Location: Milwaukee
Top Things to do in Milwaukee
Things to do in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WI): The Best Architectural Buildings
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is perhaps best known for its famous breweries and the Major League Brewers, but there's more to the city than beer and baseball. Milwaukee is rich in historical and cultural attractions, making it the perfect place for a weekend of exploring. Check out the newly expanded Milwaukee Art Museum or the Mitchell Park Horticultural Society, which hosts an annual show of the same flora and fauna seen in Georgia O'Keefe's paintings. Those interested in the city's history can visit the grand Pabst Mansion, former home of one of the city's famous beer barons, or the Milwaukee Public Museum, to see what life was like in Old Milwaukee. If the kids are along, don't miss the Milwaukee County Zoo or the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Of course a trip to the "Genuine American City" would not be complete without a tour of the Miller Brewing Company and a Brewers game at Miller Park.
Restaurants in Milwaukee
1. Basilica of St. Josaphat
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 845 reviews
Enter the Basilica of St. Josaphat through the Visitor Center, Monday-Saturday, 9:00am to 4:00pm for visits and tours; free tour after Sunday 10:00am Mass. The Visitor Center is in the Pope John Paul II Pavilion at S. 7th Street and West Lincoln Ave. Enter from the street side or parking lot. Located in Milwaukee’s historic Lincoln Village, the Basilica is a ministry of the Conventual Franciscans and has a captivating story of faith, historical significance, and unmatched architectural and artistic beauty. Polish immigrants built the Basilica over 115 years ago using salvaged materials from the razed U.S. Post Office and Custom House federal building in Chicago. Its 250 foot high copper dome is the icon of the diverse neighborhood the Basilica serves today. The Basilica hosts community events, performances of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and others. The St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation, a 501(c)(3) works with the Franciscans to preserve and restore the Basilica. All are welcome!
Reviewed By scottofhawaii - Honolulu, United States
...at least for me. First of all, the place is psycho-beautiful with amazing gilded architecture colored in powerful Catholic art, iconography, whatever... I sure did miss seeing world-class places like this this past year. In this typical, kind of beat-up American city, the basilica is a palace with its deep awe-inspiring imagery and objects. It's both a gift and scar left behind in the wake of an obscene history the church created across the world. It's also a confusing dichotomy that both perplexes and seduces me at the same time. I'm like both in a daze and state of intimacy when I'm in a place like this. Anyway secondly, there was this guy who said he was a priest that started talking to me. I guess he was a priest, but he didn't have one of those collars on. He was just sitting in one the benches (pew?) in the main hall (nave?). He started talking to me and blurting out his life story: Vietnam vet, priest for over 40 years, cancer and chemo, even end of life issues. At first it all seemed so over the top and inappropriate, but I don't know. I wound-up asking him if the church is going to guide/see him through his final years. I told him the VA is going to be the people who do that for me. I guess that makes the VA my religion now. I also took a shot at him about the priest/abuse thing saying his team has really "taken it on the chin" about that stuff. He quickly tried to deflect and play the victim card a little. Anyway, I guess I'm meeting new people again. Couldn't do that while wigging-out about catching COVID like I did for the past year in Pittsburgh.
2. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
3. Brewers Hill
4. St. Joan of Arc Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By H7585INadrianam - Syracuse, United States
What a story! Chapel from France is bought and taken to the US and sat on the property of someone's house for years until being gifted to the college and reassembled there. My boyfriend and I visit a lot of churches and chapels all over the world and have been to France so we just adored this quick stop to see a little piece of history. The stonework in the church is really quite remarkable.
5. Milwaukee Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse
6. Historic Turner Hall
7. Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 60 reviews
Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is an Italian Renaissance-style villa designed by architect David Adler in 1923 as the residence of Lloyd Smith of the A.O. Smith Corporation, his wife Agnes and their family. The villa’s courtyards, terraces and Renaissance garden flowing down to the lake make it unique in Milwaukee. The permanent collection features fine and decorative arts from the 15th through the 18th centuries. The museum is also home to the Cyril Colnik Collection and Archives. Colnik was Milwaukee’s master decorative iron artisan from the late 19th to the mid-20th century.
8. War Memorial Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 43 reviews
Experience the stories that built our nation. The War Memorial Center was never intended to be a static veterans memorial. Our founders—the Milwaukee community—envisioned something more. Rather than build another flagpole or bench, the people of Milwaukee wanted a living memorial to “Honor the Dead by Serving the Living.” Our educational experiences will bring to life this memorial and tell the stories of the veterans who served and sacrificed for our freedom
9. Labyrinth at Calvary Church
Labyrinth walk every Second Saturday of the month, 1:00-2:30pm, followed by a complimentary Yoga class, 2:30-3:30pm. All are warmly invited to walk the Labyrinth for meditation and prayer in the beautiful interior of the Big Red Church in downtown Milwaukee. Calvary Presbyterian has been recognized for its rare permanent indoor labyrinth modeled after the Chartres Cathedral in France.
10. Mitchell Building
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
