Thursday, March 28, 2024

Entering the Jewel of Wisconsin: The Top Things to Do in Milwaukee

*Milwaukee is the new place to be. And everyone knows it. Its tourism industry is up 5.2% from 2018, and that’s thanks to its enticing attractions and special events.

Thinking of your next vacation destination? This might be the place. There are so many things to do in Milwaukee, it has a little something for everyone.

Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that Wisconsin is all about cheese. Milwaukee is an upbeat, modern city with a great history and great prices. It’s everything a curious tourist could ask for.

Ready for a great vacation? Get started with this short and sweet guide full of must-see Milwaukee attractions.

  1. Things to do in Milwaukee? Take a Swing

Swing Park is a bizarre and unique experience you can’t find anywhere else. Underneath Milwaukee’s Holton Bridge is a swing park of soft sand and cool air. Due to its location, you can’t help but feel there’s something rebellious and shush-shush about it.

But that just adds to the appeal. If you aren’t looking for a cool getaway while you’re in the city, there are other reasons to drop by. For example, Swing Park acts as an outdoor movie theatre during the summer months.

And admission is free.

  1. The Milwaukee Art Museum

This institution has been open to the public for over 120 years. You might think a century-old art museum would be a rustic, run-down mess. But you’d be surprised.

The Milwaukee Art Museum is itself a stunning piece of art. On the pedestrian access bridge, you’ll notice the Calatrava, which features a pair of slender wings. From its south entrance, the museum seems to resemble a white swan on the water with spread wings.

Beyond the architecture, this museum is one of the largest in the US with an inventory of almost 25,000 pieces. It’d be impossible to name all the featured artists here, but you can find works from artists such as Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Pablo Picasso.

Milwaukee
Morning panorama of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  1. Harley-Davidson Museum

Many people visit Milwaukee just for the Harley-Davidson Museum. Although Harley-Davidson has been manufacturing motorcycles for more than 100 years, this museum opened its doors only a decade ago.

On the outside, the museum mimics the austere look of a factory or airport terminal. This design trend continues within the building itself, albeit with well-lit showcases.

The gallery captures the history and culture of Harley-Davidson. And, of course, it takes a close look at individual motorcycle parts: gas tanks, engines, and more.

For anyone with a knack for motorcycles, automobiles, or American history, you don’t want to miss this.

  1. Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory

A trip to Mitchell Park is one of the best things to do in Milwaukee this weekend — or any weekend for that matter! It’s a collection of three greenhouse domes, each with its own biosphere. In many ways, taking a trip to this horticultural conservatory feels like visiting the zoo.

You aren’t just looking at plants or flowers. The entire park is smartly designed, hosting swaths of trickling streams and foreign landscapes. Each dome contains a different environment: tropical, desert, and floral.

The beauty is worth the trip alone. But if you know when you’re visiting, you can try to drop in during a special event. They hold painting lessons, brew tasting, and even a pirate-themed day.

Make sure to drop by while you can. Mitchell Park is slowly falling into disrepair. There’s a good chance it may be out of commission in the foreseeable future.

  1. Escape Rooms

Nearly 10 years ago, escape rooms surged with popularity across the globe. Turns out it was more than a fad: they’re more popular than ever before.

If you want some cool things to do in Milwaukee, it has a great escape room scene. Never heard of an escape room before? The concept is simple.

It’s a cooperative puzzle game where you and your friends must solve a variety of clues. In their early days, the goal of escape rooms was to — well — escape the room you start in. But now they’ve become more advanced and sophisticated.

You might have to solve a mystery, detect a spy, or steal a piece of art before the time runs out.

  1. Pabst Mansion

The founder of the Pabst Brewing Company, which still exists today, paid for the creation of the Pabst Mansion. The building is more than a century old and sports one-of-a-kind neo-Renaissance architecture.

Although the house was designated for demolition, the community rallied behind the beautiful mansion. It is now owned by a heritage foundation that keeps the mansion open for the public.

There is truly nothing else like it. The outside is punctuated with ornate railings and abbey-like steeples. But within is where its true beauty lies.

It contains over 5,000 pieces of art and is fully-restored. With old photographs, the restoration team was able to recreate the house just as it stood over a hundred years ago.

If you’re still not interested, think again. The Pabst Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places, and for good reason.

Milwaukee Is Worth a Visit

Although Wisconsin is known as America’s dairyland, it’s not all farms and fields. There are so many things to do in Milwaukee, you’ll have to schedule several trips.

Whether you’re looking to experience a piece of history, enjoy the great outdoors, or try out some escape rooms, Milwaukee has you covered. And the best thing is, all these fantastic destinations are on the cheap side — or free!

Set your itinerary — and your calendar — because Milwaukee is one city you can’t afford to miss.

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