Milwaukee's human history begins with American Indian people who lived near the confluence of Milwaukee's three rivers into Lake Michigan for centuries. Tribes who inhabited the area that is now Milwaukee included Menominee, Fox, Mascouten, Sauk, and Potawatomi. With the arrival of Europeans and an increasing population, large and often violent divides become more prominent. These settlers built three dueling settlements, Juneautown, Kilbourntown, and Walker's Point, around what is now Downtown. The two former communities were extremely competitive and created two non-aligning street grids. This is why 1st Street is west of the Milwaukee River and many of the city's bridges cross the river diagonally (connecting the two grids).

Milwaukee has historically been a major immigrant city. During the early 20th century, German and Polish immigrants tended to dominate. The city still strongly identifies with its German and Polish heritage. For part of the early 20th-century German was even the main language of the city, and German names are still very common.

As waves of immigrants arrived in Milwaukee they tended (and tend) to form communities in specific areas. The Near North and Northwest sides were originally German, but are now mainly African American with Hmong enclaves. The Near South side was originally Polish but is now mainly Mexican. Juneautown was originally mainly populated by English immigrants as well as people from the eastern United States.

In the 1960s and 70s many white Milwaukeeans moved to the suburbs ("white flight") creating a large racial and socio-economic divide between the city and suburbs. Today the city remains highly segregated with low rates of social and economic mobility for African Americans.

Milwaukee is home to some instantly recognized corporations such as Miller Brewing and Harley Davidson. Harley holds an enormous celebration on every fifth anniversary. The 120th anniversary was celebrated in August 2023.

Milwaukee was once the home to four of the world's largest breweries (Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst, and Miller), making it the number one beer producing city in the world for many years. Despite the decline in its position as the world's leading beer producer through the loss of three of those breweries, its one remaining major brewery, Miller Brewing Company is a key employer. Miller employs over 2,200 people on Milwaukee's west side. All this beer brewing has earned the city the nickname "Brew City" and its identification with and fondness for beer remains strong as ever.

Milwaukee has advertised itself as the "City of Festivals," especially emphasizing an annual summer party along the lakefront called Summerfest. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as "the largest music festival in the world", Summerfest attracts about a million visitors a year to its twelve stages. Smaller ethnic festivals throughout the summer celebrate many of Milwaukee's ethnic groups.

Milwaukee is in the northern Midwest, along the shores of Lake Michigan. It is approximately 90 mi north of Chicago, and 330 mi southeast of Minneapolis/Saint Paul.

Milwaukee is probably best known from TV as the settings of the 1970s sitcoms Laverne and Shirley and Happy Days. That '70s Show, a popular sitcom at the turn of the 21st century, is set in a fictional town in Wisconsin, in which Milwaukee is frequently mentioned. It has also served as the backdrop for numerous Hollywood films. The films Bridesmaids, Transformers 3, Mr. 3000 and Milwaukee, Minnesota were set in the area. Milwaukee, Minnesota gives a good winter portrait of the city and was largely filmed in the Bay View neighborhood.

Weather patterns in Milwaukee can fluctuate daily, often with little consistency in temperature or conditions. In the summer, the temperatures can range from as low as 60 °F (16 °C) and as high as 105 °F (41 °C). In the winter, the temperature can drop below 0 °F (−18 °C) regularly but can get as high as 40 °F (4 °C). In general, six months of the year are cold, overcast, and wet. Milwaukee is the second coldest major city in the country; winter is very long and cold! Spring is often very wet and sometimes cold and miserable. It is not unheard of to get snowfall in early April. Winter visitor may quickly get an idea why there are so many bars, bowling alleys and festivals in Milwaukee. The best time to visit is by far in the summer or the early fall during Indian Summer when the whole place comes to life and everybody is outside. Daylight hours vary between 5:15AM - 8:30PM in the summer months, and 7:15AM - 4:30PM in the summer months

• Visit Milwaukee website

See also: Rail travel in the United States

I-94 comes in from Madison to the west, and continues to Chicago to the south.

I-43 will get you to the city from Green Bay from the north, and continues southwest to Beloit.

I-41 approaches the Milwaukee area from Fond du Lac and other Fox Valley cities to the north.

Lake Express high-speed ferry operates several daily trips across Lake Michigan to Muskegon, Michigan. The ferry docks on the south side of the port near Bayview. No winter service.

Milwaukee is served by several interstate bus lines daily, there is competition on most routes as well as onward connections. Book a few weeks ahead online for the best prices. Most buses stop at or across the street from the Milwaukee Intermodal Station (where all trains stop as well) on St Paul Street on the south edge of Downtown Milwaukee. Chartered tours of Milwaukee are also arranged from cities in the region, and there are casino charters from across the Midwest.

• 43.03824-87.920774 Badger Coaches, 635 N James Lovell St (between Wisconsin and Michigan Aves. This service does not depart from the Intermodal Station). Operates 6 scheduled services from Madison daily and 4x weekly from Minneapolis, with a few local stops in between. Madison $19, Minneapolis $53. 
• Greyhound (at the Intermodal Station), ☏ +1 414 272-2156. Open 24 hr/day. Greyhound makes additional stops on request at 84 and O'Connor, Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, and some suburban locations. Greyhound mostly operates "Express" branded services to Milwaukee, featuring wifi, extra legroom, and 110 V outlets. Tickets from $1 online. 11 of 15 daily buses from Chicago offer "Express" amenities. Chicago $1-16, Madison $1-23, Minneapolis $1-61. 
• Indian Trails (at the Intermodal Station). Daily service from Milwaukee to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Onward connections are available. Buses have wifi and power outlets. 
• Jefferson Lines (at the Intermodal Station). Operates daytime scheduled service between Milwaukee and Minneapolis (via Green Bay), with interim stops across Wisconsin. Jefferson prides itself on its 'eco-friendly' new coaches. Connections are available at Minneapolis. Minneapolis $34-53. 
• Lamers (at the Intermodal Station). Operates daytime scheduled service between Milwaukee and Wausau, among other cities, with interim stops across Wisconsin. Also stops at the Badger Bus Depot and at the airport. $4-46 depending upon destination. 
• Megabus (at the Intermodal Station). Megabus offers three times daily round trip service to Chicago, Madison, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul. Buses have wifi and often 110 V power outlets. No walk-up tickets sold, only via internet or phone, same-day prices vary. Chicago $1-20, Minneapolis $1-52. 
• Wisconsin Coach, 4th St just N of St Paul Ave (Opposite the Intermodal Station downtown), toll-free: +1-877-324-7767, wisconsincoach@coachusa.com. Wisconsin Coach offers 14 buses daily, departing every hour to O'Hare Airport starting at around 4AM. There are several pickup points including the Intermodal Station, 4960 S 13th St, and Mitchell Airport. You can get directly on the bus and pay the driver with cash or card. $34.10 one-way ticket for adult. (updated Dec 2023)

Milwaukee was awarded bronze status from the League of American Bicyclists in 2004 and 2009. Bike maps are available from the Milwaukee County website or from the city or for sale at local shops. Weather permitting, Milwaukee is a very pleasant place to bicycle. There are several separated bike lanes and network of leisurely trails called the Oak Leaf Trail. Some are even limited access paths (think: bike freeway) as well as 65 mi (105 km) of on-street bike lanes and 75 mi (121 km) of signed bike routes (the city aims to raise that number to several hundred miles of on-street bike lanes as streets are re-paved).

While there are plenty of taxis to meet demand, do not expect to simply flag one down. With the notable exceptions of queues at larger hotels, the airport, train- and bus stations, largely attended events and most of the downtown area, you should call for one. Even going from the Upper East Side to Downtown can cost $20. The number one company is Yellow Cab (☏ +1 414 271-1800).

In the warmer (and occasionally the colder) months there are alternative ways of getting point to point.

• Horse-drawn carriages are available downtown and sometimes on the East Side, and often outside public events.

While it is possible to use the bus to go to many suburbs, some tourists prefer driving. You can pick up a rental car at the Milwaukee General Mitchell Field Airport and many agencies provide rentals downtown too. There are several rental car agencies on site that can help you get around town whether you are visiting the area or a local driving a temporary vehicle.

• Avis
• Budget
• Enterprise
• Hertz

Parking Downtown and in some business districts (on the East Side, in some suburbs) costs money. Keep an eye out for electronic meters: there will be a number on a post at each space, and you need it to pay at a machine down the block (cards accepted). Visitors parking overnight on city streets should call the City at ☏ +1 414 286-8300 by 1AM to request parking permission. Overnight parking can also be registered for free (up to 3 nights) online at the DPW's night parking site.

Parking outside the Downtown/East Side is overall a non-issue. Traffic conditions vary.

Breweries are integral to Milwaukee's image. Although the number of large scale operations has dwindled in the last decade, the nickname "the Brew City" still rings true, and microbreweries are booming. In several spots around the city, the smell of yeast from the beer factories is quite strong. Milwaukee was once the home to four of the world's largest breweries: Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst, and Miller. For many years it was the number one beer producing city in the world. Of those four only Miller remains.

• 43.04212-87.967851 Miller Brewing Company, 4251 W. State St, ☏ +1 414-931-2337. Miller Brewing Company offers excellent tours and also has a visitor's center at its gigantic brewing complex on Milwaukee's west side. Miller and Coors have merged operate the brewery jointly but the tour is still based around the historic Miller operation. The tour begins with a short video of famous Miller commercials, continues to the original brewery to demonstrate the growth and progress of the company, and finishes at a pub for a little beer-tasting. Call or go to their website to set up a tour. (updated Apr 2022)
• 43.0455-87.92342 Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, 917 W. Juneau Ave, ☏ +1 414-223-4709. Gift Shop: M 11AM-5PM, Th 1PM-5PM, Fr 11AM-6PM, Sa 10:30AM-6PM, Su 10:30AM-4PM. Tours: Mo noon, 2PM & 4PM; Th 2PM & 4PM; F noon, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM & 4PM; Sa 11AM, noon, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM & 4PM; Su 11AM, 1PM & 3PM. While the company is long gone, a new tavern, reserveable hall, and a giftshop are open on the site. Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, the former Pabst Corporate Offices & Visitor's Center, is a Certified Historic Structure on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours: $12 Adults; $10 Seniors (60+), Military & Students with ID; children 12 & under are free. (updated Apr 2022)
• 43.09971-87.9195663 Sprecher Brewery (maker of beer, root beer, and sodas), 701 Glendale Ave, Glendale, WI, ☏ +1 414-964-2739. A well-respected local brewery on the North Side. Known for making the largest variety of beers of any local brewery. They offer tours, tastings included. The sodas are popular as well: the kids and non-drinkers will get plenty out of this tour. Make sure to look for their root beer at local businesses.  
• 43.054683-87.9051054 Lakefront Brewery. Another small, locally-owned microbrewery specializing in handmade beers in the tradition of early Milwaukee brewers. Along the Milwaukee River just north of downtown, at the foot of Brewers' Hill. Offers tours on Friday nights along with a fish fry.  
• 43.04509-87.922635 Milwaukee Brewing Company, 1128 N. 9th Street, ☏ +1 414-226-2337. Offers tours (on Friday and Saturday) of their growing operation in the Fifth Ward. (updated Oct 2021)
• 43.02656-87.918856 Great Lakes Distillery, 616 W. Virginia St., ☏ +1 414-431-8683. It's not a brewery, but they make premium "Rehorst" vodkas and gin. It was the first distillery to open in Wisconsin since prohibition. They also brew a seasonal pumpkin ale, and make a type of absinthe. They offer tours on Fridays and Saturdays where you can taste all of their spirits for $6. Near the Walker's Point neighborhood just south of downtown and a short walk from the Harley Davidison Museum. 

• 43.028056-87.8988899 Henry Maier Festival Park. Often referred to as "the Summerfest grounds", this is an enclosed park just south of the Milwaukee Art Museum and Downtown, along the lakefront. Milwaukee used to be promoted as "The City of Festivals." To this day, there is a festival almost every weekend during the summer at the Henry Maier Festival Park, including various ethnic festivals and Summerfest.  
  • Summerfest. Since 1999, Summerfest has held the Guinness World Records title as the "World's Biggest Music Festival", attracting over 700 bands each year. The fest started in Milwaukee in 1968. Summerfest is held for 11 days every summer beginning at the end of June continuing into July.  
  • Black Arts Fest Annual festival that honors African and African American culture, creating a positive atmosphere that unifies all ages.
  • Festa Italiana
  • German Fest One of the more popular fests. Lots of beer-drinking and cliche Bavarian garb, music, dancing and food.
  • Indian Summer. Later in the season, a rare representation of the local American Indian culture. 
  • Irish Fest A very popular event, many locals take Irish Dancing lessons and these dancers are central to the fest.
  • Labor Fest An actual celebration of organized labor on Labor Day! Its a free way to celebrate and respect the meaning of the day.
  • Mexican Fiesta. 
  • Polish Fest
  • PrideFest
• Milwaukee Highland Games. A full-fledged Scottish celebration. Early June. 
• Lakefront Kite Festivals. A series of several events put together by a kite shop (Gift of Wings) on the lake just north of the Milwaukee Art Museum in Veterans Park, and by Kite Society of Wisconsin & Illinois. 
• Jazz in the Park. Held in Cathedral Square Park every Thursday evening June–September, it's a great free event to sit and have a drink on the lawn with friends at. 
• Locust Street Festival. A neighborhood festival featering games, live music, a beer run, and all sorts of vendors. On Locust Street in Riverwest. 
• Juneteenth Day celebrates the anniversary of the end of slavery. Held every year on June 19th, the event is very popular, and draws a huge police presence due to violence at past events.
• Bastille Days. Held in Cathedral Square Park on or around July 14, celebrates the storming of the Bastille and all things French. 
• Wisconsin State Fair West Allis, a Milwaukee suburb, is home to the state fair grounds. Held in early August.

There is a wide spectrum of theater and concert venues in Milwaukee.

• 43.028333-87.97111110 American Family Field (Miller Park). Baseball stadium on Milwaukee's west side. It is home to the Milwaukee Brewers and hosts small number of concerts annually. (updated Nov 2018)
• 43.0389-87.9135211 Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W Wisconsin Ave. This classic Art Deco movie palace was renovated and redesigned for the use of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2020. (updated Nov 2021)
• 43.045028-87.91816712 Fiserv Forum, 901 N 4th St. Multipurpose arena in downtown Milwaukee. The NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and the Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team (representing Marquette University in NCAA Division I) started playing in the new arena in their respective 2018–19 seasons after moving from the since-demolished BMO Harris Bradley Center across the street.  
• 43.042222-87.91694413 UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W Kilbourn Ave, ☏ +1 414 908-6000. The city's main indoor venue before Bradley Center (and later Fiserv Forum) opened, it still hosts many sports events and concerts. Most notably, it's home to the Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball team, representing the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and to the Milwaukee Admirals of the NHL's top minor league, the American Hockey League. The arena also hosts other major UWM events, most notably graduation ceremonies.  
• 43.0428-87.911414 Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N Water St, ☏ +1 414 273-7121. Mainstream touring theater and a ballet company.  
• 43.040881-87.91131715 Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E Wells St, ☏ +1 414 224-9490, fax: +1 414 225-5490, tickets@milwaukeerep.com. A good local professional theater.  
• 43.04182-87.9177616 Milwaukee Theater, 500 W Kilbourn Ave, ☏ +1 414 908-6001, toll-free: +1-800-745-3000. (updated Oct 2021)
• 43.0411-87.910717 Pabst Theater, 144 E Wells St, ☏ +1 412 286-3663, toll-free: +1-800-511-1552. Touring theater, concerts.  
• 43.040453-87.91113918 Milwaukee Riverwalk. The Milwaukee RiverWalk covers 3 miles along the Milwaukee River through the city's downtown and the Historic Third Ward. Because of its creation, the Milwaukee River has become a prominent downtown development area with a mix of high-end residential, commercial and recreational uses. Also visit the "Bronze Fonz" a statue dedicated to Happy Days character, Fonzy. Free.  
• Milwaukee's Water Street, Water St (downtown). Head over to the library and dig up any old city directory. If you flip to the page listing businesses on Water Street, you'll find that this main downtown artery has always been home to dozens on taverns and, often, rowdy and raucous nightlife. If you think Water Street is crazy these days, you should have seen it under the administration of Mayor Rose.  
• 43.0256-88.015719 Petit National Ice Center, ☏ +1 414 266-0100. A renowned Olympic training center. It has a full ice-racing track and two hockey rinks. Public skate hours vary, but are usually in the evening. Skate rentals are available for a good price.  
• 43.02637-87.9104720 Comedy Sportz, 420 S. 1st St, ☏ +1 414-272-8888, Info@cszmke.com. Fun for all ages. Began in Milwaukee and has spread across the nation. A ComedySportz match features two teams of comedy actletes competing for laughs and points, with a referee keeping things moving and calling fouls. An average of seven to twelve games are played during a match, drawn from a repertoire of over a hundred improv games. In "Shakespeare" a team will improvise a scene inspired by an audience suggestion in Shakespearian style. In "Forward/Reverse" the referee sends the scene back and forth at will, as though scanning a scene in a DVD, sending the actletes into a frenzy. Every show is different, with different players, different games, and different audiences supplying new suggestions. The fans judge the scenes and games, and decide the winners and losers. Near Walker's Point. (updated Apr 2022)

Milwaukee has memorable moments in sports history, with the Brewers and Bucks most likely to interest travelers. Home run slugger Hank Aaron hit most of his home runs in Milwaukee (mostly as a member of the Braves, who have since moved to Atlanta, though he finished his career with the Brewers). The Bucks are the youngest team to ever win an NBA title.

• Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee's Major League Baseball franchise plays at American Family Field just outside downtown. The Brewers used to be owned by Bud Selig, who retired as commissioner of MLB in January 2015. 
• Milwaukee Bucks. NBA member, with games at the new Fiserv Forum, which opened for the 2018–19 season across the street from the team's former home of the Bradley Center. 
• Milwaukee Admirals. AHL hockey franchise, formerly a member of the IHL, and playing in UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena. 
• Milwaukee Wave. North America's longest continuously operating professional soccer club. They complete in the Major Indoor Soccer League and play home games at UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena. 
• The Milwaukee Mile Its premier distinction is as the oldest operating motor speedway in the world, hosting at least one auto race every year since 1903. The track is at the grounds for the Wisconsin State Fair. The track has held events sanctioned by major sanctioning bodies, such as the American Automobile Association, USAC, CART/Champ Car World Series, NASCAR, and the IndyCar Series. There have also been many races in regional series such as ARTGO.
• College basketball - The city has two NCAA Division I college basketball teams—the Marquette Golden Eagles of the Big East Conference, and the Milwaukee Panthers of the Horizon League. Marquette's men's team plays at Fiserv Forum, while Milwaukee's men play at UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (the women's teams of both schools play on their respective campuses).
• Milwaukee Mustangs Indoor arena football.

• Downtown - Downtown Milwaukee consists of two neighborhoods which sit across the Milwaukee River from each other.

Juneautown (or Eastown), between the lake and the river, is the financial heart of the city, as well as the place where Milwaukee was born. The city's tallest building, the 601-foot USBank Tower, is here along the lake, as are some of the other architecturally significant buildings, including the Cathedral of St. John and Milwaukee's City Hall. There are a number of coffee shops and restaurants, but except for around Cathedral Square and Milwaukee Street area mostly closes down after business hours.

Across the river, Kilbourntown (or Westown) serves as the city's entertainment center. Here you will find attractions such as the Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee's primary convention center. Nearby are the Grand Avenue Mall, the Milwaukee Theater, and the Bradley Center. Many of the city's hotels are here as well, as are some excellent restaurants and clubs. Further to the west is Milwaukee's gigantic neo-classical Courthouse, the Milwaukee Public Museum, and the ornate Milwaukee Central Library.

The Riverwalk lines both sides of the Milwaukee River through the downtown area, and is home to a number of pieces of public art, as well as some of the city's most popular restaurants.

• Historic Third Ward - This small district, directly to the south of Juneautown, is Milwaukee's version of the trendy urban "warehouse district." The streets of the Third Ward are lined with 19th and early 20th-century warehouse buildings which have been converted into lofts and offices. At street level, chic shops and restaurants are commonplace. The area is also an entertainment hub.158 N Water St, blocks from the Broadway Theater Center, is home to the Skylight Opera. On the ward's southern boundary -the Milwaukee River - one can find the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (or just MIAD), which is the centerpiece of the city's art scene. On Gallery Night, which occurs once every three months, the Third Ward hums with activity, as it is home to the city's largest collection of art galleries. The Third Ward is also home to the newest section of the Riverwalk, which offers some fantastic views of the downtown skyline. The Third Ward is within walking distance of downtown.
• Fifth Ward/Walker's Point Founded by George Walker in June of 1835 as a fur trading post, Walker's settlement was combined with Juneautown and Kilbourntown to become the City of Milwaukee in 1846. Walker also contributed to the building of the city's first streetcar line in 1859. Walker's Point is south of the Third Ward, and is served by the #18, 15, and 19 buses from Downtown. The northern part of the neighborhood (especially north of National Avenue) is a rapidly re-developing warehouse district, home to many popular restaurants, cafes, clubs, and bars, while the southern and western parts are mainly Hispanic. The neighborhood is also the center of Milwaukee's gay scene.
• Avenues West/Marquette is the neighborhood immediately west of Downtown. Home to Marquette University, the area has a large student population, and consists mainly of mid-rise apartments and walk-ups as well as many of the city's social services institutions. The neighborhood is relatively seedy the further away you get from the university, although its not particularly dangerous. The Pabst Mansion and Rave/Eagle's Ballroom (music venue) are in the neighborhood, along Wisconsin Avenue.
• Martin Luther King Drive - A period of urban renewal has revitalized this neighborhood with brand new restaurants, coffee houses and jazz, blues and neo-soul lounges. It is known as the epicenter of African-American commerce in Wisconsin. From downtown, simply continue north on Old World 3rd Street which turns into Martin Luther King Drive. The #19 bus runs the entire length of the street.
• The East Side. This neighborhood stretches from downtown to the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Sandwiched between the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan, it is home to high-rises, elegant mansions, college students, and everything in between. The areas around Brady Street and North Avenue are particularly lively, with many different local shops, restaurants and bars. The number 30 bus runs from Downtown down Farwell/Prospect every few minutes during the day, and the #15 runs down Water, Brady, and Oakland. At Brady, Ogden, and Lafayette there are steps down to the parks and beaches along the lake. 
• Riverwest - An older working-class neighborhood bordered by the Milwaukee River or the south and east and Holton Street on the west. Riverwest is one of the most racially integrated in the city. As the East Side and Downtown have gentrified, Riverwest has become an increasingly diverse neighborhood, and is also home to much of the hipster and alternative scenes in Milwaukee. Amongst the many hipsters, one can still find plenty of Puerto Rican families and grandmothers. Center Street and Clarke Street are the main commercial areas of the neighborhood. The buses 10 (Humboldt Ave) and 14 (Holton St) stop at both streets on their way north from Downtown.
• Bay View - A vibrant area on the city's south shore with lots of neighborhood bars and restaurants. Number 15 bus south from downtown. Kinnickinnic Avenue is the neighborhood's main street and is lined with shops, bar, restaurants, and cafes.
• Historic Mitchell Street - This once Polish center is now home to some of Milwaukee's most vibrant Hispanic culture. The busiest area of the street is between 6th and 13th Streets. The #54 bus runs down Mitchell, and the 80, 19, and 14 connect the neighborhood to Downtown.

Milwaukee has one of the best public parks systems in the country. The area of parkland and beaches along the lake is the crown jewel of the system, and gets very busy during good weather.

• 43.04208-87.9049721 Cathedral Square Park. This park is a square in the center of the city, bordered by Kilbourn on the North, Wells on the South, Jackson on the East and Jefferson on the West. It is most notable for Jazz In the Park, free outdoor Jazz concerts on Thursday evenings during the summer. (updated Apr 2022)
• 43.04512-87.8911522 Veteran's Park. This park is by the lakefront, just north of the Art Museum and War Memorial. Veteran's Park includes a lagoon where you can rent a paddle boat, a kite store, and bike rentals. (updated Apr 2022)
• 43.05304-87.883623 McKinley Marina and Beach. McKinley Park is a great place for people who want to fish or relax on the beach. Many people also love to stroll out on the giant breakwater that goes out into Lake Michigan. During the summer, there are plenty of fishermen here as well. An easy way to get to McKinley Park is to take the Brady Street pedestrian bridge over Lincoln Memorial Drive (from the Brady Street area), or just walk North from Veteran's Park. (updated Apr 2022)
• 43.06126-87.873524 Bradford Beach. This is one of the larger beaches in the Milwaukee area, and has seen an influx of money which has led to significant improvements, including the renovation of the beautiful art deco beach house. (updated Apr 2022)
• 43.06879-87.8704925 Lake Park. Lake Park was designed and built by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same man who built Central Park in New York. It is one of Milwaukee's most beautiful parks with the iconic North Point Lighthouse and can be found by going up the hill (West) on the North end of Bradford Beach. (updated Apr 2022)

• Historic Milwaukee. Offer daily tours in summer, as well as year-round and special events. 
• Milwaukee Food Tours. 
• Urban Anthropology. Offers free walking tours of assorted neighborhoods in summer. 

Many visitors enjoying taking some food or other consumables with them when they leave. Wisconsin cheese, locally roasted coffee especially from Colectivo or Anodyne, and micro-brews are the most popular treasures. Ginseng and even El Rey Mexican products are common souvenirs.

• 43.03527-87.9081598 Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N Water St, ☏ +1 414 336-1111. M-F 10AM-8PM, Sa 8AM-7PM, Su 10AM-6PM. In the Third Ward, the Public Market is an indoor market selling produce, seafood, meats, cheeses, vegetables, candies, and flowers from local businesses.  
• Farmers' Markets. Throughout the city in summer and fall. 
• Sendik's. Three separate local chains of grocery stores. They all feature a decent selection of local and imported fine foods. Check out the neighborhood store at 2643 N Downer Ave. 
• 43.043695-87.9141559 Usinger's, 1030 N Old World 3rd St, ☏ +1 414 276-9100, toll-free: +1-800 558-9998. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. A famous sausage butcher Downtown on Old World Third Street. The shop is decorated with murals featuring a rhyming German fairy tale and the products are high-quality. 

• Harley Davidson motorcycles of course have several plants in and around Milwaukee, and many more retail stores. Notables include the House of Harley on Layton Ave in Greenfield, Hal's Harley in New Berlin, Wisconsin Harley in Oconomowoc, and many other dealers.
• Bicycles from Milwaukee Bicycle, Trek, Schwinn, and other local builders are available in huge selection and often cheaper than elsewhere.
• 43.092439-87.91757710 Koss Sterophones, 4129 N Port Washington Rd, ☏ +1 414 964-5000. Although they aren't only made in Milwaukee anymore, Koss is still headquartered here, along with the small original manufacturing plant. They have an odd little outlet store and customer service center (bring in your broken Koss headphones for a free replacement, they're all under lifetime warranty). 

• 43.053074-87.8946081 Apollo Cafe, 1310 E Brady St, ☏ +1 414 272-2233. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-3AM. Serves authentic Greek food the whole family can enjoy. A variety of healthy yet tasty food, it'll make you wonder why these sorts of food aren't more popular. (updated May 2016)
• 43.02612-87.917962 Conejito's Place, 539 West Virginia St. (on 6th St just N of National Ave), ☏ +1 414-278-9106, tommiller@steakhouse100.com. Daily 11AM-8PM. The best place to eat Mexican food on a budget in Milwaukee is here. Food and drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is one of the best in the city as far as Mexican restaurants go. under $10. 
• 43.05335-87.891693 Zaffiro's, 1724 N Farwell Ave. Great old-fashioned pizza place that hasn't been changed in decades. Has a bar, too. under $10. 
• George Webb's (Three locations). most 24 hrs. A scuzzy, cheap local diner chain, known for the two clocks next to each other in each restaurant (usually unsynchronized). The food isn't great, but its unbelieveably cheap and the mix of people is usually an experience in itself. The greenish chicken-flavored soup is strangely popular. under $10. 
  • 43.04057-87.914354 George Webb's, 812 North Old World 3rd St., ☏ +1 414-278-0225. (updated Apr 2022)
  • 43.07181-87.888165 George Webb's, 2935 North Oakland Ave, ☏ +1 414-332-6044. (updated Apr 2022)
  • 43.03666-87.989076 George Webb's, 6108 West Bluemound Rd, ☏ +1 414-453-2392. (updated Apr 2022)

The majority of mid-range, non-chain places in Downtown are on Milwaukee Street or near Cathedral Square east of the river.

On the East Side, you can head over to the intersection of North and Farwell Avenues, where you'll find local favorites like Beans & Barley (healthy/organic), Pizza Man (burned to the ground in early 2010), and Von Trier's (German). A bit farther up Oakland Ave, near Locust Street (near the UW-Milwaukee Campus), you'll find an exciting variety of restaurants including the, Sharazad (Middle Eastern), Thai Kitchen, and Oakland Gyros (Greek).

The Third Ward has many places, some with river-side seating in the summer. Coquette Cafe, on Milwaukee Street, is the owned by the same chef as the critically acclaimed Sanford.

Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View is also lined with different places, including local favorite Lulu (at Howell), and Honeypie (Midwestern comfort food with locally sourced ingredients).

National Avenue around 6th Street has several Mexican restaurants, although they can also be found throughout the entire south side.

• 43.056136-87.8895427 Comet Cafe, 1947 N Farwell Ave, ☏ +1 414 273-7677. M-Th 10AM-2AM, F 10AM-2:30AM, Sa 9AM-2:30AM, Su 9AM-2AM. A cafe that used to be a homeless friendly, gone artsy and grown into a full bar and restaurant. The menu is very vegan-friendly. (updated May 2016)
• 43.040611-87.9102788 The Safe House, 779 N Front St (just S of 150 E Wells St), ☏ +1 414 271-2007. An elaborate spy-themed restaurant that is infamous for requiring a password to enter. You enter through an alley, and can gain access even without the password, but you will be required to act silly to convince them to allow entrance. Once inside you will find a great spy museum including numerous gadgets and displays. As you eat you will be able to watch video monitors of other patrons acting silly to gain entrance, just as you did.  
• 43.03471-87.90599 Smoke Shack, 332 N Milwaukee St., ☏ +1 414 431-1119, eat@smoke-shack.com. M-F 11AM-10PM, Sa Su 10AM-3PM. Cozy spot serving slow-smoked barbecue meats & Southern-style sides in a rustic atmosphere. Get there early because they will run out of certain meats as they are smoked daily in small batches. They are also one of the only meat places with good vegetarian options. (updated Jan 2018)
• 43.05308-87.8997810 Thai-namite, 932 E. Brady St., ☏ +1 414-837-6280. Great Thai food with a sushi bar as well. (updated Jan 2018)

• 43.03915-87.9156711 The Capital Grille Milwaukee, 310 W Wisconsin Ave, ☏ +1 414 223-0600. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11:30AM-11PM, Sa 5-11PM, Su 4-9PM. (updated Jun 2017)
• 43.03843-87.917812 Milwaukee ChopHouse, 633 N 5th St (in the Hilton), ☏ +1 414 226-CHOP (2467). M-Sa 5-10PM, Su 5-9PM. 
• 43.04337-87.9433813 Five O'Clock Steakhouse, 2416 W State St, ☏ +1 414 342-3553, fax: +1 414 342-3511, dine@fiveoclocksteakhouse.com. Considered to be one of the best steakhouses in America. 
• 43.04384-87.9146414 Mader's Restaurant, 1041 N Old World 3rd St (on Old-World Third), ☏ +1 414 271-3377. M-Th 11:30AM-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Provides traditional German cuisine in a fancy, historic atmosphere. 
• 43.03924-87.9114515 Mo's A Place for Steaks, 720 N Plankinton Ave, ☏ +1 414 272-0720, fax: +1 414 272-2714. M-F 5-11PM, Sa 5PM-midnight, Su special appt. One of three national locations, the others being in Houston and Indianapolis. 
• 43.05046-87.9048916 Sanford, 1547 N Jackson St (on Jackson St), ☏ +1 414 276-9608, fax: +1 414 278-8509. M-Th 5:30-9PM, F Sa 5-10PM, closed Su. Zagat-rated in the top 11 restaurants in the U.S. with a near perfect score of 29. It is the only restaurant in the state to achieve that honor and is widely considered to be the top restaurant in Milwaukee. 

Part of Milwaukee’s food culture is high expectations and hard-set habits when it comes to bread and sweets. Eat your way through Milwaukee immigrant history, without even having a meal.

• 43.052893-87.89795417 Peter Sciortino's Bakery, 1101 E Brady St (at Humboldt, bus 10 or 15), ☏ +1 414 272-4623. Tu-Sa 7AM-4PM, Su 7AM-1PM. A Milwaukee classic for Italian bread and macaroons. Also check out the Italian grocery Glorioso’s, one block west. (updated May 2023)
• 43.012475-87.9257318 Del Valle Oaxaqueño Restaurante & La Casa Del Pan #2, 1100 W Historic Mitchell St, ☏ +1 414 672-1830. M-Sa 6AM-5PM, Su 7AM-5PM. Mexican bakery. 
• National Bakery & Deli, 3200 S. 16th St (SE corner of 16th & Euclid, one block south of Oklahoma), ☏ +1 414 672-1620. M-F: 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Sa: 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Su: Closed. Polish bakery operating since 1925. A popular spot for pączki on Fat Tuesday. (updated Feb 2024)

Of course the largest city in America’s Dairyland has perfected its own style of turning milk into frozen enjoyment. Custard is not-your-daddy’s soft-serve. Its thick- made fresh with egg yolks and lots of cream so there are only a few flavor choices: vanilla, flavor of the day, and maybe chocolate. Oh, and don’t call it ice cream.

• 42.98783-87.94872319 Leon’s, 3131 S 27th St, ☏ +1 414 383-1784. 11AM-midnight daily. A great neon-covered drive-up. It's not a chain, they keep things focused on the custard, shakes and malts. A cone is only $1.25! 
• 43.090362-87.99979720 Kitt’s, 7000 W Capitol Dr, ☏ +1 414 461-1400. 10:30AM-midnight daily. A nice retro drive-in on the Westside. 
• 43.035063-88.00656721 Gilles, 7515 W Bluemound Rd, ☏ +1 414 453-4875. M-Sa 10:30AM-11:30PM, Su 11AM-11:30PM. Milwaukee's oldest custard stand. 

There are a handful of other places to get custard in and around the city. Most people have a favorite but will settle for anything, it's hard to go wrong.

• 43.02925-87.9127622 Purple Door Ice Cream, 205 S 2nd St, ☏ +1 414 988-2521. A super-premium, hand-crafted artisan ice cream parlor with many unique and interesting flavors. They often have collaboration flavors with ingredients from other local businesses. (updated Jan 2018)

Milwaukee has a strong culture with a large number of unique local places despite the onslaught of Starbucks. Some are open late, until Midnight or so.

• 43.052752-87.8948641 Rochambo, 1317 E Brady St, ☏ +1 414 291-0095. M-F 7AM-midnight, Sa 8AM-midnight, Su 9AM-midnight. A popular down-to-earth teahouse in a great old house. Spills out onto busy Brady Street during the summer. Full drink selection as well. (updated Jul 2015)
• 42.996997-87.8983942 Hi-Fi Cafe, 2640 S Kinnickinnic Ave (Bus 15), ☏ +1 414 486-0504. M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 9AM-10PM. A great retro coffee shop in Bayview. Its cheap and they have beer and basic meals, too. (updated Oct 2021)

Roasters

• 43.05051-87.906133 Alderaan Coffee, 1560 N Water St, ☏ +1 414 395-9955. M–F 6AM-6PM, Sa Su 7AM-6PM. A cool spot for gourmet coffee with a rotating selection of different pour-over options. They also have homemade granola, yogurt, and pastries. (updated Jan 2018)
• 42.99181-87.886544 Anodyne, 2920 S Kinnickinnic Ave (Bus 15), ☏ +1 414 489-0765. M-F 6:30AM-9PM, Sa Su 7:30AM-9PM. A great small local roaster in Bayview, enjoy the coffee on-site. Their coffee is also used at Brewed on Brady St. 
• Colectivo, Several cafes. The local roaster. Huge variety and creativity, normally very fresh and carefully roasted. Cafes in the 5th Ward, Downtown, East Side and Riverwest, also at the Airport before security or in concourse C or D. The Humboldt Blvd location is where they roast the beans, which takes place in the same room as the cafe. 
• Stone Creek, Several cafes. The other roaster. Also very good and with a wide variety of coffees and cafe locations including Bay View and Downtown. 

There's no shortage of night life in the Brew City. Milwaukeeans spend more (per capita) on entertainment than the citizenry of any other major American city, and you can bet that a good percentage of that entertainment is served in liquid form. Despite the amount of money spent on it, drinking is still very cheap. Expect to pay $4 for a decent local beer or import, $2 for a Pabst, Hamm's, Old Style or Schlitz. Read the specials boards, there are often great deals, for instance, a pint of a dark local micro-brew for $2 several places on Thursday and many places have $1 PBR or Old Style. Cover is only charged at some places with live music, bigger clubs, or if there is a special very cheap drink night. Every bar can serve you mixed drinks, but wine is less popular. Closing time is an early 2AM during the week and 2:30AM on Friday and Saturday. All retail alcohol sales stop at 9PM.

With 957 licensed taverns it's hard to go thirsty. There is a corner bar at least every few blocks, no matter where you are in Milwaukee. Plus there are several handfuls of licensed dance halls (what kids call clubs and venues these days), if you want to get your groove on. Other popular nighttime activities include bowling (black-light bowling at midnight), movies, concerts, and theater.

Many of the main places to go out in Milwaukee are concentrated in a few different areas, which are easy to walk around and bar-hop within. Cabs are also easy to hail Downtown and on the East Side.

Downtown the biggest bar street is Water St with a heavy drinking scene. Across the river to the west is Old World 3rd St with some German-inspired taverns and sports bars (it's near the Bradley Center arena). Back across the river and up the hill to the east is Milwaukee Street, hosting a wide range of classier, more upscale small bars.

The East Side has two of the city's main bar areas: on Brady Street and on North Ave between Oakland and Prospect.

Brady Street is full of people outside during the summer and has a mix of different bars, cafes, and restaurants.

• 43.055218-87.8966155 Wolski's, 1836 N Pulaski St, ☏ +1 414 276-8130. M-Th 2PM-2AM, F 2PM-2:30AM, Sa noon-2:30AM, Su noon-2AM. Famous neighborhood tavern in the historic district just north of Brady. Their "I closed Wolski's" bumper stickers can be seen all over town. cheap. 
• 43.052823-87.8938286 The Nomad, 1401 E Brady St, ☏ +1 414 224-8111. Small but very popular place. Has big windows overlooking Brady Street. 
• 43.053091-87.8952627 Hi Hat Lounge, 1701 N Arlington Pl, ☏ +1 414 220-8090. M-F 4PM-2AM, Sa Su 10AM-2AM. Popular bar, restaurant and lounge on the corner of Brady and Arlington. 

North Avenue is a few blocks north of Brady and is a very popular bar street, especially with the college crowd. There are a number of bars within a few blocks of each other on North and side streets.

• 43.059997-87.8858448 Von Trier, 2235 N Farwell Ave, ☏ +1 414 272-1775. Old German-themed Milwaukee institution. Has an outdoor beer garden facing onto North Ave, and very cheesy German-themed exterior from the 1940s. 

Riverwest houses several bars and venues reaching across the neighborhood. Its a mix of DIYers, hippies, and hipsters. A great place to easily experience the Milwaukee neighborhood atmosphere.

• 43.074928-87.9019139 Art Bar, 722 E Burleigh St, ☏ +1 414 372-7880. M-F from 3PM, Sa Su from 10AM. Happening local bar that attracts varied crowds. Outside seating, fine to stop by in the afternoon for coffee or a drink. Queer friendly. $2+ beers, $5 cocktails. 
• 43.065577-87.90021410 Bremen Cafe, 901 E Clarke St, ☏ +1 414 431-1932. Daily. An old school corner bar that often has live music. $2+ beers, $5 cocktails. 
• 43.0656-87.90144811 The Polish Falcon, 801 E Clarke St, ☏ +1 414 264-0680. A legendary law-less little bowling alley and bar. Its real old Milwaukee. $2 beers. 

The Third Ward has a number of places in old warehouses right on the river, several blocks south on Water Street from the main bar area, as well as on Broadway one block east. Places here tend to be a little more upscale and draw a yuppie and middle aged clientele.

The Fifth Ward/Walker's Point, just across the river and a few more blocks south, is the hub of gay nightlife but has some straight bars and Latin-themed places too. There are a number of places, mainly along S 2nd St and National Ave. There are also a few places south of the Allen Bradley Plant (with the huge clocktower) on 2nd and 1st Streets.

• 43.023082-87.91290912 La Cage, 801 S 2nd St, ☏ +1 414 383-8330. from 10PM. Milwaukee's largest gay club. Multiple floors. 

Bay View to the South has many bars scattered throughout the neighborhood. Kinnickinnic Ave is lined with bars between Bay and the Lake Parkway, and there's another cluster near the lake at Russell and Superior. There are lots of really old-school places here. If you're not staying here and are drinking, plan how to get back, as the last buses run at 2AM and taxis are expensive if you are going further than Downtown.

• 42.999176-87.89003213 Palomino Bar, 2491 S Superior St, ☏ +1 414 747-1007. Great Bay View hipster retro corner bar hangout. Serves great fried vegan food. 
• 42.998988-87.89023814 Cactus Club, 2496 S Wentworth Ave, ☏ +1 414 897-0663. Live music venue and bar, mainly indie and punk. 

There are several B&Bs in the Concordia Historic District on Milwaukee's West Side and near Marquette University. These are great and historic late 19th-century mansions that have been converted to outstanding Bed and Breakfast Inns:

• 43.040593-87.9528811 Manderley, 3026 W Wells St, ☏ +1 414 931-7597, manderleybb@aol.com. On the Westside next to Downtown in the Bed and Breakfast district. from $129. 
• 43.040059-87.9547642 Schuster Mansion, 3209 W Wells St, ☏ +1 414 342-3210. On the Westside next to Downtown in the Bed and Breakfast district. from $100. 
• 43.039106-87.9528933 The Brumder Mansion, 3046 W Wisconsin Ave, ☏ +1 414 342-9767, toll-free: +1-866-793-3676, fax: +1 414 342-4772, Brumder@yahoo.com. On the Westside next to Downtown in the Bed and Breakfast district. from $100. 

• 43.046111-87.91408411 Aloft Milwaukee Downtown, 1230 N Old World 3rd St, ☏ +1 414 226-0122, toll-free: +1-866-716-8143. On the Milwaukee River. Sleek new hotel. 
• 43.039017-87.94187212 Ambassador Hotel, 2308 W Wisconsin Ave, ☏ +1 414-345-5000. On the Westside, just west of Marquette University and Downtown on Wisconsin Ave. Once infamous as the temporary residence of the serial killer Jeffery Dahmer, the Ambassador was painstakingly renovated to its former art deco glamor. Milwaukee's most grand affordable hotel. Premium cable, refrigerator, microwave and Wi-Fi included. 
• 43.039074-87.91260113 Hampton Inn Milwaukee, 176 W Wisconsin Ave, ☏ +1 414 271-4656, toll-free: +1-888-271-4656. Right on Wisconsin Ave in the heart of Downtown. Free internet, newspaper, breakfast. 
• 43.046052-87.89880114 Knickerbocker on the Lake, 1028 E Juneau Ave, ☏ +1 414 276-8500, fax: +1 414 276-3668, knickerb@execpc.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $100-200. 
• 43.179946-87.95878115 Four Points by Sheraton, 8900 N Kildeer Ct, Brown Deer, ☏ +1 414 355-8585, fax: +1 414 355-3566. 

• 43.038552-87.91786116 Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W Wisconsin Ave, ☏ +1 414 271-7250, toll-free: +1-800-445-8667. An Art Deco tour-de-force built in 1927, a grand hotel of legendary proportions. It has ballrooms with vaulted ceilings, city views, and period fabrics. Fully restored, with modern amenities. With 730 rooms in the heart of Milwaukee's Westown, the Hilton is adjacent to the Midwest Express Convention Center.  
• 43.041979-87.91072917 Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel, 139 E Kilbourn Ave, ☏ +1 414 276-8686, toll-free: +1-888-424-6835, fax: +1 414 276-8007. In the heart of downtown. Lobby with modern accents, guest rooms, restaurants, meeting and banquet rooms. Great views of the Milwaukee River, the bustling Theater District, or nearby City Hall. 
• 43.027632-87.91723318 Iron Horse Hotel, 500 W Florida St, ☏ +1 414 374-4766, toll-free: +1-888-543-4766, fax: +1 414 755-0084, info@theironhorsehotel.com. 100-year-old warehouse in one of the last intact warehouse districts, transformed into a modern boutique hotel. Between downtown, the vibrant restaurants and bars of the near south side and the happening fifth ward. Across the impressive 6th street viaduct from the new Harley-Davidson Museum. A one of a kind upscale hotel geared for business travelers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike. 
• 43.039885-87.90631719 Hotel Metro, 411 E Mason St, ☏ +1 414 272-1937, toll-free: +1-877-638-7620. A boutique hotel with Deco accents. They offer a variety of different room types (including luxury spa suites, pet-friendly suites, and meeting suites), as well as amenities such as 24-hr concierge and room service. A very central yet quiet location just blocks from the Milwaukee and Water Street entertainment areas, downtown museums, the theater district, and the RiverWalk. Green certified. Great rooftop garden/bar in summer. 
• 43.039136-87.905720 Pfister Hotel, 424 E Wisconsin Ave, ☏ +1 414 273-8222, toll-free: +1-800-472-4403, info@pfisterhotel.com. Milwaukee's most famous and luxurious hotel, which has been serving visiting VIPs since 1893. Blocks from all of downtown's most exciting attractions, including the Art Museum and the Third Ward. Even if you can't afford to stay, it's worth your time to take a walk through the building and explore the spectacular lobby, or check out the museum's impressive art collection.  

Many community and neighborhood oriented weekly papers are offered for free in cafes and coffee shops.

• The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is Milwaukee's only major daily newspaper, distributed in the morning. $0.50 daily, $1.75 Sunday Edition.
• The Shepherd Express is Milwaukee's free-press publication.
• OnMilwaukee.com has lots of reviews and event listings online.

• Belgium (Honorary), 330 East Kilbourn Ave., Suite 1100 Tower 1, ☏ +1 414 847-6154, ebridge@salawus.com. (updated Jun 2017)
• Mexico, 1443 N. Prospect Avenue, ☏ +1 414-944-7586, fax: +1 414 944-8985, conmilwaukee@sre.gob.mx. (updated Oct 2021)
• Sweden, 825 North Jefferson Street, suite 300, ☏ +1 414 291-7835, fax: +1 414 291-5893, milwaukee@consulateofsweden.org.