Our guide to Wisconsin

Preparing for your trip to Muh-wau-kee

  • Sconnie: A slang term for a person from Wisconsin.
  • Thirsty? Don't ask for the water fountain. Learn this phrase: “Where's the bubbler?”
  • Vowel movements: Practice saying these words with a long-a sound: bayg, aygriculture, drayg, maygazine.
    • Example: “Did you see Ru Paul’s Drayg Race last night? Those queens should be in a maygazine!”
  • Ope! An interjection that can be used for “whoops,” “sorry,” or “look out.”Watch this video for a short introduction.
  • Bring your Lactaid! Wisconsin is truly America's Dairyland. While it's possible to get things made dairy-free, just be prepared that Wisconsinites view cheese as its own major food group.

Arriving in Milwaukee

  • Welcome to Cleveland? Midwesterners love pulling your leg. Upon your descent into Milwaukee, look out your window and you may see a confusing sign meant to provoke a small moment of confusion in passengers who might view the entire Midwest as flyover country.
  • Your weekend in Milwaukee begins at Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport (MKE). If you have the time to spare, check out Renaissance Books, the nation's only used bookstore in an airport. There's an amazing selection here.

Leaving Milwaukee

  • If you're flying out of Milwaukee (MKE), don't forget to check out Renaissance Books before you leave. It's the nation's only used bookstore in an airport.
  • If you're flying out of Terminal C, check out the “Milwaukee: A City of Neighborhoods” exhibit by students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD).
  • If you're flying out of Terminal D, take a peek at the screenprint exhibit by students at MIAD.
  • Right after TSA, make sure you take notice of the “Recombobulation Area” while you get your s#!* together.
  • If you want a souvenir from your trip to Wisconsin, you have two choices: consumable or non-consumable.
    • Consumable: Many airport stores sell cases of Spotted Cow, one of Wisconsin's most popular beers that is only sold in Wisconsin.
    • Non-consumable: Check out Brew City Brand kiosks in Concourse C and D for some fun Sconnie merch.

What to do in Milwaukee

In the Third Ward

If you're staying at Kinn Guesthouse, The Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, or the Holiday Inn Express, you'll be right near some of the best parts of the city.

  • Check out Downtown Books, an amazing used bookstore with a vinyl and art print collection as well.
  • Visit the Milwaukee Public Market, a great place to snack, shop, and browse local food, produce, coffee, flowers, cheese, wine, spices, candy, olive oil, and Sconnie souvenirs.
  • Walk around the Third Ward. It's full of cute shops, cafes, and restaurants in the old warehouse district.

Must-dos in downtown Milwaukee

  • The closest beer garden to downtown is the War Memorial Beer Garden on the shores of Lake Michigan.
  • If you have more time, head to Estabrook Beer Garden — the first public beer garden in the United States since Prohibition.
  • Kayla's favorite is the South Shore Terrace Pavilion in a historic bathhouse on the lake.
  • Spend some time at the lakefront. If you've never been on the shore of a Great Lake, you're in for a treat. Bradford Beach is the closest beach to downtown and has a beach restaurant and sand volleyball courts.
  • Milwaukee has a beer garden culture unlike anywhere else. A Saturday afternoon with a pint and a German pretzel is a very Milwaukee move.
  • See the Milwaukee Art Museum, one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Even if you don't go inside, the building itself is worth the visit.
  • Walk by the Milwaukee River and take a photo with The Bronze Fonz — Milwaukee's most iconic fictional character.

Other cool neighborhoods to visit

  • Bay View — one of Milwaukee’s most vibrant neighborhoods, known for independent restaurants, craft breweries, coffee shops, cocktail bars, music venues, and walkable streets.
  • Walker’s Point — a lively, creative neighborhood full of bars, restaurants, and local character.
  • East Side — a classic Milwaukee neighborhood with plenty of student energy, coffee spots, and easy lakefront access.

What to eat and drink in Wisconsin

Cheese

Wisconsin is “America's Dairyland,” home to 1.2 million dairy cows and roughly 30 billion pounds of milk each year. About 90% of that milk becomes cheese, and the state produces about 25–26% of all cheese made in the United States.

Wisconsin makes more than 600 varieties, styles, and types of cheese. A fun fact: the longer a cheese ages, the less lactose it has, so harder cheeses are often easier on the stomach if you're sensitive to lactose.

Where to go for cheese: Grab fresh or fried cheese curds from the cheese shop at the Milwaukee Public Market, or check out one of these local spots.

Custard

If you've never had frozen custard, you've got to try it. It's similar to ice cream, but it contains egg yolks, has less air whipped into it, and is served a little warmer, which makes it denser and silkier.

Where to go: Culver's is a Midwest classic, and a must-visit before you leave Wisconsin. You can also try Kopp's, Leon's, Gilles, and Oscar's.

Fun fact: The local newspaper in Kayla’s hometown lists the Flavor of the Day for every custard shop in the area so that you can plan accordingly.

Local produce

Early September is an excellent time for produce in Wisconsin. Look for sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, Honeycrisp apples, raspberries, melons, and peppers.

Cranberries: Wisconsin is the nation's leading cranberry producer, growing more than half of all U.S. cranberries each year on nearly 300 family-owned marshes.

Beer

Beer has been central to Wisconsin's identity since the mid-1800s, when waves of German immigrants brought brewing traditions and helped establish Milwaukee as one of the nation's brewing capitals. Wisconsin now has more than 250 craft breweries, and Milwaukee's beer history remains an essential part of the state's culture.

Brandy old fashioneds

Just like dairy, beer is part of the state's fabric. Wisconsin has a deep tavern culture, and there are more than 250 craft breweries to try. You're absolutely not expected to drink, and many breweries now offer fantastic NA beers and mocktails.

Coffee and tea

We have union coffee! 600 Colectivo workers from the local chain have a union contract. Visit the Colectivo in the Third Ward, right across from the Milwaukee Public Market. Or, go check out the Lakefront Colectivo, located in the historic Milwaukee River flushing station.

Anodyne Coffee workers are currently on strike. Please don’t cross the picket line (do not buy from them). You can support their strike fund here.

Rishi Tea, based in Milwaukee, is a nationally recognized tea company known for sourcing high-quality organic teas and botanicals directly from farmers around the world. The company has helped pioneer the specialty tea movement in the United States by emphasizing sustainability, transparency, and traditional tea-making practices.

What to listen to while in Milwaukee

If you rent a car with a radio, tune into 88.9 FM. RadioMilwaukee is a local community-supported treasure, featuring local and national artists, plus segments with local history.