12 Things You Didn’t Know About Milwaukee

Looking for something new to do in Milwaukee? There’s no shortage of things to see and do in the city. In fact, there are just so many choices that choosing what to explore next can be a challenge. Luckily, we’ve found some exciting new things about our city to share with you. If you live here or are planning a visit soon, you won’t want to miss these 12 hidden gems about Milwaukee. Keep reading for some insider details on what to see and do here – and where you can find the secret basement of Johnny Cash, the world’s largest six-pack of beer, and much more!

The world’s largest six-pack of beer

When you think of Wisconsin beer, what comes to mind? If you said “cheese,” you’re not wrong – but you’re also not the first person to come up with that idea. In fact, beer is an equally important part of the Wisconsin culture. You can see for yourself at the Beer Barrel. The Beer Barrel’s claim to fame is that it’s home to the world’s largest six-pack of beer, with a total volume of 5,600 gallons. It’s located in Riverwest and is a great place to stop on your Milwaukee bar crawl. It’s open seven days a week until the wee hours and serves a variety of tasty food and drink. The Beer Barrel is also in the Guinness Book of World Records, so you can add that to your list of “things to tell your grandchildren.”

Secret Rooms and Basements in Milwaukee

If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind the hidden doors of Milwaukee, you’re in luck. There are a couple of secret rooms and basement areas that have been documented and preserved. The first secret basement that we’ll share is the Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewing Company. This building has complexly crafted architecture, featuring ornate ceilings, intricate designs, and secret rooms and basements, including a fascinating tunnel that leads under the river. The Milwaukee Public Library features an impressive marble rotunda, hidden rooms and basements, and a secret underground tunnel that also leads to the Milwaukee River. And finally, the Central Library’s third floor features a secret room and a basement that leads to a street called Van Buren.

Johnny Cash Museum

Johnny Cash fans will be thrilled to know that the country music icon’s old home is preserved and open to the public. It was purchased by a local couple who moved the property to West Milwaukee and restored it. This is where Johnny Cash lived while he was married to his second wife and raising their two daughters. Today, the house is a museum and offers a glimpse into the family’s everyday life. Visitors can also walk around the property and explore the gardens, as they would have been when the Cash family lived there. There’s also an exhibit at the Visitor Center that features items from Johnny Cash’s career. Be sure to stop by if you’re a Cash fan.

Milwaukee Public Market

The Milwaukee Public Market is a must-see in Milwaukee. It’s a massive building that houses a wide variety of shops and restaurants. It’s two levels cover almost an entire city block, making it a great place for exploration. There’s even a small room with arcade games that’s designed to house birthday parties. The Public Market is a great place to spend an afternoon, especially with kids and family. There are plenty of places to eat, and you can easily spend a few hours exploring all that it has to offer.

Festival of Fresh Tunes

The Festival of Fresh Tunes is another unique event that takes place in Milwaukee every year. It’s a music-themed festival, featuring free concerts and interactive art installations. There’s a variety of music to choose from, including R&B, hip-hop, Latin, jazz, pop, and more. The festival also has a live mural painting and a custom T-shirt design station, along with other arts and crafts. This event is ideal for families, as there are activities for every age group.

Riverwalk Extension

The Milwaukee Riverwalk, which is a popular tourist attraction and one of Milwaukee’s main attractions, is growing and will soon be an attraction for an entire year. The Riverwalk Extension is a new project that will extend the Milwaukee Riverwalk south, adding three miles of new paths, walkways, and trails along the Milwaukee River and Menomonee River. When it’s complete, the Riverwalk Extension will be one continuous path that’s 22 miles long and run from the Lake Michigan shoreline all the way to the City of Waukesha.

Lakefront Summer Festivals

Summer in Milwaukee is jam-packed with festivals, from music festivals to food festivals, you’ll never be at a loss for what to do. You can attend the Wisconsin State Fair, which features over 500 food vendors, and the Wisconsin Festival, which features music, art, dance, and theater. If you like to eat, you can attend the Grain Gathering, the Cheese and Beer Festival, and the Wisconsin Dells Food and Craft Festival. Whether you like music or food, there’s a festival for you.

Milwaukee Art Museum’s New Exhibition Hall

If you love art, you’ll be excited to know that the Milwaukee Art Museum will be expanding. It is adding a new exhibition hall, and when it’s complete, it’ll be the world’s largest free-admission art museum. The museum will also have 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The project is expected to be completed in 2022, so you have plenty of time to plan a visit before it’s finished. The new exhibition hall is a project that has been in the works for nearly a decade. When it opens, it will be three times larger than the current exhibition space, allowing for big-name traveling exhibitions to come to Milwaukee and stay for months at a time. The exhibition hall will be designed as an indoor pavilion and will be covered in a fabric roof.

Discovery Center – An Interactive Children’s Museum

If you have kids, you’ll want to visit the Discovery Center. This is a hands-on science and art museum that is designed for kids ages 3 and up. There are a variety of exhibits to explore, including a water world, a giant bubble area, a bubble room, a butterfly garden, a giant footbridge, a construction zone, and a discovery forest. There are also classes and workshops to attend, including ones where kids get to make their own stuffed animals. Be sure to check the website for the latest events.

Milwaukee Makers Organization – MKE Maker Faire 2022!

And finally, if you enjoy learning new things, you can attend the Milwaukee Makers Organization’s annual MKE Maker Faire. The Maker Faire is an event that showcases the area’s creativity and invention, and it’s open to the public. There are various workshops, presentations, and demonstrations scheduled throughout the day. You can learn skills like 3D printing, prop building, and more. You can also shop for new and creative products at the Maker Marketplace. This event is open to all ages and is free to attend. It takes place at the Wisconsin Center from August 11-12, so mark your calendars and make plans to attend. There are so many exciting things to discover in Milwaukee. Whether you’re a local or visiting, you won’t want to miss these hidden gems. If you’re looking for something new to do, these are the places you want to explore. You don’t want to miss these fascinating attractions and events.