Day 1

3:00 pm

Start your visit by strolling a desert oasis, a tropical jungle and a special floral garden decked out in all of its holiday splendor at the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes). The “show dome” is always a sight to see during the holidays, with a new display each year featuring poinsettias, toy trains and more.

5:30 pm

Plan dinner at one of Milwaukee’s more than 150 downtown restaurants. From farm-to-table favorites, authentic ethnic food to innovative award-winning chefs, the city’s vibrant dining scene is gaining national recognition and begs to be explored.

7:00 pm

After dinner, take a leisurely drive through downtown and enjoy the city shining bright with millions of twinkling lights and animated sculptures for the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Be sure to visit the BMO Harris Bank lobby for a delightful and whimsical holiday display taking a nostalgic look at the holidays featuring Steiff stuffed animals, then stop at the Miller Valley for MillerCoors Holiday Lites.

Day 2

8:30 am

Take a city tour and enjoy the architecture and history of this uniquely-diverse city on Lake Michigan. Include a stop at the St. Josaphat Basilica and step back in time as you marvel at the history and beauty, especially during this holiday season. Among the fantastic collections housed at the Milwaukee Art Museum, be sure to stop and enjoy the unique and modern architecture of the main entrance designed by Santiago Calatrava. Spend a few moments to watch the museum’s movable, wing-like sunscreen open to greet the day.

10:30 am

Explore the Milwaukee Art Museum’s permanent collections or head just next door to visit Discovery World, a science and technology center with aquariums, interactive exhibits and more.

12:00 pm

Visit the Tripoli Shrine Center, completed in 1928 and appearing on the National Register of Historic Places, to view the ornate interior, trappings and fixtures that have made it a national treasure. After the guided tour, enjoy a delicious lunch buffet on-site.

3:30 pm

Head just down the road to the Milwaukee Public Museum for a stroll through the gas-lit Streets of Old Milwaukee and peer into the windows of its 25 shops, businesses, eating and drinking establishments. Then enjoy a look at the holiday traditions in the European Village - an imaginative recreation of 33 carefully selected examples of homes and shops as they may have appeared at the turn of the century.

5:30 pm

Enjoy dinner at one of Milwaukee's downtown restaurants.

7:30 pm

Take in more holiday lights as your motorcoach drives west for a drive through West Allis' “Candy Cane Lane,” a neighborhood celebration of the season with a variety of displays created to help raise money for a local charity.

Day 3

9:30 am

Begin your day with a visit to the quaint village of Greendale and stop by the Historic Welcome Center to learn more about the village. Enjoy shopping at the Shops of Greendale for great bargains for those special people on your holiday list. 

11:30 am

Break to enjoy lunch.

1:00 pm

Next stop is at the House of Harley-Davidson, the largest Wisconsin Harley-Davidson dealer, to learn more about this beloved motorcycle that proudly calls Milwaukee home. Get decked out in Harley-Davidson gear and have your picture taken on this true American icon of the road.

2:30 pm

Visit the Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward for some snacking and shopping. 18 local vendors sell freshly-made prepared food, souvenirs and high-quality artisan products like chocolates, bakery and cheese.

5:30 pm

Dine at one of the many nearby restaurants in the Historic Third Ward.

7:30 pm

Enjoy a true Milwaukee holiday tradition: the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol. The magic of the season comes alive in the historic Pabst Theater, a local landmark that still wows audiences with its elegant opera house design and intricate details.

Day 4

9:30 am

Step into the past for a Victorian-era Christmas at the Pabst Mansion, the family home of beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst. Enjoy a docent-led tour of this beautifully restored home, fully decked out for the season.

11:00 am

No visit to Milwaukee is complete without a brewery tour! Experience the high-speed production lines and historic caves at MillerCoors, or see how local brews are made at a craft brewery like Lakefront Brewery or Sprecher Brewing Company.