ORIGINALLY BY ANNA LARDINOIS, UPDATED BY MILWAUKEE MAG STAFF
1. City Hall
200 E. WELLS ST.
When City Hall was completed in 1895, it was one of the tallest buildings in the nation, and it remained Wisconsin’s tallest building until 1973. The 112.5-ton bell in the tower is named for Milwaukee’s first mayor, Solomon Juneau.
2. Grohmann Museum
1000 N. BROADWAY
This museum, on the MSOE campus, showcases a collection of art dedicated to the ever-changing nature of human labor.
3. Old St. Mary Parish
844 N. BROADWAY
This church, built in 1847 by German immigrants, is the longest continually operating church in the city.
4. Cathedral Square Park
500 E. WELLS ST.
In 1854, more than 5,000 abolitionists gathered outside the jail that was at this location then and freed fugitive slave Joshua Glover. Look for the historical marker in the northeast corner of the park.
5. Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. ART MUSEUM DR.
Visitors are captivated by the “wings,” formally known as the Burke Brise Soleil, which are made up of 72 steel fins with a wingspan of 217 feet. Weather permitting, the fins open and close each day at 10 a.m., noon and 5 p.m.
6. Gas Light Building
626 E. WISCONSIN AVE.
This art deco stunner was completed in 1930. The 2-ton flame has been predicting weather since 1956. The nighttime light show was upgraded to spectacular effect in 2016.
7. Federal Courthouse
517 E. WISCONSIN AVE.
Although it’s imposing on the outside, this building’s most impressive part is the five-story open atrium in the lobby, which gleams in the sunlight provided by the glass roof capping the space.
8. Pfister Hotel
424 E. WISCONSIN AVE.
Opened in 1893, this hotel is considered Milwaukee’s most famously haunted building.
9. Mackie Building/Grain Exchange
225 E. MICHIGAN ST.
Completed in 1880, the building is celebrated for its beautiful Grain Exchange room, which was used as a place for traders to conduct business until the mid-1930s.
10. Bronze Fonz
RIVERWALK
If you’re in the vicinity, it would just be wrong not to pay your respects to the statue of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, one of the most famous fictional characters ever to come from Milwaukee.
11. Xankia
222 W. WELLS ST.
This is the place to go for delicious banh mi in Milwaukee. The savory Vietnamese sandwich at this unassuming restaurant comes in plenty of varieties, but the House Special never fails.
12. Historic Milwaukee Store
235 E. MICHIGAN ST.
You’ll find an assortment of books focusing on local history here, but the offerings go so far beyond that, too. It’s a perfect spot to pick up a few local-pride items for anyone on your gift list.
13. Milwaukee’s Historic Central Library
814 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
Sure, you can peruse the stacks for a book, CD or DVD to check out. This structure is also one of Downtown’s coolest buildings, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of its notable attributes is the marble Grand Staircase. See if you can spot the one baluster that was placed upside down.
14. Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
139 E. KILBOURN AVE.
With frequently changing galleries, there’s always something new to see at the Saint Kate. And while you’re there check out the Art-o-Mat art vending machine to get a little souvenir to remember your day.
