Milwaukee is understood for its festivals, well-known breweries, and wealthy historical past. However past the favored points of interest, the town has hidden gems ready to be explored. Milwaukee provides loads of new surprises from cozy cafes to charming neighborhoods with distinctive character. When visiting a metropolis, the abundance of actions will be overwhelming, so we rounded up native knowledgeable solutions to make your journey simpler. This text will open the treasure chest that’s Milwaukee and give you its most treasured hidden gems.
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Gas up with scrumptious meals
After an extended day of strolling and exploring, getting some meals in you is important. Fortunately Vagabond, “brings elevated avenue meals to the guts of Milwaukee’s leisure district. Road tacos and a wide range of small plates mixed with contemporary, house-made margaritas make for a novel one-of-a-kind eating expertise. Moreover, Vagabond additionally has a Dinner Theatre with rotating DJs each Thursday-Saturday!”
For an East African expertise, Blue Star Cafe is a superb place to attempt new meals or get pleasure from a recognized dish. These African dishes are tasty together with choices corresponding to spicy hen, beef and hen sandwiches, crepes, and good yogurt. You’ll want to cease by this cafe for a novel style of African dishes dropped at you from Wisconsin.
For some drinks, Sophia Sommer from SoLu Property Vineyard and Meadery says, “Be certain that to incorporate a visit to SoLu Property Vineyard and Meadery. Nestled on a surprising 600-acre property within the Kettle Moraine, SoLu provides the most effective reside music within the state, creating an unforgettable expertise for music lovers. Take pleasure in wine tastings from our French-inspired vineyards, and pattern our distinctive bourbon and mead. SoLu Property can also be canine and family-friendly, guaranteeing that everybody, together with your furry mates, can get pleasure from a pleasant time out. Whether or not you’re a wine fanatic or just in search of a novel outing, SoLu Property guarantees a mix of leisure and beautiful drinks.”
The Lakefront Brewery is one other nice cease to get pleasure from some drinks. Opened since 1987 Lakefront Brewery has been brewing barrels of beer for locals and folks the world over. The brewery distributes merchandise exterior to completely different states and nations together with Japan and Sweden. The primary licensed natural brewery in America, Lakefront Brewery guarantees a novel Wisconsin style.
Native marriage ceremony photographer Alisha Trahms supplies a superb record of locations to go to for all instances of day. She states, “Within the mornings, go to Rocket Child Bakery for scrumptious artisan sourdough bread, baguettes, croissants, and ache au chocolat. For a style of Italian espresso tradition, head over to Vendetta Espresso Bar in Wauwatosa Village (which is itself brimming with pleasant retailers and eating places) and stroll as much as the bar for genuine espresso. In case your concept of the right dinner contains pasta, Semolina MKE crafts contemporary hand-shaped and brass extruded pasta and even provides lessons to show you the way to make your individual; in case your fashion is a bit more Mediterranean, my go-to is Parthenon Meals for imported feta and olives from the deli and loads of high-quality dry items to your pantry. And for an evening out, Edith Cocktail Bar is the right place to lounge in magnificence and revel in a novel cocktail whereas listening to reside jazz.”
Become involved with the neighborhood
When visiting a brand new place it’s rewarding to work together with native occasions and traditions. Gael Cullen from the Steve Cullen Wholesome Coronary heart Run/Stroll invitations everybody to their annual occasion. Gael says, “The twenty ninth Annual Steve Cullen Wholesome Coronary heart Run/Stroll on February 8, 2025, is an absolute should for any Milwaukee guests trying to get slightly train whereas benefitting a terrific trigger. This 8K aggressive run or 2-mile enjoyable run/stroll attracts severe runners together with households on a course via considered one of Milwaukee County’s prettiest parks, ending with awards, a chili get together, and a reside public sale. All cash raised goes to life-saving coronary heart analysis on the Medical School of Wisconsin.”
Exploring new areas with native assistance is a simple solution to discover the most effective locations and Milwaukee neighborhoods. A tailor-made tour will be an effective way to seek out what lies past the floor of Milwaukee. Kris Hoff of Pleased Time Excursions says, “On September third, 2024 be part of Laverne & Shirley as they showcase the town they love…Milwaukee! The day features a tour discuss at Lakefront Brewery full with two samples and a memento glass, a scrumptious pizza luncheon, mini-bowling, and a frozen custard deal with at Milwaukee’s legendary and nostalgic Leon’s Drive-In. Plus, you’ll admire seeing Milwaukee’s Metropolis Corridor which was the opening shot of the present, the Polish Flats the place they lived, and even a photograph cease at Laverne’s heartthrob, the Bronze Fonz!”
Jessica Hope of MKE Yoga Social suggests new guests cease in to, “MKE Yoga Social™ an area yoga enterprise bridging the hole between the neighborhood, yoga, and superb Milwaukee venues. Breweries, distilleries, parks, and extra. MYS has a real ardour for neighborhood and bringing folks collectively. Social time is included to encourage neighborhood connection. Mingle with like-minded folks whereas having enjoyable and constructing your local people.”
If artwork is extra of your curiosity, Sue Smith from re: Craft and Relic says, “In case you’re within the Milwaukee space, you’ll need to try probably the greatest maker markets within the space, re: Craft and Relic! We host a wide range of occasions round southeastern Wisconsin all year long, creating alternatives so that you can store small whereas having a good time with family and friends. With indoor occasions in the course of the chilly elements of the yr and out of doors occasions after we all simply need to spend our weekend on the beer backyard, you’re certain to have a very good time all yr lengthy! In case you get pleasure from supporting your neighborhood by buying from native artists, makers, craftsmen, meals artisans, classic curators, and pop-up boutiques.”
Dwell arts characterize human connection and the place the magic of inventive expression involves life. These performances provide audiences a novel, speedy expertise that recordings merely can’t seize. Black Arts MKE’s Andy Nelson states, “As a result of Milwaukee is named the Metropolis of Festivals, you possibly can attend a pageant any weekend in summer time. One value trying out is the MKE Black Theatre Pageant, positioned at numerous neighborhood venues throughout the town from August 8-25. The three-week celebration of Black arts and tradition provides a number of reside performs by Black playwrights with all-Black casts, staged readings, masterclasses, auditions, and poetry units. The pageant is produced by the native nonprofit Black Arts MKE, whose mission is to extend the supply and high quality of African American arts and tradition.”
Milwaukee hidden gems: discover the outside
Hidden gems lengthen exterior metropolis spots, nature is throughout providing unforgettable experiences. Veteran communications and advertising and marketing skilled Caitlin Moyer suggests, “The Forest Exploration Heart in Wauwatosa is a hidden gem! Take a stroll via the woods and get these “Up North” vibes with out the drive. It’s particularly stunning within the fall!” Only a fifteen-minute drive from the town lies a 67-acre, mature hardwood forest representing one of many final remaining remnants of the southern hardwood forests. The forest is a various habitat with a mixture of giant oak, maple, ash, and basswood bushes and sixteen different species.
Author Savannah Nelson states, “What many individuals don’t notice about Milwaukee is its summertime transformation right into a seaside city. Lake Michigan is so giant, that it simply feels just like the shores of a coast, together with sandy seashores. First-time guests ought to try Atwater Seaside for a scenic day on the lake, or head to South Shore, the place water views meet one of many metropolis’s finest beer gardens.”
Lake Michigan isn’t the one physique of water current in Milwaukee; the Milwaukee River additionally provides numerous issues to do. The river is a 3.7-mile that ties collectively the Historic Third Ward, Downtown, and Beerline B neighborhoods. Alongside the river, you possibly can discover artwork with its River Sculpture. As you stroll on the river stroll sculptures are up on show for guests to admire. Along with artwork, the river stroll is surrounded by locations to eat making it a handy place to go to. For a extra hands-on expertise, kayaking is an effective way to navigate the river.
Find out about Milwaukee’s historical past
Studying the historical past of a brand new place makes you admire it extra. As you discover you’ll want to soak within the tradition and historical past that every distinctive place has to supply.
Emma Smith from Jack and Kitty suggests visiting the Statues of Gertie the Duck and her Ducklings. “We advocate of us uncover Gertie the Duck, Milwaukee’s World Struggle II heroine, whose heartwarming story captured the nation. In 1945, an actual duck named Gertie made her nest on the Milwaukee River, and her story of triumphs and challenges drew nationwide consideration from a war-weary nation. Milwaukee officers assist transfer Gertie and her infants to a peaceable park. There, she grew to become extra than simply your common duck. She was like a good friend and a mom to many. Individuals would sit within the park and share their tales together with her.
At the moment, you possibly can honor the reminiscence of this notable animal by visiting the charming statues of Gertie and her ducklings on the Riverwalk, providing a pleasant stroll via Milwaukee’s wealthy historical past.”
Fingers-on historic experiences are the easiest way to study that’s the reason we advocate visiting The Nice Lakes Distillery. Renee Snacola from The Nice Lakes Distillery says, “Nice Lakes Distillery is a hidden gem in Milwaukee, WI, not just for its standing as Wisconsin’s unique distillery since 2004 but in addition for its dedication to crafting high-quality, handcrafted spirits. It stands as a beacon of ardour, craftsmanship, and Midwest heritage. Guests to the distillery can expertise the heat of the neighborhood in its cozy tasting room, the place they’ll study in regards to the artwork of distillation and savor meticulously crafted cocktails. This dedication to excellence and sustainability makes Nice Lakes Distillery a must-visit vacation spot for anybody who appreciates distinctive spirits and the tales they inform.
Artwork gallery gems
Artwork galleries function an area the place creativity, historical past, and tradition unite. As an artwork connoisseur or an off-the-cuff admirer, these galleries present greater than only a show of art work—they provide an immersive expertise.
Kyle from the David Barnett Gallery suggests, “One hidden gem we’d like to assist get the phrase out about is Wisconsin’s longest-running artwork gallery, the David Barnett Gallery. The gallery at the moment possesses a world stock of tens of hundreds of photos that span centuries of historical past and boasts the biggest assortment in Wisconsin that represents greater than 600 artists. All since 1968! Along with the trove of artwork items from all over the world, the constructing it calls house is a murals itself. The attractive and historic Button Mansion is without doubt one of the final remaining masterpieces in Milwaukee that displays the Italianate affect on Victorian structure and makes use of distinctive, cream-colored brick, which provides Milwaukee its fond nickname: The Cream Metropolis. The present enterprise of this small gallery is their new nonprofit group. The mission continues to be proudly supporting the collaborative nature and transformative energy of creativity, and preserving the legacies of the good, inventive minds that got here earlier than.”
Frank Juarez from Artdose Journal recommends the Milwaukee Gallery Night time & Day. “This quarterly artwork occasion spotlights the native artwork neighborhood. Venues within the Historic Third Ward, East City, Walker’s Level, and round Milwaukee open their doorways to the general public to have interaction with the artists, artwork collectors, and artwork patrons; expertise modern artistic endeavors, and embed themselves within the thriving and artistic tradition of the town.
Named one of many high artwork gala’s within the Midwest, the Morning Glory Artwork Honest brings collectively over 130 artists from across the nation. Monica from the Morning Glory Artwork Honest says guests should, “Try the Morning Glory Artwork Honest to seek out beautiful pottery, mesmerizing pictures, intricate woodwork, dazzling necklaces, whimsical sculpture and different superbly crafted items. The forty ninth annual occasion brings collectively greater than 130 gifted artists, August 10-11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., on the Plaza at Fiserv Discussion board, 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee.
The Morning Glory Artwork Honest is without doubt one of the space’s premier out of doors artwork occasions the place artists from close to and much showcase their creations in 10 classes, together with ceramics, fiber arts, glass, jewellery, combined media, portray and drawing, pictures and digital artwork, printmaking, sculpture, and wooden. Every artist is individually juried into the honest, based mostly on a committee evaluation of their portfolio. The stringent evaluation course of ensures the best degree of fantastic craft and artwork are introduced at Morning Glory.”
Milwaukee’s distinctive stops and retailers
Many locations all over the world have their recognized points of interest such because the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State, however we wished to showcase hidden locations for Milwaukee. For large readers, Downtown Books Purchased & Offered is a superb place to seek out your subsequent learn. With all kinds of genres, this bookstore is an area hub for bibliophiles. The bookstore holds a large assortment of used books for a terrific value welcoming any individual inquisitive about discovering their subsequent literary journey.
Procuring is a superb solution to spend a while and we advocate stopping by the American Science and Surplus. This retailer evokes human curiosity by providing a variety of merchandise normally with a science or academic background. The costs are low to maintain the entry-level open to whoever is interested by science. Whether or not you’re buying to your kids or the internal little one inside you, this cease will spark the child-like curiosity inside you.
