13 free things to do in Milwaukee

Fun and feisty Milwaukee brims with appealing attractions for visitors, from farmers markets to music festivals, beer gardens and more than 150 spacious parks. The best part? Many of the city’s most memorable moments and experiences won’t cost you a cent.

Here are some of our favorite free things to do in Milwaukee.

1. Wander through the Milwaukee Public Market

Located in the Historic Third Ward, a character-filled quarter downtown, the Milwaukee Public Market offers a cornucopia of fresh produce, local artisan food products and handcrafted wares, as well as cooking classes presented by local and national chefs. If you’re hungry (and willing to splash out), you can dine at one of the market’s many restaurants, such as Cafe Benelux. The market also has seven bars – this is Wisconsin, after all.

2. Follow the Milwaukee RiverWalk

The 3-mile Milwaukee RiverWalk winds through the heart of downtown. Accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, this waterside passageway draws walkers past some of the city’s most interesting and historic sights. You’ll pass the repurposed warehouses of the now-artsy Historic Third Ward neighborhood, as well as the Old World Third Street district, whose historic commercial buildings date back to the German merchants who in the 19th century helped Milwaukee take off.

3. Snap some pics in Black Cat Alley

A curated outdoor street gallery, Black Cat Alley displays works by muralists from Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Berlin and other creative centers. And with walls covered in vivid backgrounds, it’s the place to snap a few selfies downtown. The art rotates, so check the website to see which artists are showcased and when new work is making its debut.

4. Lie out on Bradford Beach

Pack snacks and a beach towel and head to the lakefront to bask in the sun at Bradford Beach – as thousands of Milwaukeeans do each summer weekend. Catch a free sand volleyball game put on by a local league, join a frisbee game, splash around in the glorious freshwater lake or just lie out on the sand all day.

In summer, Bradford is where you will see Milwaukee in action, especially on a hot day. You’ll see people rollerblading and biking along the sidewalk on the inland areas surrounding the beach. And be prepared to hear music, smell delicious food and see people of all ages running and playing around.

5. Connect with locals at Alice’s Garden Urban Farm

A beloved local institution, Alice’s Garden Urban Farm is a community space where people connect and share cultural experiences in a beautiful outdoor setting. This 2-acre farm on Milwaukee’s North Side hosts events such as contemporary sessions with local troupe Danceworks, guided and self-guided meditative walks in an herbal labyrinth, art activities for kids, movie nights and fish-fry nights with live music.

Free pre-scheduled tours or self-guided tours are available for those eager to learn the garden’s history as a stop on the Underground Railroad. You can also browse the garden’s artisan market, where local farmers and vendors sell fresh produce, jewelry, herbal skincare and more.

Planning tip: Although most events at Alice’s Garden are free, a few special events require a small fee.

6. See some of Milwaukee’s top sights along the Hank Aaron State Trail

The 14-mile, east–west Hank Aaron State Trail, named for the Milwaukee baseball legend, will take you past many of the city’s top sights. Tackle a part (or, if you’re ambitious, all) of it for a top-notch introduction to the city on foot – taking in some free highlights along the way. Wildlife and nature activities at the Urban Ecology Center don’t cost a cent, nor does admiring the kinetic, Santiago Calatrava–designed exterior “wing” outside the Milwaukee Art Museum; catching the waves at Bradford Beach; and hunting sea glass along the water’s edge at Lakeshore State Park. The trail also connects to other city walking and biking routes, including the Beerline Trail and Oak Leaf Trail.

Planning tip: While the Milwaukee Art Museum requires a paid ticket, entrance is free for all visitors on the first Thursday of each month.

7. Hear alfresco music at Jazz in the Park

For lovers of jazz, blues and funk, Jazz in the Park is a must-visit free event. This staple of the Milwaukee calendar and the city’s largest weekly music series has taken place for almost 30 years at Cathedral Square Park in East Town. From every Thursday from May to September, families, couples and friends all come to hang out and enjoy the music – and a winning urban vibe.

Planning tip: Be sure to pack a picnic basket plus blanket or folding chair to enjoy the lawn seating.

8. Watch the swan boats and kites at Veterans Park

A section of the Oak Leaf Trail winds through Veterans Park, a green oasis near downtown along the shore of Lake Michigan. In good weather, activities include boat rentals for plying the waters of the 14-acre lagoon and the Gift of Wings kite store’s free kid-friendly movies in the park. At the park’s annual Kite Festival, hobbyists showcase their best and biggest kites, which take such oversize and unexpected forms as whales, yellow butterflies and orange jellyfish.

9. See local bounty at Milwaukee farmers markets

There’s no charge to explore Milwaukee’s many seasonal farmers markets. In addition to fresh, locally sourced produce and goodies, many of the city’s markets have live performances. The Shorewood Farmers Market offers a mix of fresh local produce and food trucks serving empanadas, waffles, spring rolls, homemade donuts and more. There are both farmer stalls at South Shore Farmers’ Market as well as pop-ups from local coffee roasters, ice cream makers and barbecue restaurants.

Planning tip: Most markets run from June through October, with several reopening during the holiday season.

10. Admire the grandeur of the Basilica of St Josaphat

Open to all, the grand Basilica of St Josaphat was built for the Polish-immigrant community that once flourished on Milwaukee’s South Side. Accented with Italian-style domes; decorative plaster; and red, blue, yellow and orange stained-glass windows from Austria, the sanctuary is one of only three in the USA the Catholic Church has officially designed a basilica, a special place of pilgrimage and devotion. To visit, schedule a free tour online or opt for a self-guided visit. Both choices include a free exhibit detailing the basilica’s history.

11. Take a tour of Sculpture Milwaukee’s public art

Sculpture Milwaukee brightens up the tall buildings and parking structures of downtown with an array of public artworks, some 20 sculptures scattered from Sixth St to O’Donnell Park. Set out on a walking tour to spot these abstract works: past and current sculptures have included larger-than-life blue pickup sticks, a bronze statue of a Black sportsman and a colorful blob monster. The summer-only installations change every year, which means you'll have new art to discover on every return trip.

Detour: Also free is the 40-acre Lynden Sculpture Garden.

12. Get inspired to read at the Milwaukee Public Library

Established in 1878, the Milwaukee Public Library has as its showpiece an extravagant Central branch downtown. This is a civic monument of another era, its mosaic-tiled floors, marble columns and grand staircases elevating this public space to the realm of the sacred. In addition to desks and chairs inviting visitors to read and study, Central also has a calendar of free events and activities, such as story-time hours for families, open to the public.

13. Find tranquility at South Shore Beach

With its lively scene, Bradford Beach has its charms – but if you want a break from city living head to the city’s south to spend the day at laid-back South Shore Beach. Green spaces and soft sand protected by a breakwater create a comfortable spot for relaxation. Amenities include volleyball nets, a playground and restrooms.

Planning tip: Those who arrive very early can climb the rocks to snap photos of the sun rising over Lake Michigan.