West Milwaukee WisconsinATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near West Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1. Milwaukee Art Museum
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Milwaukee Art Museum stands as one of the city's most iconic cultural institutions, featuring over 25,000 works of art from antiquity to the present. Visitors can marvel at the stunning Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion with its movable sunscreen that opens and closes like wings. The museum offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan while housing impressive collections of American decorative arts, German Expressionism, folk and Haitian art, and American art after 1960.
2. Pabst Mansion
HISTORIC GILDED AGE ESTATE
The Pabst Mansion is a grand Flemish Renaissance Revival-styled house built in 1892 for Captain Frederick Pabst, founder of the Pabst Brewing Company. This architectural landmark offers immersive tours that transport visitors back to the Gilded Age, showcasing the opulent lifestyle of one of Milwaukee's most prominent brewing families. The meticulously preserved mansion features original furnishings, artwork, and decorative elements that highlight the craftsmanship and luxury of the era.
3. Harley-Davidson Museum
MOTORCYCLE HERITAGE EXPERIENCE
The Harley-Davidson Museum celebrates the iconic American motorcycle brand that was founded in Milwaukee in 1903. Visitors can explore over 450 motorcycles and artifacts, including the oldest known Harley-Davidson motorcycle, while learning about the company's rich history and cultural impact. The 20-acre campus features interactive exhibits, a restaurant, a gift shop, and special events that appeal to motorcycle enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
4. Lakefront Brewery
RIVERFRONT CRAFT BEER
Lakefront Brewery offers one of Milwaukee's most entertaining brewery tours, combining the city's brewing heritage with humor and generous beer samples. Located in a former power plant along the Milwaukee River, this craft brewery produces award-winning beers including their famous Riverwest Stein and New Grist gluten-free beer. After the tour, visitors can enjoy live polka music, cheese curds, and additional brews in the spacious beer hall with riverside views.
5. American Family Field
HOME OF MILWAUKEE BREWERS
American Family Field (formerly Miller Park) serves as the home stadium for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team and is located within walking distance of West Milwaukee. The stadium features a fan-friendly atmosphere, a retractable roof that ensures comfortable game viewing regardless of weather, and the famous sausage race during the sixth inning. Visitors can take behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark when games aren't in session or enjoy America's favorite pastime while sampling local food and beer offerings.
6. Fiserv Forum
MODERN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT ARENA
Fiserv Forum is the state-of-the-art home of the NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks and a premier entertainment venue for major concerts and events. The arena, opened in 2018, features a distinctive curved roof, innovative fan amenities, and an adjacent entertainment district called the Deer District. Visitors can catch thrilling basketball action, attend world-class performances, or enjoy the surrounding restaurants and bars that create a vibrant atmosphere before and after events.
7. Wisconsin State Fair
ANNUAL SUMMER CELEBRATION
Wisconsin State Fair is an 11-day celebration held annually in August at the fairgrounds just west of West Milwaukee. The fair attracts nearly one million visitors who come to enjoy iconic cream puffs, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and live entertainment on over 30 stages. Visitors can also participate in various competitions, sample unique food offerings on a stick, and experience the rich agricultural heritage of Wisconsin through livestock shows and demonstrations.
8. Milwaukee County Zoo
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK
The Milwaukee County Zoo spans 190 acres and houses more than 2,000 animals representing over 350 species in naturalistic habitats. Visitors can explore diverse areas including the Aviary, Big Cat Country, the Australia Building, and the Aquatic and Reptile Center throughout the year. The zoo also features special attractions like a train ride, zip line, carousel, and seasonal events including the stunning holiday light display, making it a year-round destination for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages.
9. Pettit National Ice Center
OLYMPIC TRAINING FACILITY
The Pettit National Ice Center is an Olympic training facility featuring a 400-meter speed skating oval and two international-size hockey rinks. Visitors can watch future Olympians train or participate in public skating sessions regardless of skill level. The center hosts numerous competitions and events throughout the year, making it a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts even during the warm summer months.
10. Summerfest Grounds
WORLD'S LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Summerfest Grounds at Henry Maier Festival Park host the world's largest music festival along with numerous ethnic and cultural celebrations throughout the year. Located on Milwaukee's lakefront, the 75-acre festival park features multiple stages, permanent food vendors, and spectacular views of Lake Michigan. Visitors can enjoy performances from hundreds of musical acts ranging from global superstars to local talent during Summerfest's multi-week run every summer.
11. Marquette University
HISTORIC JESUIT INSTITUTION
Marquette University is a prestigious Jesuit institution located in the Near West Side of Milwaukee, offering beautiful campus tours and cultural events open to the public. Visitors can explore the St. Joan of Arc Chapel, a 15th-century French chapel that was dismantled and rebuilt on campus, making it one of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere. The university's Gothic architecture, sporting events, and Haggerty Museum of Art provide numerous opportunities for visitors to experience both educational and entertaining activities.
12. Mad Rooster Cafe
POPULAR BREAKFAST DESTINATION
Mad Rooster Cafe stands as one of West Milwaukee's most popular dining establishments, specializing in creative breakfast and lunch options made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant features a farm-to-table concept with generous portions and a warm, rustic atmosphere that draws both locals and visitors. Diners can enjoy signature dishes like stuffed French toast, creative benedicts, and specialty omelets that have earned the cafe its stellar reputation.
13. Milwaukee Public Museum
NATURAL HISTORY EXPLORATION
The Milwaukee Public Museum offers an immersive journey through natural history, anthropology, and cultural exhibits across three floors of exhibition space. Visitors can walk through the Streets of Old Milwaukee, a life-sized diorama recreating the city as it appeared in the late 19th century, or travel through the rainforest in the vivid butterfly garden. The museum's planetarium, IMAX theater, and rotating special exhibitions provide educational entertainment for curious minds of all ages.
14. Discovery World
LAKEFRONT SCIENCE CENTER
Discovery World combines science, technology, and aquatic exhibits in a stunning modern facility on Milwaukee's lakefront. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits on innovation, engineering, and the Great Lakes ecosystem, including touch tanks with native and tropical marine life. The museum features the Reiman Aquarium, the virtual Les Paul's House of Sound, and the historic Denis Sullivan schooner that offers educational sailing experiences on Lake Michigan during the warmer months.
15. Historic Third Ward
ARTS AND SHOPPING DISTRICT
The Historic Third Ward is Milwaukee's arts and fashion district, featuring restored warehouses now housing galleries, theaters, restaurants, and boutique shops. Visitors can explore the Milwaukee Public Market, which offers artisanal and ethnic foods, spices, and local products in a vibrant indoor marketplace. The neighborhood's RiverWalk provides scenic views, public art installations, and access to water taxis that connect this trendy district to other parts of downtown Milwaukee.