Courtesy Visit Milwaukee
Location: Located on the western shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an ideal location for exploring the beautiful southeastern Wisconsin region.
Size: With a population of close to 600,000, Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin.
Surprising Milwaukee
The safe and vibrant downtown is an exciting destination for groups. Whether your gang is together at a museum or a restaurant, or enjoying some free time to explore on their own, downtown Milwaukee has many options.
Two-mile-long Milwaukee RiverWalk, in the heart of downtown, winds along the Milwaukee River with access to some of the city’s best restaurants, brewpubs, shops and waterfront nightlife. Eye-catching public art gives the RiverWalk the feel of an outdoor gallery and easy-to-read directional signs elaborate on the city’s history. And visitors can’t help but find fun along the way, as the area is the site of many Milwaukee events, including River Rhythms and the Milwaukee River Challenge.
Eventful Milwaukee
Throughout the summer, Milwaukee is considered the City of Festivals. Located on the festival grounds along Lake Michigan and throughout the city, those festivals are a celebration of the area’s diverse culture and more. Visitors can take part in the German Fest, the Polish Fest, the Festa Italiana or the Irish Fest, all of which have been named by the American Bus Association to the list of Top 100 Events in America.
The Milwaukee Art Museum is host to the Lakefront Festival of Arts, which features 180 artists from around the world and entertainment for all ages. Summerfest, considered the world’s largest music festival, is a 10-day warm-weather event.
Remembering Milwaukee
Visitors can purchase local microbrews from the many breweries in town, among them the Lakefront Brewery, the Sprecher Brewery and the Milwaukee Brewing Company. If beer isn’t your group members’ beverage of choice, they can try Sprecher’s line of sodas, including its award-winning root beer.
Groups might like to stop in at Usinger’s Sausages, which has been on Old World Third Street for more than 100 years and is still run by the family. Of course, Wisconsin is also synonymous with cheese, and a local cheese factory, the Clock Shadow Creamery, makes fine Wisconsin and artisanal cheeses daily. A tour of this tasty venue is a popular activity for groups.
Beyond the food and drink, a one-of-a-kind item from the Harley-Davidson Museum gift shop is a must for the hip chicks and cool dudes on your tour.
