Milwaukee, WI

Travel Guide

Milwaukee Art Museum featuring art and modern architecture
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee featuring a park
Milwaukee Art Museum showing a river or creek and a sunset
Basilica of Saint Josaphat

Wisconsin’s major city is acclaimed for its rich history of brewing beer, a modern lakefront skyline and an eclectic festival scene.

Milwaukee exudes a laid-back Midwestern vibe. The city of almost 600,000 residents has a reputation as the “City of Festivals”, and Milwaukeeans know how to enjoy themselves.

Lake Michigan’s shoreline dominates the downtown area, framed by a skyline of modern steel and glass. The city also boasts preserved turn-of-the-century districts in East Town and the Historic Third Ward, which is dotted with theaters, galleries and restaurants.

Milwaukee has a colorful history with a strong German influence, and it’s still regarded as America’s “Brew City.” Get acquainted with Milwaukee’s beer heritage with a tour of the world-famous Miller Coors Brewery. Learn more about the city’s history at the Milwaukee Public Museum in downtown.

For more cultural pursuits, art lovers should make Milwaukee ArtMuseum (MAM) the first port of call. It features an impressive contemporary design and more than 30,000 works of art dating back to the 15th century. Visit the popular Charles Allis Art Museum in the city’s East Side neighborhood to browse elaborate antique furnishings and decorative art.

The best vantage point for photos of the city’s skyline is from Festival Park or along the Bay View promenade overlooking Lake Michigan. From here, it’s an easy walk to nearby Discovery World, which caters to children with hands-on science exhibits. Hire a car and venture further afield to visit the wildlife at Milwaukee County Zoo.

Milwaukee experiences cold winters, but there are plenty of indoor attractions to escape the chill. Spend a day browsing books at the Milwaukee Public Library, or visit indoor gardens at the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. Visit the city in summer, and you can enjoy a wealth of open-air events and a vibrant arts and entertainment scene on the lakefront. Go to the Water Street or Bay View districts to mingle in stylish waterfront bars and cafés until the early hours.

Where to stay in Milwaukee

Milwaukee

Downtown Milwaukee

Central business district with cultural, financial, and historical landmarks, Downtown Milwaukee offers shopping at The Shops of Grand Avenue, art galleries in the Historic Third Ward, high-end dining, and vibrant nightlife. Explore the Milwaukee Public Market and Riverwalk, or hop on the free streetcar system.

Downtown Milwaukee
Milwaukee County Zoo which includes dangerous animals and zoo animals as well as a small group of people

Wauwatosa

Wauwatosa is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Milwaukee County Zoo and Mayfair Mall while you're in town.

Wauwatosa
Milwaukee Art Museum

East Town

4.5/5(1,037 area reviews)

East Town is highly notable for its fantastic nightlife, and you might want to visit top sights like Lake Michigan and Veteran's Park. See more of Milwaukee by jumping on the metro at Michigan & Jackson Tram Stop or Clybourn & Jefferson Tram Stop.

East Town
Historic Third Ward

Historic Third Ward

4.5/5(32 area reviews)

Experience a historic warehouse district with a mix of specialty shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Visit the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and enjoy year-round gourmet options at the Milwaukee Public Market, easily accessible via The Hop.

Historic Third Ward
Milwaukee Public Library showing interior views

Westown

4.5/5(514 area reviews)

While visiting Westown, you might make a stop by sights like Miller High Life Theatre and Milwaukee Public Museum.

Westown
#localsecrets
Did you know Milwaukee has a secret waterfall?

Glendale

Glendale is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Bayshore Town Center or Milwaukee River Bike Trail.

Glendale
Sonesta Select Milwaukee Brookfield
Sonesta Select Milwaukee Brookfield
3 out of 5
16865 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, WI
The price is NT$2,391 per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
NT$2,391
NT$2,762 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Brookfield. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,121 reviews)
Nice hotel, reasonable price
"Everything was good. My only complaint was that there was a large sticky spot on the carpet."

Reviewed on 2025/7/1

Sonesta Select Milwaukee Brookfield
Sonesta Milwaukee West Wauwatosa
Sonesta Milwaukee West Wauwatosa
3.5 out of 5
10499 W Innovation Dr, Milwaukee, WI
The price is NT$2,523 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
NT$2,523
NT$2,925 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Milwaukee. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,371 reviews)
"Nice place to stay."

Reviewed on 2025/6/30

Sonesta Milwaukee West Wauwatosa
Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee North Shore
Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee North Shore
3 out of 5
8900 N Kildeer Ct, Milwaukee, WI
The price is NT$3,103 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
NT$3,103
NT$3,597 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Milwaukee. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Stayed here for one night when we went to summer fest. Check in was fast, 5 mins or so. Hotel was clean and the bed was really comfortable. They have a breakfast buffet but it’s not complimentary. We didn’t eat there. Would stay here again"

Reviewed on 2025/6/26

Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee North Shore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel
3 out of 5
1007 N Cass Street, Milwaukee, WI
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Milwaukee. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,089 reviews)
"Nice place close to cool stuff. No elevator but i didnt mind."

Reviewed on 2025/6/29

The Plaza Hotel
Kasa Westown Milwaukee
Kasa Westown Milwaukee
4 out of 5
840 West Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Milwaukee. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Fiserv Forum and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (84 reviews)
Would stay there again.
"Fantastic! It’s like having an entire apartment for the price of an hotel room. We had a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, a living room and 2 bathrooms. Clean, comfortable and convenient. Would definitely recommend."

Reviewed on 2025/6/12

Kasa Westown Milwaukee
KLVG - Malt House
KLVG - Malt House
4 out of 5
1009 West Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Milwaukee. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions Fiserv Forum and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6 reviews)
"The location and vibe is so amazing. We loved the industrial culture in the brewery district. The management messed up our reservation which made things a little annoying and inconvenient. If that error had not happened it ould have be excellent. But getting the dates wrong and prepping apartment ..."

Reviewed on 2025/5/29

KLVG - Malt House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Milwaukee

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1689
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
1928
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
536
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
47
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
35
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Milwaukee is wonderfully random place on a great lake!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

No

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Can't really say anything about it.... Milwaukee still closed from the Virus. Couldn't do anything.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Josh was VERY accommodating to my families needs. We didn't have soap in our room, he made sure we got it! He was always there (during his shift) when we needed something. THANK YOU JOSH :o) Ms. April...she went ABOVE & BEYOND to make our stay nice!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It was nice. It was kinda sad we went to see a base ball game but due to the Covid 19 places were closed al we could do was walk around the lake

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Safer at home order in place so not much to do but conveniently located to do lots of fun stuff when things open back up.

Cities near Milwaukee