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Milwaukee, Wisconsin

City Guide

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Features of this Destination

Stretched along a bluff overlooking one of Lake Michigan's most beautiful bays, Milwaukee is said to have the perfect balance of big-city attractions and small-town values. With a population of over 600,000 people, Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and the 17th largest in the nation. Yet, it is known for its safety and cleanliness.

The Grand Avenue Mall, a four block, multi level, totally enclosed marketplace of over 130 shops and restaurants, has newly revitalized Milwaukee's historic shopping district. It is a perfect example of the blending of old and new. Milwaukee is a family friendly city with interactive museums, a spectacular zoo, theaters ranging from Imax to opera, world-class sporting events, and spectacular waterways offering fishing and water sports.

There are many beautiful churches and architecturally noteworthy buildings and homes. Each summer there is an authentic reenactment of an old time circus parade complete with bands, animals and horse drawn wagons in the downtown area. Summerfest brings to the city's waterfront eleven different music stages, along with food and fun.

Milwaukee hosts lively ethnic festivals throughout the year. Among these are: Oktoberfest, Bavarian Folk Fest, Festa Italiana, German Fest, Greek Festival, Polish Fest, Holiday Folk Fair, Indian Summer Fest, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, African World Festival, Asian Moon Festival, and Bastille Days. The influence of each of these cultures is also apparent in the wide variety of local restaurants featuring mouth watering ethnic cuisine.

In the 1600's and 1700's Milwaukee served as a French trading post and a campsite between Chicago and Green Bay. As waves of other European settlers began arriving in the 1820's, they rejoiced in the combination of fertile land and abundant water that would insure their prosperity. The French were followed by the English, then by Scandanavian, Irish, Dutch, Austrian and Polish settlers. Reminders of these early immigrants are still evident as the community holds on to some of the traditions introduced over 150 years ago. The immigrants contributed their strong work ethic, evident everywhere from small family businesses to industrial giants like the Allen-Bradley Co. and the breweries.

A feeling of warmth and hospitality is evident throughout the region. Milwaukeeans are proud of their city and its many "one of a kind" attractions, and they welcome the opportunity to share these with visitors. The Milwaukee Public Museum ranks number one in exhibits nationwide. This museum pioneered the idea of walk-through exhibit designs, and it has featured these since 1882. The Milwaukee Art Museum is Wisconsin's premier visual arts museum. Brewery tours and samplings are popular with visitors and local residents alike.

Professional sports abound in Milwaukee. No matter what the season, Milwaukee has it covered! Top pro teams such as the Bucks, the Brewers, and the Admirals provide year round excitement. The Milwaukee Mustangs, a recent addition to the local sports scene, bring the thrill of fast paced football to the indoor arena.

Milwaukeeans do more than watch sports action from the sidelines -- they fully participate. Biking, swimming, skiing, football, baseball, tennis, golf and running are just a few of the recreational activities available in Greater Milwaukee. There are 15,000 acres of parkland in Milwaukee County and numerous private facilities. Competitive cycling brings national and international competitors to Milwaukee each summer. 76 miles of area bike trails are available to the public and waiting to be explored!

Milwaukee is a city of beauty and vitality that attracts visitors seeking to discover and enjoy this gateway to the Midwest. A few years ago, the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau adopted a new and most appropriate slogan for the city: "Genuine American."

Area Attractions

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Season is from Sept. - June (414) 273-7206 This nationally acclaimed orchestra gives nearly 200 concerts a year in Milwaukee, across the country and in Europe and Asia.

Milwaukee Ballet Company 504 West National Avenue (414) 643-7677 well known for its classical and contemporary ballet.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater 108 E. Wells Street (414) 224-9490 Season runs from September to mid-May. Presents traditional and contemporary plays

Florentine Opera 929 N. Water Street (414) 291-5700 This is the only professional grand opera company in Wisconsin. It performs at The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

Milwaukee Riverside Theatre 116 West Wisconsin Avenue (414) 274-3000 This is Wisconsin's largest landmark theater and a showpiece for touring Broadway shows and pop and country artists.

Pabst Theater 144 E. Wells Street (414) 286-3665 Tours are offered Saturdays at 11:30 AM. The Pabst Theater is a center for touring and local theatrical productions, concerts and dance. It is a beautifully restored 19th century Victorian theater.

 

Skylight Theatre located in a newly constructed 18th century Italian Baroque opera house, presents both opera and music theater.

Helfaer Theater (414) 224-3000 on the Marquette University campus presents quality concert and theater offerings.

Milwaukee County Zoo (414) 771-3040 6 miles west on US18 between US 45 and SR 100 at 10001 West Blossomwood Road Hours and admission fees: May-Sept.: Mon.-Sat. 9-5. Sun. and holidays 9-6 Rest of the year: daily 9-4:30. Admission charged. Nominal charge for zoomobile and train The Milwaukee zoo is ranked among the finest zoological gardens in the world. More than 2500 species of animals are displayed in five continental groupings and in natural habitat settings. A daily educational show features four California Sea Lions. A close up educational tour in zoomobiles is available. Other highlights are an educational dairy complex called Heritage Farm; a petting zoo, and a miniature train. Rental equipment is available for use on a cross country ski trail that passes by indoor and outdoor animal exhibits. Allow a minimum of 3 hours at the zoo. Wheel chair and stroller rentals are offered.

Milwaukee County Historical Center (414) 273-8288 Admission: Free Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5 Sat.10-5; Sun. 1-5. Closed holidays The museum features a trip back in time. On display are military items, women's fashions, a panorama painter's gallery, firefighting equipment, an early 20th century pharmacy, physician's office and bank. Allow 1 hour minimum

Pettit National Ice Center, (414) 266-0100 S. of I-94 exit 306 at 500 S. 84th Street Guided tours by appointment. Daily 8 AM - 9 PM. Spectators Free except during events. Admission charged. The Center is a 200,000 square foot ice skating facility - only one of five in the world - which offers public skating along with a 400 meter speed skating oval and two international sized ice sheets for Olympic training. Various competitions and events take place periodically. The ice is open to the public several times daily.

Whitnall Park and Kettle Moraine 5879 S. 92nd Street

provide extensive gardens and nature walks. 600 acres includes an 18 hole golf course, recreational facilities, picnic areas, an environmental education center and botanical gardens. Open daily year round dawn- dusk. Among the gardens located within Whitnall Park are:

 

(1) Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (414) 649-9800 Admission charged. Daily 9-5 The Conservatory is comprised of three geodesic domes which recreate the climate of a tropical rain forest, an arid desert and a seasonal floral display. Allow 1 hour and 30 minutes


(2) Boerner Botanical Gardens 5879 S. 92nd Street Open daily 8-7, May-Sept. Rest of the year: 8-4 Admission: free. Parking Admission charged. contains trees, shrubs and flowers displayed in formal and informal gardens. The rose garden has more than 3000 plants of 500 varieties. Each year more than 11,000 annuals are planted for seasonal flower exhibitions. The administration building contains art exhibits.

Miller Brewing Company 4251 West State Street (414) 931-2337 Admission: Free Call for schedule One could not think of visiting Milwaukee without considering a brewery tour. The Miller Brewing Company provides an inside glimpse at the fascinating history of brewing in Milwaukee as well as an opportunity to sample the current brew. The one hour tour includes stairs and four blocks of walking. Strollers are not permitted on the tour.

 

Sprecher Brewery (414) 964-2739 Tours by reservation only Tours conducted June-August offers some of the best connoisseur-style, or micro-brewery, beers in the world. Gourmet sodas in a variety of inviting flavors are also produced here and are available for sampling.

Lakefront Brewery 1872 North Commerce Street (414)372-8800 Tours by reservation only every weekend Call for appointment Admission: Free Tour and sampling at this recently renovated state of the art brewery

 

International Clown Hall of Fame 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite LL700 in Grand Avenue Mall (414) 319-0848 is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of clown art. Clown clothing, shoes, and props are displayed. Paintings and videos of clown performances can be seen. Phone ahead for schedule of live clown shows.

Milwaukee Art Museum (414) 224-3200 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive overlooks Lake Michigan (Tues, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-5pm Thurs noon-9pm, Sun noon-5pm) Admission charged. under 12, free when with adult Houses more than 20.000 works dating from the 15th century. Of particular interest are the collections of the Old Masters; 19th and 20th century European and American art and works by modern artists. Also featured are a collection of Haitian art, American folk art and the Prairie School archives of Frank Lloyd Wright. the 17th and 18th century American decorative arts are also featured.

Milwaukee Museum Center Complex 710 W Wells St (414) 224-3200 Admission charged. for all three attractions listed below

(1) Milwaukee Public Museum (414) 278-2700 daily 9am-5pm Admission charged. 3 and under Free In this museum, histories and mysteries of the earth, nature and humankind are imaginatively presented through dioramas such as "The Streets of Old Milwaukee" complete with lamplit lanes. A battle of the dinosaurs as well as a life sized tyrannosaurus rex and stegosaurus. Restaurant and vending machines on premises. Wheelchair and stroller rentals available.

(2) Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater (414) 319-4629 (press 2) (Mon-Wed 11.30am-4.30pm Thurs & Fri 11.30am-8.30pm Sat 10.30am-8.30pm Sun 10.30am-5.30pm shows on the half-hour Admission charged. provides thrills for all ages. This is the only IMAX theater in Wisconsin. It features the giant wraparound screen.

(3) Discovery World - The James Lovell Museum of Science, Economics and Technology 815 N. James Lovell Street Daily 9-5 (414) 765-0777 Admission Charged features more than 150 "touch and do" exhibits in the fields of science, economics and technology of particular interest to children ages 10 and up. Allow 1 hour minimum. Weekends feature science demonstrations (children under 5 not admitted) and laser light shows.

The Pabst Mansion 2000 West Wisconsin Avenue (414) 931-0808 Open Tues.-Sat. 10-3:30, Sun. noon-3:30 Admission charged. Prices may vary during special events a 37 room Flemish Renaissance mansion built in 1892 for beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst. Exquisite carved wood and stained glass windows add to the beauty and grace of this home. There are 12 bathrooms, 14 fireplaces and fine ornamental ironwork. Available for rental for weddings, etc. Guided tours are available. Telephone for schedule.

Schlitz Audubon Center 1 mile east of I43 exit 82A at 1111 East Brown Deer Road (414) 352-2880 Tues.-Sun. 9-5. Admission Charged This impressive nature preserve covers 225 acres on the shores of Lake Michigan. Where off duty wagon horses once relaxed, there are now 6 miles of trails through fields into forests, along ponds and marshlands. A building houses materials for self conducted tours. Hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are popular activities.

St. Joan of Arc Chapel 601 North 14th Street on Central Mall on the campus of Marquette University (414) 288-6873 Mon.-Sat. 10-4. Sun. noon-4. Free a 15th century French chapel that stood in the Rhone Valley for more than 500 years. During the French Revolution it fell into disrepair. In 1927 it was moved to a Long Island estate and reconstructed by John Russell Pope, one of America's leading architects. In 1965 it was moved to Marquette University. This outstanding example of Gothic architecture contains items from the 11th - 15th centuries including the Joan of Arc stone before which Saint Joan is said to have prayed.

Ongoing Exhibits

Kilbourntown House Estabrook Park, just off Capitol Drive 414/273-8288 Tues., Thurs., Sat. 10a.m.-5p.m., Sun. 1-5p.m. Built in 1844 by Benjamin Church, this Greek Revival home was originally located in the Kilbourntown section of Milwaukee. It was moved in 1938 and is open to the public. Free admission, donations appreciated.

Lowell Damon House 2107 N. Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI Sun. 1-5p.m., Wed. 3-5p.m. 414/273-8288 Wauwatosa's oldest home - begun in 1844 and completed in 1847. Free admission, donations appreciated.

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Masterpieces from 25 Centuries Milwaukee Art Museum 414-224-3200 Highlights from the Permanent Collection" This exhibition features the museum's major works in a new installation that will undoubtedly surprise visitors, particularly familiar with the MAM layout which has remained virtually unchanges since 1988. The most important and best-loved works will be moved from their current locations to the museum's upper level.

Permanent Collection Charles Allis Art Museum Open Wed.-Sun. 1-5p.m. 414-278-8295 Completed in 1911, the Tudor-style mansion is intact with original furnishings and is undoubtedly was one of the finest of the many mansions that lined Milwaukee's most fashionable street in the elegant Edwardian era. Its worldwide art collection spanning 2,000 years includes Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Greek and Roman art objects; fine French, English and American period furniture; Renaissance bronzes; and landscapes by major 19th and 20th century French and American painters.

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Puelicher Butterfly Wing Milwaukee Public Museum< 414-278-2702 Get an up-close look at hundreds of live butterflies in a tropical setting in this two-story, glass-enclosed butterfly garden. A total of 20 domestic and tropical species including, the electric blue "Morpho," fly freely in Wisconsin's only permanent tropical butterfly garden, stopping to rest on a leaf or suck nectar through its proboscis foliage, and will be kept at a constant temperature and humidity throughout all of Wisconsin's four seasons. Complementing the garden is a learning gallery, with hands-on interactive stations and examples of science at work. Specimens from the Museum's world-class Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) collection are showcased, along with the research of Museum scientists.

Sunday Villa Tours Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum 1st & 3rd Sundays, 2-4p.m. 414-271-3656 Docent-guided tours of the Villa's permanent collection. Also view the progress of the Garden Renaissance Project to create a 16th century Tuscan style garden.

Villa Terrace Permanent Exhibitions Villa TerraceDecorative Arts Museum 414-271-3656 The Italian Renaissance-style villa designed and built by architect, David Adler, overlooks Lake Michigan. View period rooms with decorative arts from the 15th through 20th centuries, fine art by Spanish, Dutch, Flemish and Italian painters, "Wrought Iron Artistry by Cyril Colnik (1871-1958), 'the Tiffany of wrought iron masters,'" and the Ogden Dollhouse Gallery which showcases a three-story dollhouse and antique children's toys.

Comedy/Sportz Competitive 414/272-8888 Thurs.-Sun. Family comedy for over 15 years.

Miller Brewery Tour Miller Brewing Company Visitor's Center Mon.- Sat.: tours 10:30a.m.-3:30p.m. shop 9:30a.m.-5:30p.m. 414-931-BEER There's a lot to like about a Miller Brewery Tour. Giant brew kettles and high-speed bottling lines. The immense Miller Caves and the uniquely stocked Miller Gift Shop. A shipping center - home to half a million cases of beer. But the best part of the tour may just come in a smaller package - the free, frosty samples served in the Miller Inn. The Miller Brewery Tour. Where fun is always on tap.

SkyWaukee Tour The Grand Avenue,Plankinton statue 414-277-7795 Saturdays, 1p.m. Featuring the history and architecture of downtown Milwaukee as seen from the skywalk system.

Sunday Guided Tours Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum 1st & 3rd Sundays, 2-4p.m. 414-271-3656 Docent-guided tours of the Villa Terrace mansion, its collection and gardens begin in January. Free with museum admission.

Summer Train Rides Through Oct. 31 East Troy Electric Railroad Museum East Troy, WI; Sat. and Sun. 11a.m.-4p.m. 262-548-3837 Ride full-size antique streetcars and interurbans over Wisconsin's landmark electric railroad between East Troy and the Elegant Farmer.

 

Architectural and Historical Walking Tours Through Oct. 15 Various meeting places Sat. and Sun., 10a.m. & 1p.m. 414-277-7795 Historic Milwaukee presents a series of historical and architectural walking tours through many of Milwaukee's varied neighborhoods. Call for a complete weekly listing.

 

Grand Avenue Mall
Visitors to Greater Milwaukee will find an exciting variety of shopping choices. The area abounds with unique specialty shops, artisans' villages and one-of-a-kind galleries. You will want to save time to explore the $11 million 4 block three story Grand Avenue Mall along the Milwaukee River and just below the Mall, Old World Third Street, a restored warehouse district that features art galleries and specialty stores along a cobblestone street.