Milwaukee [1] is more spread out than Madison [2], obviously, but a weekend in the Beer City is still a nice mix of lovely walking and relatively pain-free driving.
First stop for any visitor is the city’s Historic Third Ward and Riverwalk [3] for lots of shopping and noshing.
For lunch, try the Riverwalk Bistro [4] which has a splendid patio.
In the afternoon, Drink in the exteriors of the Milwaukee Art Museum [5] and then go in for its fine holdings; if time, bop over down the, er, lakepath to the Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin [6].
After a rest, you’ll head for Milwaukee Historic Turner’s for fish fry or any of their other wonderful eclectic dishes. After dinner take in a show at the Pabst Theater or Marcus Center for Performing Arts [7] (MCPA).
The classic Milwaukee hotel is the Pfister [8]; if you have the dough, it’s worth the splurge.
You’ve got to be up to see the sunrise over Lake Michigan; it’s spectacular, anywhere along the lake. You’ll be hungry afterwards, so head for a healthy breakfast thereafter at Beans and Barley [9].
Then head for the worth-a-whole-day Milwaukee Public Museum/IMAX [10] and, if you have time, the Harley-Davidson Museum [11]. Lunch along the lake again at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro [12].
In the afternoon, after a rest up, take in a tour of what made Milwaukee famous at Miller Brewing [13]. Throw in a coffee along Brady Street [14] before dining at Karl Ratzsch’s Old World Restaurant [15], for a taste of what German food can be at its best.
For a bit of nightlife [16], head to Jefferson Street for a quiet evening drink, or, for a bit more fervor, concentrate on Water Street.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/madison
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/historic-third-ward-and-riverwalk
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/food/downtown/water-views
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/milwaukee-art-museum
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/discovery-world-pier-wisconsin
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/entertainment-and-events/culture-and-the-arts/cultural-centers
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/accommodations/downtown/over-150
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/food/north-downtown/vegetarian-and-health-food
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/milwaukee-public-museum-and-imax
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/west-downtown/harley-davidson-museum
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/food/north-downtown/fine-dining
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/west-downtown/miller-brewing
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/neighborhoods-and-historic-districts/brady-street
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/food/downtown/german
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/entertainment-and-events/nightlife