Typically referred to as probably the most underrated cities within the Midwest, Milwaukee is filled with farmers markets, festivals, beer gardens and greater than 150 spacious parks. The very best half? Many of those actions are free to expertise.
Right here’s our information to the most effective free issues to do in Milwaukee.
1. Milwaukee Public Market
Situated within the Historic Third Ward, the Milwaukee Public Market shouldn’t be your on a regular basis market. Apart from providing a cornucopia of contemporary produce, native artisan meals merchandise, and handcrafted wares, get pleasure from cooking lessons offered by native and nationwide cooks. Dine at one of many market’s many eating places, corresponding to Cafe Benelux, which is impressed by the eponymous European area that features Belgium and The Netherlands. Thirsty? Try one of many market’s seven bars.
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Planning tip: Try the market’s web site for his or her record of present occasions. And, obtain a market map right here.
2. Black Cat Alley
One of many few curated outside road artwork galleries within the metropolis, guests to Black Cat Alley can view works by creatives and muralists from Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Berlin and extra. Take a second to snap a selfie or two in entrance of Black Cat Alley’s many lovely backgrounds. The artwork rotates, so examine the web site to see which artists are showcased and when new work is making its debut.
3. Alice’s Backyard City Farm
Alice’s Backyard City Farm is a regionally led group house for individuals to attach and bond in an attractive outside setting. This two-acre farm on Milwaukee’s north aspect hosts occasions corresponding to modern dancing with Danceworks, a neighborhood dance firm, guided and self-guided meditative walks in an natural labyrinth, artwork actions for youths, film nights and stay music on fish-fry nights.
Free pre-scheduled excursions or self-guided excursions can be found for these desirous to study the backyard’s historical past as a cease on the Underground Railroad.
Browse the backyard’s Artisan Market, the place native farmers and distributors promote contemporary produce, jewellery, natural skincare and extra.
Planning tip: Verify their web site for dates and instances. Though most occasions at Alice’s Backyard are free, a couple of particular occasions require a small charge.
4. Hank Aaron State Path
Hit lots of the metropolis’s premiere locations whereas following the 14-mile Hank Aaron State Path, named for the Milwaukee baseball legend. As you comply with the path, select the experiences you’ll encounter alongside the way in which: wildlife and nature actions on the City Ecology Middle, viewing Santiago Calatrava’s white wings artwork set up that dominates the pavilion of the Milwaukee Artwork Museum, catching the waves at Bradford Seashore and searching sea glass alongside the water’s edge at Lakeshore State Park. The path additionally connects to different metropolis trails, together with Beerline and Oak Leaf.
Planning tip: The Milwaukee Artwork Museum is free for all guests on the primary Thursday of every month.
5. Veterans Park
A piece of the Oak Leaf Path winds by means of Veterans Park, an oasis of inexperienced and backyard areas close to downtown Milwaukee. Lining the shore of Lake Michigan, in good climate, actions embody boat leases for plying the waters of the 14-acre lagoon and the Present of Wings Kite Retailer’s free kid-friendly motion pictures within the park.
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The park additionally hosts its annual free Kite Pageant, the place hobbyists showcase their finest and largest kites in stand-out shapes, corresponding to whales, yellow butterflies and orange jellyfish.
6. Swing Park
Milwaukee has no scarcity of parks for guests to discover, however Swing Park is without doubt one of the most pleasant – and most below the radar of all of them. It’s the solely Milwaukee park with adult-size swings, however it’s kid-friendly too.
Discover Swing Park beneath the Marsupial Bridge Media Backyard and Holton Road Bridge, not removed from busy Brady Road, one of many coolest streets within the metropolis, with its many retailers and eating places,
Planning tip: The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes) is one other intriguing spot to discover. There’s a minimal cost to get in apart from the primary Thursday of every month when admission is free.
7. Bradford Seashore
Pack snacks and a seashore towel and head to the lakefront to bask within the solar at Bradford Seashore. Catch a free sand volleyball sport placed on by a neighborhood league, be part of a frisbee sport, hop within the freshwater lake, or simply lay out on the sand all day. You’ll additionally see individuals rollerblading and biking alongside the sidewalk on the inland areas surrounding the seashore.
Bradford Seashore is the go-to summer time spot the place you possibly can expertise Milwaukee in motion, particularly on a sizzling day. Be ready to listen to music, odor scrumptious meals, and see individuals of all ages working and taking part in round Lake Michigan and on the seashore.
Planning tip: Convey loads of sunscreen since you’ll wish to keep some time.
8. Milwaukee farmers markets
There’s no cost to discover the various seasonal farmers’ markets. Apart from native goodies and contemporary produce grown close by, lots of the metropolis’s markets have stay performances. The Shorewood Farmers Market gives a mixture of contemporary native produce and meals vans serving empanadas, waffles, spring rolls, home made donuts and extra. There are each farmer stalls at South Shore Farmers’ Market close to Lake Michigan in addition to pop-ups from native espresso roasters, ice cream makers and barbecue eating places.
Planning tip: Most markets run from June by means of October with a number of reopening throughout the vacation season.
9. Basilica of St. Josaphat
Open to all, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, a grand granite construction stunningly accented with Italian-style domes and ornamental plaster, was constructed for the Polish immigrant group that flourished on Milwaukee’s South Facet. The purple, blue, yellow and orange stained-glass home windows from Austria and its European-style murals contributed to St. Josaphat being named the third basilica in the US in 1929. To go to, schedule a free tour on-line or go for a self-guided go to. Each decisions embody a free exhibit detailing the basilica’s historical past.
10. Milwaukee Public Library
Established in 1878, the Milwaukee Public Library system is the most important public library system in Wisconsin, and the downtown department is probably the most extravagant. Guests can admire the mosaic-tiled flooring, marble columns and grand staircases paying homage to the French and Italian Renaissances. The downtown department additionally supplies free actions and storytimes for households.
Planning tip: Go to the Library Bookseller, the library’s used bookshop operated by Mates of the Milwaukee Public Library.
11. Jazz within the Park
For lovers of jazz, blues and funk, Jazz within the Park is a must-visit free occasion. Jazz within the Park has been a staple for nearly 30 years and takes place at Cathedral Sq. Park. It’s Milwaukee’s largest weekly music collection, with greater than 5000 individuals attending every week. Households, {couples} and associates all come to hang around and benefit from the music each Thursday from Could to September.
Planning tip: Make sure to pack a picnic basket to carry with you, together with a blanket or garden chair for the garden seating.
12. Sculpture Milwaukee
The outside exhibition Sculpture Milwaukee brightens up the tall buildings and parking constructions downtown. Greater than 20 sculptures are scattered over two miles, from Sixth Road to O’Donnell Park. Alongside the way in which, you’ll spot summary sculptures, together with larger-than-life blue pickup sticks, a bronze statue of a Black sportsman and a colourful blob monster. Each bit showcases the type and id of native artists and artists from world wide. The installations change yearly, and the exhibit is open solely in summer time.
Planning tip: Additionally free is the 40-acre Lynden Sculpture Backyard.
13. North Level Lighthouse
Initially constructed in 1891, the restored North Level Lighthouse in Lake Park is a picturesque landmark reflecting the town’s maritime historical past. Discover the grounds without spending a dime. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for college students – a small value to pay for a climb to the highest to see the panoramic view of downtown Milwaukee and the huge expanse of Lake Michigan past.
14. Milwaukee RiverWalk
Comply with the three-mile Milwaukee RiverWalk because it winds by means of the center of downtown. Open 24 hours a day, 12 months a 12 months, entry factors let strollers discover the various stops alongside the way in which. Relive the town’s historical past whereas exploring the artsy Historic Third Ward neighborhood with its centuries-old repurposed warehouses and the European-style Previous Third World Road that pays homage to Milwaukee’s German roots.
Planning tip: Obtain a map of the riverwalk.
15. South Shore Seashore
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Milwaukee and the enjoyable however busy Bradford Seashore and as a substitute spend a day enjoyable at South Shore Seashore on the town’s South Facet. Inexperienced areas and mushy sand protected by a breakwater create a snug spot for leisure. Facilities embody volleyball nets, a playground and restrooms. Arrive early and climb the rocks to snap pictures of the solar rising over Lake Michigan.
Preserve planning your journey to Milwaukee:
Exploring Milwaukee’s neighborhoods
Exploring Milwaukee’s finest metropolis parks
6 secret American street journeys so as to add to your bucket record
Make an ideal escape to Wisconsin’s Geneva Lake
