Milwaukee was a city that I had always been curious about and wanted to visit. Living in Chicago now, I’ve met a lot of people who are from Milwaukee and have nothing but good things to say about it. Milwaukee is also just an hour and a half drive from Chicago, so it’s super accessible and is the perfect location for a quick weekend trip.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Milwaukee and experience the city with my friend Courtney for the weekend (if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen my stories!) We decided to drive to Milwaukee, but keep in mind that there are other modes of transportation to choose from (like Amtrak!)
I didn’t know much about Milwaukee before heading there, but luckily I was able to work with Visit Milwaukee and get their expert opinions and recommendations on where to stay/eat/drink. (I highly recommend checking out their website if you are planning a trip!) Courtney and I also got a bit adventurous in Milwaukee once we got there and tried some places that we found on our own, which I’ll mention below.
Where to Stay
Courtney and I stayed two nights in Milwaukee in the amazing Kimpton Journeyman hotel, located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. I seriously cannot recommend this hotel enough and it’s the obvious choice for where to stay in the city if you want to be in the middle of all the action.
First of all, the interior of the hotel is beautiful and feels very modern – yet welcoming. It’s Milwaukee’s newest hotel, and you can tell as everything is in perfect condition and feels new. When Courtney and I checked in to the hotel on Saturday, we were told that the hotel was having their daily “Social Hour”, where they serve complimentary beer/wine/spritz’ in the lobby area. It was the sweetest welcome – and Courtney and I definitely treated ourselves to a glass of wine before going up to our room. The room was gorgeous and Courtney and I both agreed that the bed was extremely comfortable (trust me – I can be picky about pillows/etc.) My favorite part of the room, however, was the bathroom/shower situation. It basically was my dream shower – it felt so luxurious, especially when I wrapped up in one of the room’s complimentary robes afterward!
The hotel had lots of amenities and fun features, too. Courtney and I loved visiting The Outsider at nighttime, the rooftop bar attached to the hotel. The bar had awesome outdoor seating, delicious drinks, and stellar views of the city from all angles.
Click here for more information about the Kimpton Journeyman and how to book a stay.
Where to Eat/Drink
The Bartolotta Restaurant’s Lake Park Bistro: Courtney and I dined here on our first night in Milwaukee and were absolutely blown away with the experience. Out of everywhere we ate, this is the restaurant that I would recommend the most. The Bartolotta Restaurant’s Lake Park Bistro makes authentic French cuisine and is called “Milwaukee’s most romantic restaurant.” I can see why – the ambiance of the restaurant is perfect, and it sits right on Lake Michigan. Courtney and I were treated to a traditional French meal and couldn’t get enough. Here are my specific food/drink recommendations: start off with a glass of French wine, then have the “Moules Marinières” (Calendar Island mussels and frites), the Filet Mignon Au Poivre, and top it all off with a classic Crème Brûlée or Mousse au Chocolat. Click here to see the full menu, more photos, and make a reservation.
Café Benelux: This café was just a short walk down the street from our hotel and another fun place to eat and drink at. Courtney and I went for brunch on Sunday (it’s award-winning!) and were seated upstairs, where we could enjoy the sunshine! The café describes itself for having “heavy Euro vibes” and it definitely does: which I’m always here for. I had the Benelux salad (and a glass of wine or two!) and really enjoyed it.
What to Do:
Bike the Milwaukee Riverfront: The hotel we stayed at, the Kimpton Journeyman, allows any of its guests to loan bikes and explore the city on wheels at any time during their stay. Courtney and I did this on our second day in Milwaukee and were surprised how easy the process was: all we had to do was tell the front desk, fill out a form, and we were on our way. The bikes came with locks, too, so we were able to bike to dinner and lock them up while we ate. If you stay at the Kimpton Journeyman, I highly recommend you take advantage of the bikes and see the city on water!
Shop in the Third Ward: I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of shopping there was available to us close to our hotel. Courtney and I spent the afternoons wandering around the Third Ward and pursuing the shops, which were all adorable and unique. I even picked up a couple of accessories and am happy to have them as they now remind me of my time in Milwaukee! There were a couple of chain boutiques, too, like Francesca’s.
I hope you enjoyed this Milwaukee city guide!
