Whether you're a die-hard biker or someone who just happens to be in the area, this is the destination for a visual history of the iconic American brand. Spread across 20 acres of prime Milwaukee riverfront, the Harley-Davidson Museum continuously wows travelers with its permanent exhibits and rotating special exhibits that tell the story of the company's people, products, culture and history. Among the artifacts on display are a recovered motorcycle from the 2011 Japanese tsunami and a gallery that features famous custom bikes created for the likes of Elvis Presley and stunt rider Alfonso Sotomayor Canales. There are also display walls dedicated to the brand's engines and tanks.

For those interested in the nitty-gritty of Harley bikes and history, consider a guided tour. Options range from the hourlong "Spotlight Tour" (which costs an additional $15 per person) to the 90-minute "Beyond the Gate Tour," which costs an extra $40 per person and includes a visit to the Motorcycle Vault. For the ultimate experience, the $125 "VIP Tour" is a two-hour guided tour through the museum and the vault, and includes a chat with a curator or archivist. An audio guide is also available for an additional $5.

Milwaukee's indoor market is home to nearly 20 independent vendors serving a variety of cuisines like sushi, pizza, baked goods and more. If you'd like to see how the sausage literally gets made, sign up for one of the market's cooking classes. Hands-on and demonstration-only options are available, as well as classes geared toward kids. In addition to food and beverage offerings, Milwaukee Public Market's list of vendors also includes Brew City Brand Apparel, where you can find designs that celebrate Milwaukee's beer empire. Remember to check the market's calendar for live music, too.

Past market visitors enjoyed the array of options available for hungry customers. (Quite a few reviewers specifically recommend the food at St. Paul Fish Company.) However, they also note that the market can get very crowded, so keep that in mind before you go. A few reviewers recommended stopping by the retail shops if you're looking for a unique souvenir.

This art museum (known as MAM), is a showstopper thanks to its dramatic design. With its gleaming white exterior, Windover Hall opens to a 90-foot vaulted glass ceiling under the cantilevered wings of the Burke Brise Soleil – a moveable, wing-like sunscreen. The complex also includes the War Memorial Center by Eero Saarinen, designer of the Gateway Arch. Within the 341,000-square-foot complex, the museum spans four floors with a collection that includes 30,000 works of art. The MAM boasts one of the largest Georgia O'Keeffe collections in the world (she was a Wisconsin native). Additionally, find works from 15th- to 20th-century European artists, as well as 17th- to 20th-century American artists.

According to past visitors, seeing the Quadracci Pavilion's wings (the Burke Brise Soleil) open is a highlight. In fact, some reported visiting several times. Most recent visitors gushed over the complex's architecture, from its wings to the all-white Windover Hall to the view of the lake. In addition to the building, visitors enjoyed the art collection. Note: The wings won't open if it is raining or windy.

Spotted hyenas, camels, and three species of penguin are just some of the animals you'll see if you visit the Milwaukee County Zoo. Opened in 1892, the zoo started as a miniature mammal and bird display and has since expanded to nearly 200 acres containing more than 2,200 animals from 330 species. Along with its animal residents, the zoo also offers a number of rides and attractions like a carousel and a safari train. Additionally, it hosts special events throughout the year, such as Boo at the Zoo, a Halloween-themed event, and Wild Lights, a holiday lights display.

Past visitors said the zoo is laid out well, with informative signage. The elephants and baby giraffes (born August 2022) were highlights for past visitors. Others recommended the on-site playground when you need a break from the animals. A few reviewers were annoyed with the additional parking charge ($15 per vehicle). 

Milwaukeeans love their sports, and the city offers a robust tailgate culture on game day featuring plenty of beer and brats. American Family Field (previously Miller Park), is home to Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers. Whether you're a long-time fan or a first-time spectator, you'll enjoy taking in a game beneath the stadium's retractable roof. Thanks to this unique roof, you'll never have to worry about inclement weather, which is a huge perk for many visitors. If you're not in town to catch a game, you can sign up for a stadium tour, which visits locations with the park not normally accessible to fans, such as the broadcast booth, the press box, the dugout, the bullpen and the luxury suite level. Tickets for tours start at $15 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3 to 12.

Recent game attendees appreciated the affordable food options at the park, including the tasty cheese curds. Some grumbled about the cost of parking, but many complimented the friendly staff.

Considered by several former visitors to be one of the best brewery tours in Milwaukee thanks to its tasty brews and entertaining guides, Lakefront Brewery's tours are also one of the best deals around. For between $12 and $13 (depending on the day), tourgoers can see much of the brewery, enjoy two 16-ounce pours of beer and take home a souvenir pint glass.While the brewery's offerings change throughout the year, the year-round brews include a variety of India pale ales, lagers and gluten-free and seasonal beers.

For a true taste of Wisconsin, previous travelers recommend eating at the on-site beer hall after your tour to savor some regional delicacies like cheese curds, Bavarian-style pretzels and brats while overlooking the river. The Friday fish fry is especially popular with locals and tourists, thanks to its pairing of delicious brews and fresh fish with a live polka band. Families discouraged the tours if little ones are in tow, as the jokes and humor are not kid-friendly.

Pabst Mansion – the former home of captain Frederick and Maria Pabst (a beer baron of Milwaukee) – was just one of a few dozen lavish estates that lined what was then Grand Avenue (so named for its wealthy residents and their impressive homes). Built in 1892, the home became the center of cultured society in Milwaukee. Costing a little more than $254,000 (in 1892 dollars) to construct, the elaborate mansion boasts 37 rooms, 14 fireplaces and more than a dozen bathrooms. Saved from the bulldozer in 1978, the Pabst Mansion has undergone an extensive restoration aided by historic photos and original furniture. The standard 60-minute tour is guided and includes details about the Pabst family history, as well as the home's architecture and furnishings. In addition, visitors can choose a self-guided tour, a 30-minute kid-friendly tour or a variety of specialty tours, including an adults-only happy hour tour that includes a free Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.

Previous visitors appreciated the original furniture on the first floor. Travelers who opted for the guided tour spoke highly of their docents, who were knowledgeable of the home and its family. Old house enthusiasts compared the Pabst Mansion to Rhode Island's Newport mansions and the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina. Many recommend visiting during the winter months when the mansion is beautifully decorated for the holidays.

The grandiose Basilica of St. Josaphat attracts more than faithful Catholics – it's admired by architecture lovers and history buffs alike. Modeled after Rome's famous St. Peter's Basilica, this Milwaukee religious site was designed by German architect Erhard Brielmaier after the original church burned down in 1889. And like its Roman counterpart, the Basilica of St. Josaphat features a cross-shaped floor plan, as well as a massive copper dome. Along with its impressive exterior, the interior is decorated with stained-glass windows, painted columns and oil murals completed by Roman artists. The building was designated a basilica by the pope in 1929, a rite for the most decorative and historically significant of Catholic churches. 

The basilica earns praise from recent visitors, who describe being "simply stunned" by its ornate interiors. Although several former visitors highly recommend attending Sunday Mass here, you can also take a self-guided tour. Stop by the visitor center to pick up a walking tour brochure. The center is located in the Pope John Paul II Pavilion on the west side of the basilica and open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Note that the last tour of the day must begin at 2:15 p.m. The center also houses photo exhibits detailing the basilica's construction.

Connecting three riverfront neighborhoods – the Historic Third Ward, downtown and Beerline "B" – the Milwaukee RiverWalk is enjoyed by locals and travelers alike. The walkway, which extends for 20 blocks, features dining, shopping and public art installations. It's also where you'll find the iconic Bronze Fonz statue, which depicts Arthur Fonzarelli ("Fonzie"), Henry Winkler's character in the Milwaukee-set sitcom, "Happy Days."

In the Historic Third Ward, visitors can access more than 20 galleries and art studios, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and the Broadway Theatre Center. In the downtown section, travelers will pass through the city's largest theater district, as well as a three-block historic landmark zone known for its German heritage. The northern section of the RiverWalk encompasses the Beerline "B" neighborhood, which is mostly residential and home to the Lakefront Brewery.

For a kid-friendly spot, spend some time at Milwaukee's technology and science center. Discovery World offers multiple hands-on exhibits and experiences to keep the little ones engaged. At the museum's Reiman Aquarium, see marine animals of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Amazon River and the Great Lakes. Interactive displays at the museum include Les Paul's "House of Sound," which displays some of the jazz musician's famous Gibson Les Paul guitars. The model railroad exhibit enchants young and old and features Milwaukee landmarks in miniature. The facility is also home to one of the world's largest interactive models of the Great Lakes.

The aquarium is a favorite among previous visitors and the view of Lake Michigan is well appreciated. A couple of reviewers said some exhibits need repair and felt worn, but overall, most visitors with children enjoyed their time and recommended it to others.

If you're looking for ancient creatures, human history, and live butterflies all in the same place, the Milwaukee Public Museum has you covered. With a collection of 4 million specimens, permanent exhibits range from a 14,000-year-old Hebior mammoth skeleton to a life-size "Streets of Old Milwaukee" diorama that offers a glimpse at what the city may have looked like in the early 1900s. Enjoy a walk through a re-created century-old village, inspired by 33 different European cultures, then stop by the Puelicher Butterfly Wing, where you can watch butterflies flit around a two-story garden. And in the Native Games exhibit, visitors can learn about the history and significance of games played by tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Daniel M. Soref Plantarium and Dome Theater offer stargazing programs (included in admission) as well as educational films (for a fee).

Previous visitors sang the praises of the butterfly exhibit, along with the dinosaur displays. The "Streets of Old Milwaukee" exhibit seemed to be a favorite, though a few travelers were disappointed that it didn't represent people of color. Several reviewers commented on the "tired" feel of some of the displays. The museum will be opening up a new facility in 2026 in the Haymarket neighborhood, which will include new exhibits.

Rum, whiskey, vodka and gin aren't just the staples of a good bartender – they're also what you'll find at Great Lakes Distillery. As the first distillery in Wisconsin to open since Prohibition, it prides itself on using local ingredients, such as Door County cherries and Wisconsin-grown grain. Visitors can join an hourlong tour of the distillery, or take a seat in the tasting room to enjoy an extensive cocktail menu along with local favorites like walleye and cheese curds.

Recent visitors spoke highly of the tour, applauding the informative guides and the chance to see the distillation process up close. Other reviewers enjoyed the atmosphere of the tasting room and recommended it to locals and visitors alike. The food and drink offerings received high praise as well.

If you want to sound like a local, refer to the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory as "The Domes." Occupying land in Mitchell Park, one of the first five parks created as part of the Milwaukee Parks Commission in 1890, the conservatory's star attractions are its three beehive-shaped glass domes. Each dome offers a different experience and environment for visitors.

The Desert Dome houses more than 600 plants originating from regions around the world, including North and South America, Southern Africa and the Canary Islands, and Madagascar. As you admire the cacti, dragon blood trees, Gerbera daisies and the crown of thorns, keep your eyes peeled for Steve, the dome's resident bearded dragon. The Tropical Dome is a popular place to visit in the fall and winter, when the dome's 80-degree temps provide a welcome respite from the snow falling outside. You'll feel like you've stepped into a rainforest thanks to the orchids, hibiscus, palm trees and birds-of-paradise that surround you. Meanwhile, the Floral Dome hosts five floral shows throughout the year based on the season. Time your visit between November and January if you'd like to see the popular Holiday Show, when poinsettias, chrysanthemums and amaryllis fill the space, or during the spring, when tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, pansies and lilies are in full bloom.

One of a string of lighthouses perched along the shores of Lake Michigan, the North Point Lighthouse was originally constructed in 1855 to help mariners navigate the Great Lakes. In the years that followed, the lighthouse structure was modified several times; the lighthouse you see today is not the original. Now fully restored and operating as a historic site, the attraction welcomes visitors to tour its exhibits and former keeper's quarters. To reach the lantern room and enjoy expansive views, visitors (5 and older) must climb 84 stairs and a ladder to reach the top of the 74-foot-tall lighthouse. Aside from the lighthouse and its exhibits, visitors may also be interested in the park where it is located (Lake Park), which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who is best known for designing the grounds of New York City's Central Park.

Recent travelers enjoyed their visit, even if the lighthouse wasn't open for tours. Many commented on the lighthouse's impressive restoration and maintenance. For those visitors who enjoyed a tour, each said the docents were well-informed. Several reviewers complimented the gardens surrounding the area, saying it added to their photos.

Jutting into Lake Michigan, Veterans Park wraps around McKinley Marina and is a popular place for locals and visitors alike to hang out and relax. Along with plenty of wide, open spaces, the park is home to a 14-acre lagoon and canoe, kayak and swan pedal boat rentals during the warmer months. For those who prefer to stay on land, the paved Oak Leaf Trail circumvents the 92-acre park and is popular with cyclists and joggers alike.

Recent visitors appreciated the park's close proximity to downtown Milwaukee. Others came to pay respects for those who have served in the armed forces. Several visitors suggested stopping by the Gift of Wings Kite Store to pick up a kite to fly at the park (the Lake Michigan breeze creates ideal kite-flying conditions). Several previous visitors enjoyed the various festivals hosted at the park throughout the year.

This urban beach located just north of downtown Milwaukee features plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the Lake Michigan views. Along with beach volleyball, Bradford Beach is also a prime birding hot spot – more than 200 species have been spotted here. There's also a free beach wheelchair checkout, as well as a permanent concrete ramp and Mobi-mats for accessing the sand. For beachside snacking, find a seasonal custard shop and a cafe that serves beer, wine and cocktails, along with a full dining menu.  

Bradford Beach earns positive reviews from summertime visitors, especially locals. Most described the beach as clean and relaxing. Others appreciated the free and convenient nearby parking, as well as the food and drink vendors.

Once home to the Schlitz Brewery's draft horses, this 185-acre property attracts visitors and locals alike with its 6 miles of hiking trails bisecting forest, restored prairies, ravines, wetlands and the Lake Michigan lakeshore. In the late 1800s, the Uihlein Schlitz family acquired the land from individual owners and used it to rest the draft horses they used for pulling beer carts. After Prohibition, vehicles replaced horses and the land was used for recreation and eventually donated to the National Audubon Society. In addition to hiking trails, visitors can learn about birds of prey in the raptor center or use the accessible Mystery Lake boardwalk. Travelers can climb above the tree canopy via the 60-foot observation tower to see the nature center and Lake Michigan. For those who don't want to climb the tower, a Lake Michigan viewing platform is also available. Inside the visitor center, find exhibits detailing the work at the center, an art display and special programming just for kids

Most recent visitors commented on the well-maintained property and the views of Lake Michigan. For those who visited during the fall, they gushed over the foliage colors and abundance of wildlife. Many also appreciated the clean restroom facilities and the informative visitor center.