Places to go in the Milwaukee area?

September 14, 2007 5:37 AM

I have a friend visiting the Milwaukee area from Peru. She will be here for a number of months, so I would like to spend time showing her the local sites. I'm looking for recommendations on places to go that would represent the local culture.

Summerfest and State Fair would be good examples of what I'm looking for, but they are over. Other easy things that come to mind are the Museum and Zoo, and perhaps the Domes, but I'm not sure these places would exactly be significant except that they would be a fun way to spend a day. We are going to El Tondero (Milwaukee's own self-proclaimed "only Peruvian restaurant") but I would like to find other restaurants and, perhaps, walking tours as well. I had thought of the Safehouse and then walking around the Third Ward, as well.
I'm not specifically limiting this to the Milwaukee area and would consider anything throughout the state if it were worth travelling to see.
I should add that we are both in our young to mid-30's, male and female.
Thanks!

posted by mcarthey to Society & Culture (30 answers total)

Is the Miller Brewery still doing tours? Cause that was hilarious to me when I went. In a good way.

Also, head down to Racine and look at some of the cool Frank Lloyd Wright buildings there. Johnson Wax headquarters is one, and there are some cool houses, as well. Little ones, if I remember correctly.
posted by Stewriffic at 6:00 AM on September 14, 2007

a movie at the Oriental Theater and bowling at Landmark Lanes
a sporting event - Brewers game - complete with tailgating
a concert at the Pabst or a play at the Rep
a trip up the river
take the ferry across to Michigan (never done that, may be boring)
a tour of Miller or Sprecher breweries
Alterra by the Lake - sometimes they have music, sometimes it's South American
find a polka band
have a fish fry (Serb Hall?)
eat at Mader's or Ratszch's
a trip to Madison for a Badgers game or just the State Street craziness
depending on your budget, a trip up to the American Club in Kohler
you can't get any more "Wisconsin" than Green Bay

also, I'm not up to searching right now, but there's a list at OnMilwaukee.com of "the top 100 things you have to do in Milwaukee" or something like that. Most are quite stereotypical stuff ("take a drink at a bubbler") but might inspire you.
posted by desjardins at 6:01 AM on September 14, 2007

For tasty souvenirs, don't forget the Mars Cheese Castle on I-94.
posted by desjardins at 6:09 AM on September 14, 2007

Are you willing to travel down to Chicago? It's really only about a 1.5 hour drive and of course there's a metric shitton of stuff to do there, too. Or you could take the train.

[NOT MILWAUKEEIST]
posted by sugarfish at 6:09 AM on September 14, 2007

Desjardins has lots of good suggestions...

It's a bit of a shame, but things do slow down here a bit after labor day...

Here's my list though:
Tour Lakefront Brewery
second a Brewer's game (get tickets soon).
I haven't been there yet but Discovery World
Go from bar to bar on a Friday night.
Bike either the Hank Aaron trail or the Oak Leaf trail.
The museum, the zoo, and the domes are all pleasant, but the domes doesn't take that long.
Go bowling at the Holler House.
Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the other one.
Go down Kinnickinnic Street.
Go canoeing on the Milwaukee River.
Have a drink in the Polaris bar on top of the Hilton.
It might be tacky, but the Potawatomi Casino was a strange but fun experience (a cascading waterfall of clinking money sounds).
Visit the smaller art museums (the Hagarty, Inova at UWM, the galleries downtown).
The Milwaukee Public Market.
Walk through Lake Park, or in McKinley park, go all the way out on the pier.


Near Milwaukee...
Visit Old World Wisconsin
Aztalan (probably spelled wrong) State Park is pretty neat.

You might want to go on a "tour" of restaurants for various Milwaukee ethnic groups... Desjardins covered German so... Three Brothers for Serbian, County Claire for Irish, Mimma's for Italian, Cafe Brucke for Italian, Lake Park Bistro for French dining.
posted by drezdn at 6:19 AM on September 14, 2007

Also, if she likes books, stop in at Downtown Books, any of the Schwartz's, Renaissance Books, etc.
posted by drezdn at 6:21 AM on September 14, 2007

pffft @ sugarfish...
posted by desjardins at 6:22 AM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]

Ice Skating at the Pettite Center.
posted by drezdn at 6:22 AM on September 14, 2007

omg, how did everyone fail to mention FROZEN CUSTARD? Take your visitor to Kopp's, Gilles', or Leon's.
posted by desjardins at 6:24 AM on September 14, 2007 [1 favorite]

There is nothing quite like sitting in the crowd at Lambeau Field surrounded by people wearing foam cheese wedges on their heads. Go Packers! (They usually play one game in Milwaukee, but the experience is not quite the same.)
posted by caddis at 6:27 AM on September 14, 2007

The Jelly Belly factory tour, in Pleasant Prarie, right by the Illinois state line

Seconding Kopp's frozen custard. I LOVE their cheeseburgers too

If you travel up to Kohler, be sure to eat at The Charcoal Inn in Sheboygan

And of course, The House on the Rock!
posted by Kangaroo at 6:31 AM on September 14, 2007

Funny, I actually logged in this morning to search for Milwaukee things to do - great timing!

I've been there a couple of times and as corny as it is, I really love The Safe House. It's so silly and over the top, I love it.

I like walking down East Brady St - always something interesting going on along that street. Right off it (N. Warren Ave) there is a super cute thrift store, Annie's Second Hand Chic, which is extremely well stocked, great prices, and incredibly helpful.

The art museum on the lake is outstanding.

I'm seconding the going down to Racine to see some of the Wright buildings. Amazing, amazing.
posted by banannafish at 6:38 AM on September 14, 2007

If you do head down to Racine, check out their Art museum. It's small but good.
posted by drezdn at 6:49 AM on September 14, 2007

Taliesin for sure, but I can't support taking anyone to the House on the Rock.
posted by nightwood at 7:29 AM on September 14, 2007

For kind of an interesting history experience, you could walk the grounds of the Milwaukee Veterans Administration, including Woods National Cemetary (which IIRC is the second largest in the country behind Arlington).
posted by drezdn at 7:32 AM on September 14, 2007

I'll second the zoo. It's world class. The bonobos alone are worth the admission fee. Take the bus there, though, because parking is outrageous. The 10 will drop you off right across the street.

If you want a good taste of what the city used to be like in the late 19th century and early 20th, head on over to the historical society downtown and then take a driving tour of the south side and admire the architecture. People used to refer to the city as the most European city outside of Europe, or something along those lines. Old World Milwaukee (I believe that's what it's called) is a part of the museum that is pretty neat if you're into that kind of thing.

The Greek Orthodox Church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is worth checking out, but make sure to take a look inside too.
posted by erpava at 7:37 AM on September 14, 2007

Time Out Chicago recently put out a good Milwaukee guide.

Go to American Serb Hall for Friday fish fry. Or, go just about anywhere for Friday fish fry! :-)

Keep an eye out for the next Gallery Night — you can cruise between galleries, get some free nibbles and see a lot of people and art.

You could see a play at the Milwaukee Rep or go to a concert at The Pabst Theater.

Also, even if something may be seen to you only as a fun way to spend time, it may still be very interesting to her -- a lot of mundane things reveal local culture. For instance, just drive around Cudahy or West Allis to see places that haven't changed in years. Visit 7 Mile Fair. Go apple picking at an orchard. Walk around Cedarburg (there's a Wine & Harvest Festival this weekend). Visit the Kettle Moraine area and Holy Hill. Go hiking at Devil's Lake. See the Canadian geese migration at Horicon Marsh.
posted by limeswirltart at 7:41 AM on September 14, 2007

Gaaah! I'm seconding desjardins above about the Rep, Pabst and Serb Hall. :-) Ok, back to work for me! (blush)
posted by limeswirltart at 7:56 AM on September 14, 2007

Make sure she closes Wolski's, for one thing.

Go to a haunted house, go apple picking, have some fresh cider, it's fall!

A Bucks game is always fun, maybe Major Goolsby's before the game?
posted by bijou at 7:59 AM on September 14, 2007

If you do go to Wolski's please be kind to the people that live near by ;)

Seconding 7 Mile Fair, especially when it's warm enough for outside vendors. It's the only place I've been in my life were I could buy a live chicken, a guitar or a car.
posted by drezdn at 8:10 AM on September 14, 2007

I haven't been back to Milwaukee for years! I miss Atomic Records. It's where I first heard R.E.M. when I was 12. I miss Downer's Woods and Brady Street and The Oriental. Are there still rock concerts at Lake Park Pavilion?

One of the things I liked to do as a teen was take a bike ride along the Lake Michigan trails. There are places nearby to rent bikes for the day, if that appeals to you. I'm totally thirding or fourthing Kopp's. Is Jake's Delicatessen still around on 17th and North? Though I've had many a NYC pastrami with mustard on rye, I remember Jake's with special fondness. And I went to Madison for uni, so I can also suggest a hike at the UW's Lakefront Preserve.

Oh, and in all seriousness? Take her for a breakfast or two to George Webb. That place is totally Milwaukee.
posted by droplet at 8:31 AM on September 14, 2007

Old World Milwaukee (I believe that's what it's called) is a part of the museum that is pretty neat

Streets of Old Milwaukee.

As long as you're downtown, take her on the trolley.

Looks like the International Film Festival is going on.

God, I'm homesick. :(
posted by desjardins at 8:36 AM on September 14, 2007

2nding house on the rock (truly awesome if nt exactly representative of local culture) and frozen custard. I lived in wisconsin for three years, and frozen custard is the only local custom that I actually miss.
posted by lgyre at 8:46 AM on September 14, 2007

For the love of god, NOT the House on the Rocks!!! Not unless you love to activate your mold allergies and can't get enough shag carpet. I particularly would not take an international visitor there, as the celebration of "American materialism gone wrong" probably would not go over well. I don't think she would appreciate it.

That said, if you're headed that way, the valley is really pretty and quintessential rolling farmland. Spring Green is a cute little artists' town (eat at The General Store) and there are several Frank Lloyd Wright buildings there (his home [as nightwood mentioned], a school, and a farmhouse). You can also stop in to Madison for plenty of bars and tons of ethnic restaurants. I've also heard there's a nice scenic highway down by Dubuque, IA on the Mississippi.

I went to Milwaukee for a weekend last year, and my favorite things were (a)the Pabst Mansion (if either of you shares my love of Victorian houses) and (b) The African Hut (West African Cuisine). There was also a cheesy-looking German restaurant on the same street as the African Hut, I would've liked to go in there if I'd had the time.
posted by parkerjackson at 9:39 AM on September 14, 2007

My boyfriend and his family are from Milwaukee so I've seen a lot of the local sights.

Nthing Kopp's or other frozen custard. Beer, as mentioned earlier. And cheese curds were new to me when I first visited.

It may be a little late in the season, but see if Door County is a good option. A fish boil at the White Gull Inn is a must.

For a classy drink atmosphere, go to Blu at the top of the Pfister.

Restaurants I've tried and liked are Sol Fire, Bacchus, and The Social. While it's still warm enough, try to go out to eat and sit on the riverwalk. And check out Waterfront Deli for lunch.
posted by kathryn at 10:11 AM on September 14, 2007

The Jelly Belly tour
Some Frank Loyd Wright (greek church perhaps)
The art museum at 5pm to watch it fold down.
The iroqious boat ride down the lakefront
Maybe drive out to the Forevertron?
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:35 AM on September 14, 2007

check out the fall colors (well, soon) from Holy Hill.
this is a really nice drive - Milwaukee to Prairie du Chien along the Wisconsin River.
posted by desjardins at 12:01 PM on September 14, 2007

Packers haven't played in Milwaukee in a dozen years

Here are some folk architecture and art environments.
posted by badger_flammable at 2:22 PM on September 14, 2007

Oh well, it's been longer than that since I attended a Packer game.
posted by caddis at 2:32 PM on September 14, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks so much all for the great suggestions. I learned a lot just by reading through them and more than once got sidetracked searching off-site for more information.
I'll be sure to use many of your ideas!
posted by mcarthey at 5:51 AM on September 15, 2007