Out and About in Metro Milwaukee
What would a trip to Milwaukee be without a tour of Miller Brewery? There is plenty rto see, learn and of course sample during the FREE tour. Find out about our home brewed beer at www.millercoors.com and follow the links for tour information.
When the warm weather arrives and spring is in the air, you should check out the Milwaukee Brewers. Miller Park is one of the must see stadiums in the country and you will have a blast watching one of the National League’s most exciting teams. Of course, you will see the incredibly famous Brewers/Klements sausage races too! Check out all the happenings and schedules at: www.brewers.mlb.com
- Summerfest! The biggest music concert series in America takes place right here in Milwaukee. This year is no exception. There is something for everybody’s musical taste in this 11 day celebration. Headliners include: Kid Rock and Cheryl Crow, Maroon 5, Peter Gabriel, Buckcherry, Sugarland, Neon Trees, Styx, Katy Perry, Toby Kieth, O.A.R., Def Leppard, Loretta Lynn, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West and yes, Britney Spears… just to name a few. It’s 11 days, 11 stages and over 700 acts! Here is the link: www.summerfest.com for schedules, tickets etc.
- One of America’s most beautiful sites is the Milwaukee Art Museum. The 341,000-square-foot Museum includes the War Memorial Center (1957) designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the Kahler Building (1975) by David Kahler, and the Quadracci Pavilion (2001) created by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. See what is going on and spend the day. Enjoy! www.mam.org.
- The Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) has been part of the Milwaukee scene since the first conservatory was built in 1898. The original conservatory exhibited flowers in a “greenhouse” setting and served the public until 1955. Now experience a desert oasis, a tropical jungle and special floral gardens all in one afternoon . . . and an amazing lighting display in the evening! 524 South Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53215 (414) 257-5604
www.milwaukeedomes.org/ Click this video to see a preview of The Domes spectacular light show.
- Our own Milwaukee Bucks made it to the playoffs this year and if it weren’t for a few key injuries, they could have done some damage in the playoffs. If you have the chance when visiting, see what it is like to enjoy an NBA game at a reasonable price. Coach Scott Skiles and the team are one of the most exciting pro teams to watch. Check out their schedule at: www.nba.com/bucks. Fear the DEER!!!!
- The Milwaukee Wave is one of the premier teams of the Major Indoor Soccer League. They are an annual contender for the League championship. Coach Keith Tozer lead the team to their eighth regular season championship this year and was named “Coach of the Year”. Keep an eye on the Wave’s activities and schedule at: www.milwaukeewave.com.
- College basketball is always exciting and Milwaukee has its share of great teams. Alumni come from all over the country to see a Marquette Golden Eagles game. As a Big East powerhouse, you know that The Golden Eagles will always put on a great show. Check out www.gomarquette.com for the latest updates and schedules. And don’t forget about the UW Milwaukee Panthers. They were a 20 game winner this year and runner up to Butler in the Horizon League. Great college basketball at a great price! Check out the Panthers at www.uwmpanthers.cstv.com
- Even though the professional football season lasts only a few months, it’s Green and Gold year round a few hours north of Milwaukee at the fabled home of the Green Bay Packers. Tour Lambeau Field, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the history of one of America’s most beloved pro sport franchises. Go to www.packers.com and make a day of it.
- One of the most successful pro hockey franchises in the country is our own Milwaukee Admirals. They are regular contenders in the American Hockey League playoffs. The action is non-stop at the Bradley Center when the Admirals are in town. This is always a lot of fun and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Don’t forget Major Goolsby’s across the street before the game. The Admiral’s site is: www.milwaukeeadmirals.com
- Milwaukee is known as the City of Festivals….and there are a lot of them. Starting in early June and continuing until fall, the city is full of music, food and fun. For updates and links to the really big citywide festivals including Polish Fest, German Fest, Irish Fest and Festa Italiana. Check this site out: http://www.december.com/places/mke/calendar.html. Spend the entire day at any one of these amazing events and enjoy the food, music and people! Of course there are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of wonderful church festivals throughout the metro area whenever the weather is warm. But, you’ll have to find them on your own.
- If music is your thing and you don’t like it real loud and the people even louder, see who is playing at Shank Hall (cozy with regional bands) and The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The atmosphere is always more laid back and the music is very cool. The Marcus also has great performances by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and their Broadway season features Les Miserables, Wicked, Hair, Jersey Boys and a lot more. See www.marcuscenter.org and www.shankhall.com for their latest updates.
- One of the best sites to get the lowdown on EVERYTHING MILWAUKEE is www.onmilwaukee.com. The music guide is helpful with everything going on at the Pabst Theater, Bradley Center, Potawatomi Casino and even at the Up and Under.
- When in Milwaukee, don’t miss the Harley-Davidson Museum where you will enjoy the history of the All American Motorcycle and find interesting sights and sounds everywhere. Take a break at the Motor Bar and Restaurant while you are there. Check out everything Harley at www.harley-davidson.com.
Milwaukee Nightlife Top 10 (by 10best.com)
Caroline’s Jazz Club -
Swanky, casual, upscale. Call 414-221-9444.
Elsa’s on the Park – www.elsas.com Contemporary, trendy, daily specials
Hi Hat Lounge – www.highhatlounge.com Classy, relaxed, good food
Historic Turner Restaurant – www.historicturner.com Great food, Friday Fish Fry!
Mad Planet – www.mad-planet.net Dance, edgy, call ahead
The Knick – www.theknickrestaurant.com Business lunch, after work place to be
Vitucci’s – www.vituccis.com Since 1934, good music – live and jukebox
Water Street Brewery – www.waterstreetbrewery.com Fun, beer, must see!
Victor’s – www.victors-nightclub.com Big dance floor, drinks, Cougar town!
Shank Hall – www.shankhall.com Local & regional musicians, cozy, relaxed
Miscellaneous Fun Places
The Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee is the transformation of a 100-year-old warehouse into a luxury Milwaukee boutique hotel that delivers an authentic Milwaukee experience. As the industry’s first upscale hotel geared for business travelers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike, this Milwaukee hotel meets the distinct needs of both corporate and leisure guests with special services, unparalleled amenities and 100 loft-style guest rooms. Stay or just visit. It is one of the best places to see and be seen!
www.theironhorsehotel.com
1.888.543.4766 Reservations
The Safe House – Est. 1966 – A true Milwaukee landmark and one of our most famous restaurant and bars. A spy themed place with more twists and turns then a New Jersey turnpike. www.safe-house.com
Milwaukee Public Market – This is just a really neat place to go. There are great restaurants plus an exceptional food market. One of the best places to see and be seen in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org
Potawatomi Bingo and Casino – Find out about our area’s premier casino at www.paysbig.com. The Northern lights Theater features world renown entertainers like Tony Bennett, Etta James, Jay Leno, B.B. King and Chris Isaak to name a few. Great food is available at the Dream Dance Steak House. Eat your heart out Vegas.
Mader’s – Established in 1902. Milwaukee’s premier stop for authentic German food and drink. Visitors have included everybody from Ronald Reagan and JFK to John Wayne, ZZ Top, Frank Sinatra, Alicia Keys, Audrey Hepburn, Stevie Wonder and many more. A real must see. www.madersrestaurant.com
If music is your thing and you don’t want a huge crowd, try any one of the following establishments. For great music in a fun atmosphere it’s the Milwaukee Ale House www.ale-house.com or the Cactus Club www.cactusclubmilwaukee.com.
For karaoke you can’t go wrong with the Up and Under Pub (414) 276-2677 or the Frank ‘N Stein (414) 264-4440. Fun places both! Call for schedule.
Great sports bars are everywhere, but downtown Milwaukee’s best known (or coolest) are:
Fanatics (www.theofficialfanatics.com)
Karma (www.karmamilwaukee.com),
AJ Bombers (www.ajbombers.com)
Major Goolsby’s (414) 271-3414
Zim’s (www.zimsbar.com ).
Did somebody say bowling??? You know that Milwaukee would have two of the very best neighborhood bowling alley/bars in America. Landmark Lanes is a true Milwaukee institution. The history is long with lot of twists and turns, you must go on their site and check it out. www.landmarklanes.com. Fascinating history.
And if you have a set of wheels, try out the Bay View Bowl (414-483-0950). It’s a real neighborhood place, great food, great prices and it’s soooo Milwaukee.
One of the nations finest Zoos is open year round and it’s located right here in Milwaukee County! The Milwaukee County Zoo is home to over 2,200 various animals and features year round activities for the entire family. Our Zoo is more then just a zoo; it’s a destination for education, fun and food. Don’t miss the Adventure Dinosaur Exhibit which is new for this summer. www.milwaukeezoo.org
The Milwaukee Public Museum is one of the largest of its type in the country. With over 6,000,000 specimens the three and a half floors house many of the most fascinating displays you will ever see anywhere. The facilities also include a Planetarium as well as an amazing Humphrey IMAX Theater with a six story screen! See the Dead Sea Scrolls, walk with live butterflies, meet your ancestors (just kidding) and more. Get the latest on exhibits and activities at www.mpm.edu .
If music of every type and comedy headliners are of any interest to you, see the calendar of events for the Pabst Theater at www.pabsttheater.org. There you will find a never ending line up of talent to suit everybody’s tastes. Two other venues at The Pabst include The Milwaukee Theatre www.milwaukeetheatre.com and Turner Hall. A fascinating history of Turner Hall can be found at www.milwaukeeturners.org
Amazing acts!!!
Landmark Area Churches
Milwaukee has a rich religious history and the churches to prove it. The following churches are Milwaukee landmarks and some of the most beautiful in the country.
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church www.stpaulsmilwaukee.org
- Basilica of St. Josaphat www.thebasilica.org
- St. Joan of Arc Chapel (414) 288-6873
- Church of the Gesu www.gesuparish.org
- Three Holy Women Parish: St. Hedwig’s, St. Rita’s, and Holy Rosary www.threeholywomen.org
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist www.stjohncathedral.org
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church www.oldsaintmary.org
- St. Stanislaus www.institute-christ-king.org/milwaukee
- Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation www.annunciationwi.com
- Grace Lutheran Church www.gracedowntown.org
- St Paul’s Episcopal Church www.stpaulsmilwaukee.org
- Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church www.trinitymilwaukee.org
- St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church (414) 645-4773
- Tripoli Temple www.tripolishrine.com
- Immanuel Presbyterian Church www.immanuelwi.org
The history of these churches is amazing. The sites will tell you a little about each of them. Truly remarkable and fascinating reading! Visually, they display beautiful architecture and art work. A must see when visiting Milwaukee.
Comedy Clubs
Sometime you just need a little laugh. There are a number of places where you can get your funny bone tickled. Milwaukee’s comedy clubs host some of America’s funniest and best known comedians. Our most popular comedy clubs are:
Jokerz Comedy Club – www.jokerzcomedyclub.com It’s out in the burbs near Waukesha. Reasonable prices.
Comedy Sportz - www.comedysportzmilwaukee.com Near Downtown. Popular spot and family friendly.
JD’S Comedy Café – www.jdscomedycafe.com In the “Brady Street” area. Established Milwaukee club. You never know who will show up.
Giggles Comedy Pub – www.gigglescomedypub.com Another one that is out in the burbs. Nice place and some big names.
Popular Downtown Neighborhoods
Brady Street is a neighborhood street within Milwaukee’s East Side neighborhood. It is bounded by the Milwaukee River on the west, Lake Michigan on the east, Kane Place on the north, and Ogden Avenue on the south. Brady Street itself runs west from Prospect Avenue (overlooking the Lake) to Van Buren Street (near the Holton Viaduct Marsupial Bridge). At Van Buren, Brady Street turns into Water Street and angles south into downtown Milwaukee. This is Milwaukee’s version of Greenwich Village NY. You will find trendy shops, eateries and interesting people everywhere. Another place to see and be seen!
Water Street is more than your average street. Not only does it bisect the downtown area, following the path of the Milwaukee River, but it is also a central avenue of entertainment and nightlife in the city. Nestled in between the river, Farwell, the East Side, Brady Street, and North Avenue, Water Street is the perfect place to start your activities.
Starting at the south end of Water Street and between the cross streets of Erie and Clybourn, you will find the edge of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. The Third Ward is considered the Arts and Fashion District of Milwaukee. In this area you will find sidewalk cafes, unique shopping places, theaters, galleries and the Milwaukee Public Market. A sunny day enjoying the Third Ward is a day well spent!
Milwaukee Radio Stations
When you rent a car, do you search and search for a station that you like? This just might make that task a little easier.
88.1 FM – WMWK – Family Radio – website
Genre: Christian family, gospel
88.9 FM – WYMS – Radio Milwaukee – website
Genre: independent, local
89.7 FM – WUWM – Milwaukee Public Radio – website
Genre: local National Public Radio affiliate
90.7 FM – WHAD – Ideas Network - website
local Wisconsin Public Radio affiliate
91.7 FM – WMSE – Frontier Radio – website
Genre: local independent
93.3 FM – WJZI – Soft Rock, Less Talk – website
Genre: soft rock
94.5 Lake FM – website
Genre: Adult Hits
95.1 FM – WIIL – Will Rock – website
Genre: rock and metal
95.7 FM – WRIT – My Music, My Station – website
Genre: ’50s, ’60s and ’70s
96.5 FM – WKLH – Classic Hits – website
Genre: classic rock
97.3 FM – WQBW – The Brew – website
Genre: classic rock, rock and ’80s
98.3 FM – WJMR – Jammin’ 93 – website
Genre: urban contemporary, R&B
99.1 FM – WMYX – The Mix – website
Genre: top 40, rock
100.7 FM – WKKV – V100 Jams – website
Genre: hip-hop, R&B
100.1 FM – WTKM – Relevant Radio – website
Genre: Catholic radio
102.1 FM – WLUM – Rock 102.1 – website
Genre: alternative rock
102.9 FM – WHQG – The Hog – website
Genre: rock, classic rock
103.7 FM – WXSS – Kiss FM – website
Genre: Top 40, pop
104.7 FM – WDDW – La GranD – website
Genre: Latino
104.9 FM – WTKM – Kiss FM – website
Genre: polka, classic country
105.3 FM – WFZH – Today’s Christian Music – website
Genre: Christian
106.1 FM – WMIL – Continuous Country Favorites – website
Genre: contemporary country
106.9 Big Buck Country – website
Genre: contemporary country
107.7 FM – WVCY – VCY America – website
Genre: Christian talk and music
| WTMJ 620 AM | 620 WTMJ Wisconsin’s news, sports and talk leader | News/Talk, Radio | Website | ||
| WNOV 860 AM | 860 AM – The Source | Urban Contemporary, Radio | Website | ||
| WOKY 920 AM | The Memory Station | Nostalgia, Radio | Website | ||
| WLIP 1050 AM | Kenosha’s Radio Station | Nostalgia, Radio | Website | ||
| WISN 1130 AM | News Talk 1130 WISN – News Every Hour Every Day | News/Talk, Radio | Website | ||
| WEMP 1250 AM | Religious, Radio | ||||
| WMCS 1290 AM | Celebrating the Legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr | News/Talk, Radio | Website | ||
| WJYI 1340 AM | JOY 1340 – Today’s Christian Music | Christian Contemporary, Radio | Website | ||
| WRJN 1400 AM | WRJN News Talk for Racine & Kenosha Wisconsin | News/Talk, Radio | Website | ||
| WBJX 1460 AM | Spanish, Radio | ||||
| WBKV 1470 AM | Classic Country AM 1470 WBKV | Country, Radio | Website | ||
| WPJX 1500 AM | Ethnic, Radio | ||||
| WAUK 1510 AM | Sports, Radio | ||||
| WTKM 1540 AM | Polka Music, News, Classic Country and Local Talk | Variety, Radio | Website | ||
| WZRK 1550 AM | Bridging the Gap Between Faith and Everyday Life | Religious, Radio | Website | ||
| WGLB 1560 AM | Milwaukee’s Gospel Music Source | Gospel Music, Radio | Website | ||
| WKSH 1640 AM | Radio Disney. Your Music. Your Way | Children’s, Radio | Website | ||
Fine Dining!
Of course being that it is Milwaukee, there are sooooo many great places to eat, that we could not list all of them. However, we will take the risk of missing some excellent places to dine just to give you a few tips in addition to those mentioned as unique or special in some way. Here we go anyway…
There are five classy, upscale restaurants owned by the Bartollata family. Details can be found at www.bartolottas.com . You cannot go wrong with any one of them.
The Coquette Café has recently been voted the best French Restaurant in Milwaukee. If you find you are a fan of French cuisine, check out their site at http://www.coquettecafe.com/. Talk around town is that it is amazing.
The Lake Park Bistro is another traditional Milwaukee French restaurant with their own die hard fans. The Bistro is part of the Bartolotta group mentioned above.
Popular upscale fare can be found at the Milwaukee ChopHouse Restaurant where steaks, seafood and style are their tagline. And they are right!
The Capital Grille is one of Downtown’s most popular restaurants. Great food and service are their trademark. It is one of those places to see and be seen.
Of course, you cannot go wrong with Zarletti. It’s considered by many to be the finest Italian food in Milwaukee. Check out their site at www.zarletti.net it will make you hungry…really!
And one of the newer and most popular places to dine is Kil@wat Restaurant. It has become a must see and experience place in Milwaukee. Their site is: www.kilawatcuisine.com . You only hear raves about the place.
If meat is why you like to eat in the Midwest, you will have your fill at Carnevor. It is just exactly what the name implies. T-Rex eats here: www.carnevor.com.
I’ll give you two more gems to consider and then you’ll have to shop for them on your own. A wonderful place to spend an evening enjoying great food and a lively ambiance is Coast – A Zilli Restaurant. Their site is www.coastrestaurant.com. The place even is surrounded by great views.
And finally, another tip of the hat to wonderful Milwaukee tradition. Opened in 1904, Karl Ratzsch’s Restaurant is considered one of the top German Restaurants in the Midwest get some details at www.karlratzch.com.
Best Fine Dining by Urbanspoon: Milwaukee’s Top 10 Rated as of May 2010
- Roots Restaurant & Cellar – http://www.rootsmilwaukee.com
- Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro – http://www.lakeparkbistro.com
- Crazy Water – http://www.crazywaterrestaurant.com
- Eddie Martini’s – http://www.eddiemartinis.com/
- Umami Moto – www.umamimoto.com
- Tenuta’s – www.tenutasitalian.com
- Sanford – www.sanfordrestaurant.com
- Farmstead – www.urbanspoon.com
- Le Reve – www.lerevecafe.com
- Rustico – www.rusticopizzeria.com
Milwaukee Areas Best New Restaurants for 2009
Charro Tacos & Tequila: www.charrorestaurante.com.
Ginger on 2nd: www.gingermilwaukee.com.
Honeypie Café: www.honeypiecafe.com
Juniper 61: www.juniper61.com
Smyth: www.theironhorsehotel.com
Wasabi Sushi Lounge: www.wasabisakelounge.com
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Carol Deptolla, Dining Critic
SUSHI!!
And what list would be complete without some ratings and recommendations for Sushi? This list is by no means complete. There are some terrific places to get sushi in the burbs like Japanica, Restaurant Hama, Kyoto and Wasabi Sushi Lounge you really need to check out.
But we are just speaking about the downtown area. Listed in no specific order are:
Umami Moto, 414-875-3049. www.umamimoto.com
Izumi’s Japanese Restaurant, 414-271-5278. www.izumis.com
Benihana’s Japenese Steakhouse, 414-270-0890. www.benihana.com
Ichiban, 414-278-8056. ichibanmilwaukee.com
Sake Tumi, 414- 224-7253. www.sake-milwaukee.com
Nanakusa Japanese Restaurant, 414- 223-3200. dinenanakusa.com
You cannot go wrong with any of these!
