Planning a short trip to Milwaukee Sept. 11-12. Any ideas on things to do, places to eat(local favorites)bars,pubs, entertainment.
Thanks

The Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum are both worth a visit.

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater ("The Rep") has three stages, all of which have performances that weekend. Other good theater companies are Chamber Theater (they're doing Hedwig & the Angry Inch), Skylight, and Next Act.

For a blow out meal, my favorite restaurant is Sanfords. For Thai, Singha Thai. For Italian, Osteria del mondao. For Mexican, Cempazuchi.

The Polaris revolving bar at the top of the Hyatt is a pretty place to get a drink and a view of the city. For a drinlk with a lakefront view, Pieces of Eight.

For partying, Water St is always jumping.

The lakefront festival that weekend is Indian Summer.

Thanks for the info. We are taking the Lake Express across from Muskegon to meet our son for his 26th birthday. Lots of good ideas.

We very much like Coquette, a really pleasant, reasonably priced bistro not far from downtown (Third Ward neighborhood, I think?) I believe it's the same owners as Sanfords, which as the first poster mentions, is very price-y. We've also had great luck with Priceline for Milwaukee, if you've not yet made your hotel plans.

Renaissance Book Shop, one at airport one downtown. Is Maders still running? Frenchies?

Go to the Miller Brewery for a tour and drink the free beer at the end. Eat at Real Chili--order the Marquette Special. Great German food at Karl Ratzsch's. Cheap Mexican food on South 6th. (La Perla, La Fuente...) Pizza Man for good pizza and an awesome wine selection. Brady Street in general, for food, bars, etc. for the 20-somethings. Go to the Lakefront and hang out, fly a kite, rollerblade, watch the Calatrava wings open or close.(these suggestions are directed mainly to your 26-year-old--I have one, and was one in Milwaukee!)

GSteed....Frenchy's is long gone along with Dan's Chicken Pie across the street.

This is too late for you but meant for other late readers.
I live here in the Metro area. I've never been to summer fest. I've never been to... What I do do is probably therefore the actually cool things to do. here they are. 1) Drive/explore the entire lake front from county border to county border. (closest road available) Preferably at 40mph and no faster with the windows down at 69 degrees outside. Late afternoon or early morning. With no place to have get to. 2) Drive and explore the various neighborhoods. Stop for a custard and ask old timers that appear talkative whats up with this neigborhood? The stories bind the visual inputs into a memorable experience. Milwaukee has distinct areas with historical character and charm. I pay big $ to go places to get the historical old charm in places that have it. Like Montreal - San franciso. Milwaukee has it in abundance. This includes the suburbs except those far West and some North. In summary Milwaukee is a great place for unofficial attractions and discovery.

I've lived in Milwaukee for 10 yrs and still have not seen all that needs to be seen! Here's a great link to a local events web site with lists and lists of things to do. Enjoy!

http://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/100things.html

Just heard last week that Milwaukee had been honored (by..? some Historical Preservation orgztn) for the integrity of its architecture. We marvel every time we're in town at the wonderfully ornate, beautifully designed buildings downtown that Milwaukee has somehow managed NOT to tear down. There are portions of the city that really are a visual feast!

Driving the lakefront was a wonderful suggestion. I'm a lifelong Chicagoan (well, up to ten years ago when I became an official 'cheesehead,' but I was amazed when we made that drive. The lakefront is easily as beautiful as Chicago's much more publicized one - and with bluffs, yet!