Milwaukee: Museums, RiverWalk and Lakefront

When planning a stay in Milwaukee, there are several ways to focus your trip: museums and architecture, the route of the Milwaukee RiverWalk, or activities on Lake Michigan. Cooking classes and seasonal events may also be important when choosing your dates. First, consider which themes you want to shape your stay.

Museums and architecture in Milwaukee

The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee is the only museum of its kind in the world. At the Milwaukee Art Museum, the architecture of the buildings takes center stage: Santiago Calatrava designed one in 2001, David Kahler one in 1975 and Eero Saarinen one in 1957. The dates span several decades, offering a concrete comparison of the designs.

The North Point Lighthouse Museum explores Milwaukee’s lighthouse and its keepers. The museum displays a large collection of artifacts related to both subjects. The museums therefore have distinctly different focuses: the Harley-Davidson Museum is defined by its unique status as the only one of its kind worldwide, the Milwaukee Art Museum by the three architects named above, and the North Point Lighthouse Museum by the history of the lighthouse and its keepers.

RiverWalk, lakeshore and water activities

The Milwaukee RiverWalk provides public access to the river. It runs along both sides of the Milwaukee River, from the site of the former North Avenue Dam through Downtown and the Historic Third Ward to Lake Michigan. This route gives you a clear connection between the river and the named neighborhoods and endpoints.

Discovery World is located on the lakefront between the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Summerfest Grounds. The Hop’s Lakefront Station serves Discovery World. If you plan to take The Hop to get there, check service before you travel.

The self-guided Water Current Tour features eye-catching signage and artworks. It shows how Milwaukee plays a leading role in water quality, resource conservation and innovative water technologies. This combines an independent experience with water-related themes. For beach volleyball, there are sand courts at Bradford Beach; kayaking on Lake Michigan is also possible along Milwaukee’s lakefront. These details point to different activities: volleyball on the sand and kayaking on the lake.

Cooking classes and seasonal events

Madame Kuony’s Kitchen regularly hosts cooking classes led by market vendors, as well as local chefs and instructors. Class schedules vary. If a class is important to your stay, check the specific date against your plans.

Since 2022, the Riverwalk Commons Concert Series has brought people together on select Tuesday evenings to celebrate local musicians, support small businesses and food vendors, and enliven one of Milwaukee’s most unique public spaces. The event calendar is seasonal; check the dates if you would like to plan your trip around a concert evening.

Choosing a focus for your stay

If you plan to attend a class or event, check its date; if you’re taking The Hop to Discovery World, it’s worth checking service before you go.

Discover more destinations: Greenfield, River Hills, West Allis, Shorewood, Brown Deer, St. Francis, Cudahy, Oak Creek

View the main travel overview: Milwaukee.