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Wisconsin · the United States
The city of Harley-Davidson and breweries, on the shore of Lake Michigan, with the movable-wing art museum by Santiago Calatrava and the RiverWalk.
In the photo: Milwaukee and its marina seen from Lake Michigan.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Milwaukee is in southeastern Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Michigan, about 150 km north of Chicago. A city of German, Polish and other Central European immigrants, it became known for its breweries, which made it the American beer capital in the 20th century, and it is the home of Harley‑Davidson, founded there in 1903.
On the lakeshore, the Milwaukee Art Museum has a pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava, with movable wings about 66 meters across that open and close throughout the day. The Harley‑Davidson Museum, in the Menomonee Valley, tells the story of the motorcycles, and the RiverWalk follows the Milwaukee River through downtown and the Historic Third Ward, a former warehouse district with galleries, shops and a public market.
The Pabst Mansion, built for a beer baron, shows the late 19th‑century luxury. In summer, Summerfest, a lakeside music festival, occupies the city for three weekends, and large and small breweries welcome visitors.
This destination brings together 1 city: Milwaukee.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) · 12 km to Milwaukee
General Mitchell Airport (MKE) is about 12 km from downtown. The Hiawatha trains connect Milwaukee to Chicago in about an hour and a half, with a stop near Milwaukee’s airport; Chicago’s O'Hare Airport is about 120 km away.
The local experience
An art museum on the shore of Lake Michigan, with the Santiago Calatrava pavilion and its 66‑meter‑span movable wings.
The Harley-Davidson Museum in the Menomonee Valley, with more than a hundred years of motorcycles, from the first, from 1903, to current models.
Riverwalk along the Milwaukee River through downtown and the Third Ward, an old warehouse neighborhood with galleries and the public market.
1892 mansion of beer baron Frederick Pabst, in Flemish style, with carved wood interiors and stained glass.
Science museum and aquarium on the shore of Lake Michigan, with interactive exhibits and tanks with fish from the Great Lakes.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From June to September, with the lakeshore busy and festivals almost every weekend, including Summerfest between late June and early July. In the cold months there is snow, and museums remain open.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Two days: one for the art museum, the lakeshore and the RiverWalk, another for the Harley‑Davidson Museum, the Pabst Mansion and a brewery.
Downtown concentrates lodging near the RiverWalk and a few blocks from the lake. The Historic Third Ward has lodging in former warehouses, galleries and the public market. Walker's Point, south of the river, and the East Side, north of it, have bars and restaurants.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Two days: one for the art museum and the RiverWalk and another for the Harley‑Davidson Museum and the Pabst Mansion.
Yes, the Hiawatha trains make the trip in about an hour and a half, several times a day.
Over three weekends between late June and early July, in the park by the lake; check the festival website for exact dates.
Not for downtown, the Third Ward and the lakeshore, which are walkable or reachable by streetcar. For the Harley‑Davidson Museum and the Pabst Mansion, ride‑hailing apps or buses help. In the United States you drive on the right.
Entry requirements for the United States depend on your nationality and travel document: some countries participate in the visa waiver program, with prior electronic authorization, and others require a visa. Requirements can change: confirm before you travel.
