Happy Days In Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Nestled along the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee stands as what I see as the gateway to the upper Midwest of the United States. Its rich tapestry of cultural heritage, lively neighborhoods, and robust industrial past have all contributed to its unique character over the years. Milwaukee is a true melting pot, showcasing the influences of its early settlers, including German, Polish, Italian, and Irish communities. This diverse background is reflected in the city’s stunning architecture, renowned breweries, and a strong sense of community spirit. While there are many fantastic spots to explore in this gateway city, this guide will highlight a few must-visit destinations. Here, you can enjoy a mansion tour of one of the city’s notable industrialists, tour a historic brewery, and check out a quirky museum filled with thousands of bobbleheads. Best of all, many of these attractions are conveniently located within walking distance of an exceptional Riverwalk.

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Walk and Wander along the Riverfront and Downtown

Milwaukee is renowned for its numerous bridges, a reflection of its historical development. The city was established in 1846 through the unification of three rival villages located on the east, west, and south banks of the Milwaukee River. Despite their competition, these communities recognized the necessity of collaboration to deliver essential services and foster growth. Over the years, Milwaukee evolved into a significant industrial center, known as both America’s leading brewery city and a hub for machinery. Although the industrial era has waned, the city has transformed into a remarkably pedestrian-friendly environment, featuring an exceptional Riverwalk adorned with various sculptures, including one of Arthur "Fonz" Fonzarelli from the iconic sitcom Happy Days. This scenic walkway allows pedestrians to traverse several blocks, linking key destinations such as the Historic Third Ward and the vibrant Milwaukee Public Market with the bustling downtown area.

Milwaukee Public Market

This spot in Milwaukee is well-known for its variety of attractions, such as delicatessens, wine shops, coffee bars, a seafood shack, and a cheese and sausage shop, creating a delightful environment for a leisurely walk. It acts as a perfect addition to the area, serving almost as a "gateway" to the Historic Third Ward district. Many vendors also offer seating for their customers. While the area may not be large, it exudes a lively ambiance. In my next post, I will delve into some of the food and drink options available nearby.

Bobbling to the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

After my flight landed and before I could check into my hotel, I had some free time, so I decided to stop by this place. I’m somewhat familiar with bobbleheads, having seen them given away as promotional items at baseball games over the years. Essentially, bobbleheads feature oversized heads that wobble on a spring when nudged and they typically rest on a compact, sturdy base. Since they’re inexpensive to produce, it’s common to receive them for free with game tickets.

What I found intriguing about this location is that it offers much more than just the well-known sports like baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. It features an array of bobbleheads representing politicians, historical figures, mascots, wrestling icons, fictional characters, and more. If you're looking for a fun way to spend an hour or two, this is an excellent destination. The museum effectively utilizes its compact space with a clever bookcase arrangement and a thoughtful display of bobbleheads.

Take a tour at the Pabst Mansion

Perched on a modest hill in Milwaukee, in the shadow of Marquette University, stands a mansion dedicated to Captain Frederick Pabst, a pivotal figure in the city’s brewing legacy. Pabst resided in this mansion until his passing in 1904. Following his death, the property was inherited by his children and subsequently donated to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, serving as a residence for several archbishops. A total of five bishops occupied the mansion until the 1960s, after which it fell into a state of neglect. Fortunately, a local heritage organization intervened, restoring various elements of the mansion. Today, it remains open for tours, attracting over 45,000 visitors each year.

I decided to do the tour, and went on the 11am tour. When you arrive at the mansion, you will need to check in with the Visitors Center and Gift Shop. It is located at the neighboring building, and consists of a video room and gift shop. The attendant was a young grad student named Ken from neighboring Marquette University, we talked about the baseball playoffs briefly as I was proudly wearing my Mets hat (they had just won the NLDS of the playoffs and was moving on to the championship series, the precursor to the World Series).

Not only can you do the tour, you can also have a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer while touring!

We finished our tour of the mansion in just an hour. Our guide was a delightful and knowledgeable graduate student named Betty, who hails from nearby Marquette University. It was truly captivating to learn about the lives of the people who once lived there. Unlike many other mansions I've visited, this one is quite a bit smaller and lacks the usual opulence. The mansion features three levels: the first floor is designed for entertaining, the second floor houses the bedrooms, and the third floor serves as the guest area. Additionally, there’s a section on the first floor for the servants and butlers, along with a large safe cleverly concealed behind a cabinet door! While much of the mansion has been beautifully restored, the third floor is still undergoing some renovations, but they are making significant efforts to bring it back to its former glory.

Take a Tour of the Miller Brewery

When you're in Milwaukee, taking part in a brewery tour is essential. The city boasts a vibrant beer culture that its locals are very proud of. Although Miller is one of the many breweries that has transitioned into a corporate brand, I still appreciate a nice, cold Miller Lite especially during football season.

Before the tour, I want to stress how crucial it is to book in advance. I made the mistake of reserving my spot the night before, thinking it was for the next morning, but it turned out to be for the day after! I only realized this when I arrived for check-in and discovered I wasn’t on the list for the 10:30 am tour. Fortunately, they were able to fit me into the 11 am tour, and I received a Miller Lite wristband. While I was waiting, I tried a Miller High Life beer, and honestly, it was much better than I anticipated! Maybe it was just because I was at the brewery? Who knows.

The waiting area is packed with bar tables, and the walls are decorated with key moments from the history of Miller Brewing Company, wrapping up in 2016. There's a gift shop connected where you can snag anything from a Miller Lite neon sign to a cozy sweater, plus some Green Bay Packers gear too (we are in Wisconsin after all!). In the waiting area, you'll find display cases showcasing different letters, artifacts, and vintage cans of Miller beer products.

At the start of the tour, our enthusiastic guide Jim leads us into an auditorium for a brief film that explores the brewery's history, along with a tasting of Miller Lite. Following that, we take a leisurely walk along the sidewalks to admire some truly historic buildings, including the stables and the original brewery established by Frederick Miller. Next, we enter the brewery where Jim explains the brewing process in detail. Just a quick note: be prepared to climb about four flights of stairs, and it can get quite warm inside, so come ready! However, the insights he provides about their process are incredibly fascinating.

After exploring the brewery and getting a bit of exercise, we were taken to the historic caves. These caves were hand-built using shovels, originally designed to store beer barrels, but now they’re a fascinating part of the tour. As we descended, the temperature shifted from a surprisingly warm 85 degrees Fahrenheit outside to a cool 62 degrees Fahrenheit underground (who needs air conditioning when you have this!). We were about 60 feet below the surface, as the caves are carved into a hill, so the descent isn’t too steep. To top it off, we enjoyed a sample pour of Miller High Life!

After the cave tour, we strolled through the Miller Inn, which is said to be haunted! Jim entertained us with some spooky stories about the Inn, and if you're a fan of ghost stories, they were definitely exciting. It was all in good fun, of course. We were all given a small pour of Killian’s Irish Red, which again, was a better tasting pour than I would have at a tavern!

After that, we had a long walk back to the visitor center, but first, we checked out the bottling plant. I noticed it wasn’t just Miller products being canned; there were also a bunch of Coors Light 24 packs on the line during our visit! Since Miller is now co-owned with Coors, they bottle, can, and distribute Coors, Miller, and Molson brands all in one place. The facility is huge—about the size of five football fields!

They also produce beer for popular brands such as the legendary Pabst Blue Ribbon and Yuengling, which happens to be one of my favorite light beers.

This tour was super interesting, really thorough, and perfect whether you're traveling with friends or on your own. There’s quite a bit of walking involved, so make sure you're ready for that, but it’s a fun way to rack up some steps. If you’re not into alcohol or beer, no worries! They have other drinks like water and soda available. The whole thing lasts about 90 minutes, and it’s definitely worth it.

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Final Thoughts

While this may seem like a huge list, it only scratches the surface of the rich experiences Milwaukee offers its visitors. The Riverwalk acts as a crucial connection between the city's various neighborhoods, serving as both an important landmark and a tribute to Milwaukee's past, present and future. This sense of connectivity is further enriched by a walkable downtown area that stretches from the Milwaukee Public Market to the Pabst Mansion, culminating at the famous Miller Brewery. The Milwaukee Public Market, a bustling hub of local vendors, featuring everything from artisanal cheeses to fresh seafood, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts to the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which celebrates the quirky charm of this beloved collectible. Just a short walk away, the Pabst Mansion stands as a testament to the city’s brewing legacy, inviting visitors to step back in time and explore the opulent home of one of Milwaukee's most famous beer barons. Finally, the iconic Miller Brewery stands tall, where you can take a guided tour to learn about the brewing process and the history of one of America’s oldest breweries. Ultimately, Milwaukee is a city that thrives on its connections and promises a wealth of experiences that will leave a lasting impression.