Milwaukee, WI City Guide
By Joan Starich, Contributing Writer
If you are a Wisconsin Badger and have yet to visit Milwaukee, you need to do so soon. Only an hour and a half drive away and filled with so many activities, Milwaukee is the perfect city to visit if you need a break from Madison. The culture is vibrant, nightlife is abundant and the city is filled with friendly people who love to represent their hometown pride. Wayne’s World told us that Milwaukee means “The Good Land,” and while this may not be the actual translation, it is safe to say that the dynamic city lives up to this rumored name.
Milwaukee is the perfect weekend getaway for students because there is a spot for everyone. There are great daily specials and events all around the city, especially during the spring and summer. With UW-Milwaukee, Marquette, Milwaukee School of Engineering and many other colleges, Milwaukee is filled with students and young professionals to meet. This population gives the city a youthful vibe that translates to its attractions. In my completely unbiased opinion, the people in Milwaukee are the most fun you will ever meet.
Like many large cities, Milwaukee is broken into distinctive parts that can make it feel smaller and easier to navigate. There are various neighborhood areas that dictate the type of vibe you will find. Some popular areas are Riverwest, Brady Street, North Avenue, Walker’s Point, Third Ward, Cathedral Square, Bayview, Water Street and Third Street. All these areas and streets feature a different type of culture, from party-heavy Greek life to Hipsters participating in the Underwear Bike Ride. It is fairly easy to determine the atmosphere of each area, and it is fun to walk around and experience each unique part.
Food + Drink
Milwaukee is home to a seemingly infinite number of breweries. Many locals consider it the Beer Capital of America! Residents love to drink bottle after bottle, which goes hand-in-hand with partying. The nightlife in Milwaukee can keep you cheesin’ all summer long. There are places to go every night of the week; some of the best drink deals can be found on random days.
On Mondays, check out Rogue’s Gallery on Water Street for their Service Industry Night specials, meaning all bartenders and waiters will receive discounts. They have an amazing patio that’s usually packed in the summertime and serves delicious late-night burgers from Gypsy Burger. Tuesdays offer dollar bombs from the EDM-themed nightclub Site 1A on Buffalo Street, or another Service Industry Night at The Garage on Brady Street. Wednesdays are big in the Cathedral Square area. My personal favorite bars in that area are Bad Genie, Plum and Mikey’s, which all offer $1 bombs on Hump Day. For a bar with college vibes, use Thursday to visit Brothers on Water Street. Pub Club on Third Street is also fun on Thursdays because they offer bomb specials as well as a giant dance floor. UW-Milwaukee students fill the North Avenue bars on Thursdays, so head to that area if you want to mingle with fellow students.
Nearly all of Milwaukee will be drinking on Fridays and Saturdays, so any location you choose is bound to be fun. There are options for all preferences, such as chill bars and upbeat clubs. My favorite dive bar is My Office on Milwaukee Street, which is often packed on Fridays. If you are in the mood for a certain style, try checking out one of the various neighborhoods for different vibes. For an all-around good time and crowd pleaser, head to Brady Street! There is a bar for everyone in Milwaukee. If you want the immediate scoop, talk to locals for specific recommendations.
The cuisine in Milwaukee will keep you dining out more times a week than your wallet suggests. For incredible sushi in the heart of downtown, try Screaming Tuna, located right on the Milwaukee River. They have an incredible patio in the summertime, which offers one of the best views of the skyline. On Sunday and Monday nights they serve discounted sushi rolls and small plates, which is a helpful budget-friendly option. Many famous faces like Ronda Rousey and Giannis Antetokounmpo have dined there. The restaurant is funky and fancy at the same time, and the service is upbeat and friendly.
If you are looking for a quaint spot for lunch, try La Masa on Brady Street. The patio is perfect for sipping iced tea on a warm summer afternoon. La Masa is an empanada bar, serving both delicious food and cocktails. They also have a light and refreshing Quinoa Salad that I highly recommend.
On another note, Milwaukee is big on breakfast and brunch. For a quick, homemade breakfast, I recommend Ma Fischer’s, a historical and classic diner right off of North Avenue. Their menu is enormous, so you are sure to find a couple of things you will love. I have tried a selection of items from Ma Fischer’s before, and nothing has disappointed me yet. Everything is reasonably priced, and it is definitely the watering hole for hungover students looking to start their morning fresh. The area is also charming; there are many shops to browse in once you are done eating. For date night or any regular meal, check out Pizza Man, Rock Bottom, Harbor House and Comet Cafe. The taste of Milwaukee is incredible and unique; there are almost too many restaurants to choose from.
Entertainment
Milwaukee loves music. There are street festivals almost every weekend in the warmer months, which can help you experience the flavor of each area. From Summer Solstice to Jazz in the Park on Cathedral Square, street festivals are the go-to summer activity. Paired with residents’ two other favorite things, food and drinks, the music festival culture in Milwaukee thrives.
Milwaukee is commonly known for the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest. Growing up in the Milwaukee area, Summerfest was the event I looked forward to most. Nowadays, I always take my vacation week during Summerfest, because I just cannot miss it. The headliners appeal to all music interests. Within the past few years, Summerfest hosted the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Rolling Stones, Flume, the Chainsmokers, Selena Gomez, Future, Kendrick Lamar, Florida Georgia Line and Paul McCartney. This year’s lineup is not fully released, but headliners include Halsey and Logic, Imagine Dragons and Blake Shelton.
Other than music festivals, Milwaukee has plenty of landmarks worth stopping by. Bradford Beach on Lake Michigan is a popular spot during the hot summer days and even houses a tiny Tiki Bar that serves icy, frozen drinks. There are a ton of other secret beaches you can explore by walking or driving along the shore. Bic Bay Park is my favorite escape for reading a book and scoring a tan in a somewhat private setting. Swing Park is a cute spot to share a kiss with someone special or to hang out with your pals. It is located underneath a bridge near the river and has various tire swings and ropes hanging for public use.
Sports fans, you are in for a treat. Milwaukee is home to the Brewers, Admirals and the Bucks. If you are both a student and a Bucks fan, you can sign up for Student Rush tickets during the basketball season. When you sign up, you will receive texts about various games that offer $10 tickets with proof of a student ID. Bucks games are a fun experience, and this is the last season they play in the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Next season, the Bucks are moving to an all-new stadium, the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center. Making it to either one of their last games in the BMO Center or a first in the new stadium will be historical. Brewers games are also fun to attend because many people tailgate in and around the Miller Park area before heading in to watch some home runs and strikeouts.
You could have a full weekend adventure in Milwaukee, and I highly recommend that you do. Since the city is only a $20 Badger Bus away from Madison, it is almost wasteful not to check out Wisconsin’s other big city during your time as a Badger. Many UW-Madison students are from the Milwaukee area and would probably love to accompany you and show off the city. Since Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s biggest city, there are many internships and career opportunities for UW students, so it is a smart idea to get to know the city a bit in case you accept a position there. The perfect escape; nothing makes me happier than seeing the Milwaukee skyline appear in the window of my car. Come for the beer, stay for the beer.