Top Things to Do in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Catch the Milwaukee Brewers in this major-league ballpark (formerly Miller Park) with a retractable roof and reasonably priced tickets.

Bring a towel and relax at this popular urban beach, or get in on soccer, sand volleyball or a yoga class. Beachside snack bars make it easy to find ice cream and drinks.

Experience the city's brewing heritage with local beer and snacks, like a sausage flight, at Lakefront Brewery. Sprecher Brewing Co., which makes root beer and other craft sodas as well as beer, offers tours. Check online to see when Miller Brewing Company will resume tours.

Exhibits encourage exploring science and technology at the engaging waterfront museum. 

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The city celebrates its heritage through festivals. Signature events include Irish Fest, the Wisconsin State Fair and Summerfest.

Related: Eight Milwaukee Festivals to Visit This Summer

The $524 million sports and entertainment arena opened in 2018, providing a 17,500-seat home for the NBA's Bucks and a venue for performers like Justin Timberlake. Check the website for upcoming events.

Paintings and sculptures at the Milwaukee School of Engineering chronicle the evolution of organized work in areas such as agriculture, skilled crafts and mining. 

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The 20-acre campus is a must-see for its hands-on exhibits and nine Harleys to "ride" past farms and rivers.

A 12-square-block neighborhood of 1890s warehouses now holds boutiques, galleries, cafes and the Broadway Theatre Center. A highlight: Milwaukee Public Market, a collection of specialty food growers and shops selling goods and serving lunch and dinner.  

Related: Milwaukee Has Incredible Food Halls—Here Are Our Favorite Ones To Try

Passionate volunteers lead the preservation society's architectural tours.

Related: Top Things for Active Travelers to Do in Milwaukee

The streetcar connects Milwaukee's central train and bus station to many of the city's attractions and hotels.

Glass ceilings soar 90 feet above visitors to the postmodern Quadracci Pavilion. A $34 million expansion and renovation brightened galleries displaying highlights of the museum's 30,000-piece collection.

Double-deckers ply the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan for sightseeing.

Tour options include Around the Ward in 90 Minutes and a Streetcar Lunch Tour. Private tours available on request.

Discover what the city was like during the 1880s in The Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Or walk through Africa or Living Ocean. 

The world's largest collection of pop culture nodders (6,500-plus) stars Babe Ruth, Flo the Progressive Insurance saleswoman and more. 

This former German community has restaurants, 19th-century storefronts and cobbled streets. Usinger's, a fourth-generation business, sells over 70 sausage varieties.

Beer baron Frederick Pabst built this 1890s Flemish Renaissance mansion; the restored home hosts exhibits and tours. 

The 3-mile path along the Milwaukee River winds past restaurants, shops, pubs and outdoor art. 

From May through September, the 38-foot Quinn Marie sails from McKinley Marina.  

Peanut shells litter the floor and crayon graffiti decorates the walls of the burger joint, which delivers nuts via overhead "bombers."

Mismatched chairs, cherubs and taxidermy set a fun mood for wine and sharing small plates. 

Savor seasonal French cuisine at this pastoral spot along Lake Michigan.

It's hard to beat the Classic Benedict with piles of ham and poached eggs, but we love the goat-cheese- stuffed hash browns, too, at this lively brunch spot. 

About 400 Wisconsin farmers supply the ingredients for the braised dishes that will please discerning palates. 

With 40 pages of beers to choose from, you're sure to find one to go with your European-style meal of mussels and mac 'n' cheese with Brie at Cafe Benelux.

This local coffee cafe serves tasty cookies, huge yogurt parfaits and sandwiches, plus offers free Wi-Fi and great joe, of course. You'll find multiple local branches, but our favorite is the one along the lakefront in the historic Milwaukee River Flushing Station.

This cozy Bay View tavern serves comfort foods, like fennel-rubbed spare ribs and spicy crab pasta with pepperoni.

Waterfront dining shows off Lake Michigan views and seafood such as rainbow trout, salmon and lobster.

Locals call this frozen custard their fave. 

Open since 1902, Mader's art and antiques turn dinner into a gallery visit. The sampler features three German classics, including Wiener schnitzel.

This Deer District bar caters to sports fans with dozens of screens throughout the space and elevated takes on bar food classics, like the Mecca Burger Nachos with brisket burger and cheese. 

James Beard Award-winner Justin Aprahamian creates seasonal fare—like a cucumber gazpacho with lemon cream or pear compote with Maytag blue cheese—at his fine-dining spot.

One of Milwaukee's favorite brunch spots in Brewer's Hill is best known for the BELTCH: Bacon, eggs, lettuce, tomato and cheddar on sourdough with sambal aioli and potatoes. 

At the classic, blue-collar Milwaukee bar, we love the Sobelman Burger, topped with Swiss, cheddar and American cheeses; bacon; fried onions; and fried jalapenos. 

Burgers, beer and milk shakes go high-class at a slick Fifth Ward bar. The German Stack is a potent mix of beer brat patty, raw onion, spicy mustard and sauerkraut. 

The porthole in the front door hints at the seafood specialties: dishes such as king crab and sweet leek bruschetta, lobster pot pie, and chargrilled oysters.

It's the place to go for housemade sausages, with more than two dozen options for classics, as well as chef-selected toppings.

Gleaming copper brewing kettles anchor the lobby in the refurbished Pabst Brewery Complex, which has 90 guest suites and an on-site pub.

The lakefront, museums and other downtown attractions are easy to access from this Art Deco hotel.  

A 63-suite Art Deco boutique lodging downtown offers a variety of accommodations including pet-friendly suites, spa suites and conference suites. 

An edgy yet welcoming downtown hotel mixes biker-inspired decor with sophisticated guest rooms.

To encourage local exploration, the hotel lends guests customized leather backpacks, as well as custom bikes. Come back to relax at The Outsider rooftop bar or Tre Rivali restaurant.

Opulent architectural details, antique furniture and an artist in residence combine with modern comforts in the 1893 Romanesque Revival hotel.

The former Intercontinental Hotel has an artsy new personality, with a ukulele, record player, colored pencils and drawing paper in every room. 

For more information: visitmilwaukee.org