Tips on traveling to Milwaukee (from a local)
Milwaukee is such a big place when you think about how many places there are to visit and how many things there are to see. Living in Milwaukee (and only 20 minutes from downtown now) let me see so many things I feel like could be easily missed by the average tourist. These are just a few places that my friends, family, and I enjoyed the most. Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton more amazing spots! I’ll have to have more posts about specific ideas for food/events/parks to even touch the surface of what Milwaukee has to offer.
Sip & Purr is one of the cutest coffee shops I’ve been to. Not only do they have delicious pastries and local coffees, but they have a whole giftshop area dedicated to pet merch such as socks, books, pencils, stickers, etc. Oh, and not to forget the best part… YOU CAN PET CATS! Thats right. On the other side of the glass where you enjoy your coffee is a big room filled with cats and kittens playing and running around. You can sit and watch them play, or you can sogn up for a slot to go into the room woth them to play and pet at your hearts desire. Just make sure to bring a lint brush for when you are done!
Eagle Park may be (in my opinion) one of the best breweries in Milwaukee. I’m not a huge fan of beer to begin with so sometimes its hard to find a place that offers more than IPAs and very hop filled beers. Eagle park not only has all those beer enthusiast options, but they also have desert beers, sours, and their newest like of juice based seltzers, Ecto Coolers. Just the Ecto Coolers alone are some of our favorite drinsk to bring to a gathering or party, but they offer so much more. If the weather is nice, you can sit outside at various benches and youll be sure to see people bringing their dogs and puppies along!
If you’ve never had empanadas (or even if you have), you’ve got to check out La Masa. The food is absolutely incredible and high quality. This is a favorite spot with our family, and we will pay extra just to have it delivered outside of Milwaukee! You can mix and match their empanadas (there are many types) and they have special picks that change constantly, so you can keep going and try something new! They also have a bar and serve delicious cocktails to sip along with your meal.
I can’t even begin to imagine how many Up-Down tokens we have. Up-Down is an arcade bar woth two levels. Both levels are filled with new and nostalgic arcade games, as well as a huge Mario Kart screen and shuffle board on the patio. They have fire pits out on the patio to keep warm when its cool outside, and a bar on the first and second level of the building to always be able to get a drink! The whole place has amazing video game decor and they even sell pizza so you can grab some quick dinner. You play the games using Up-Down tokens which you can buy at their machine or at the bar. They are always having special deals to get more tokens for less, and if uts your birthday or a special event, ask for free tokens at the bat and they will give you two cups!
If you’re with a big group or looking to make some new friends, you definetely have to check out the Paddle Tavern. Its a big paddle boat that fits around 10-14 people (depending on the boat) that you can reverse for yourself (great for bach parties) or join a public group. You paddle your way along the Milwaukee river and out into the bay, stopping at various bars along the way. You can also bring your own drinks along for the ride, but make sure to bring an extra for the captain! Cash for a tip at the end is always a good idea. Also, you can connect your phone to the boat Bluetooth speakers and jam out to whatever music you like. It’s a great way to see not only the river but all rhe business and parks along the river. You can even have the captain tell you a little but about different places you pass by and the history!
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Milwaukee, often known for its rich brewing history and vibrant arts scene, offers diverse attractions that encapsulate the heart of Wisconsin culture. Beyond the popular sites, locals recommend visiting charming spots like the Sip & Purr Cat Café, where visitors can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee while playing with adorable cats—a true haven for animal lovers. For beer enthusiasts, the Eagle Park Brewing Company stands out with its diverse offerings, including unique dessert beers and refreshing juice-based cocktails, perfect for socializing on a sunny day. Food lovers can indulge in the incredible empanadas at La Masa Empanada Bar, where creativity meets deliciousness in every bite. If you're in the mood for some fun, no trip is complete without a visit to Up-Down MKE, an arcade bar filled with classic games and lively ambience. Lastly, make sure to hop on the Milwaukee Paddle Tavern for a picturesque ride along the river with friends, while enjoying drinks and good music. Each of these experiences showcases an authentic slice of Milwaukee, ensuring that your visit is both memorable and unique.
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