DestinationThings to Do in Downtown Milwaukee

Discover why locals call Milwaukee the City of Festivals. Stroll through Cathedral Square, an urban park featuring summer jazz concerts and the city's official Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Making your way toward Lake Michigan, you’ll run into East Town, a popular cultural hub for festivals like Bastille Days, the Lakefront Festival of Art, and Firkin Fest.

downtown milwaukee skyline from across river

Historic Third Ward

The Historic Third Ward is a creative hub for performing arts, studio spaces, patio dining, and indie boutiques. Popular venues include the Broadway Theater Center, Milwaukee Public Market, and Henry Maier Festival Park.

fiserv forum exterior

Fiserv Forum

Home of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and the Marquette Golden Eagles, the 17,341- seat Fiserv Forum is a multi-purpose arena for sporting events and concerts, including Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, and the Harlem Globetrotters. 

person riding a motorcycle

Harley-Davidson Museum

Learn about the art and history of America’s most famous motorcycle brand. The Harley-Davidson Museum spans three buildings and includes hundreds of thousands of artifacts that document the 110-year history of the company.

marquette university campus buildings and lawns

Marquette University

Under a mile away from our downtown Milwaukee hotel, this private university offers more than 80 majors in a variety of studies, including healthcare, business, and law. Stop by and see Iggy, the official golden eagle mascot. 

couple in winter clothes at market

Milwaukee Public Market

Get a taste of Milwaukee’s local food scene with a trip to the Milwaukee Public Market. Here you can meet the city’s most creative culinary minds who partner with organic farms to source ingredients for their seasonal cuisine.

downtown milwaukee at sunset

Milwaukee Street

Many of Milwaukee’s most popular attractions are found near Milwaukee Street in East Town, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, and Restaurant Row.

street in downtown Milwaukee with red and white striped awning

Old World Third Street

When you want to take a culinary trip without leaving the city, make your way to Old World Third Street along the Milwaukee River. This cultural hotspot is bestknown as the city’s hub of traditional German food and pubs.