MKE 101: What to eat, do and see in the Cream City

Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest city and has a ton to offer — and Marquette is fortunate to call the Cream City home. This guide will help you explore our urban playground that’s home to great eats, sports teams, moments in nature, arts and culture, and so much more.

Arts, history and culture:

• Milwaukee Art Museum is an icon set on the lakeshore, featuring a pair of gigantic metal wings that open and close throughout the day. The award-winning wings were designed by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.
• The Harley-Davidson Museum proves Milwaukee’s rank as the most hog-friendly city in the world. Visit to see 125-plus years of H-D motorcycle history — and stay for lunch at MOTOR Bar & Restaurant.
• America’s Black Holocaust Museum builds awareness of slavery’s legacy, how it influenced our society’s economic, political and legal systems, and commemorates individuals who struggled for justice and fought for freedom.
• Take a tour of the Pabst Mansion, located steps from campus, which serves as a testament to the Gilded Age and preserves the history of one of the founding families of beer.
• Learn about Wisconsin’s place in history and check out the larger-than-life exhibits at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Those exhibits will be moving in 2027 to a brand new campus near Fiserv Forum — the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. We can’t wait to check it out!

Brew City sports:

Milwaukee has a multitude of options when it comes to cheering on sports teams.

• Party in the parking lot at American Family Field before a Brewers game. Tailgating is a Milwaukee tradition and it’s your chance to enjoy tossing some bags and munching on brats before taking in a ballgame!
• Watch the Bucks hoop it up on the hardwood at Fiserv Forum during the NBA season. Make a full night of it and head to the Deer District early. Grab some dinner and a beverage at Explorium or catch other games on a 38-foot big screen at Tom’s Watch Bar.
• Ice hockey isn’t just for our neighbors to the north and south. Take in a Milwaukee Admirals game at the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena. Don’t forget your cowbell and make sure to give their mascot, Roscoe, a high-five when you see him.
• And, of course, cheer on the Golden Eagles! The men’s basketball team plays at Fiserv Forum; the women’s basketball and volleyball teams call the Al McGuire Center on the Marquette campus home; Valley Fields hosts sports like lacrosse, soccer and track and field; Wellness + Helfaer Recreation is home to the tennis and women’s swim teams.

Get your groove on:

Did you know the Milwaukee Theater District has the highest number of theater seats per capita in the U.S.? And that’s just in the downtown area! Take in the tunes at these great venues:

• If you know Milwaukee, you’ve probably heard about Summerfest. The World’s Largest Music Festival spans nine days and hundreds of performances spanning all genres.The Pabst Theater Group‘s intimate, historic venues are busy year-round, including the famous Pabst Theater, Riverside Theater, Miller High Life Theatre, Turner Hall Ballroom and Vivarium.
• Landmark Credit Union Live is the newest addition to Milwaukee’s music scene in the heart of the Deer District.
• Enjoy both classical and modern music, opera, ballet and theater with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at Bradley Symphony Center or the Marcus Performing Arts Center.
• The Rave / Eagles Club, located a few blocks north of campus on W. Wisconsin Avenue, brings in national touring acts of all genres — and often has multiple shows each night! Ask someone there about the haunted pool in the basement … if you dare.
• Discover local artists at smaller venues like X-Ray Arcade, Cactus Club or The Argo.

Out and about:

Put on your shoes, grab a bike or hop on a bus. The best way to get to know Milwaukee is neighborhood by neighborhood. Check out these great stops:

Keep ‘er movin’ outdoors:

Milwaukee is home to some amazing biking and hiking trails. The Oak Leaf Trail and Hank Aaron State Trail systems are used for biking, walking, running, roller blading and birding all over Milwaukee County.

• Grab a Bublr Bike and ride along the lakefront.
• Rent a swan paddle boat at Veteran’s Park or ride a cruise from the Milwaukee River to Lake Michigan — who says you have to do all the work?
• Maybe the outdoors aren’t for you. That’s no problem! Hit the ice at Brookfield Curling Club, or skate or run some laps at Pettit National Ice Center, where many Olympic speed skaters do their training!

Get your grub on:

Milwaukee is for foodies. Check out some of the reasons Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the best food cities in the U.S. in 2025:

• Milwaukee’s bread and butter is really burgers and bratwurst. You can find good pub-style fare anywhere in the city, like the “Big O” from Oscar’s on Pierce or the Miltown Sausage from Brat House — a Usinger’s brat topped with cheddar cheese, sautéed onions and sautéed mushrooms on a pretzel roll. It doesn’t get more Wisconsin than that!
• Experience refined dining from acclaimed chefs like James Beard winner Adam Siegel at mediterranean-inspired Lupi & Iris, “Top Chef” finalist Dan Jacobs at Chinese fusion staple DanDan, celebrity chef Adam Pawlak’s pasta creations at Egg & Flour, or James Beard winner Dane Baldwin’s modern plates at The Diplomat.
• From tacos to ice cream to sushi, discover some good eats at Zocalo Food Park, a.k.a. food truck heaven, in the Walker’s Point neighborhood.
• Every visitor to Marquette’s campus is required (OK, not really) to make a visit to Real Chili, a tasty tradition that dates to 1931. Be sure to get a sticker to prove you tried a Marquette legend!
• Milwaukee has not one but two downtown food halls: The Milwaukee Public Market features culinary mainstays like St. Paul Fish Company and West Allis Cheese Shoppe, while 3rd Street Market Hall features nearly two dozen vendors, a gaming lounge and free shuffleboard.
• Your Milwaukee journey wouldn’t be complete without a Milwaukee Fish Fry! Beer-battered, hand-breaded or baked, every restaurant has a different take on this Wisconsin classic. Check out Visit Milwaukee’s Fish Fry Guide!

Looking for even more recommendations? Check out Marquette Magazine’s MKE 101 click here.