When talking about the best cities to visit in the U.S., you’re more likely to think of places like Miami, Honolulu, Dallas, and New Orleans. Milwaukee probably doesn’t even make it to the top 10 for you.
But hear me out; Milwaukee just might make perfect sense for you if you:
- Don’t want to leave the country;
- Want to get the best out of your vacation;
- Want to avoid the usual tourist hotspots.
Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin. It has a glowing art scene, lots of colorful festivals, the loveliest cuisines, and the most pleasant locals. For me, it perfectly balances adventure and comfort. So, if you’d rather avoid the pressure that often comes with vacationing in high-profile destinations, you’ll likely find that easier to do here.
Below are a couple of my best tips for enjoying your visit to Brew City!
A Quick Guide to Making the Most of Your Vacation to Milwaukee
Brew City is one of those destinations you don’t really need a detailed itinerary to enjoy. That said, there are a few steps you can take to make your trip that much more fun and rewarding. These include:
Tip #1 – Stay Where the Fun Is
There are more than 50 great hotels you can stay in Milwaukee! What makes this even better is that many of these places are pretty pocket-friendly. But if you want to stay where the fun is at (Third Ward or Downtown), you’re going to have to loosen those purse strings a little. The tradeoff is that you’ll be within walking distance of some of the top attractions of the city, like:
- Lake Michigan;
- Deer District;
- Fiserv Forum.
Plus, you’ll be closer to all the best restaurants!
Also, staying in a central location means you can save on transportation expenses. This kinda evens out what you have to pay for accommodation.
Tip #2 – Use “the Hop”
There’s no subway system in this gigantic city. What Milwaukee does have is a free streetcar service simply known as “the Hop.” This service runs every 15 minutes and 20 minutes during peak and off-peak times, respectively. You don’t need a ticket or reservation; just hop on when you want!
Free rides abound in this city as most restaurants and bars will offer their patrons free shuttles to festivals or sporting events.
Tip #3 – Have a Cold One
How can you go to the highest beer-producing city in the world (at one time) and not have a beer? Sure, microbreweries are very popular today, but Milwaukee was in the business long before anyone thought to give it a try.
So, tour the local brewery scene and have a beer sample (or four) while you’re at it. While there’s certainly a lot to see here, my top two recommendations are the Lakefront Brewery and MobCraft Beer.
Tip #4 – Go Local
Contrary to public opinion, Milwaukee’s got a lot more to offer in the food department than beer and cheese. You can enjoy incredible local delicacies like Bratwursts, frozen custard, ButterBurgers, and other iconic food staples and traditions here. If you do stay in the Third Ward, a good place to start your culinary journey is the Milwaukee Public Market.
Tip #5 – Relax a Little
There is no shortage of fun places and activities that you can check out in this amazing city. You could explore the Milwaukee Riverwalk or visit Bradford Beach. If you’re out for something more physically engaging, you could try biking the Oak Leaf Trail or try a few slices at the Milwaukee County Parks.
What makes this city special for me is its diverse and engaging culture. You could arrive in Brew City and take a completely different route from the above and still have the time of your life!
So, go have a blast!
