Location: Milwaukee
Top Things to do in Milwaukee
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WI)
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is perhaps best known for its famous breweries and the Major League Brewers, but there's more to the city than beer and baseball. Milwaukee is rich in historical and cultural attractions, making it the perfect place for a weekend of exploring. Check out the newly expanded Milwaukee Art Museum or the Mitchell Park Horticultural Society, which hosts an annual show of the same flora and fauna seen in Georgia O'Keefe's paintings. Those interested in the city's history can visit the grand Pabst Mansion, former home of one of the city's famous beer barons, or the Milwaukee Public Museum, to see what life was like in Old Milwaukee. If the kids are along, don't miss the Milwaukee County Zoo or the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Of course a trip to the "Genuine American City" would not be complete without a tour of the Miller Brewing Company and a Brewers game at Miller Park.
Restaurants in Milwaukee
1. Basilica of St. Josaphat
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 845 reviews
Enter the Basilica of St. Josaphat through the Visitor Center, Monday-Saturday, 9:00am to 4:00pm for visits and tours; free tour after Sunday 10:00am Mass. The Visitor Center is in the Pope John Paul II Pavilion at S. 7th Street and West Lincoln Ave. Enter from the street side or parking lot. Located in Milwaukee’s historic Lincoln Village, the Basilica is a ministry of the Conventual Franciscans and has a captivating story of faith, historical significance, and unmatched architectural and artistic beauty. Polish immigrants built the Basilica over 115 years ago using salvaged materials from the razed U.S. Post Office and Custom House federal building in Chicago. Its 250 foot high copper dome is the icon of the diverse neighborhood the Basilica serves today. The Basilica hosts community events, performances of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and others. The St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation, a 501(c)(3) works with the Franciscans to preserve and restore the Basilica. All are welcome!
Reviewed By scottofhawaii - Honolulu, United States
...at least for me. First of all, the place is psycho-beautiful with amazing gilded architecture colored in powerful Catholic art, iconography, whatever... I sure did miss seeing world-class places like this this past year. In this typical, kind of beat-up American city, the basilica is a palace with its deep awe-inspiring imagery and objects. It's both a gift and scar left behind in the wake of an obscene history the church created across the world. It's also a confusing dichotomy that both perplexes and seduces me at the same time. I'm like both in a daze and state of intimacy when I'm in a place like this. Anyway secondly, there was this guy who said he was a priest that started talking to me. I guess he was a priest, but he didn't have one of those collars on. He was just sitting in one the benches (pew?) in the main hall (nave?). He started talking to me and blurting out his life story: Vietnam vet, priest for over 40 years, cancer and chemo, even end of life issues. At first it all seemed so over the top and inappropriate, but I don't know. I wound-up asking him if the church is going to guide/see him through his final years. I told him the VA is going to be the people who do that for me. I guess that makes the VA my religion now. I also took a shot at him about the priest/abuse thing saying his team has really "taken it on the chin" about that stuff. He quickly tried to deflect and play the victim card a little. Anyway, I guess I'm meeting new people again. Couldn't do that while wigging-out about catching COVID like I did for the past year in Pittsburgh.
2. Lakefront Trail
3. Veteran's Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Park at the south end of the Lakefront Trail.
Reviewed By V5097UYlisas
Fabulous place to go walking around the lagoon, fly kites, rent bicycles, and enjoy a picnic. This park is an excellent place to watch the Fourth of July fireworks.
4. Oak Leaf Trail
5. Miller Brewery Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 928 reviews
The Miller Brewery Tour offers an 80 minute indoor/outdoor guided walking tour of Miller Valley, home to over 155 years of brewing history. Experience everything from Fredrick Miller's arrival in Milwaukee to the high-speed production lines used today. Our tour begins with beer education and a journey back in time in our Historic Caves and Bavarian Style Miller Inn. Next we’re off to Brewing, Packaging & Distribution operations. Each tour ends as it begins… with our famous beers. Enjoy beer samples throughout the tour and after if 21+ with valid ID (soda and water available for those under 21). Commemorate your experience with a custom tour photo or one of the many great items found in our Girl In The Moon Brewery Shop. We look forward to seeing you for your Miller Time experience soon. CHEERS!
Reviewed By alexandrel549 - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Nice tour, great company story, the historic buildings are beautiful....and more, free beer at the end of the tour. I recommend the visit.
6. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
7. City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By WanderingOso - Sheboygan, United States
Most cities have torn down their classic city halls in favor of a big box store look and feel. But not Milwaukee. This classic is beautiful and credit to the city. Well worth a quick stop to look in.
8. Marquette University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By ScooterCS - Hickory, United States
Took advantage of sensational weather to walk a good portion of the campus. Very pretty way to see some history and an urban campus.
9. Old World 3rd St.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By AlexB10499 - Providence, United States
This is one of Milwaukee’s coolest streets, in my opinion. Its most distinctive buildings lie along a two-block section in the Westown neighborhood (between W Juneau Ave and W State St, more or less). This is where the “Old World” part of its name comes from: the buildings here have a clear German influence in their architecture. Mader’s Restaurant is the most obvious example, and makes for a fun photo-op. If you’re even remotely interested in exploring downtown Milwaukee on foot, make your way over to Old World 3rd Street and see for yourself how much of an impact the German immigrants had on this city.
10. St. Joan of Arc Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By H7585INadrianam - Syracuse, United States
What a story! Chapel from France is bought and taken to the US and sat on the property of someone's house for years until being gifted to the college and reassembled there. My boyfriend and I visit a lot of churches and chapels all over the world and have been to France so we just adored this quick stop to see a little piece of history. The stonework in the church is really quite remarkable.
