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What’s your idea of the perfect getaway? Maybe it’s digging your toes into a sandy beach on a warm summer day. Perhaps dinner and a Broadway show is more your style. Or you may prefer exploring historic neighborhoods brimming with upscale boutiques and art galleries. No matter what the season, you’ll find it here.
Summer
Milwaukee’s prime lakefront location keeps things cool when the mercury rises. Five beaches add up to plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun, and boat launches conveniently set along the harbor provide easy access to the water. You’ll find the lake is also a choice spot for pleasure boating, sailing, windsurfing and jet-skiing. Fishermen will delight in Lake Michigan’s impressive bounty, which includes close to 100 species of fish. Cast your line with Reel Sensation or Blue Max Charters for an unforgettable, adventure-filled excursion on the Great Lakes’ largest sport fishery.
Milwaukee’s downtown riverboats, the sleek, European-style Edelweiss I and II and the historic Iroquois, set a more leisurely pace. A relaxing cruise along the Milwaukee River provides a unique introduction to the urban landscape before gliding into Lake Michigan’s scenic harbor for a picture-perfect view of the city skyline. Riverwalk Boat Tours & Rentals’ Brew City Queen offers America’s only brewery tour by boat, which includes stops at several of Milwaukee’s award-winning, micro-brewing establishments.
Back on dry land, this “city of festivals” keeps the party going ‘til the leaves start turning at its scenic, 75-acre festival park nestled along the shoreline. There’s plenty to celebrate, including more than a dozen colorful ethnic fests, from Asian Moon Fest to Indian Summer Festival. Also on tap is the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest. This 11-day extravaganza fills 10 stages and its lakefront amphitheater with an incredible, non-stop mix of national headliners, from Billboard chart toppers to jazz legends.
Summer heralds the appearance of jaunty red trolleys that add panache to getting around downtown and to nearby shopping and historic districts. But Milwaukee is a walker’s paradise that’s easy for even first-time visitors to navigate. The Riverwalk, a pedestrian-friendly promenade that links downtown to the nearby Historic Third Ward, is punctuated by eye-catching public art, lush plantings and charming cafes. A casual stroll along this urban oasis provides a close up view of the city’s historic riverside architecture and plenty of opportunities to relax and people watch or enjoy dining “al fresco”.
Fall
Looking for a getaway that combines city sophistication and country charm? Milwaukee County has more acres of parkland per person than anywhere else in the nation, according to Rand McNally Places Rated Almanac. Outdoor enthusiasts will revel in the abundance of natural beauty near the heart of the city. Brilliant displays of autumn foliage provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic picnic, invigorating bike ride or leisurely walk.
Lake Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the legendary landscape architect behind New York’s Central Park, is home to one of the few remaining prehistoric Indian burial mounds in Milwaukee, the 19th century North Point Lighthouse and keeper’s quarters and a sporty little pitch-putt golf course. Situated on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, this gem also offers breathtaking views of the city’s greatest natural asset.
Nearby café and deli Alterra at the Lake is the perfect place to warm up with a cup of Joe from Milwaukee’s own Alterra Coffee Roasters. Built in 1888, this former Milwaukee Flushing Station has been transformed into an inviting space with large, arched windows, Cream City brick walls and a cozy balcony that peers across the lake.
New in 2005, The Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward brings home the harvest with a year ‘round indoor market hall and seasonal outdoor farmer’s market May through October. In addition to Wisconsin-grown products, you’ll find world produce, specialty foods, artisan and international cheeses, and organic items. The heady ambrosia of freshly roasted coffee, aromatic, hearth-baked breads and mouthwatering gourmet brownies is a foodie’s dream. Stop by the Madame Kuony Kitchen for free cooking demonstrations, or register for cooking classes hosted by some of Milwaukee’s finest chefs.
Winter
With two theater districts, Milwaukee’s arts scene turns up the heat when the snow begins to fall. The elegant Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is home to several performing arts groups, including the internationally acclaimed Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet and The Florentine Opera Company. In addition, it brings a bite of the big apple to the Midwest, serving as the venue for touring Broadway productions. The city’s newest entertainment venue, the stunning Milwaukee Theater, also draws big-name, national entertainers to its stage.
The Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s inspired productions and powerhouse talent have earned it a reputation as one of the nation’s top regional theaters. Its performance space includes the Stackner Cabaret, which features musical theater and a full-service lounge.
Lovingly restored, from the seven-foot tall statue of Apollo to the magnificent, two-ton chandelier suspended above the auditorium, The Pabst Theater serves as a monument to the opulence of the city’s legendary beer barons. This 19th-century jewel box keeps 21st-century patrons entertained with an eclectic mix of popular headliners.
Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary evening? Skylight Opera Theatre delivers in the luxurious environs of the Historic Third Ward’s Broadway Theatre Center. Or fend off winter’s chill with the captivating exuberance and explosive energy of Ko-Thi Dance Company and their enticing blend of African, Cuban and Haitian dance.
Cap your evening with a wine flight or a sassy martini at one of Milwaukee’s most sophisticated night spots, Blu. Perched high above the city on the 23rd floor of the landmark Pfister Hotel, this cosmopolitan cocktail lounge features a roaring fireplace and spectacular views.
Got game? Head to The Bradley Center and catch the action. The Center is home to the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks; The Milwaukee Admirals, winners of the American Hockey League’s 2004 Calder Cup; and The Milwaukee Wave, 2005 Major Indoor Soccer League Champions.
Enjoy casual, pre- or post-game dining at one of Milwaukee’s homegrown brewpubs, which serve up a wide variety of handcrafted beer in the best Cream City tradition. Water Street Brewery is famous for its gleaming, copper kettles and one-of-a-kind collection of historic brewing artifacts, including more than 6,000 cans. The Milwaukee Ale House serves up cold drinks, delicious food and live music in a renovated brick and timber warehouse in the city’s Historic Third Ward on the Milwaukee River.
Spring
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward and Brady Street neighborhoods are the perfect cure for a case of spring fever. The Historic Third Ward once served as a hub for a bustling procession of grocery commission houses and warehouses. Today, the wholesalers of “Commission Row” have given way to an intriguing mix of upscale shops, antique stores, art galleries and sidewalk bistros. From designer boutiques to hip and trendy home fashions, you’ll enjoy an afternoon spent discovering this Midwestern version of New York’s Soho.
More than 100 years ago, Oscar Wilde contended “If what you want isn’t on Brady Street, you probably don’t need it.” His words ring true today. This vibrant, culturally diverse neighborhood is home to a colorful array of ethnic restaurants, vintage and couture clothing stores, cozy coffee shops and lively nightlife.
If exploring the natural world is more your style, don’t miss Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin. New in 2006, this spectacular lakefront facility is the first in the nation to connect our natural world – with special emphasis on freshwater resources and the Great Lakes – to our human-made world through innovation, exploration and technology. This fascinating journey includes interactive exhibits, large freshwater and saltwater aquariums and touch tanks, and historic maritime displays.
Pier Wisconsin is also home to the S/V Denis Sullivan, Wisconsin’s official flagship. This authentic recreation of a 19th-century Great Lakes schooner is actually a high-tech scientific research vessel used for education and nautical training. It also offers tours of the harbor when in port.
Chase away the cool evening breeze with dinner at Bosley’s on Brady, serving American cuisine with a Key West attitude, or with a tantalizing platter of ropa-vieja at Cubanitas, Milwaukee’s only Cuban restaurant. A stop at Caroline’s Jazz Club is guaranteed to turn up the temperature with live jazz in a setting reminiscent of Harlem’s Cotton Club.
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