The Tour de France is off and running, and that can only mean two things: Bicycling bedlam. Pedal pandemonium. Freewheeling fever. All that, and a bike-centric blog post that we’ve been waiting a whole year to write. Gear up, grab your bike and get ready for a spin around Milwaukee’s North Shore area. Located just beyond downtown, this collection of seven communities provides the ideal environment for exploring on two wheels. Check out these five rides to try, arranged from easiest, novice-level rides to longer, more technically involved routes. Let’s ride!
The Bay Breeze
Our first ride takes us to a suburb that runs along the bluffs of Lake Michigan before winding into a charming main street area. There’s plenty of boutique shopping, cozy coffee shops and eateries, and parks abound around seemingly every corner. This first ride isn’t very long, but it will give you a great feel for the area.
Stone Creek
Kick things off at one of Stone Creek’s most recently opened locations. The light above the entrance reads “Howdy,” and inside, you can feel the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the coffeehouse. With a breakfast menu and a wide selection of coffee drinks, teas, smoothies and more, you can fuel your ride in a single stop right here.
Shopping at the Boutique Stores
Let’s do a little shopping! Just walk out the door and explore the shops that line Silver Spring Drive, or explore the area a little more thoroughly on a bike as you scope out your favorite storefronts. Find that perfect piece to complete your outfit at Navy Knott, an artwork that will really tie the room together at Gallery 505, a little something to nibble on at Breadsmith or even something for your furry friend at Hounds Around Town, before moving to our next stop.
Klode Park
A short ride from Silver Spring is Klode Park. The park offers sprawling, open green spaces, a playground for kids and access to the clear blue waters of Lake Michigan. Bikes aren’t allowed on the pathway that leads to the beach, but you can park them at the top of the hill and then make your way down. Below, you’ll discover a quiet pebble beach perfect for swimming, relaxing and picnicking. Pack your suit and dive in!
Moxie Food + Drink
After a day of exploring Whitefish Bay on two wheels, it’s time to refuel and recharge at this warm and inviting restaurant on Silver Spring. This restaurant has Milwaukee in its veins. The product of two former Harley-Davidson employees who turned their passion for bringing people together into a bustling restaurant, Moxie is celebrating a decade of delicious eats. If you’re lucky and the weather’s good, you might just be able to snag a seat on the outside patio.
Oak Leaf River Run
The next route features Milwaukee’s extensive Oak Leaf Trail. The 135-mile trail weaves its way all over the city, connecting Milwaukee County to Ozaukee County and beyond. While the route isn’t entirely on the trail, we encourage you to get out and ride as much as your heart desires! To get the most out of this one, we suggest you try it in the afternoon.
Harry’s Bar & Grill
Overlooking River Park, Harry’s Bar & Grill is where we’ll start this one. The park has ample public parking, making it the perfect hub for your ride around Shorewood. Inside, you’ll find an approachable dining experience offering everything from burgers (the Portlander Slider is a staple) to Friday fish frys to steak frites and beyond. Grab a bite to eat on the patio and enjoy the scenes of the park with your meal.
Hubbard Park Lodge & Beer Garden
This itinerary has a little magic to it, a little sorcery that takes you from the heart of Milwaukee into storybook settings. Enter Hubbard Park Lodge & Beer Garden. Find this enchanted little beer garden and park by following the River Park paths to the Oak Leaf Trail. Then, head just a few minutes north on the trail to uncover this tucked-away wonder. Relax under the canopy of dense tree branches with a beer in hand.
Shorewood’s Ghost Train
If you’ve timed it right, you should be able to catch Shorewood’s Ghost train. Although not as spooky as it sounds, the LED display imitates the trains that once ran along the now-converted bike path, complete with rumbling and whistles. You can pull off the path and watch the show on both sides of the bridge, but if you miss it, the bridge’s LED display continues to light up the night even after the train has passed.
Shorewood Culver’s
You scream, I scream, but it’s not because of the Ghost Train, and it’s not for ice cream either. It’s for the creamy, delicious dessert known as frozen custard. Just steps from the train, you’ll find this sweet treat available in vanilla, chocolate or the flavor of the day at the Shorewood Culver's.
The Glendale Loop
A hybrid ride that’s part path, part road riding, the Glendale Loop takes you on a quick swing through some of the community’s classic staples. These are the ones that have long defined Glendale, and they continue to draw locals and visitors alike back time and again.
Estabrook Park Disc Golf Course
Let’s go for a different type of spin to kick off this course. Tucked away between Hampton Avenue and Capital Drive is the sprawling oasis known as Estabrook Park. Connected to the Oak Leaf Trail, the park has tons of green space, a dog park, two playgrounds and the nation’s first beer garden to open since prohibition. But we’ll start today’s ride at the park's 18-hole disc golf course. Play a round as you explore the park and maybe stop off at the beer garden for a Hofbräu München brew (or a giant soft pretzel) before stop number two.
Bayshore
Stop and shop till you drop at one of the area’s premier malls, Bayshore, in Glendale. A short ride down Lydell Avenue will take you to this longtime community staple, with everything from big retail chains like Target, Kohl’s, Nike, Apple and Barnes & Noble to more local shops like Board Game Barrister, the Bucks Pro Shop and Rocky Rococo Pizza and Pasta. Drop your bike at a bike rack near the entrance and find your next look, gadget or book.
Kopp’s Frozen Custard
A trip to Glendale wouldn’t be complete without a stop at one of the city’s iconic custard stands. Welcome to Kopp’s, home of the jumbo burgers, fries and that sweet creamy treat known as custard. Less than a mile from Bayshore, the local custard purveyor is well-known for its flavors of the day, with everything ranging from the indulgent Hog Heaven (peanut butter custard, loaded with chocolate truffle pieces and ribbons of fudge) to the classic chocolate chip cookie dough. Drop in for a scoop before heading off to your final stop.
Bavarian Bierhaus
Around the corner (really, it’s 0.3 miles), you’ll find that the reward may just be in the destination after all. A nod to the city’s German heritage, this beer hall is the perfect place to cool off, relax, unwind and dine after your adventure. Boasting a menu of German staples with an on-site brewery serving a selection of German-style brews, this stop brings the spirit of Oktoberfest to your table all year round.
Santa Monica Shuffle
This is the longest route on the list. If you’re up for a bit of a ride, this one’s for you! Meandering through the Fox Point and Bayside neighborhoods, our next route takes you closer to nature. Oh, and it also connects you to tasty breakfast eats found throughout the area. If Mother Earth and carbs are your friends, here’s a ride to try.
Matilda Bakehouse
In a strip mall off of Santa Monica Drive in Fox Point, you’ll find the retail location of Matilda Bakehouse. Items from this bakery can be found at restaurants and farmers markets throughout the area, but for the best selection and for a delicious way to kickstart the day, you’ll want to pop over to this little tucked-away storefront. The bakery has tasty bites like cinnamon knots, pecan rolls, ham and Swiss croissants, along with a large selection of teas and coffees, making it a great place to drop your kickstand and kick-start your day.
Wheel & Sprocket
You don’t even have to leave the parking lot for this one! Just a few buildings over, you’ll find the Fox Point Wheel & Sprocket location. For over 50 years, this bike retailer has brought the passion for cycling to locals throughout the state of Wisconsin (and part of Illinois). Pop in to check out the latest accessories and gear to have you looking and feeling your best as you continue on your way.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
The longest segment of the day, a quick 20-minute (3.2-mile) ride, whisks you away to an outdoor sanctuary known as the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. The 185-acre nature preserve offers six miles of hiking trails, ideal for exploring the forests, ponds and restored prairies that lead you to an expansive view of Lake Michigan. The preserve is also a hotspot for birders, with 266 species observed at the center over the years.
Maxfield’s Pancake House
After all that work, you’ve probably worked up an appetite, and who doesn’t love a double dose of breakfast food? A quick trip up Brown Deer Road will take you to the diner-style restaurant Maxfield’s Pancake House. No matter if it’s breakfast for dinner or a late brunch, Maxfield’s Pancake House offers a wide selection of breakfast classics like bacon, eggs and, of course, pancakes, but also sandwiches, burgers and more.
Deer Crossing
While this one is certainly not the longest one on our list, it is on the more technically difficult side. This route crosses a couple of busy roads that require caution. That said, if you’re up for the ride, it is totally worth it. This one is a smorgasbord for the senses that’ll have you appreciating the artistry of a delicious burrito, the majesty of a well-executed chip shot and the enormity of sculpture art.
Brown Deer Golf Course
Each journey begins with a single pedal stroke, and this one’s no different. We’ll start with a quiz. Would you rather A.) Play a round of golf. B.) Play a round of disc golf or C.) Go for a ride around a park? At Brown Deer Park, you can do all three. Home to the course where Tiger Woods made his pro debut, the 362-acre park includes a disc golf course, a lagoon and tons of paths, ready to explore. Choose your own adventure, or spend a sporty day of play around the park.
Café Corazon
Brown Deer Park connects to the Oak Leaf Trail, and from here, you can pedal your way to Café Corazon, just a mile away. The Brown Deer location of the well-loved chain of Mexican restaurants is where you’ll want to head to grab a bite before continuing on your way. Designed with vegetarians, vegans and omnivores in mind, the restaurant prides itself on serving the freshest local fare, with staples like tacos, burritos, fajitas and more.
Lynden Sculpture Garden
From here, you’ll finish up your ride a little over two miles away at the Lynden Sculpture Garden. Drawing inspiration from the more than 40 larger-than-life sculptures, you’ll find that there are no paths leading you to each artwork within the garden. You’re invited to blaze your trail and experience these enormous works in your own unique way, creating a one-of-a-kind gallery all its own.
Want to explore more in the 414? Cycle through this Bikes & Brews beer garden itinerary and discover even more ways to bike in the Brew City. Then, map your stay and plan your getaway today!
