A city in Wisconsin that is known for its many breweries, Milwaukee is a place you shouldn’t miss if you’re into craft beers, arts, and nature. It has numerous parks, a vibrant beer industry, and interesting museums. One of the great things you’ll find here is the Harley-Davidson Museum which exhibits a collection of classic motorcycles which includes one of Elvis Presley’s bike. If you haven’t finished planning your itinerary and looking for some not-so-typical activity while you are in the city, then read on, and discover our list of the best unique things to do in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and have the best holiday yet.
1. Enjoy ice skating at Slice of Ice in Red Arrow Park
Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Slice of Ice in Red Arrow Park is a seasonal ice skating rink that is perfect for the whole family. You can rent the equipment such as skates and skates support at the warming house. You’ll also find there a Starbucks where you sip a cup of coffee to warm your inside. Another good thing about this property is it they offer free rental of ice sleds for people with mobility issues.
Slice of Ice in Red Arrow Park
Address: 920 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Website: Slice of Ice in Red Arrow Park
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm
Price: 7 - 9 USD
2. Drink beer and gamble at a parish festival
Being a big city, you’ll expect that Milwaukee wouldn’t have the small-city events like a parish festival. However, to your surprise, you’ll find that almost every weekend they have a festival honouring a saint. It shows how community-centred this place is. Have fun going booth after booth and trying out everything it has to offer like gambling and other fun activities. You’ll also find many stalls offering you beer and food.
St. Gregory the Great’s Festival
Address: 3160 South 63 Street, Milwaukee WI 53219
Website: St. Gregory the Great’s Festival
3. Discover how cheeseheads are made at Foamation
Wisconsin is known for its cheeseheads just like you cannot go to San Francisco without seeing or having a picture with the Golden Gate Bridge. It has been a pop culture that many wear this in football games and even at weddings. So what better experience to have in Milwaukee than to know more about how to make cheeseheads in its very own local establishment, the Foamation. During the tour, you’ll know how it originates, the process, and the workplace.
Foamation, Inc.
Address: 1120 S Barclay St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
Website: Foamation, Inc.
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 11am - 6pm (closed on sunday)
Price: 12 - 25 USD
4. Craft beer fans should take the historic Pabst Brewery tour
If you’re a craft beer enthusiast and an avid fan of breweries, then you’ll love this historic tour of Pabst Brewery. You’ll be visiting the Best Place which is located in the center of the old Pabst Brewery. This establishment celebrates the history of the old brewery. You’ll have a chance to look around The Great Hall, the Captain’s Corner, historic Blue Ribbon Hall, the Tap Room, as well as its two lovely courtyards. During the tour, you will also drop by the gift shop, where you’ll find a large collection of beer merchandise.
Pabst Brewery
Address: 917 W Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
Website: Pabst Brewery
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 5pm - 8pm; Fri: 4pm - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 4pm
Price: 10 USD
5. Learn some scientific facts at the Discovery World
If you’re on vacation in Milwaukee and looking for a fun and educational activity for your kids, then Discovery World will make your kids happy while learning. It is one of the city’s premier non-profit establishment that offers interactive activities, educational programs and labs, and a look to the Reiman Aquarium that features diverse marine life. The museum focuses on two areas such as technology and freshwater sciences, which you will see in its labs and exhibits. Moreover, it has an award-winning summer camp that includes a boy scout and girl scout programs.
Discovery World
Address: 500 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Website: Discovery World
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm
Price: 12 - 14 USD
6. Have a taste of Uber Tap Room's microbrews
Who would have thought that cheese goes well with beer? Usually, cheese and wine are the safe ground, but the Uber Tap Room begs to differ. Here, they will offer you the famous Wisconsin artisan cheese to go with your Wisconsin craft beer. The establishment offers 36 local tap beer that you can pair with their ever-expanding cheese menu. Also, they have other bar chow here like the sausages, mac and cheese dishes, and grilled cheese, and more.
Uber Tap Room
Address: 1048 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA
Website: Uber Tap Room
Opening hours: Thu - Fri: 4pm - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 8pm (closed from Mon - Wed)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
7. Savor the beer-flavored ice cream at Purple Door Ice Cream
A local premium ice cream parlor in Milwaukee, Purple Door Ice Cream is one of the go-to-places of the locals when they are craving for this cold concoction. The establishment makes their ice cream in small batches and comes in the usual flavors as well as innovative ones. Each item in their menu is homemade and from locally sourced ingredients. Don’t forget to order their signature ice cream, the “ice cream flights,” when you visit.
Purple Door Ice Cream
Address: 205 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
Website: Purple Door Ice Cream
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 10pm
8. Try your hand at Palermo's pizza factory
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Villa Palermo Factory & Company Store is one of the famous pizza joints in Milwaukee. A family weekend will not be complete without a slice of this exquisite pie. If you want to learn how they make it, you can join the factory tour, and discover how they turn dough into something every person can’t resist, which is a great slice of pizza. Apart from the process, you’ll also learn about their history, fun facts, and see for yourself the place where the magic happens.
Villa Palermo Factory & Company Store
Address: 3301 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53208, USA
Website: Villa Palermo Factory & Company Store
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5pm (closed on Sat - Sun)
9. Marvel at the unique sculptures at Lynden Sculpture Garden
If you want an activity that is a combination of art and nature, then you have to come and visit the Lynden Sculpture Garden. The said garden has an area of 40 acres that is comprised of a park, woodland, and a lake. It houses 50 monumental sculptures that have been collected from the 60s and 70s. Make sure to bring your family and friends when you visit.
Lynden Sculpture Garden
Address: 2145 W Brown Deer Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217, USA
Website: Lynden Sculpture Garden
Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 10am - 5pm (closed on Thu)
Price: 9 - 12 USD
10. Go on a haunted walk with your friends
Another unique experience you can have at Milwaukee is joining a haunted walk. Have you heard of Baraboo? If no, this is the time you know about this most haunted area of Wisconsin. You won’t be entering building and establishments but mostly walk around the street while your guide tells you ghost stories about the place. Don’t worry the trail is only 10 blocks long and is good for the whole family, especially kids.
Book Tours : Haunted Walks
Head to Milwaukee
Make sure to have a lot of energy when you visit Milwaukee for you won’t run out of things to do while you’re here, from brewery tours to museum hopping up to ghost haunting. In case you want something out of the tourist pamphlet kind of activity, make sure to check out our list of unique things to do in Milwaukee.
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