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Milwaukee..where to go, what to do , eat?


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I am going to Chicago and Milwaukee over labor day. I have had some great help in the Chicago thread but didn't want to muck it up with Milwaukee stuff. If you had a day in Milwaukee what would you do, where would you go, where would you eat? I am not to picky but I love getting the local flavor so I am open for most things...I will be traveling with the wife and 5 month old son. I do see lots of cheese and Leinenkugels in my future! Also any Lake Michigan suggestions..I think I read there are sand dunes near Milwaukee...

 

Thanks

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I love Milwaukee. It's unfortunately overlooked because it's so close to Chicago. Chicago is more exciting, of course, but the advantage to Milwaukee is that it's not as sprawling and therefore much easier and quicker to get around. But then, this is an Iowa hick talking! Best yet is Minneapolis/St. Paul, but that is off topic here.

 

Definitely check out the Riverwalk. Lots of cheese marts and great restaurants there. Boat tours too.

 

Any brewery tour or beer museum is a good bet.

 

I've not been to it yet, but I've heard that the Harley Davidson museum is fun, even if you're not a motorcycle enthusist.

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I love Milwaukee. It's unfortunately overlooked because it's so close to Chicago. Chicago is more exciting, of course, but the advantage to Milwaukee is that it's not as sprawling and therefore much easier and quicker to get around. But then, this is an Iowa hick talking! Best yet is Minneapolis/St. Paul, but that is off topic here.

 

Definitely check out the Riverwalk. Lots of cheese marts and great restaurants there. Boat tours too.

 

Any brewery tour or beer museum is a good bet.

 

I've not been to it yet, but I've heard that the Harley Davidson museum is fun, even if you're not a motorcycle enthusist.

 

I did Minneapolis 2 years ago (good times)...been doing alot of Midwest travel lately! I plan on eating my weight in cheese and brats...and maybe German Food (Karl Ratzsch sounds good!) ok can't wait!

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Lakefront Brewery tour is the best. Harley Davidson museum is pretty cool.

Art Museum and Discovery World along the lakefront are nice. Couple restaurants off the beaten path but near downtown, Crazy Water or Meritage.

Sobelman's is a good place for a burger. Milwaukee has a nice zoo. Koz's mini bowl would be a good place to get the local flavor. recently rated one of the best bars in America and truly a Wisconsin place. (not sure how much flavor you're looking to introduce to the 5 month old)

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Lakefront Brewery tour is the best. Harley Davidson museum is pretty cool.

Art Museum and Discovery World along the lakefront are nice. Couple restaurants off the beaten path but near downtown, Crazy Water or Meritage.

Sobelman's is a good place for a burger. Milwaukee has a nice zoo. Koz's mini bowl would be a good place to get the local flavor. recently rated one of the best bars in America and truly a Wisconsin place. (not sure how much flavor you're looking to introduce to the 5 month old)

 

He already has been to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Kentucky..but we were driving through so I couldn't resist...yeah I am trying to be resposible so maybe no bars per se.. :stunned

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For a fun dinner head to the Safe House. It is a spy themed restraunt it is by the river walk area

I was just going to post this.

We can tell you no more about the place. Just go find it.

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There's a great burger and custard place (run by the Bartolotta empire) right on the lake: http://www.northpointcustard.com/. It's not one of the usual recommendations (such as Kopp's, Solly's or Sobelmans) but the setting can't be beat, and the food quality will be better than those other three.

 

The Art museum is hosting a Posters of Paris exhibit right now. http://mam.org/

 

As for brewery tours, my feeling is that if you've seen one, you've seen them all - they're pretty much all the same.

 

As for brats - the strange thing is that Milwaukee is not the brat equivalent of hotdogs and Chicago. Meaning, you're not going to find brat stands on the street, and there's actually not too many take out places that serve brats either. Yes, you can find the best raw brats in the world at Usingers, or Metro Market grocery store. There's the "brat stop" ("I forget where - somewhere on 94 between Chicago and Milwaukee), but I've never been.

 

Here's a great resource if you're a foodie: http://lthforum.com/...hp?f=15&t=33160

 

Personally, if I was going to spend a day there (and I will be in a couple weeks - lived there from 2006-2011), these are the places I want to hit:

 

Comet Cafe (for great breakfast)

Gloriosos (supreme italian grocery store - excellent sandwiches - the Human Torch is something else)

Doctor's Park (for a nice remote beach walk - our pug loved it - really a hidden gem)

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I live in milwaukee. Places to check out:

 

Bayview, just south of downtown. Lots of coffee places like Alterra, Stone Creek. Restaurants like Odd Duck, Honey Pie, Classic Slice, Hue, Riviera Maya, Cafe Centraal (I used to live in Bayview). Bars-Burnhearts, Palomino, Lulu's, Bayview Bowl, Palm Tavern, Roman's Pub.

 

Check out Sobelman's, best burger in town, imo.

 

Oriental Theatre on Farwell Ave, Milwaukee's East Side, is a great place to see a film.

 

Miller Park is a great place to see a MLB game.

 

 

onmilwaukee.com is a good place to check out what is happening in town, music, food, arts, etc...

 

It is a small town so setting out on foot or bike is a good way to see it. Lots of places you may miss while driving....

 

 

EDIT: you mentioned drinking Leinies. decent beer but Milwaukee has a lot of beers to offer (better ones). Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee Ale House, Hinterland GastroPub, Sprecher, and if you go to a bar, ask for local beers.

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Great city. A few spots: Comet Cafe and Glorioso's (terrific calls from Winston). While remaining on the east side, head to Wolski's and Thurmans (a Grateful Dead bar that honors Thurman Munson) and then the Nomad. Try another nugget: Swinging Door tavern on Michigan - some great Pabst stuff on the walls. The old bookstores appear to be no longer - Downtown books is no longer in its original site and Rennaissance has closed up. Too bad, though. Both great for browsing. Bay View is terrific - an earlier post captures the key spots. Damn. Have a great time.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All! Back!

 

Love Milwaukee!!! Unofrtunatley I only had 24 hours but I crammed it in!

 

Went to Miller Park for a game, got a brat and fried cheese curds at The Brat House (got a pic at Maders :) ), bought cheese at the Wisconsin Cheese Mart. Had dinner atthe Rock Bottom brewery (It was sunday and my first choice was not open!) drove around the shoreline from the Art Museaum to the North Point Lighthouse, Harley Museum and Milwaukee Public Market!

 

Thanks for the previous suggestions

 

Will have to make it back soon! :guitar

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