Milwaukee is known for its festivals, famous breweries, and rich history. But beyond the popular attractions, the city has hidden gems waiting to be explored. Milwaukee offers plenty of new surprises from cozy cafes to charming neighborhoods with unique character. When visiting a city, the abundance of activities can be overwhelming, so we rounded up local expert suggestions to make your trip easier. This article will open the treasure chest that is Milwaukee and offer you its most precious hidden gems.
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Fuel up with delicious food
After a long day of walking and exploring, getting some food in you is necessary. Luckily Vagabond, “brings elevated street food to the heart of Milwaukee’s entertainment district. Street tacos and a variety of small plates combined with fresh, house-made margaritas make for a unique one-of-a-kind dining experience. Additionally, Vagabond also has a Dinner Theatre with rotating DJs every Thursday-Saturday!”
For an East African experience, Blue Star Cafe is an excellent place to try new food or enjoy a known dish. These African dishes are tasty including options such as spicy chicken, beef and chicken sandwiches, crepes, and good yogurt. Be sure to stop by this cafe for a unique taste of African dishes brought to you from Wisconsin.
For some drinks, Sophia Sommer from SoLu Estate Winery and Meadery says, “Make sure to include a trip to SoLu Estate Winery and Meadery. Nestled on a stunning 600-acre property in the Kettle Moraine, SoLu offers the best live music in the state, creating an unforgettable experience for music lovers. Enjoy wine tastings from our French-inspired vineyards, and sample our exceptional bourbon and mead. SoLu Estate is also dog and family-friendly, ensuring that everyone, including your furry friends, can enjoy a delightful day out. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a unique outing, SoLu Estate promises a blend of entertainment and exquisite beverages.”
The Lakefront Brewery is another great stop to enjoy some drinks. Opened since 1987 Lakefront Brewery has been brewing barrels of beer for locals and people across the world. The brewery distributes products outside to different states and countries including Japan and Sweden. The first certified organic brewery in America, Lakefront Brewery promises a unique Wisconsin taste.
Local wedding photographer Alisha Trahms provides an excellent list of places to visit for all times of day. She states, “In the mornings, visit Rocket Baby Bakery for delicious artisan sourdough bread, baguettes, croissants, and pain au chocolat. For a taste of Italian coffee culture, head over to Vendetta Coffee Bar in Wauwatosa Village (which is itself brimming with delightful shops and restaurants) and walk up to the bar for authentic espresso. If your idea of the perfect dinner includes pasta, Semolina MKE crafts fresh hand-shaped and brass extruded pasta and even offers classes to teach you how to make your own; if your style is a little more Mediterranean, my go-to is Parthenon Foods for imported feta and olives from the deli and plenty of high-quality dry goods for your pantry. And for a night out, Edith Cocktail Bar is the perfect place to lounge in elegance and enjoy a unique cocktail while listening to live jazz.”
Get involved with the community
When visiting a new place it is rewarding to interact with local events and traditions. Gael Cullen from the Steve Cullen Healthy Heart Run/Walk invites everyone to their annual event. Gael says, “The 29th Annual Steve Cullen Healthy Heart Run/Walk on February 8, 2025, is an absolute must for any Milwaukee visitors looking to get a little exercise while benefitting a great cause. This 8K competitive run or 2-mile fun run/walk attracts serious runners along with families on a course through one of Milwaukee County’s prettiest parks, ending with awards, a chili party, and a live auction. All money raised goes to life-saving heart research at the Medical College of Wisconsin.”
Exploring new areas with local help is an easy way to find the best places and Milwaukee neighborhoods. A tailored tour can be a great way to find what lies beyond the surface of Milwaukee. Kris Hoff of Happy Time Tours says, “On September 3rd, 2024 join Laverne & Shirley as they show off the city they love…Milwaukee! The day includes a tour talk at Lakefront Brewery complete with two samples and a souvenir glass, a delicious pizza luncheon, mini-bowling, and a frozen custard treat at Milwaukee’s legendary and nostalgic Leon’s Drive-In. Plus, you will appreciate seeing Milwaukee’s City Hall which was the opening shot of the show, the Polish Flats where they lived, and even a photo stop at Laverne’s heartthrob, the Bronze Fonz!”
Jessica Hope of MKE Yoga Social suggests new visitors stop in to, “MKE Yoga Social™ a local yoga business bridging the gap between the community, yoga, and amazing Milwaukee venues. Breweries, distilleries, parks, and more. MYS has a true passion for community and bringing people together. Social time is included to encourage community connection. Mingle with like-minded people while having fun and building your local community.”
If art is more of your interest, Sue Smith from re: Craft and Relic says, “If you’re in the Milwaukee area, you’ll want to check out one of the best maker markets in the area, re: Craft and Relic! We host a variety of events around southeastern Wisconsin throughout the year, creating opportunities for you to shop small while having a great time with friends and family. With indoor events during the chilly parts of the year and outdoor events when we all just want to spend our weekend at the beer garden, you’re sure to have a good time all year long! If you enjoy supporting your community by shopping from local artists, makers, craftsmen, food artisans, vintage curators, and pop-up boutiques.”
Live arts represent human connection and where the magic of artistic expression comes to life. These performances offer audiences a unique, immediate experience that recordings simply can’t capture. Black Arts MKE’s Andy Nelson states, “Because Milwaukee is known as the City of Festivals, you can attend a festival any weekend in summer. One worth checking out is the MKE Black Theatre Festival, located at various community venues across the city from August 8-25. The three-week celebration of Black arts and culture offers several live plays by Black playwrights with all-Black casts, staged readings, masterclasses, auditions, and poetry sets. The festival is produced by the local nonprofit Black Arts MKE, whose mission is to increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture.”
Milwaukee hidden gems: explore the outdoors
Hidden gems extend outside city spots, nature is all around offering unforgettable experiences. Veteran communications and marketing professional Caitlin Moyer suggests, “The Forest Exploration Center in Wauwatosa is a hidden gem! Take a walk through the woods and get those “Up North” vibes without the drive. It’s especially beautiful in the fall!” Just a fifteen-minute drive from the city lies a 67-acre, mature hardwood forest representing one of the last remaining remnants of the southern hardwood forests. The forest is a diverse habitat with a mix of large oak, maple, ash, and basswood trees and sixteen other species.
Writer Savannah Nelson states, “What many people don’t realize about Milwaukee is its summertime transformation into a beach town. Lake Michigan is so large, that it easily feels like the shores of a coast, including sandy beaches. First-time visitors should check out Atwater Beach for a scenic day at the lake, or head to South Shore, where water views meet one of the city’s best beer gardens.”
Lake Michigan isn’t the only body of water present in Milwaukee; the Milwaukee River also offers lots of things to do. The river is a 3.7-mile that ties together the Historic Third Ward, Downtown, and Beerline B neighborhoods. Along the river, you can explore art with its River Sculpture. As you stroll on the river walk sculptures are up on display for visitors to admire. In addition to art, the river walk is surrounded by places to eat making it a convenient place to visit. For a more hands-on experience, kayaking is a great way to navigate the river.
Learn about Milwaukee’s history
Learning the history of a new place makes you appreciate it more. As you explore be sure to soak in the culture and history that each unique place has to offer.
Emma Smith from Jack and Kitty suggests visiting the Statues of Gertie the Duck and her Ducklings. “We recommend folks discover Gertie the Duck, Milwaukee’s World War II heroine, whose heartwarming story captured the nation. In 1945, a real duck named Gertie made her nest on the Milwaukee River, and her tale of triumphs and challenges drew national attention from a war-weary country. Milwaukee officials help move Gertie and her babies to a peaceful park. There, she became more than just your average duck. She was like a friend and a mother to many. People would sit in the park and share their stories with her.
Today, you can honor the memory of this notable animal by visiting the charming statues of Gertie and her ducklings on the Riverwalk, offering a delightful stroll through Milwaukee’s rich history.”
Hands-on historical experiences are the best way to learn that is why we recommend visiting The Great Lakes Distillery. Renee Snacola from The Great Lakes Distillery says, “Great Lakes Distillery is a hidden gem in Milwaukee, WI, not only for its status as Wisconsin’s original distillery since 2004 but also for its dedication to crafting high-quality, handcrafted spirits. It stands as a beacon of passion, craftsmanship, and Midwest heritage. Visitors to the distillery can experience the warmth of the community in its cozy tasting room, where they can learn about the art of distillation and savor meticulously crafted cocktails. This commitment to excellence and sustainability makes Great Lakes Distillery a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates exceptional spirits and the stories they tell.
Art gallery gems
Art galleries serve as a space where creativity, history, and culture unite. As an art connoisseur or a casual admirer, these galleries provide more than just a display of artwork—they offer an immersive experience.
Kyle from the David Barnett Gallery suggests, “One hidden gem we’d like to help get the word out about is Wisconsin’s longest-running art gallery, the David Barnett Gallery. The gallery currently possesses an international inventory of tens of thousands of images that span centuries of history and boasts the largest collection in Wisconsin that represents more than 600 artists. All since 1968! In addition to the trove of art pieces from around the world, the building it calls home is a work of art itself. The beautiful and historic Button Mansion is one of the last remaining masterpieces in Milwaukee that reflects the Italianate influence on Victorian architecture and utilizes unique, cream-colored brick, which gives Milwaukee its fond nickname: The Cream City. The current undertaking of this small gallery is their new nonprofit organization. The mission continues to be proudly supporting the collaborative nature and transformative power of creativity, and preserving the legacies of the brilliant, artistic minds that came before.”
Frank Juarez from Artdose Magazine recommends the Milwaukee Gallery Night & Day. “This quarterly art event spotlights the local art community. Venues in the Historic Third Ward, East Town, Walker’s Point, and around Milwaukee open their doors to the public to engage with the artists, art collectors, and art patrons; experience contemporary works of art, and embed themselves in the thriving and creative culture of the city.
Named one of the top art fairs in the Midwest, the Morning Glory Art Fair brings together over 130 artists from around the country. Monica from the Morning Glory Art Fair says visitors must, “Check out the Morning Glory Art Fair to find exquisite pottery, mesmerizing photography, intricate woodwork, dazzling necklaces, whimsical sculpture and other beautifully crafted pieces. The 49th annual event brings together more than 130 talented artists, August 10-11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., on the Plaza at Fiserv Forum, 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee.
The Morning Glory Art Fair is one of the area’s premier outdoor art events where artists from near and far showcase their creations in 10 categories, including ceramics, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting and drawing, photography and digital art, printmaking, sculpture, and wood. Each artist is individually juried into the fair, based on a committee review of their portfolio. The stringent review process ensures the highest level of fine craft and art are presented at Morning Glory.”
Milwaukee’s unique stops and shops
Many places around the world have their known attractions such as the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State, but we wanted to showcase hidden places for Milwaukee. For big readers, Downtown Books Bought & Sold is an excellent place to find your next read. With a wide variety of genres, this bookstore is a local hub for bibliophiles. The bookstore holds a massive collection of used books for a great price welcoming any person interested in finding their next literary adventure.
Shopping is an excellent way to spend some time and we recommend stopping by the American Science and Surplus. This store inspires human curiosity by offering a range of products usually with a science or educational background. The prices are low to keep the entry-level open to whoever is curious about science. Whether you’re shopping for your children or the inner child inside of you, this stop will spark the child-like curiosity inside of you.
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