Spring has arrived in Milwaukee, and that can only mean one thing: It’s time to explore the great outdoors! While we may be a bit away from the summer days of sun-soaked beaches and splashing kayak wakes, now’s the perfect time to get outside and exercise that wanderlust, hiking trails, taking a spin on a bike or just enjoying a beer or custard in the fresh open spaces. Use this one-day itinerary to put the great in the great outdoors in Milwaukee this spring.
Stop 1
Take a Walk Along the Milwaukee River
Warm up for a day of outdoor fun with an urban walk or run along the Milwaukee River. Surrounded by skyline views and waterfront murals, this ever-expanding 3.1-mile trail, running from the Bronzeville neighborhood to Walker’s Point, is a great place to start. Immerse yourself in the Fresh City vibes as you traverse this rushing waterfront as it cuts through the city. Be sure to give the Bronze Fonz a thumbs-up as you pass or maybe stop and snap a photo with the life-sized statue of a “Happy Days” character.
Stop 2
Breakfast at a Lakefront Gem
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite walking along one waterway, grab a bite with a view at Colectivo on the lakefront. The multi-level Cream City brick building has ample indoor seating, but its patio is really where the café shines. Grab a breakfast burrito, or just a coffee and a piece of bakery to enjoy in the breezy spring weather at one of the tables. Or you could always take your breakfast for a walk as you explore the waterfront along McKinley and Bradford Beaches, McKinley Park and Veterans Park.
Stop 3
Go for a Spin on the Oak Leaf Trail
Let’s ride! Once you’ve wrapped up your lakefront breakfast excursion, locate your nearest Bublr Bike location, rent your bike and hit the road. The perfect setting to stretch your legs and put some miles on the bike? The Oak Leaf Trail. Winding through the heart of the city, with over 135 miles of paved paths, the trail offers outstanding views of the lake, skyline and forest trees, connecting you to the splendors of nature just footsteps from the bustle of downtown. Here, you can ride until your heart’s content. Or, at least until the next stop on our itinerary.
Stop 4
Take a Hike at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Now it’s time for you to take a hike! Our next stop takes you to the North Shore community of Fox Point to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Tucked away just outside of the city, the 185-acre nature preserve offers six miles of trails, winding you through forest, ponds and prairies before revealing spectacular views of Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Whether you’re a birder looking to spot as many native species as you can, a seasoned hiker looking for a relaxing trail to start your day or a critter lover in search of your favorite furry friends, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is the place to be.
Stop 5
Grab an Al Fresco Lunch at Zócalo Food Truck Park
When the warm spring sun is beaming down in Milwaukee, al fresco dining hits the spot, and Zócalo Food Truck Park has just what you’re looking for. Featuring a selection of eight food trucks, ranging from tacos to pizza, bagels to a little sweet treat, this unique dining experience has a little something for every palate in your crew. Peruse the food trucks, order something that piques your interest, then take it over to one of the picnic tables to enjoy a meal in the open-air courtyard. The Tavern, inside also has ample seating for you to stay if you’d prefer to savor the flavors of the Fresh Coast indoors.
Step 6
Hit the Trails at the Wehr Nature Center
Happy trails! You’re off to the Wehr Nature Center. Located just 20 minutes from Zocalo, this preserve in Whitnall Park is a four-season adventure for all ages, with five magnificent miles of nature trails. Here, you can go chasing waterfalls – or waterfall anyway – to be more specific, the Whitnall Park Waterfall, which flows along the trail where the Tess Corners Creek meets the Whitnall Park Pond. You can also work your way around the one-mile all abilities loop trail to the pier that overlooks Mallard Lake.
Stop 7
Stop and Smell the Flowers at the Boerner Botanical Gardens
On the other side of Whitnall Park, you can stop and smell the flowers at the Boerner Botanical Gardens. Flush with nearly every color under the sun, the colorful displays burst with life from mid-April through the frost at the end of October. This time of year, though, you’re most likely to see magnolias, daffodils, spring bulbs and wildflowers flourish as you stroll the garden. Stay in the know of what’s in bloom!
Step 8
Farm-to-Table Dining at Goodkind
It may be a bit brisk yet for dining in the cool night air, so how about we bring the flavors of the outdoors inside? Goodkind’s menu of farm-to-table ingredients offers a rotating selection based on the freshest seasonal ingredients. Expertly balanced to please your palate, the menu currently includes spicy crab pasta, linguini alla carbonara, lavender and anchovy rubbed pin oaks leg of lamb, burgers and more, all served in the warm and inviting dining room in Bay View. And you won’t want to pass up on their cocktail menu either, as the restaurant was recognized by the James Beard Foundation in 2022 as a semifinalist for the Outstanding Bar Program.
Stop 9
Sip and Savor at a Havenly Beer Garden
Beer gardens are a Milwaukee rite of passage on par with brats, cheese curds and custard (we’ll come back to this one in a minute). There are a lot of great beer gardens throughout the city that offer majestic views, connecting you to nature. There’s the lakeside Veterans Park Beer Garden (with a spectacular selection of brats to boot), the enchanting Hubbard Park Beer Garden tucked away on the East Side, the country’s first beer garden since prohibition, Estabrook Beer Garden, and tons more. But for a space where you can take your brew with you on a stroll, Havenwoods State Forest is the place to be. Boasting a huge craft beer menu of over 20 rotating brews, Havenwoods has a quarter-mile trail perfect for sipping on the go, as well as a huge patio, perfect for relaxing, winding down, and recovering from the outdoor excitement.
Stop 10
Snag a Sweet Treat at Kopp’s
That’s a lot of exercise. Congrats! You deserve a sweet treat, and Kopp's Frozen Custard in Glendale is just the place to find your flavor of the day. Opened in 1950, the local institution has been slinging custard, burgers and fries for over 75 years, making it a true Milwaukee must-do on any trip to the Cream City. Richer and creamier than ice cream, custard is a local delicacy that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth. Grab a seat outside and enjoy your dessert.
Stop 11
Explore Boone & Crockett’s Patio
You’re not tired yet, are you? How about one more stop? Boone & Crockett in the city’s Harbor District is an under-the-radar patio where you can catch a glimpse of the city at night. Regularly referred to as one of the city’s hidden gems, the bar serves high-quality cocktails, regularly hosts live music on weekends and features a patio with a near-perfect view of the Hoan Bridge’s dazzling light show. Grab a drink, kick back and relive your favorite moments from the day’s outdoor adventures.
Explore the great outdoors or make an itinerary that’s totally yours! Plan your visit today.
