You may say Wisconsin’s largest metropolis is having a second. However that’s in all probability not correct because it’s absolutely greater than only a second.
Milwaukee, with a inhabitants of about 560,000, is a large enough metropolis to have world-class points of interest however sufficiently small to make it straightforward to get round. It’s at present within the highlight for a number of causes.
The large information is the Republican Nationwide Conference, which will likely be held in Milwaukee July 15-18, bringing an estimated 50,000 guests, together with worldwide journalists for the four-day occasion.
Shortly earlier than the RNC, the town’s annual three-weekend music extravaganza, Summerfest, is probably going to attract greater than 600,000 to the Lake Michigan shore. And the week after the conference, 80,000 individuals are anticipated for Harley-Davidson’s annual Homecoming competition, July 25-28, with big-name entertainers.
After which there’s the tv present. Bravo’s actuality sequence “High Chef” was filmed in Milwaukee and different Wisconsin spots final yr and commenced airing its 14 weekly episodes on March 20. Viewers get an enormous dose of Wisconsin landscapes, historical past and tradition together with the meals porn.
Sure, this metropolis on the shores of Lake Michigan is getting loads of consideration. Listed below are a number of the the reason why, and concepts that may draw you to go to earlier than, throughout or after these large occasions.
Beer
Lengthy referred to as Brew Metropolis (that German affect), 27 breweries function in Milwaukee. That compares with greater than 40 breweries tapping kegs again within the 1860s. Of these 40, 4 are nonetheless round: Blatz, Pabst, Miller and Schlitz, as soon as the biggest beer producer within the U.S. and referred to as “the beer that made Milwaukee well-known.”
Hanging out at Lakefront Brewery, particularly after a stroll alongside the Milwaukee RiverWalk, is a good way to spend a while. Pattern the gold-medal profitable RiverWest Stein, an amber lager, alongside some tasty fried cheese curds.
Head to third Road Market Corridor to take a look at Metropolis Fountain, a self-serve indoor beer backyard the place you may pattern as a lot or as little as you want of a few of Wisconsin’s finest beer. You’re charged by the ounce.
There are all types of beer excursions accessible in Milwaukee and its surrounding areas. Discover the one which’s best for you at visitmilwaukee.org.
And if visiting breweries and taverns isn’t sufficient to get your beer repair, take into account this: the Brewhouse Inn and Suites is a 90-room boutique lodge constructed on the location of the historic Pabst brewery. The rooms are organized round a central courtyard housing large copper brewing kettles.
Historical past
Milwaukee’s historical past is alive and on full show in so some ways. When European immigrants started arriving in the US in giant numbers after 1850, Milwaukee was the vacation spot for Germans. Right this moment, the town’s brewing trade, its custom of ethnic festivals and some Gilded Age mansions are a part of that German custom that guests can discover.
It was within the Nineties that teenager William Harley met Arthur Davidson in a Milwaukee neighborhood. Shortly after the flip of the century, they produced the primary Harley-Davidson bikes. Right this moment, that historical past is examined at one of many metropolis’s largest vacationer locations, the Harley-Davidson Museum. It’s a 20-acre advanced with retail shops, eating places and two flooring of memorabilia.
A extra conventional historical past tour is on the Pabst Mansion, the place applications assist inform the historical past of brewing, artwork and structure of the time with the spectacular Gilded Age mansion from which Frederick Pabst ran the brewery.
Meals
For thus lengthy, Milwaukee has been well-known for brats, cheese and frozen custard. That’s nonetheless true, and ensure to pattern a few of these abdomen pleasers. (Leon’s is my favourite for custard.) However there’s far more to the Milwaukee meals scene, which is getting a lot of consideration thanks partially to “High Chef.”
Do your individual analysis to seek out what tempts you most, however listed here are a number of eating places I like to recommend for can’t-miss eating experiences.
DanDan, described as American-Chinese language delicacies, is helmed by “High Chef” contestant Dan Jacobs. His Blissful Hen is a dish to recollect, spicy, crispy and flavorful. I might return only for that.
At Birch, the farm-to-table menu from chef Kyle Knall drew the eye of the New York Occasions, rating it one of many High 50 eating places within the U.S. in 2023. The ember-roasted walleye, wood-roasted pork chop and ricotta-filled pasta are standouts.
The Diplomat, a comfortable neighborhood spot the place chef Dane Baldwin claimed a James Beard Award in 2022, presents approachable, shareable plates. Excellent substances and fascinating combos elevate easy dishes. The Knife & Fork Hen and the Diplomac prime beef burger are well-liked selections.
Artwork
Milwaukee just isn’t shy within the outside mural class, however what may make it totally different from different cities is that many items deal with beer and sports activities.
For structure followers, a go to to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block is a should. It’s the famend architect’s assortment of reasonably priced housing models and is open to the general public on most Saturdays. Excursions typically promote out, so plan in advance.
However the indeniable star on this class is the Milwaukee Art Museum, referred to as a lot for its collections and reveals as for its structure. Designed by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the principle constructing perches subsequent to Lake Michigan like a chook, or a ship, or a sail, and has grow to be a metropolis landmark.
4 flooring with greater than 40 galleries show a broad assortment with items starting from historic ornamental arts to Renaissance work and documentary images. There’s additionally a big assortment of works from German artists.
Out of doors recreation
Although Milwaukee has the facilities of an enormous metropolis, outside recreation can also be plentiful.
Throughout summer time, Bradford Seashore is a well-liked vacation spot. It’s a large, sandy expanse alongside Lake Michigan the place volleyball leagues share the sand with sunbathers. It’s only a quick drive from downtown.
There’s 135 miles of paved trails looping round Milwaukee County. Try the 2-mile Seven Bridges Path in close by South Milwaukee. It crosses bridges and stairways constructed by the Works Progress Administration virtually 100 years in the past by ravines alongside Lannon stone paths.
Veterans Park, additionally alongside the lakefront, is a vacation spot for kite flyers, kayakers and standup paddle boarders. There’s a kite retailer on website and an organization that rents kayaks and standup paddle boards. These water actions are additionally accessible on the town’s rivers.
Sports activities and festivals
Milwaukee is a big sports activities city and in summer time a visit to American Household Discipline to look at the Brewers play baseball is a should. New this yr on the subject is an annex of the third Road Market Corridor. So alongside together with your brats and beer, you may nosh on empanadas and crab Rangoon whereas watching the sport and the sausage mascot races on the backside of the sixth inning.
Milwaukee is named the town of festivals with almost 100 on the calendar for occasions in and across the metropolis. Many rejoice the cultures of the immigrants who formed the town. Others rejoice meals and artwork. There’s even the Bizarre Fest, which appears to be principally about beer, in order that’s probably not too bizarre for Milwaukee.
Terri Colby is a freelancer.
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