Known as the ‘beer capital of America’, Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city, sits right on the western bank of Lake Michigan and is especially popular with fun-loving tourists. The town is loaded with pubs that cover every dodgy genre out there, while plenty of family-type attractions and historic neighborhoods add to the appeal.
There is so much to see and take in in Milwaukee, and it might be a good idea to start with the charming Port district with its picturesque harbor and fine restaurants. Those looking for shops and malls should head downtown, where many big branded and smaller unique outlets can be found.
In addition to Milwaukee’s affinity with beer and the Harley Davidson, it is also known as the ‘City of Festivals’, due mainly to the annual Summerfest on the lakefront, the largest music festival in the world. Many other colorful festivals take place throughout the year, and sightseeing tours of Lake Michigan, the harbor and Milwaukee River are a must.
Highlights
SAB Miller Brewing Company: tours include free sampling at the 19th century Miller Inn and Miller’s private beer garden.
The Harley-Davidson Tour Center: features many of HD’s classics and some snazzy future prototypes.
Milwaukee Public Museum: the fascinating hands-on exhibits provide insight into Milwaukee, while the live butterfly garden, artificial rainforest and dinosaur skeletons will keep the kids happy.
The Milwaukee Art Museum: featuring quality works from ancient Greece, America, Asia and Africa.
The Allen-Bradley Clock Tower: although not as impressive as London’s Big Ben (in reference to the huge bell, not the clock), this version is nonetheless larger and a beacon at night.
The Milwaukee County Zoo: there are 2,500 animals representing hundreds of species here, with sea lion shows, train tours and a dairy farm.
Wisconsin Dells: lie west of Milwaukee on I-94 and feature huge sandstone cliffs and an amusement park with water rides.