Activities, Camps and After School Classes in Milwaukee, WI

Brew City Kayaks offers kayak rentals for people who want to explore the Milwaukee River at their own pace. Rent a Single Kayak for up to 4 hours for only $55! Along your paddle you will discover the beautiful City Skyline and have the opportunity to stop and get out of your kayak. Many kayakers enjoy stopping at one of the many local breweries or restaurants along the river. Our kayaks are sit-on-top style which are safer, easier to get in and out of, and perfect for holding a cooler. Life vests and instruction are provided.

This key commercial corridor on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side was settled by Polish immigrants who built St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church (1886) as the center of their community. Their residences, seen mostly north of Brady, became the ubiquitous Milwaukee Polish Flat. Later the neighborhood became home to a number of Italian families, who transformed many commercial buildings into businesses that are still on Brady today like Glorioso’s Italian Market (1946) or Peter Sciortino’s Bakery (1947). On this tour, you’ll also hear more about the counterculture era from the 1960s and 1970s and learn how Brady Street has reinvented itself in recent year. The tour blends local history and cultural insight with the sights and atmosphere of one of Milwaukee’s most engaging urban corridors.

Milwaukee is called many names; Brew City, City of Festivals, and Cream City, but it is most recognized as the place for great beer and cheese in the Upper Midwest. The large 19th century Germanic population continue to influence our local food products and dishes while some of the best restaurants from the historic Third Ward to East Town Downtown. When booking our winter exclusive Skywalk Food Tour you'll get to experience and enjoy all the best we have to offer from a warm second-story perspective. You'll get to experience and enjoy all the best we have when you book our Secret Food Tour: Milwaukee.

Travel back in time and learn more about Wisconsin’s first company town. Today, Bay View is one of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods but it was originally established in 1867 for workers at the Milwaukee Iron Company. The tour will explore houses built for laborers and managers and discuss the development of the mill and town before it incorporated into Milwaukee in 1887. Beyond residential streets, stops include important businesses, community spaces including the Beulah Brinton House (1871), houses of worship, and landmarks like the Pryor Avenue Iron Well (1882). The tour will also share immigrant stories from Welsh, English and later Italian families who established deep roots in Bay View. This walking tour is 1.9 miles in length. We recommend that travelers bring (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

Walk around Milwaukee while completing the Operation City Quest scavenger hunt! Use an app to find a list of objects around the city in any order you choose and perform fun challenges for points. Collect points and take a look at your score compared to others across the country. All of our scavenger hunts have a remote host via chat to help along the way. Come out and explore with us in Milwaukee.

Downtown Milwaukee's growth began around the intersection of N. Water St. and E. Wisconsin Ave. but expanded quickly as the small settlement became a large city. If you are looking for an introduction to Milwaukee's history, this is the best place to start. The tour will explore this commercial district from the earliest beginnings at the river's edge all the way to the modern office buildings along Lake Michigan's shore. Stops on the tour include a variety of architectural styles including Alexander Eschweiler's Art Deco Gas Light Building (1930), the Richardsonian Romanesque style Federal Building (1892), and Northwestern Mutual's Neoclassical Headquarters (1914). This walking tour is 1 mile in length. We recommend that travelers bring (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

Like many communities in the industrial Midwest, Milwaukee’s ecological legacy has a significant period of pollution. Thankfully, in the late 1980s & early 1990s, driven by Mayor John Norquist and others, Milwaukee dedicated resources to water clean up and the reinvigoration of the buildings along the Milwaukee River. This reinvestment included the creation of a public-private partnership known as the Riverwalk (1993). Today, the Riverwalk extends 3.1 miles along both sides of the Milwaukee River, from the site of the former North Avenue Dam, through Downtown and the Historic Third Ward to Lake Michigan. The tour will explore the industries and early city growth that impacted the river so greatly and also a number of the historic buildings along the way. You’ll also learn about some of the temporary and permanent public art on display. This walking tour is 1.2 miles in length. We recommend that travelers bring: good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

The Historic Third Ward was the first stop for many of Milwaukee's European immigrants, particularly the Irish and later the Italians. Close to cheap housing and available jobs, these new arrivals created close-knit communities. Like most major industrial cities, the Third Ward had a significant and destructive fire in 1892, which reshaped the landscape to much of what you see today. In the 1970s, this area experienced a resurgence that transformed factories and warehouses into condos and mixed adaptive reuse. On this tour, learn about the neighborhood landscape as well as the Irish and Italian immigrants as well as the impact of the LGBTQ+ community and other residents. Stops include the Milwaukee Public Market (2005), Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) (1974), and Commission Row (1894). This walking tour is 1 mile in length. Travelers are recommended to bring (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.

Tap into Milwaukee's famous attractions and history as well as other sights you may not have known existed. Don't just see Milwaukee, experience it!

Brew City Kayaks offers kayak rentals for people who want to explore the Milwaukee River at their own pace. Rent a Tandem Kayak for up to 4 hours for only $85! Along your paddle you will discover the beautiful City Skyline and have the opportunity to stop and get out of your kayak. Many kayakers enjoy stopping at one of the many local breweries or restaurants along the river. Our kayaks are sit-on-top style which are safer, easier to get in and out of, and perfect for holding a cooler. Life vests and instruction are provided.

Ready for a unique urban adventure? Crazy Dash is a flexible, app-based scavenger hunt perfect for exploring your city in a new way, from Milwaukee to cities all over. Forget stuffy tours and guidebooks—this is your experience, on your terms. Unlike other scavenger hunts, we provide live, remote hosts—real people—who are there to support you. You can chat with them anytime to get hints, ask questions, or just get some encouragement. You’ll never be stuck, and you’ll always have someone in your corner to ensure you have a blast. Our challenges are all about fun, not trivia. You’ll complete hilarious photo and video missions to earn points, turning your exploration into a game. You can compete on our nationwide leaderboard or just play for fun—the choice is yours. Crazy Dash is the perfect way to spend time with family, friends, or a partner. Get ready to explore, laugh, and make memories.

Step inside a former Al Capone-owned speakeasy and explore nearly two centuries of history, mystery, and reported paranormal activity. Dating back to 1894, Shakers Cigar Bar has become one of Milwaukee’s most intriguing destinations, known for its rich history, Prohibition-era connections, and countless stories of unexplained encounters reported by guests, staff, paranormal investigators, and visitors from around the world. The Original Ghost Tour takes guests through three levels of history and lore, uncovering the people, events, and stories that have shaped the building for generations. Along the way, you’ll hear accounts of unexplained experiences, lingering spirits, and the darker chapters of Milwaukee’s past that continue to fascinate visitors today. Part history tour, part paranormal experience, this immersive guided tour offers a unique opportunity to explore one of Milwaukee’s most storied buildings after dark. Not for the faint of heart.

Take the next step beyond the Original Ghost Tour and venture deeper into one of America’s most haunted bars. Located inside a former Al Capone-owned speakeasy dating back to 1894, Ghost Tour 2.0 offers a more immersive exploration of the stories, spirits, and unexplained encounters that have made Shakers internationally known. Travel through three stories of history and lore as your guide shares additional accounts, lesser-known stories, documented experiences, and chilling reports of paranormal activity that continue to surround the building today. This extended experience is designed for guests who want to go beyond the basics and explore Milwaukee’s most haunted destination in greater depth. Not for the faint of heart.

Join us for a private walking ghost tour of Milwaukee’s haunted historic Third Ward. As the largest city in Wisconsin with an industrial past, it’s no surprise that the city is riddled with spectral stories, which your guide will bring to life for you! In the mid-nineteenth century, the Third Ward was more commonly called the Blood Third, where roving thugs and gangs operated in the streets. It was also home to elegant hotels, prominent businesses, and hard-working families - which made for decades of reputational clashes in the neighbourhood. In 1892, a series of fires swept across the Third Ward and the city, leaving behind eery tales of mediums having predicted the fire, of sabotage and revenge - even stories from the fire chief who was awoken in his dreams by a voice to notify him of fires before the rest of the firehouse knew. Your private spectral tour is two hours and just under two miles, suitable for people of all ages, provided that adults are present with children.

On the campus of the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Grohmann Museum is unique in that it's the only museum of its kind in the country, and perhaps the world. Nowhere else will you find a collection and exhibition program dedicated to the art of labor, engineering, and human achievement.

Half the history talk calories of the Old Milwaukee Tour but with all the full bodied flavor! Ride 15 miles on a pedal assist e-bike through the best of Milwaukee. Enjoy a frozen custard at the beach, a local speciality. See incredible variety! Ride through historic working class neighborhoods and past ornate mansions that were built when Milwaukee was the machine shop of the world. Admire hidden alley street art. Gaze up at massive frescos inside our finest cathedral. Cruise along lakeshore parks and past downtown architectural gems. Wrap it all up with a visit to a beer garden, a city tradition since 1848, and you'll have a real taste of Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Wacky Walks scavenger hunt is a royal-themed experience that will use an app to give you a list of items around the city to find and challenges to complete. Along the way, compete in royal tournaments to determine the King/Queen throughout the game. Gain points for your team by taking photos of the items you find and challenges you complete. The goal is to hold on to the King/Queen title the longest and gain as many points as you can. Play for as long as you want anywhere in the city you'd like. A remote host will be following along virtually and chatting with you if you need anything. Come reign in Milwaukee today!

Our guided City Skyline Kayak Tours are 1.5–2 hours long and follow the Milwaukee River up towards downtown Milwaukee. We do not make any stops along the way for this tour, but we do provide details about Milwaukee's history and attractions along the river. Our knowledgeable guides will provide you with any kayaking instruction you may need and ensure you feel safe and comfortable on this beginner-level tour.

This experience is for the budget friendly travelers. This bus tour has a minimum 8 guest requirement to operate. A 90-120 minute Tour Times: 10am. Embark with fellow guests on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Milwaukee, where history, culture, and vibrant energy converge to create an experience like no other. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the iconic Harley-Davidson Museum, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of this dynamic city. Explore the historic Third Ward, where cobblestone streets lead to artisan boutiques and eclectic galleries. Indulge in the delights of the city's diverse neighborhoods from the viewpoint of a local, showcasing the best of local flavors. Discover the marvels of Milwaukee's skyline, including the stunning Milwaukee Art Museum with its iconic wings. Whether you're a history buff, a restaurant lover, or an art aficionado, this Milwaukee tour promises to captivate your senses and leave you longing to uncover more of its hidden treasures.

Milwaukee is a city shaped by its waterways, its waves of immigrants, and its bold spirit-famous for its German heritage, its brewing traditions, and its knack for reinvention over nearly two centuries. Our journey today starts at Wisconsin Historical Marker three three three, which marks the heart of old Kilbourntown, walk through stories of rivalry, resilience, and remarkable change, all the way to the bustling Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward. Go at your own pace. The tour never expires. This is a hand free experience, press play and put your phone in your pocket. The tour is location aware, and plays as you walk. It never expires.

Set on a bluff, overlooking the northern point of Milwaukee’s harbor, this neighborhood boasts an incredible collection of mansions from the early twentieth century. The tree-lined blocks feature a variety of styles including German Renaissance Revival, English Tudor Revival, Mediterranean Revival and others popular from 1890-1940. The houses were designed by some of the most notable Milwaukee architects including Eschweiler, Clas, Niedecken and even Wisconsin’s own Frank Lloyd Wright. Beyond the architectural details, the neighborhood’s past residents include many prominent Milwaukeeans who made money in wheat, railroads, straw hats, fur coats, ice cream and more. The tour also includes non-residential neighborhood landmarks like a historic hospital complex, water tower and lighthouse, as well as a Frederick Law Olmsted designed park. This walking tour is 1.4 miles in length. We recommend bringing (weather permitting): good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and/or umbrella.