By Katie Vaughn | Photos (clockwise): Visit Milwaukee, Visit Milwaukee, Travel Wisconsin, Travel Wisconsin
STROLL: Get up close to Lake Michigan at Lakeshore State Park, a 22-acre urban park where you can wander through prairie grasses along a paved 1.7-mile- long trail.
SHOP: Explore the Historic Third Ward, popping into clothing boutiques, jewelers, art galleries and indie shops like Broadway Paper. And pick up a foodie souvenir like cheese, sausage, candy or wine at the Milwaukee Public Market.
SEE: A masterpiece in its own right, the eye-catching Milwaukee Art Museum holds more than 34,000 artworks ranging from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman works to folk art to conceptual and minimalist pieces. On display through October is a special exhibition highlighting the Wisconsin Magic Realists.
EAT: Taste your way through the flavors of Brazil, Venezuela, Japan, Mexico, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean and beyond at the 3rd Street Market Hall, home to more than 20 food vendors. The buzzy vibe and endless food choices make a fun hangout spot day or night.
SIP: Drink in creative cocktails and views of the city from The Outsider, a sleek indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge set on the ninth floor of the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel.
STAY: Settle into the hip Kinn Guesthouse Downtown Milwaukee, a 31-room boutique hotel. Relax in the comfy, high-ceilinged guestrooms, or gather in the beautiful communal kitchen, dining and lounge areas. (P.S.: The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City stayed here during a girls’ getaway trip!)
EXTRA: Don’t leave Milwaukee without tapping into the city’s rich beer-brewing history. Lakefront Brewery’s tour is considered one of the best, offering a peek into the brewing process and a handful of pours. If you’re there on a Friday night, snag a fish fry here, too.
