1) Take a bike ride on the Oak Leaf Trail
Riding solo on the trail affords a different view of the city. Check out what’s up at the Urban Ecology Center. Head south along the lakefront and skip stones at the small beach at Lakeshore State Park.
2) Explore a new neighborhood
See how Vliet Street in Washington Heights or National Avenue in Walker’s Point have been transformed. Travel by foot, unfettered by anyone else’s agenda. Pack a journal and a camera (a real one, not your iPhone) for your field notes.
3) Rent a kayak and paddle down the river
Tune into the quiet of the river while floating through the city. Even the aqua-phobic can feel secure going it alone in a kayak. Rent one through the Milwaukee Kayak Co., paddle at your own pace and enjoy.
[alert type=white ]
Read the whole story
Your Milwaukee Summer Bucket List
[/alert]
4) Spend the afternoon at Atwater Beach
Bring a chair, a good book and lunch, and enjoy our gorgeous lake. By August, the water temp should be around 70, so wear your swimsuit. Save some energy for the end of the day, when you’ll climb 131 steps to get back to the street.
5) See a matinee at the Oriental Theatre
Escape the heat and lose yourself inside the dark (and historic) theater. Starting in July, Milwaukee Film will be running the show, so expect three times the number of titles on screen, along with much-needed restoration.
6) Learn at the Central Library
Marvel at the Neo-Renaissance architecture or research a new skill. Explore the building bottom to top, from the tessera mosaic tiles to the green roof. Free docent-led tours take place Saturdays at 10 a.m.
7) Treat yourself to a spa service at Institute of Beauty and Wellness
Students at the Institute (327 E. St. Paul Ave.) need bodies to practice on, so the price is right. To book a service: ibw.edu, 414-227-2889.
8) Shop the Third Ward
Unique boutiques on Broadway like Edie, SoHo, Francesca’s, Lela and Anthropologie help you stand out. Or pick up something for your living space at MOD GEN, Broadway Paper or Inspired.
