Looking for a quick weekend trip? Check out Milwaukee, WI!
I lived in Milwaukee for 4 years, so I do consider myself an expert in this city.
Follow along for the do’s and don’ts of MKE bellow 🙂
Food:
Let’s start with my favorite topic – food
Milwaukee, just like anywhere else in Wisconsin, is known for their beer, brats, and cheese curds
Where would one go for the best cheese curds in MKE? The answer is Lakefront brewery – they have literally won awards for their cheese curds. We will get more into breweries down the line or if you’re eager, click here.
Brunch Spots:
Storyhill BKC
This brunch spot is perfect if you want to escape the chaos of the city. Something about the atmosphere just makes you calm.
Engine Company No. 3
Now this place knows how to brunch!! Their menu is tapas style, so feel free to try one of each (if you can).
Honeypie
If you like a sweet breakfast, this ones for you. If you like savory, this ones also for you.. just as long as you don’t forget the pie.
Comet Cafe
Really fun and eccentric environment that serves lots of veggie and vegan options!
Great casual lunch/dinner restaurants:
Yes, Wisconsin is known for their cheese curds, but they’ve also got some great dining options!
Wicked Hop
The most amazing grilled cheese, like EVER. Do not skip this place when in milwaukee
Cafe Benelux
this restaurant is a staple. I bring my family here every time they visit, it’s become a tradition. The food will never fail you here. You also get incredible views from their outdoor patio in the summer.
BelAir Cantina
If you want some really cool vibes, and some delicious chips and salsas, you can’t go wrong with BelAir. Although, be advised they do not take reservations so expect to wait if you come at a popular time.
Honorable mention to Ian’s pizza
Best pizza by the slice that Milwaukee has to offer. This is not a sitdown restaurant, but no MKE post can be made without mentioning it.
Dessert:
Wisconsin IS the DairyLand so don’t you dare skip out on the ice cream!
Kopp’s
if you leave Milwaukee before trying this custard, I will be upset. Kopp’s has 3 locations in the Milwaukee area. Before checking out this custard shop, be sure to check their website for the flavor of the day so you get the flavor you’re after! They can have anything from Tiramisu to German Apple Streusel.
Purple Door
Can’t decide on 1 flavor, have a flight of 4 flavors of your choosing! How heavenly!
Best Coffee (now we’re talking):
Gotta stay caffeinated if we’re going to hit all of Milwaukee’s hot spots!
Collectivo Coffee
This chain began in Milwaukee, but now has locations in Chicago!! If you want to check out its true roots, I recommend Collectivo on the Lakefront. Nothing beats a good cup of coffee with some views.
Likewise Coffee
this place is my best kept secret, but I am sharing it with you because everyone deserves the world’s best cup of coffee.
Now onto Nightlife:
Milwaukee nightlife has a little bit of everything. From dive bars to Latin clubs, there’s something for everyone.
Casual bars:
Camp Bar
My favorite Milwaukee bar to ever exist. It’s like a cozy lodge with tons of space, and has popcorn and darts.
Duke’s on Water
Honestly, this place is a gem, and it always has some kind of deals going on. Plus there’s a giant beer pong table for some added entertainment.
Wolski’s Tavern
This is one of Milwaukee’s best dives, and it has that neighborhood feel that makes you comfortable and cozy. They also have a pool table & dart boards, making it a great place to hang out with a crowd.
McGillycuddy’s
Besides being named after a vodka, this place is awesome. It has 3 floors of fun. It’s not as casual as the above 3 bars, but it’s not a club either. It’s just a good place to have a good time.
Arcade Bars:
Up-Down MKE
This place has both arcade games and other games like skee ball and even shuffleboard.
Pro TIP: Pizza is $2 by the slice on Fridays before 8pm. And it’s quite tasty.
AXE MKE
This bar is AWESOME. It is located in the East Side, and offers an incredibly cozy and local experience. The staff is friendly and attentive – we came here with a rather large group and were ordering buckets and buckets of beers and never seemed to run out! Definitely give this place a try if you want to mix up your weekend plans.
Clubs:
Lucid
Lucid is a safe bet if you’re looking for a fun time. It’s a little smaller than other clubs, but the music makes up for it.
District on Water
This is one of my favorite clubs in Milwaukee. They play great Latin music, making it the best place to go when you want to dance.
Milwaukee Public Market:
The public market gets its own section in this blog, because I have spent too much time here for it not too. It’s a great place to wander around and shop.
They have a wine tasting section, ice cream parlor, chocolatier, a seafood market, a cooking class, and multiple lunch/dinner options. But most importantly, have the rose lemonade while you’re there. Overall, this place has a great aesthetic with great food. You can’t beat the liveliness of this place on a Saturday afternoon.
Breweries:
City Lights
Not only does City Lights produce my favorite beer (the coconut porter of course) but it is also a great place to hang out with large groups.
Lakefront Brewery
This is a great brewery to check out if you’re in it for more than just the beer. The food is great, and the cheese curds are some of the best in Milwaukee. Don’t forget to try them with a side of ranch to be a true midwesterner.
MKE Brewing Company
Unfortunately this place is relocating and is not currently open to visitors. However, when it does reopen, you have to check it out! For just $15 this place will get you absolutely hammered – “half pours” more like full pours.
Ballpark:
Miller park, which is now renamed to American Family Field, is ranked 21st out of all 30 MLB ballparks.
The rating is pretty low, but hey at least it’s higher than my home team’s stadium (Chicago White Sox) which is ranked 28th.
The reason the American Family Field is ranked so low is because of its retractable roof – however, I really don’t see it as an eyesore that everyone else does, but maybe that’s just me.
The issue I have with this stadium is that it’s outside of the city, which requires you to drive or uber there. However, this also means it’s a great Ballpark to have a tailgate at.
All in all, though, pretty much any seat is a good one in this stadium. And hey, they’ve got cheese curds, so I am sold.
Milwaukee Art Museum:
The Milwaukee Art Museum is Milwaukee’s hottest tourist destination, and for good reason. The architectural design is reason enough to give this place a visit. Apart from the architecture and stunning views of the lakefront, the museum also features a strong collection of modern art. Even if you are not an art connoisseur this museum is worth checking out!
Mitchell Park Domes:
This is a great place to visit for some much needed ~zen time~
This place is especially great to visit during the winter months when you’re trying to escape the cold!
The Mitchell Park Domes feature 3 biospheres – a desert, a tropical climate, and a showplace that rotates year round.
It’s also great to be able to learn about a variety of plants from many different regions. Not a plant expert? No worries, everything is labeled! So, whether you want to learn more about plants or simply enjoy their beauty, its worth checking out! Afterall, plants are scientifically proven to improve mood so get going! 🙂
Parks and Beaches:
Looking for some more relaxing activities in Milwaukee? Well, you’re in luck because there is a ton of greenery and tranquility to explore in Milwaukee 🙂
Bradford Beach
Bradford Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Milwaukee, and that is largely due to its great location – just steps from the city. Another plus is that the beach is large, so there’s plenty of room for you and your group.
Atwater Park
This is my favorite beach in Milwaukee. It is a lot more relaxed than Bradford Beach, which is why I am drawn to it. It has a more local feel to it, and is perfect when you need a little bit of calm in your life.
Klode Park
Klode Park is located in Whitefish Bay, which is about 15 minutes from downtown Milwaukee. And let me tell you: you will not find a more peaceful park than this! It’s the perfect place to have a picnic, hang out with friends, or just relax and read a book.
Juneau Park
This is a very lively park located in Milwaukee! There are also many events that occur here, ranging from yoga at the park to live music! Worth checking out if you want to spend some extra time outside!
Thanks for checking out my blog and I hope your next trip is near!
4 responses to “Milwaukee”
Great read – always love a city by the lake.
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Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for leaving a comment! 🙂