Wisconsin’s largest city is also known as the beer capital of America. Milwaukee is a fun Great Lakes city, with a stunning view of Lake Michigan. Here, you’ll find breweries large and small, as well as Harley Davidson’s international headquarters. Seeing the sights in and around the city is more fun with a rental car.
Getting there
Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport is served by most domestic carriers and several international ones. Madison also has an international airport, but its only international flights are from Canada. Amtrak offers daily direct rail services from Chicago and from St Paul (Minnesota); trains from every important city in the east and south arrive at Chicago. National travel deals on car rental are easily arranged at the airport on arrival or online.
I-94 is the main interstate highway serving Milwaukee; it goes west to the Twin Cities of Minnesota and beyond, all the way to Seattle (Washington), and south and then east to Chicago and on to Detroit. Around the state of Wisconsin, I-94 goes west to the capital, Madison, and merges with I-90, which also goes on to Chicago in the east and continues on as far as Boston (Massachusetts).
Key attractions
Milwaukee is best known as the home of the SAB Miller Brewing Company, which offers a free tour ending at Miller’s private beer garden or in the 19th century Miller Inn, where you can sample their beers. Alternatively, Milwaukee Public Museum offers insight to the history of this city. The hands-on exhibits are interesting, and there is a permanent live butterfly garden, as well as dinosaur skeletons and an artificial rainforest. The Milwaukee Art Museum, redesigned by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, offers a fine selection of artwork and artefacts from ancient Greece, America, Asia and Africa.
Out and about
The Harley-Davidson Tour Center is located just outside the city. Motorcycle fans won’t want to miss the tour center, which has on display many of the company’s classic bikes as well as prototypes for the future. Wisconsin Dells is to the west of Milwaukee on I-94, a scenic drive away by rental car. This lovely park is crammed with soaring sandstone cliffs and peaceful fern gullies, which complement the full-scale amusement park and its assortment of water rides.
Leisure options
The Port district is a lovely and scenic place to stroll. Here, you’ll find a beautiful harbor, lighthouse, breakwater and some of the city’s best restaurants. The city’s downtown area and some good upscale shopping are nearby. A boat tour of the harbour is the most relaxing way to enjoy the area. Milwaukee County Zoo features cage-less habitats with prey/predator combos, such as cheetahs and gazelles, separated only by moats. For trips to nearby beauty spots, car rental is the best idea, and checking national travel deals online is the way to get the best price.
Safety
Travellers can put themselves at risk when driving long distances. Additionally, participating in water sports could result in accidents. Beware of carjackers and pickpockets in the larger cities. The cost of medical care in the US is high and you would not want to be without insurance if something were to occur. We highly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.