhas, several hand drawn murals, 8 porcelain lions, dozens of original draperies, and hundreds of elephants. The theater plays host to art house independent movie flicks. Friday and Saturday before the 7pm show in the main theatre, the lush sounds of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ introduce the film, just like the good old days. This pipe organ "is the largest of its kind in a theatre in America, and the third largest in the world".
The Oriental is also the world record holder for the longest running engagement of The Rocky Horror Picture Show!
Other historic and unique movie houses inclue the Downer Theater, The Times Cinema, and The Rosebud Draft House. |
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9. Visit our unique neighborhoods!
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Downtown Milwaukee sprouts out into unique and diverse neighborhoods, each home to unique restaurants, shops, bars, and art galleries.
The Historic Third Ward, is home to numerous art galleries, upscale boutiques, the Milwaukee Ale House brewery, the festival grounds, and of course the newly opened Milwaukee Public Market.
Walker's Point is home to many Latino restaurants, art galleries, and LGBT-friendy establishments. South Fifth Street is home to a half dozen Mexican restaurants. Steny's - home of a great bloody mary, is also located here.
Old World Third Street is the place to find great German heritage. Take a tour of Usinger's sausage shop, stop in to Mader's for authentic german fare, then dip into the Hoffbrau Munchen German Beer Hall to guzzle a liter of fresh beer while munching on landjagers and warm Bavarian pretzels. Step back into time at the Spice House, you won't be able to resist the smell. Friday nights in the summer time play host to a lobster boil at Third Street Pier.
Just across the river from Old World Third Street is Water Street, popular with the college crowd. Here you will find dozens of watering holes including the first brewpub in Milwaukee -the Water Street Brewery.
Head Northeast to Brady Street to discover Italian heritage. Stop in Sciortino's bakery for fresh baked Italian treats, cross the street to Glorioso's and savor the scents of an Italian grocer, drop your dollars at a number of unique boutiques, or listen to live music in one of the numerous bars.
Further north you will find the intersections of North Avenue, Locust Street, Farwell, and Prospect. Popular with the college crowd, North Avenue is home to the Oriental Theater, Von Trier's for a great selection of beers, the Pizza Man - consistently voted as the restaurant with one of the best wine lists, Beans and Barley natural food restaurant and grocer, the historic water tower, and the Summer Solstice Festival.
Riverwest is also a popular spot among the "alternative and hippie" crowd. Home to the Locust Street Festival of Art and Music, including the popular beer run, numerous bars and restaurants including the longstanding Mad Planet, the new Club Timbuktu - a celebration of Afrian culture, the Polish Falcon, the Tracks Bar and Grill, famous for fish fries, burgers, nachos, and their outdoor patio with gas bonfire pit.
Other great neighborhoods include West Allis, Vliet Street, Oakland Avenue in Shorewood, and the developing Bronzeville district. |
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Compliment Ms_Miltown
