Avery and Micah met in college and began dating after graduating. They fell in love adventuring. In their free time, they enjoy working out, travelling, and spending time with their two cats.

20 Things to Do in Milwaukee & the Surrounding Area

A Wedding Guest Guide for Germantown, Slinger, Menomonee Falls & Nearby

Welcome to southeastern Wisconsin. This guide mixes Milwaukee essentials with worthwhile outings closer to Germantown, Slinger, Menomonee Falls, Sussex, Hartford and West Bend. Hours, tour schedules and seasonal offerings change, so check the attraction’s website before heading out—especially for the Miller Brewery Tour, Pabst Mansion, performances, and Slinger Speedway.

1. Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s signature cultural destination pairs an excellent collection with one of the city’s most striking buildings: Santiago Calatrava’s lakefront Quadracci Pavilion and its moving Burke Brise Soleil “wings.” Even guests who are not devoted museumgoers should see the architecture and Lake Michigan setting.

2. Miller Brewery Tour

Milwaukee — Miller Valley

A classic Milwaukee experience and a particularly good choice for out-of-town guests. The guided tour moves through Miller’s brewing history, the historic underground caves and Miller Inn, and modern brewing and packaging operations; advance tickets are strongly recommended.

3. Historic Third Ward & Milwaukee Public Market

Milwaukee

Start at the Public Market for coffee, lunch, Wisconsin cheese or something sweet, then wander the restored warehouses, shops, galleries and restaurants of the Historic Third Ward. It is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to spend a few hours downtown.

4. Milwaukee RiverWalk

Downtown Milwaukee

Follow the river through the heart of the city, stopping for public art, restaurants and river views along the way. Look for the Bronze Fonz, Milwaukee’s cheerfully odd tribute to Arthur Fonzarelli from Happy Days.

5. Harley-Davidson Museum

Milwaukee

More than a motorcycle museum, this is a lively look at more than a century of Milwaukee design, manufacturing, advertising and popular culture. The historic bikes are beautiful objects in their own right, even for visitors who have never been on a motorcycle.

6. Pabst Mansion

Milwaukee

The lavish 1892 home of brewing magnate Captain Frederick Pabst offers an intimate look at Milwaukee’s brewing wealth, immigrant history and Gilded Age architecture. Guided tours are the best way to see the house; reservations are wise.

7. Mitchell Park Domes

Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s three enormous glass conservatory domes contain tropical, desert and seasonal plant environments beneath wonderfully retro architecture. This is an amazing breath of air in downtown Milwaukee.

8. Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Bayside

Six miles of trails wind through woods, prairie, wetlands and ravines before reaching the Lake Michigan shoreline. It is a beautiful option for guests who want fresh air and lake views without committing to a long or difficult hike.

9. Holy Hill

Hubertus — near Germantown and Slinger

The Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians rises dramatically above the wooded Kettle Moraine countryside. Visitors of any faith can appreciate the architecture, peaceful grounds and panoramic views; those willing to climb the scenic tower are rewarded with one of the best vistas in southeastern Wisconsin.

10. Historic Cederburg

About 20 minutes from Germantown

Historic Cederburg is made for an unhurried morning or afternoon: preserved 19th-century buildings, independent shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants line walkable Washington Avenue. Add the Cedar Creek Settlement, housed in a restored woolen mill along Cedar Creek.

11. Bugline Trail

Menomonee Falls — Sussex — Lisbon

This paved rail-trail links Menomonee Falls, Lannon, Sussex, Lisbon and the North Lake area, making it ideal for a bike ride, run or long walk. It passes quarries, parks and wooded stretches and is one of the simplest ways to enjoy the landscape near where many guests are staying.

12. Menomonee Park

Menomonee Falls / Lannon

Built around a former quarry lake, this large county park offers trails, woods, a swimming beach and summer recreation. It is an easy nearby choice for families or anyone looking for a low-key outdoor break between wedding events.

13. Sussex Village Park

Sussex

A broad community park with walking space, an 18-hole disc golf course and family recreation. It is not a destination that requires a full day, but it is a convenient place for guests staying nearby to get outside, let children run around or play a quick round of disc golf.

14. Wisconsin Automotive Museum

Hartford

Wisconsin’s largest auto museum is especially known for its remarkable collection of Kissel automobiles, which were manufactured in Hartford. More than 120 vehicles and transportation artifacts make this a surprisingly substantial stop for car enthusiasts and Wisconsin-history buffs.

15. Pike Lake Unit, Kettle Moraine State Forest

Hartford

One of the best outdoor destinations close to Slinger and Hartford, Pike Lake offers hiking, swimming, paddling and access to the Ice Age Trail. Walk up to the observation tower for a broad view over the lake and surrounding Kettle Moraine countryside.

16. Downtown Hartford & Schauer Arts Center

Hartford

Hartford’s compact downtown has cafés and local shops, while the Schauer Arts Center brings theater, music and visual arts into a beautifully repurposed historic industrial building. Check the performance calendar if you have an open evening.

17. Slinger Speedway

Slinger

For something completely Wisconsin and completely different, check the race schedule at this historic, steeply banked quarter-mile oval. On a race night, people get an up-close introduction to the region’s lively short-track racing culture.

18. Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA)

West Bend

This excellent museum looks at American art through the lens of Wisconsin and is worth the drive even for serious museumgoers. Its modern riverside building, sculpture garden and easy connection to downtown West Bend make it a natural anchor for a half-day visit.

19. Lac Lawrann Conservancy

West Bend

A quiet nature preserve of prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands and glacial landforms with an appealing network of walking trails. It feels much farther from town than it is and pairs beautifully with the Museum of Wisconsin Art or lunch in downtown West Bend.

20. Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

West Bend

A sprawling wildlife experience where guests can follow a long self-guided route on foot or, when available, by rented golf cart. It is especially good for families and animal lovers who want something more relaxed and rural than a traditional city zoo.

Easy Half-Day & Full-Day Combinations:

Classic Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum → lakefront → Historic Third Ward & Public Market → RiverWalk.

Milwaukee Brewing & History: Miller Brewery Tour → Pabst Mansion → dinner downtown or in the Third Ward.

Close to Germantown/Slinger: Holy Hill → Cedarburg for shopping, coffee and lunch.

Hartford Outdoors: Pike Lake hike or swim → Wisconsin Automotive Museum → downtown Hartford.

West Bend: Museum of Wisconsin Art → downtown West Bend → Lac Lawrann Conservancy.