Milwaukee's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Landmarks
Places: 22 POIsDistance: 21.64 miDuration: 1h:26m
Tour #2537
About this English self-guided 1h:26m driving tour in Milwaukee, WI
Welcome to Milwaukee, Wisconsin — the Cream City and the Brew City!
On this tour, we’ll explore a city with deep roots on the western shore of Lake Michigan, where Native peoples, French traders, German immigrants, and modern makers have all left their mark.
The name “Milwaukee” comes from Native American languages — most often said to mean “good land” or “gathering place by the water.” It’s an appropriate name, because for centuries people have gathered right here at the confluence of three rivers: the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic.
Milwaukee boomed in the 19th century, thanks to its breweries, tanneries, and factories, fueled by waves of German immigrants who brought with them traditions of beer, music, and sausage-making. That’s how the city earned its other nickname, “Brew City.” By the late 1800s, Milwaukee was home to some of the biggest beer dynasties in America — names like Pabst, Schlitz, Miller, and Blatz.
Another fun fact? Milwaukee is sometimes called the “Cream City” — not for dairy, but for the creamy, golden-colored bricks made from local clay, which give many historic buildings their distinctive look. And if you’ve ever tuned into Happy Days or watched Laverne & Shirley, you’ve already had a pop-culture taste of Milwaukee’s spirit.
Today, Milwaukee is a city of festivals, lakefront beauty, iconic architecture, and vibrant neighborhoods that celebrate its past while creating new stories. From world-class museums and music halls to cozy taverns and lively markets, Milwaukee is a city that knows how to work hard, play hard, and welcome you in.
So buckle up — we’re about to discover the good land together, one stop at a time.
Welcome to Milwaukee’s most striking landmarks — the Milwaukee Art Museum. With its dramatic, white, wing-like structure reaching toward the sky, it’s the crown jewel of the city’s lakefront.
This futuristic addition, called the Quadracci Pavilion, was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2001. Its signature feature is the Burke Brise Soleil — a massive set of moveable “wings” that open and close like a giant bird stretching over Lake Michigan. When fully extended, the wings span 217 feet, wider than a Boeing 747. Watching them open in the morning or close at night is a spectacle that draws both locals and visitors.
But the museum’s story stretches back much further. The Milwaukee Art Museum began in 1888, and today its collection includes more than 30,000 works of art, from European masters to modern design. Inside, you’ll find one of the nation’s best collections of German Expressionist paintings, American decorative arts, and even Georgia O’Keeffe, who was born right here in Wisconsin.
Beyond the art, the setting itself is breathtaking. The building sits right on the edge of Lake Michigan, with sweeping views of the water and Milwaukee’s skyline. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the city, and a perfect way to kick off our tour.
So take a good look as we drive past — whether you see it as a bird, a ship, or a futuristic sculpture, the Milwaukee Art Museum is a symbol of creativity and innovation, right at the city’s front door.
On your left, Discovery World, Milwaukee’s lakefront science and technology center. This place is all about hands-on fun — the kind of museum where you don’t just look at exhibits, you dive right in.
Inside, you’ll find labs, maker spaces, and interactive displays that bring everything from robotics to freshwater ecosystems to life. One highlight is the Reiman Aquarium, where you can explore both Great Lakes habitats and a colorful Caribbean reef, complete with stingrays gliding overhead. There’s also a massive scale model of the Great Lakes watershed, showing how all that water connects right here to Lake Michigan.
Discovery World is designed to spark curiosity for kids and adults alike. You can tinker with inventions in the design lab, explore high-tech exhibits on automation, or simply wander through the aquariums and marvel at the underwater world.
Set right on the lakefront next to the Art Museum, this striking white building is a perfect symbol of Milwaukee’s creativity — blending science, innovation, and play. Whether you’re here with family, friends, or just your own sense of curiosity, Discovery World is a reminder that learning can be just as exciting as it is inspiring.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Iconic Art Museum
Place 2Discovery World
Place 3The Historic Third Ward
Place 4The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
Place 5Harley-Davidson Museum
Place 6The Basilica of St. Josaphat
Place 7Kosciuszko (Kozy) Park
Place 8Forest Home Cemetery
Place 9The Domes
Place 10Pabst Mansion
Place 11Milwaukee Panther Arena
Place 12Fiserv Forum (the Forum)
Place 13The Bronze Fonz and Riverwalk
Place 14Milwaukee Historic City Hall and Clock Tower
Place 15The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Place 16Lakefront Brewery
Place 17Brady Street
Place 18North Point Fountain and North Point Water Tower
Place 19Historic Lakefront Lighthouse
Place 20Lincoln Memorial Drive
Place 21Veteran’s Park
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Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
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How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
Enjoy preferred prices.
What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).