It's easy to get blue about the cold weather here in Milwaukee, but wintertime brings its share of fun activities that you can only experience in the snow! If you grew up in cold weather, odds are you've jumped on a sled, tube, or tire and flew yourself down a hill, and it was the time of your life! This snow hill near Milwaukee is made for tubing, and it's sure to make you feel like a kid again while giving you the thrill of a lifetime!
There's a lot to do in Brew City, but if you've been here for a while, it might seem like you've done it all. From brewery tours to Brewers games, the fun never stops... but can get repetitive if you fall into a routine. From adventures for nature lovers to urban gems, we've picked out over a dozen more unique things to do in Milwaukee so you never stop seeing our beautiful city in new ways!
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1. Take a stroll down Brady Street and try every single restaurant.
Brady Street is always bustling with excitement, but have you tried all of the bars and restaurants? From empanadas to Italian and anything in between, there are so many to choose from! Check out Garage, Twisted Plants, Jack's American Pub, and so many more! (Pro Tip: this is THE place for a bar crawl!)
2. Learn about Milwaukee’s history at the totally underrated Cedarburg History Museum.
This Milwaukee hidden gem is a unique little museum within a historic neighborhood. The little-known museum is actually a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the history of Milwaukee during the World Wars and displays items from the 1910s-1940s. This amazing collection shows off all walks of life in Milwaukee's past. It's truly a sight to be seen!
The "Witch's House," as some call, it is actually an amazing work of art by Mary Nohl. This interesting house is a National Registered Landmark, and although there are currently no tours offered, it's a fascinating sight to see from the sidewalk. This eclectic home in Fox Point has been watched, loved, and talked about for decades, and we hope it continues for many more.
4. Learn more about Lake Emily and feel way cooler while walking downtown.
Did you know there's a lake hiding under our city streets? If not, the history is fascinating and is a tale to tell next time you're strolling down Wisconsin Avenue. Lake Emily has quite a few stories to share. You'll never look at downtown Milwaukee the same way again!
Jazz In The Park is a free summer concert series and one of the most beloved summer activities in MKE. Did we mention it's free? Get up and dance every week during the summer in the beautiful Cathedral Square Park.
This fireworks riverboat tour will light up the night and show you the city in ways you've never experienced. The cruise runs during all of Milwaukee's most popular fireworks shows from Polish Fest to the July 3rd U.S. Bank show. You may have adored these shows from the beach, but they are so much more beautiful from the water!
7. Say cheers at the city’s best - and oldest - cocktail lounge.
Chic, romantic, and full of history, not only is Bryant's the best, it's also the oldest cocktail lounge in the entire state! Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge has been serving up elegant cocktails since 1938 and is still going strong. Ask your bartender for recommendations - they definitely know what they’re talking about. You're sure to have a drink unlike any you've ever had!
City living can get tiring, so why not stop and enjoy yourself for a bit? This hidden swing park is right in the middle of the city, and it has us feeling like a kid again! The Swing Park is located under the Marsupial Bridge Media Garden and the Holton Street Bridge. There are swings for everyone and it's a perfect place to stop, take a break, and have some fun.
Shakers Cigar Bar is the only licensed cigar bar in the city and is well-known for their hand-rolled cigars and impressive drink list. However, those aren’t the only spirits you can find here; this haunted Milwaukee bar might have the creepiest history of any haunted restaurant in the city. They offer ghost tours for inquiring minds!
10. Go to the most weirdly wonderful store you'll ever find.
Brady Street is full of eclectic shops, and this one is no exception. Whether you’re looking for juggling supplies, darts, boomerangs, yo-yos, disc golf gear, or a rubber chicken, Art Smart's Dart Mart is absolutely one of a kind! (Plus, the name is fun to say.)
11. Dine in (a very unique) style at Milwaukee's quirkiest restaurant.
This Walker’s Point restaurant is anything but boring. With hamburgers the size of your head, an upbeat atmosphere, and bingo for a good cause, there’s simply nowhere like Hamburger Mary's on 5th Street.
12. Stroll through an alley made for cool cats like you.
This street alley art gallery on the east side is a popular photo-op and full of incredible murals. Whether you've strolled by or snapped a few photos, Milwaukeeans know and love Black Cat Alley. If you haven’t wandered through this art alley yet, now is a perfect time to visit this community-driven gallery!
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Of course, these hidden gems in Milwaukee are just the start of everything this city (and our state) has to offer!
Have you checked any of these off your bucket list? What are some of your favorite things to do in Milwaukee or around Wisconsin that get overlooked? Let us know in the comments! And don't forget to share photos from your adventures with us on Instagram by tagging #onlyinmilwaukee for a chance to be featured.
For more of the best things to do in Wisconsin, venture outside the city to explore! These unique places to visit in Wisconsin also make for some of the best day trips and are definitely worth checking out. You can even rent an RV to make your getaway extra sharable!
The Most Epic Indoor Playground In Milwaukee Will Bring Out The Kid In Everyone
Bounce Milwaukee is an indoor playground offering a variety of activities for all ages, including laser tag, rock climbing, and vintage games, along with a full bar and restaurant.
Editor's Note: Since the publication of this article, Bounce Milwaukee has permanently closed.
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Everyone loves to feel like a kid again, and when you have a kid of your own, it's nice to go somewhere everyone can enjoy! This indoor playground in Milwaukee has many different activities for people of all ages. With fun for everyone, delicious food and drinks, all right here in Milwaukee, what more do you need? You'll never have to hunt for an accessible and fun outing for the family again.
Bounce Milwaukee is a premier indoor playground filled with everything from bouncy arenas to a full bar and restaurant. There's something for every family member at this house of fun.
If you're looking to have fun, this is the place to go.
There are play areas rated for kids of all different ages so no matter who hold your child or children are, everyone can find something engaging to enjoy.
Kick around a soccer ball on this squishy surface or challenge a team to bounce volleyball! Just when you thought sports couldn't get more fun, they did.
With a two-level laser tag arena, the fun is endless! Bounce Milwaukee uses Helio, one of the top laser tag systems. There are no age restrictions and if you fall in love with the game, you can even join a league! This one is as fun for a group of adults as it is for children.
Whether you need a challenging climb or a beginner's route, they have it all! Instructors are on site to watch for safety and make sure that you feel comfortable and knowledgeable about what you're doing. It's risk-taking and adventurous but in a controlled environment.
When you get tired of jumping around, you can take a break with some vintage games.
When you've played enough to work up an appetite, stop and grab a bite! For the adults, there's a full bar with all of your local favorites. As for food, there are awesome options like loaded tots, pizza, and quiche from Honeypie Cafe. Their restaurant menu is extensive and primarily Milwaukee-themed, including pizzas with names like "The Milverene" and "The Milwaukeean." Even the most picky eaters can find something to love on this menu.
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To truly feel like a kid again, try the Mock Chicken Leg pizza!
If you grew up in Milwaukee and went to MPS, you either have fond memories (or nightmares) of the infamous 'mock chicken leg' at lunchtime. Whether you loved it or hated it, you can relive your childhood at Bounce Milwaukee. And we promise, this one is a lot better than whatever was uncovered in your school lunchroom.
Overall, Bounce Milwaukee is full of fun for everyone and will unleash your joyful inner child.
There are several different options for admission. You can pick out individual attractions with shorter time limits, which run from $3.50 to $6.50 or choose unlimited-use wristbands. Wristbands are more expensive on the weekends, holidays, and during school breaks.
Bounce Milwaukee offers several fun activities throughout the day (included with wristband purchase), as well as bigger special events throughout the year. The space is also available to rent for parties and special events. For more information, check out their website.
Bounce Milwaukee is located at 2801 S. 5th Ct. in Milwaukee.
Have you been to the Bounce Milwaukee indoor playground? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments!
