By Prasanna Nanda
Here are more of UWM Transportation Services’ favorite local picks to help you experience the city like a pro.
🍽️ Must-Try Food & Restaurants
Milwaukee is known for its rich food culture—especially bratwurst, beer, frozen custard, and cheese curds. Here are some top spots:
🍨 Custard Favorites
You can’t leave without trying frozen custard at:
Culver’s
Leon’s Frozen Custard
🧀 Cheese Curds
Honestly, you’ll find great curds almost anywhere in Milwaukee—they’re a staple!
🍳 Breakfast Hotspots
Start your morning right at:
Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern
Blue’s Egg
Both are extremely popular, so arrive early!
🍻 Bars & Nightlife
Milwaukee has one of the highest numbers of bars per capita in the U.S.—second only to New Orleans—so nightlife is a big deal here.
Popular Bar Areas:
Brady Street – Trendy, eclectic vibe
Water Street – Classic downtown nightlife
Historic Third Ward – Upscale and stylish
Notable Spots:
Lakefront Brewery – Great beer and tours
Boone & Crockett – Riverside cocktails with a view
Central Standard Distillery – Craft spirits and cozy atmosphere
☕ Local Coffee Scene
Skip the chains and check out some excellent local cafés.
Perfect for relaxing, working, or recharging between activities.
🎨 Attractions & Things to Do
🏛️ Milwaukee Art Museum
Located right on the lakefront, this world-famous museum is known for its stunning architecture designed by Santiago Calatrava—don’t miss the “wings” opening and closing.
🎶 Summer Events
🎤 Summerfest
Known as the World’s Largest Music Festival, Summerfest takes place along the lakefront and features major artists, local acts, and an unbeatable atmosphere. Open June 18, but Garth Brooks has concerts on June 16 & 17.
Prasanna Nanda is the Director of Transportation Services for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prasanna can be reached at nanda@uwm.edu.