Milwaukee USACruise Port Guide

Milwaukee sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, its downtown skyline reflected in a great arc of freshwater at the confluence of three rivers — the Milwaukee, the Menomonee, and the Kinnickinnic. For Great Lakes cruise passengers, Milwaukee is a port that consistently exceeds expectations: it offers world-class museums, a deep Germanic heritage that shaped its identity as 'das Deutsch-Athen Amerikas' (the German Athens of America), a booming craft brewery scene that builds on over 150 years of beer-making tradition, and a spectacular lakefront whose public beaches, parks, and marina constitute some of the finest urban waterfront in the Midwest. The city's RiverWalk, connecting the Historic Third Ward warehouse district and the Old World Third Street entertainment corridor along the Milwaukee River, is a model of urban renewal: walkable, lined with galleries, restaurants, and open-air performance spaces.

The Harley-Davidson Museum, on a 20-acre campus in the Menomonee Valley, is Milwaukee's most iconic attraction — a world-class museum chronicling the history of the motorcycle brand founded in the city in 1903, with more than 450 historic machines (including Serial Number One, the oldest surviving Harley-Davidson) displayed in beautifully designed industrial galleries. The museum's café and gift shop are also excellent. Milwaukee Art Museum, designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2001, is one of the most spectacular museum buildings in the United States: its brise-soleil 'wings' — a 217-foot movable sunscreen that opens and closes like a great white bird — open each morning in a performance that draws crowds even in winter. The museum holds an outstanding permanent collection strong in German Expressionism, American art, and folk art. The Milwaukee Public Museum (currently in a new facility near downtown) is excellent for natural history and a renowned recreated 'Streets of Old Milwaukee' exhibit.

Milwaukee's brewing heritage is extraordinary. German immigrants established dozens of breweries in the 19th century, and the city became one of America's great beer capitals — home to Miller (now Molson Coors), Pabst, and Schlitz at their peaks. Today, a craft beer revival has brought the total number of breweries in Milwaukee County to over 30, and guided brewery tours (including the Miller/Molson Coors Brewery — one of the world's largest single brewing facilities, offering free tours with samples) are among the most popular visitor activities. German cultural traditions are celebrated at annual events including German Fest in July and Oktoberfest, both held at the magnificent Henry Maier Festival Park on the lakefront — the same grounds that host Summerfest, the world's largest annual outdoor music festival, held for 11 days each late June and early July and drawing some 800,000 attendees.