Decades ago, the diagonal corridor through the Riverwest and Harambee neighborhoods carried beer – via a rail line from the breweries at its southern reaches. Today, it’s the recreational Beerline Trail, which stretches just 3.7 miles but offers a unique way to experience these diverse neighborhoods.
For a fun, leisurely afternoon ride, load your bike onto the car and head to Capitol Place and Third Street, near the trail’s northern terminus. There, you’ll find convenient street parking close enough to the trail that you can hop right on. Here are some “rest” stops within a block or two of the trail (which includes on- and off-street segments) to complete your pedaling package:
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Kuumba Juice and Coffee
274 E. KEEFE AVE.
Get your first pick-me-up of the day – a smoothie or fresh juice at this Harambee gem, whose name is a Swahili word that means creativity.
Beerline Plaza
3350 N. HOLTON ST.
Your next stop is this vibrant community space that often hosts live music and other events including Music on the Beerline, which also has food and local vendors on the third Friday of every month from June to September.
Seven Swans Crêperie
808 E. CHAMBERS ST.
Feeling peckish? Head to this cute, sun-soaked cafe that specializes in crêpes. You can’t go wrong with the Goodfellas, a sweet-savory creation with bacon, cheddar, strawberry jam and a fried egg.
Trip tip: Less than a block from Seven Swans on North Bremen Street, slow down for Snail’s Crossing, a playground dotted with mosaics and sculptures made by local artists.
If you run into any mechanical mishaps while en route, Truly Spoken Cycles is just a few blocks from the trail. The store sells spare parts, offers repair services and has an air pump you can use on-site if you find yourself with a flat tire. 604 E. Center St.
Kilbourn Reservoir Park
2230 N. BREMEN ST.
The skyline views are incredible from this hilltop park on land donated to the city by Mayor Byron Kilbourn in the 1870s.
Orange and Blue Co.
1809 N. HUBBARD ST.
This boutique (adjacent to Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern) has a cool eye for artisanal, woman-made home goods that are as practical as they are pretty.
Lakefront Brewery
1872 N. COMMERCE ST.
This modern Milwaukee beer institution is a callback to the historic breweries along its stretch of the Milwaukee River. It offers famously lively tours and a riverfront patio; stay on theme with a pint of Fixed Gear red IPA.
Trip tip: Across from Lakefront is a “wordhouse,” a small shelter that displays a laminated poem.
Marsupial Bridge
BENEATH HOLTON STREET VIADUCT
The striking pedestrian and cycling bridge is tucked like a pouch under the Holton Street Viaduct, which was originally designed to support trolley cars.
