I’ve made it clear that I am not a city gal, but there is nothing like visiting Milwaukee!
Milwaukee is such a fun city and certainly underrated. My sister and my best friend live in Milwaukee, and we don’t visit them nearly enough, but we manage to check out new spots every visit.
These are our top 5 spots we have visited in Milwaukee that can be combined for the perfect day trip to the city!
Here is the breakdown of our favorite places in MKE so far!
1. Black Sheep
This stop is an absolute MUST simply for their unique, incredibly delicious cheese curds! They are locally sourced curds in a pancake batter and they’re served with maple syrup. We both agree that these are one the best orders we have ever had! If that isn’t enough, they have a great Happy Hour Monday-Saturday 4-6pm and brunch on the weekends.
The Milwaukee Public Market is such a legendary spot, and we simply can’t get enough of it. It’s so fun to walk through, and there are so many local businesses ready to fill your belly with all sorts of goodies. From local meats & cheeses to the most beautiful desserts– they have it all! Our favorite spot in the market is St. Paul! They are known for their lobster tail bloody marys. Yes, you read that right–LOBSTER! Hayden loves their oysters and we both really enjoyed the lobster roll. I desperately want to try their fish fry! They also have a really cute patio tiki bar that always has really fun energy. I can’t wait to go back!
Central Standard is a local distillery that opened a restaurant with a killer cocktail menu right near the Third Ward. Get a flight to sample their booze straight or order a cocktail and then head to their rooftop patio to take in the great view. After that, head back down to the bar to devour one of their incredible charcuterie boards. Be sure to make it a point to check out their super cute merch before you head out!
This state park is set right on the shore of Lake Michigan and a great way to spend the afternoon. You can walk or bike (check out the Bubblr bikes for rent around the city) the lake shore and check out the gorgeous red lighthouse and views of Hoan Bridge. There is a nice, small beach and lots of room to relax on the grass.
This luxury hotel is extremely dog-friendly and absolutely stunning! It is located near the Harley-Davidson Museum and brings the history of the city to life in the details. I can’t recommend a stay here enough! If the great accommodations weren’t enough, they also have 3 places on site for drinking/dining.
1. Ash- A fine dining restaurant with a truly remarkable menu.
2. The Yard- A super fun, dog-friendly patio bar. Grab a cocktail and luxury seat and relax.
3. Branded- This is a great casual dinner spot. They have a nice selection of appetizers and I highly recommend the mac & cheese!
PERFECT MKE TRIP
Start your day strolling the Milwaukee Public Market and then grab a seat at St. Paul for a lobster tail bloody. Walk the Third Ward to check out the cute local shops before heading to Central Standard Crafthouse for a cocktail and a snack. Once you’re fueled up, head over to Lakeshore State Park to walk or bike the lake front. Then, when you have worked up an appetite, head to Black Sheep for Happy Hour and enjoy those delightful curds and a drink! After Happy Hour, make your way to Iron Horse to have dinner at one of their many restaurants before resting your head for the night. We hope you have the best time in Milwaukee!
This is from our experiences so far, and we know we have a lot more exploring to do! If you have any recommendations for us, feel free to comment below!
Note: We are in the works of planning/creating a dog day in MKE, but the timing just hasn’t worked out yet. I hope we can still make it happen this year, but it might be an adventure for next summer. We do have a running list of dog-friendly spots in Milwaukee going, but we have yet to check them out ourselves with a pup by our side!
Awesome post! I’ve been meaning to check out blacksheep!😊