Looking for a way to get out and enjoy summer with your friends and family? We have ideas. From eating at a restaurant with a great patio view to enjoying local festivals to exploring the many outdoor attractions around town and more, here's everything you need for a great Milwaukee summer. 

Check it out and enjoy your fun-filled summer!

1. Get a burger from Nite Owl: Satisfy your taste buds with a burger from one of the best burger joints around. Known for their generous portions and '50s era atmosphere, Nite Owl is a classic. Read more about the drive-in here.

2. Lounge in The Lux Skyhause at Cafe Benelux: It's the first of its kind in Milwaukee with a retractable Roll-A-Cover enclosure designed to bring the magic of al fresco dining to the forefront, regardless of the weather. Read more here.

3. Kayak down the Milwaukee River in boats rented from the Milwaukee Kayak Company: Want to see Downtown from a whole different angle? This is easy, fun and requires no experience in boating or kayaking to try it.

4. Take the Amtrak to Minneapolis: It's easier than ever to check out our neighbors to the west now that Amtrak has service to the City Of Lakes. Find out more here.

5. Hit the Milwaukee Night Market: Shop 'til you drop, check out live performances and enjoy great eats at the Milwaukee Night Market. The market is held across four Wednesdays during the summer months and is a must for all who want to truly experience Downtown Milwaukee. 

6. Try the new Las Gardenias: Located in the Pritzlaff Building, Las Gardenias has created a lot of positive buzz since opening in the spring. The eatery offers indoor or patio seating and the dishes are from Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco, Mexico. Read this before you make a reservation. 

   

7. Have a stein at Estabrook Park Beer Garden: Enjoy a cold brew, a Bavarian pretzel and a pleasant view at the historic Estabrook Beer Garden. Estabrook was the first beer garden opened post prohibition. Of course, now there are many beer gardens around town, each with something different – and delicious – to offer, so check out a list of all your options here.

5. Play pickleball! They say it's the fastest-growing sport in the United States, and there are plenty of free courts in Milwaukee to try your hand at this easy-to-play sport. Here's a list.

6. Sail at Milwaukee Sailing Center: See Lake Michigan from a whole new perspective when you learn how to sail on the great lake. The Milwaukee Sailing Center will help you develop the skill for this fun recreation.

7. Go on an Edelweiss boat cruise: Grab a drink and relax while voyaging down the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Milwaukee River.

8. Sip drinks along the Riverwalk: Sip a beer, ale or cocktail while making your way down the picturesque Milwaukee Riverwalk. 

9. Drop by Center Street Daze: This Riverwest fest is perfect for the whole family, featuring events such as car races, car shows, pool, dodgeball, pinball tournaments and all sorts of eclectic fun along one of Milwaukee's most diverse main drags. It's happening Saturday, Aug. 16, this year.

10. Plan an outdoor coffee & game session at Old Guard Games and Valentine Coffee: The cheapest date in town: grab a drink from Valentine, borrow a game from Old Guard Games next door and enjoy both at the Old Guard Cafe. More details here. 

    

11. Patio dine at Twisted Fisherman: There’s nothing quite like a dinner on a summer evening in Milwaukee, and the patio at Twisted Fisherman is perfect for just that. If you’re not feeling seafood, feel free to check our outdoor dining guide to find your perfect al fresco meal.

12. Peel into the H-D Homecoming: Calling all bikers and bike enthusiasts! The Harley Homecoming festival will take place July 10th-13th. Programming will take place across Davidson Park, the Harley-Davidson Museum and Veterans Park. Here's more info. 

13. Roll over to Turf Skatepark: One of the meccas of Midwest skateboarding is finally open again. The Turf Skatepark officially reopened after more than 15 years in the making. Bring a board or just watch and hang. More info about Turf here. 

    

14. Cruise around on a Pedal Tavern: People might assume that operating machinery and consuming alcohol do not go hand in hand, but that’s not the case for the Pedal Tavern. Feel free to bike and drink at your leisure when you’re riding with Pedal Tavern.

15. Keep the summer weird: Take a day trip from Milwaukee to one of these delightful oddities. Here are 12 to choose from. 

    

13. Hang out at Jazz in the Park: Who doesn’t love live music in a beautiful park on a Thursday night? Throw in a bottle of wine as well, and you’ve got yourself a lovely evening. Jazz in the Park has a new format this year, and here's everything you need to know.

14. Visit The Troll: Mama Rosa, the 25-foot, 4,000-pound troll sculpture built by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, now stands tall in the new Firefly Grove Park in Wauwatosa and it's a charmer. Read up on her before you go here. 

    

15. Shop at a 414flea: Check out one of the finest flea markets in the Brew City with 414flea's events at Zocalo Food Truck Park, showcasing dozens of local food, art, clothing and art vendors. For updates and info this summer, click here. 

16. Take in free live music at Chill on the Hill: The beloved Bay View outdoor music festival turns 20 this year and is celebrating many Tuesday nights this summer with great bands. Get the full schedule here.

17. Shop at a farmers market: The summer months are perfect for picking up fresh produce at the farmers market, and Milwaukee has some of the best around. Whether you’re looking for ripe tomatoes or handmade soaps, check out this farmers market guide for more information.

18. Check out the first "Incredible India Fest" on the Summerfest grounds: Food (curries! samosas!), music, henna, yoga and more. Get all the details here.

18. Peruse Milwaukee's many patios: What better way to soak up the summer sun than while also soaking up some tasty drinks? Milwaukee's bar scene has plenty of cool locales that offer delicious beers, cocktails and more – with delicious views of the city or calm oases from all the excitement. To help choose your next outdoor hotspot, here's our outdoor drinking guide!

19. Go golfing: Hit the links on one of Milwaukee County's many greens, offering fun play for golfers of all experience levels. Fore!

20. Rent a pontoon and glide across the river with Riverwalk Boat Tours: Rent a pontoon and/or a pontoon with a captain. It's affordable and fun! Make a reservation here.

21. Snack on a chocolate cream puff at State Fair: Cream puffs are as quintessentially Wisconsin as cheese curds, and there’s no better place to get them than the State Fair in August. This year, the popular chocolate cream puff is back, and we're all for it! 

    

22. See a Brewers game: Nothing screams summer more than a hot dog, a cold beer and a Brewers game. Make it a plan to take in a few games with family, friends or just yourself and a bag of peanuts. 

23. Head to Summerfest: You simply can't have a big Brew City summer without hitting up the Big Gig. For the full 2025 schedule, click here. 

24. Go on a tour of your town: City Tours MKE offers unique tours of the city that start and end at a cute cafe/bar/venue/work spot called Station 1846 in Walker's Point. Get the full scoop here. 

    

25. Go to a bike race, with or without a bike or a desire to race: Kwik Trip Tour of America's Dairyland is more than just a bike race. It's a community block party with food, drink and vendors that—oh yeah—also happens to have a bike race running through it. It takes place the weekend of June 20-22. Here's more.

26. Go camping in a cool structure: Why just go camping in a classic conventional tent when several campgrounds in the area feature unique structures – from cabins to yurts and beyond. Enjoy the great outdoors in a great facility!

27. Visit Chicago's South Loop: Take a day or weekend to explore this unique Windy City neighborhood. There's so much to see and do. Take a quick "tour" here.

28. Check out a church festival: Take your friends and family out to not only spend some time at the many beautiful churches we have around Milwaukee, but also to enjoy rides, live music and even some snow cones! 

29. Attend a Lakefront Brewery tour: Embrace Brew City by getting yourself some cold ones at this brewery tour. During OnMilwaukee's Bar Month, Lakefront Riverwest Stein was regularly voted best local product, so it is certainly a must-try. 

30. Brunch at Blue’s Egg (or anywhere): After a long week, there is no better way to start off your weekend than grabbing some pancakes, eggs, mimosas or bacon with your pals. Check out our guide to see where to get the city's best brunches.

31. Visit the North Point Lighthouse: Explore one of Milwaukee’s oldest and greatest treasures in gorgeous Lake Park. Read this article by Bobby Tanzilo before you go and the experience will be even richer.  

32. Figure out the password and visit the Safe House: Become a spy and take on a mission at Milwaukee’s own Safe House! And even if you think you know all the secrets, the restaurant was revamped, so there might be new clues for you to discover since your last visit!

33. Hike Seven Bridges Trail: Seven Bridges Trail in South Milwaukee’s Grant Park has easy-to-walk trails and beautiful views of trees, plants, the lake and, of course, bridges. Read this before you go and impress your hiking pals with your trail knowledge.

34. Stroll through galleries during Gallery Night & Day: Summer Gallery Night & Day is planned for Friday and Saturday, July 18-19. Find out who's participating here.

35. Sign up for the OnMilwaukee Squad: Want even more of the OnMilwaukee you love? Want exclusive access to sweet summer events and special premier occasions? Then sign up to become a member of the OnMilwaukee Squad – a great way to get the most out of OnMilwaukee and the most of your MKE summer. 

36. Try one of State Fair's many new foods: Everybody knows about the classic Cream Puff at State Fair, but that's just scratching the surface of the culinary creations cooking up at this beloved summer tradition. Here are some in the running for 2025.

38. Rent a Bublr Bike and ride around Greater Downtown: Bublr Bikes have been growing all over Milwaukee, making it easy for anyone to get one. Soon, Bublr e-bikes will be on the racks, too. Read the latest news on this here.

39. Take the fam to Discovery World's "Let's Get Curious" exhibit: Swing into a world of curiosity, adventure and hands-on fun with this exhibit inspired by one very curious monkey. It runs through Aug. 31. More here.

40. Throw down a blanket at Bayshore's Sounds of Summer: Jam out to the Sounds of Summer at Bayshore, featuring live local acts numerous Friday nights in The Yard. Family-friendly, on-site beverage station and food trucks round out the fun. Read about Sounds of Summer and more free music events here.

41. Try a new watering hole from this list of Hidden gems: Take a swig of Milwaukee culture by exploring all of the city's wonderful hidden gem bars. Each with their own incredible story and experience inside, these establishments are part of what makes Milwaukee great.

42. Take up shuffleboard: Shuffle your way over to NorthSouth Club to play this classic sport. Whether you're an expert shuffleboarder or you wouldn't know a biscuit from a tang, there's lots of fun to be had. For more information, click here.

43. Check out Black Arts Fest MKE: Celebrate the deep roots of African Heritage and the creativity at Black Cultural Arts. The event takes place Saturday, Aug. 2, on the Summerfest grounds. Get more information here.

44. Hang at the Brady Street Festival: On July 26, Brady Street will be rockin’ all day and night for the return of its annual street festival. Local bands will perform at four different stages throughout the street, as well as other vendors and activities. See the full details here.

45. Find out what's "Only in Oconomowoc": Wanna feel like you're on vacation? Visit Oconomowoc and enjoy the many lakes, shops, restaurants, wine bars, ice cream shops, cafes and more. There's also ample free parking throughout the downtown area which makes visiting a breeze. More here. 

    

47. Enjoy a Pete's Pops popsicle on a hot summer day: Try to spot this traveling food car to enjoy a cold popsicle under the hot summer sun. These popsicles come in tons of unique flavors, from avocado to salted watermelon and banana cream. Read this and then go!

48. Check out Sip & Purr Cat Cafe: The cafe serves coffee, wine and food, but of course the main attraction is the separate cat lounge where customers can pet and adopt fluffy, irresistible cats. For more meows, go here.

49. Wander in awe around the Milwaukee Art Museum: Now with a "Pay What You Wish" night every Thursday! Details here.

50. Eat all the custard: Kopp's may be the king of frozen custard around here – but who says you can’t go on an adventure to get your custard fix? If you have a hankering for every custard offered in Wisconsin, check out our custard guide.

52. #ICYMI: Try Tre Rivali restaurant: Visit the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel as well as their resident restaurant, Tre Rivali and The Outsider, their rooftop bar and patio on a summer evening. It's date night perfection.

53. Take some cuts in the batting cages at Swing Time in Germantown: Summer is the perfect time to improve your batting skills, and Swing Time in Germantown is here to help you in your pursuit to become the next star Brewers player. With both baseball and softball cages available, Swing Time can help you hone your skills.

54. Pick your own fruit at Barthel’s in Mequon: The quintessential taste of (late) summer is that of a freshly picked apple, and at Barthel’s you can pick your own. Head out to Mequon to get your share of this season’s crop to bake into a pie, enjoy as a crisp or just pop into your mouth.

55. Camp at Bong Recreation Area: All 4,515 acres of the Richard Bong State Recreation Area await you and your sleeping bag for a day of summer camping fun. Bring your family and friends for a night under the stars in one of Wisconsin’s best parks. For more information on Wisconsin State parks, check out our guide.

56. Visit this statue while it's in town: British artist Thomas J. Price’s “Within the Folds (Dialogue 1)” is temporarily located at Vel R. Phillips Plaza. The impressive, nine-foot figural sculpture depicts a casually dressed Black man. 

    

57. Rent a swan-shaped paddle boat at the Veterans Park lagoon: Add Veterans Park Lagoon in Milwaukee to your list of family-time or date-night summer adventures. Rent a swan boat (including illuminated ones for nighttime rides) or other watercraft like kayaks and canoes. More here.

58. Plan a beach day: Grab the sunscreen and head to one of Milwaukee's many beautiful beaches for a relaxing day of free fun. Here's a beach guide.

59. Have a retro night at a drive-in movie: Check out cinema under the stars at one of the drive-in movie theaters in the Milwaukee area. There aren't many in the city, but you can find plenty of these old-school cinematic experiences just outside the city. Click here for the last remaining drive-ins in Wisconsin.

60. Go duckpin bowling at Koz’s: Experience what it is like to bowl with smaller pins, a smaller ball and a smaller alley, but with a jumbo-sized amount of fun – plus the added surprise of having a pinsetter. 

61. Party like it's 1599 at the Bristol Renaissance Faire: The Ren Faire is chock full of 16th Century merriment from live entertainment to human-powered rides to turkey legs and mead! Get all the details here. Huzzah! 

    

62. Check out a Timber Rattlers or Chinooks game: Have some fun at the ballpark by checking out the local teams. No, not the Brewers: the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Lakeshore Chinooks! Eat some hot dogs, cheer them on and enjoy your time out in the sunshine.

63. Celebrate Independence Day at Old World Wisconsin: This will offer old fashioned fun for the entire family, including a spelling bee, a children’s parade (adults can join in, too!), picnic food, butter churning, live music, games, entertainment and even a chance to meet the mayor as he reads the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Four Mile House. More here.

64. Toss 'em if you got 'em at AXE MKE Bar: Let out some steam and head to Milwaukee's axe bar filled with several throwing cages as well as a full bar.

    

65. Take in the view at Harbor House: Savor a delicious meal, plus an even more scrumptuous view of the city skyline, with the iconic Harbor House. And read this before you go. 

    

67. Ride a canopied bike for four at the lakefront: Grab the whole gang and pedal your way through the lakefront! Instead of getting an individual bike for everyone, you can all pedal together under one roof. Find out how to rent one here.

68. Have a cocktail at the Umbrella Bar at The Rock: The Umbrella Bar is the first of its kind in the Midwest, so be sure to stop by and enjoy beverages as well as some fresh air. There are wonderful patio views that you can enjoy at a night on the town with your friends.

69. Savor dinner with a view on the patio at Sail Loft: Eat your share of seafood by coming out for a meal or two at Sail Loft this summer. All their food is made with local products, and you can enjoy it while taking in their lakeside view. 

70. Give lawn bowling at Lake Park a whirl: Come out to learn and play some lawn bowling this summer. Lake Park offers lessons and equipment, so you can come out and enjoy at any point in the summer! Learn more about the game here.

71. Hike around Havenwoods: Havenwoods State Forest is Wisconsin's only urban state forest, featuring 237 acres of grasslands, woods and wetlands on Milwaukee's North Side. More here. 

    

72. Swim at the Hoyt Park Pool and grab a drink at The Landing afterward: Cool off from the summer sun and take a dip at the Hoyt Park pool. Once you enjoy some fun in the water, stop by The Landing’s beer garden to enjoy a drink or two. 

73. Bike the Hank Aaron State Trail: Take your bikes out for a spin and enjoy the scenic and easy Hank Aaron State Trail. More details here.

74. Take advantage of summer movie season: Sure, you want to savor as much of the sun as possible before hibernation begins once again – but whether it's a rainy day or you just want to get out of the heat, check out one of the summer blockbusters ( "Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning"; "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"; "Superman"!) at local independent theaters, such as the Oriental Theatre, Downer Theatre, Avalon or Times.

75. Go rock climbing: Head to Adventure Rock and see if you have what it takes to get to the top. Perfect for a gloomy summer day or even just a day you're feeling adventurous! 

79. Check out The Milkmen: Playing in Franklin, the Milwaukee Milkmen are the city's independent baseball team, providing an "udderly" different sports experience. Find out more here.

80. Roam with the dinosaurs:  The Milwaukee County Zoo’s 2025 Summer Exhibit, "Exploration Dinosaur," invites guests to unearth the past and explore prehistoric bones, teeth and more from mighty dinosaurs like the T. Rex and Triceratops. More here. 

    

81. Try 1, 2 or more of Lori's 52 restaurants: Each week, our resident queen of cuisine suggests a local restaurant to dig into – a culinary quest you'll want to sink your teeth into. Here's this year's checklist. 

82. Smell the roses (and all the other great smells) at the Boerner Botanical Gardens: Stroll through 12 formal gardens featuring thousands of plants and flowers. The gardens are free on the last Thursday of the month. Maybe grab some Asian food after? It makes for a lovely afternoon. 

    

83. Go on a rooftop bars bar crawl: Rally your people and create an itinerary of rooftop bars to pack into one night. This rooftop bar guide can help with that.

84. Belly up at Barnacle Bud’s: Milwaukee's hidden-est gem, Barnacle Bud's has a new 2025 summer menu and the same on-vacation vibes. More here.

85. Take a ride on the Lake Express: For an ultimate summer adventure, buy a ticket for the Lake Express, the high-speed ferry that connects Milwaukee and Muskegon. Click here for more details.

86. Wheel up to Zocalo Food Truck Park: If any of the following sound appealing, park it at Zocalo this summer: Middle Eastern food, empanadas, sushi, bagels, tacos, scratch-made ice-cream, cocktails, live music, markets and community camaraderie. More right here.

87. Party at the Riverwest24: The RW24 is a 24-hour bike ride, party and community-strengthening event that is open to everyone. Stop by any time, day or night, for indie, wacky programming, casual neighborhood hangs and bicycle races. More here.  

    

88. Become a grill god or goddess: Grilling in a yard, park or parking lot is the epitome of Milwaukee summer experiences.  To become a true king or queen of the coals, take some tips from Usinger's president himself and/or watch any of these videos from OnMilwaukee's "Girls Who Grill" series. 

    

89. Tour the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay: While heading down to Lake Geneva, make a stop at Yerkes Observatory to use their telescopes to check out the summer stars. Read up on the experience here. 

90. Chase the Rainbow Summer: Rainbow Summer will feature performances by musical artists from numerous genres, food trucks, activities and more on the lush grounds of the Marcus Center. Here's more. 

92. Storm the Bastille: Milwaukee's only French culture festival, Bastille Days, always opens with a Downtown night 5K walk/run. This is your year to join in the fun! Here's more info.

93. Relax at Elkart Lake: Need a little break from the city? We get that. How about Elkart Lake? 

94. Go fly a kite: Head to Gift of Wings on Milwaukee's Lakefront, buy a kite and spend hours enjoying life from the end of a string.

95. Explore Holy Hill: The neo-Romanesque architecture is sure to be a treat to take in, not to mention the lush woods surrounding the church and the tower that offers fantastic views. 

96. Take in beauty at the Third Ward Art Festival: This August, the Annual Third Ward Art Festival will showcase the work of nearly 200 juried artists, host demonstrations, painting classes, booth chats, and more. More to know here.

97. Take a stroll through Black Cat Alley: What was once just an East Side alley is now a unique art gallery, its walls covered with bright, thoughtful and luminous imagery. New murals were recently added to the collection. 

    

98. Do the dunes at Whitefish Dunes State Park: There’s no doubt that Door County is one most of the attractive places this state has to offer. If you're there, be sure to visit the Dunes for a unique Wisconsin experience. 

99. Go fishing: Grab the poles and the worms and find your fishing zen. Here are 50 places to fish within an hour of Milwaukee.

100. Relax. Do nothing. Take deep breaths: Seriously, summer goes by so quickly, take moments to revel in the warmth of the moment.