My visit to Milwaukee, a city that beckons with its stunning Lake Michigan setting and charming midwestern vibe, started off with a tour of the celebrated Milwaukee Art Museum. The moment I set eyes on this architectural masterpiece—with the Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion as its centerpiece—and saw the treasures it holds within, I knew this city was going to regale me with its rich array of must-do’s. In three short days, I hopped around Wisconsin’s most populous city, taking in a trio of must-visit museums, a handful of eateries and market halls (of course, there’s a brewery in that bunch), called a trendy hotel home and got a whirlwind tour of a city in motion.
A Trio of Museums
The Milwaukee Art Museum is stunning inside and out. Driving up to the building, your clients will notice a moveable sunscreen with a 217-ft. wingspan that unfolds and folds twice daily. Once they step into the museum, they’ll find the Windhover Hall, a cathedral-like space with gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and topped by a 90-ft. high glass roof. The museum has four floors with over 40 galleries—from folk art to German expressionism.
The Harley-Davidson Museum campus—one of the city’s most unique venues—pays homage to the 120-year history of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Here, visitors will be immersed in decades of motorcycle tales and have the opportunity to get an Instagram-worthy pic of them atop one of these iconic bikes. They’ll be surprised by some of 411 they pick up while touring this stupendous museum.
The third in a trio of unique-to-Milwaukee museums, the 2,500-sf America’s Black Holocaust Museum allows visitors to delve into the history of African Americans with a thought-provoking exhibit that stems from the pre-captivity of African Americans to the present. Founded by lynching survivor Dr. James Cameron, the museum’s goal, the director tells Recommend, is to initiate serious conversations “around systemic racism and equity.”
The Food Scene in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s culinary prowess is evident in it range of eateries, whether visitors are dining at an intimate restaurant or an iconic brewery. Head to the Spanish- and Portuguese-inspired Amilinda restaurant, with dishes that use locally sourced ingredients paired with specialty items from the Iberian Peninsula. Those who want to eat like a local can head to the 3rd St. Market Hall, whose food vendors are all original to the city, or take a detour to the multi-tier Milwaukee Public Market, with 20 vendors offering everything from locally baked goods and cheeses to artisan products. And when in Milwaukee, you’ve got to head to a brewery: Lakefront Brewery is tops.
To get the lay of the land hop on one of City Tours MKE’s eco-friendly cruisers—the 1-hour Discover Iconic Milwaukee tour is ideal for an introduction to the city.
Sports Haven
Located in the Deer District, adjacent to Fiserv Forum—home to the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks—The Trade, an Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott pays homage to the Milwaukee tradespeople with a stunning building and unique art and decorative pieces. The hotel, which opened in May 2023, has 207 rooms and suites and onsite dining with a rooftop restaurant and lounge. Unique to the hotel is the MVP Tall Rooms on the fourth floor, which feature heightened ceilings and showers and California King beds (it’s a nod to the NBA stars who play across the street).
For more information, go to visitmilwaukee.org.
