Why You
Need To Visit Milwaukee,
An Underrated Gem In The Midwest
Why You Need To Visit Milwaukee, An Underrated Gem In The Midwest
Published June 6, 2023
Have you ever visited a city and found that it really surpassed your expectations? For me, that recently happened with Milwaukee! Since I’ve lived in Chicago for two years now, I figured it was finally time to take the short Amtrak ride across state lines to check out Wisconsin’s biggest city. I only wish I had made the trip up sooner!
Chicago locals have long considered Milwaukee, only an hour or two to the north, to be the perfect weekend getaway. However, I’m surprised that MKE (as it’s often abbreviated) hasn’t received more national attention, especially post-pandemic. It’s the kind of chill, affordable destination that I feel like Americans are looking for these days!
This blog post will highlight different neighborhoods, attractions to visit, and more. To skip down to any particular section, click or tap the corresponding link!
Initial Impressions of Milwaukee
Since I live in Chicago, the first thing that stood out to me about Milwaukee is the two cities’ similar geography. First and foremost, Chicago and Milwaukee are located on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Both cities also have downtown cores situated on peninsulas that are separated from surrounding neighborhoods by rivers and creeks.
In contrast to Chicago, Milwaukee is undoubtedly less congested. Despite this, the city is pretty compact and walkable. Although Downtown Milwaukee doesn’t really have the scale or grandiosity of Chicago’s Loop and River North, it is home to a plethora of historic architecture. I loved seeing so many well-preserved ornate buildings alongside more modern skyscrapers.
What’s the number one reason to visit Milwaukee? I’d say the food and beer scene is basically unrivaled. In fact, beer is such an integral part of the heritage here that Milwaukee’s nickname is “Brew City”! The local professional baseball team is the Milwaukee Brewers, and there are countless other references to beer all over town.
Brew City’s dining scene is local, unpretentious, and centered around American classics. These plates generally go well with beer. You might be tempted to call Milwaukee’s most popular dishes “bar food,” but I don’t think that does them justice. Even the burgers and fries are carefully crafted, with delicious local cheeses and fresh ingredients.
Oh, one last thing: Milwaukee has a surprisingly vibrant coffee culture as well! Beer, food, and coffee really are the city’s trifecta! There are so many local coffee shops all around town, and each one is a gem worth discovering.
I’m so impressed with the beer, food, and coffee in Milwaukee that I’m writing a separate blog post about all of it. I’ll link that post here as soon as it’s online!
Neighborhoods to Explore
Despite being a smaller city, Milwaukee has a bunch of distinctive neighborhoods. Many of them are easy to navigate on foot. Below are my top recommendations!
Downtown Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s city center is compact, clean, and beautiful. I generally consider Downtown to be the area bounded by Lake Michigan on the east, the Milwaukee River on the west, Interstate 794 on the south, and East Ogden Street on the north. The heart of Downtown is closer to the river than the lakefront, and this is where the city’s most impressive historic buildings can be found.
The lakefront downtown is just as stunning as the city’s architecture. Here you’ll find two large parks: Veterans Park further north and Lakeshore State Park further south. A series of pedestrian paths connects the two, so it’s easy to spend a leisurely few hours strolling along the water’s edge.
In addition to its large public green spaces, Milwaukee’s waterfront is also home to the city’s most memorable structure. In contrast to the historical buildings a few blocks to the west, this one is distinctly modern and stands all on its own, both literally and figuratively. I’m talking about the Milwaukee Art Museum, which has become a striking symbol of the city’s dynamism and culture.
I’ve written about the Milwaukee Art Museum in more depth below since it is a cultural centerpiece of the city.
Lower East Side & East Brady Street
This neighborhood’s name can be a little misleading because the Lower East Side is actually directly north of Downtown. It’s a casual, residential part of Milwaukee with a vibrant restaurant and bar scene.
The focal point of the Lower East Side is East Brady Street. If you’re looking for a place to eat and drink, this lively street is where you should go. There are dozens of local hangout spots within just a few blocks.
Historic Third Ward
I will be honest: a lot of historic districts in American cities feel dingy and dilapidated these days. Some of them just haven’t been maintained and have become grungy (I’m thinking of Pioneer Square in Seattle, the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, etc). Luckily, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward bucks the trend!
The Historic Third Ward is refreshingly pristine and lively. It feels like it’s been restored, like the city has intentionally converted the old warehouses into housing and retail. The overall vibe is pretty distinct from Downtown directly to the north. The buildings here are a little more cohesive stylistically, and the Historic Third Ward is home to a lot of trendy cafes and eateries.
The most prominent attraction in the Historic Third Ward is the Milwaukee Public Market. It’s the perfect place to pick up snacks, pastries, coffee, and other local products! I’ve written more about this charming spot below.
Westown (Old World Third Street Entertainment District)
Given Milwaukee’s love of beer, it should be no surprise that the city has a rich history of German migration. There’s even an entire Wikipedia article dedicated to that aspect of MKE’s history! It says that three distinct waves of immigration from Germany occurred between 1845 and 1893. Each wave was made up of people who came from different regions of the country: first the southwest, then the northwest, and finally the northeast.
The city’s German roots are prominently on display in the Old World Third Street Entertainment District. Located on the eastern edge of Westown, this compact German neighborhood runs north-to-south along Third Street between East Knapp Street and West Wisconsin Avenue. Note that Third Street is also called North Doctor M.L.K. Jr. Drive.
if you’re looking for a decadent sit-down meal in a dining room adorned with stained glass and other authentic decor, reserve a table at Mader’s (website | location). It’s the most striking building on Third Street, both inside and out! Pictured below is their pork shank, which is their signature dish. While you’re there, be sure to get a picture in their huge regal chair! It almost feels like a miniature throne!
Walker's Point & Harbor View
To get to this pair of neighborhoods, cross south over the Milwaukee River from either the Historic Third Ward or Westown. I haven’t tried a lot of restaurants in this part of the city, but from what I can tell, they form a pretty comprehensive international array of choices. I was blown away by the Jamaican food at Mobay Cafe (website | location) on South 1st Street!
Bay View
Further south of Harbor View is the up-and-coming neighborhood of Bay View. You can technically walk between Harbor View and Bay View along South Kinnickinnic Avenue (also known as 32nd Division Memorial Highway). I did it and had no issue. However, the “no man’s land” in between the two neighborhoods is sort of industrial and not super quaint.
The heart of Bay View feels like a little town village. There are lots of interesting bars and restaurants here that generally feel a little more laid-back than those in Walker’s Point and Downtown. I absolutely loved discovering Nonfiction Natural Wines (website | location), a bright and spacious natural wine bar which really embodied the overall vibe of the neighborhood.
I want to go back and dedicate an entire long weekend to Bay View. It feels like the kind of neighborhood that you could explore for days without running out of things to do!
Noteworthy Attractions
Now that we’ve looked at some cool neighborhoods in Milwaukee, I’ll introduce you to some individual attractions that you should see during your visit!
Milwaukee Art Museum
Address: 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Website: https://mam.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milwaukeeart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeeart/
There are only a few American cities where I’d say the local art museum is an absolute must-see, but that’s definitely true for Milwaukee. In fact, I’d argue that this is MKE’s top attraction. That’s because the museum is so architecturally stunning, and its location right on Lake Michigan makes it undoubtedly one of the most beautiful museums in the country.
There are a couple of things about the Milwaukee Art Museum that make it so unique. For one, it looks like a different building from various angles. Most notably, this structure actually has wings that can open and close! They’re technically called the Burke Brise Soleil, but many people refer to them as wings or a sail. The primary function is to allow sunlight into the museum’s main atrium. When the wings are up, the building almost appears to be taking flight from certain vantage points.
The Burke Brise Soleil is generally in the extended position when the museum is open, and it closes each night. However, the structure also has sensors to detect if wind is stronger than a certain threshold. If that’s the case, the sail will close during the day to prevent damage.
The interior of the Milwaukee Art Museum is just as impressive as the exterior. Windhover Hall, the main lobby, feels like a modern rendition of a cathedral, with an arched ceiling and lots of glass. In fact, the architect Santiago Calatrava drew inspiration from Gothic forms when he was designing the museum. He also incorporated nautical themes to pay homage to the lake.
Two long hallways connect Windhover Hall with the actual art exhibits. The Milwaukee Art Museum houses an impressive collection of modern and classical works from all over the world. I’m not the biggest museum aficionado, but I still loved spending a few hours getting acquainted with all of the paintings, sculptures, and artifacts here.
Milwaukee Public Market
Address: 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website: https://milwaukeepublicmarket.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilwaukeePublicMarket/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeepublicmarket/
Located conveniently on the border of the Historic Third Ward and Downtown, the Milwaukee Public Market is a fun and festive place to grab snacks, a meal, a drink, or some food to go. I feel like the easiest thing to get here is a pastry or two. There are multiple vendors selling mouthwatering cookies, cupcakes, and other baked sweets.
Milwaukee Public Library Central Library
Address: 814 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Website: https://www.mpl.org/hours_locations/central.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Milwaukee.Public.Library
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeepubliclibrary/
The Central Library is a little less tourism-oriented than the other attractions listed above. It’s further west, not too far from Marquette University.
The main reason to visit the Central Library is to see its grand entrance hall. The building was built in the Renaissance style back in 1898, and both the lobby and its outer façade have been impeccably preserved.
Go on a Brewery Tour!
This massive brewery and taproom is a destination regardless of whether you book a tour or not. Drink tokens are included with the tour, which showcases how this local beer producer overcame lots of hurdles to become a successful business.
The tour was witty and humorous, although I have to admit that it did feel a little long. Afterwards, we tried a few of their beers on tap and ordered cheese curds and fried pickles from the food counter. Lakefront Brewery is an amazing place to try some Wisconsin-style fried treats if you’re craving something delicious after a few drinks!
Tips & Final Thoughts about MKE
Hopefully this blog post provides some insight into why Milwaukee is an underrated gem! The city has a lot going for it; it feels like a regional hub of innovation and modernization. Even though Milwaukee never comes close to feeling crowded, it definitely has a vivacious energy!
In spite of all that, Milwaukee has a higher crime rate than Chicago. (In fact, Milwaukee made the Top 15 Most Dangerous American Cities for 2023, while Chicago did not.) You need to exercise caution in the Milwaukee metro area, but the good news is that all of the neighborhoods mentioned in this post are centrally located. I think the rougher areas to avoid are generally far from Downtown.
I can’t speak to how accurate it is, but here is one resource listing neighborhoods to avoid in and around Milwaukee. The closest one to the city center is Haymarket (north of Westown). I’ve had colleagues and acquaintances advise simply not going very far north or west as a good rule of thumb.
All in all, I’m glad I finally got to see what Brew City was all about! I’m sure I’ll be back every so often. I’ll also update this post if I discover anything new worth sharing. Thanks for checking out my blog, and enjoy MKE if you’re headed up that way!
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This post was published on June 6, 2023
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