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VISIT Milwaukee

648 N. Plankinton Avenue Suite 220, 53203
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Why Milwaukee?

Looking for a fresh destination to host your next meeting, convention or event? Set your sights on the Fresh Coast to experience our great city on a Great Lake. A beautiful blend of rich history, natural splendor and vibrant energy of a city on the rise, just one visit to our city, and you’ll see why National Geographic named Milwaukee one of the 25 “Best Destinations to Visit” for 2023. Join us in the Gathering Place for your next event and experience a city where unique unites. Baird Center is a planner’s dream, and that’s probably because it was designed by them. The convention center was built using meeting planners’ input, creating a versatile, functional and stylish space. Coming in May of 2024, the expanded Baird Center doubles the convention center’s footprint to 1.3+ million square feet. Featuring more than 604,913 sq. ft. in total space, including 52 meeting rooms, 22 loading docks and amenities like a state-of-the-art kitchen and gender-neutral bathrooms. The expansion will be capped by a beautiful new 32,000 sq. ft. rooftop ballroom with seating for up to 2,000 and a stunning balcony with some of the best views of the downtown cityscape. The Baird Center is connected by skywalk to more than 1,300 hotel rooms. Just three blocks from the convention center, the Milwaukee Intermodal Station is easily accessible to attendees arriving in our city by Amtrak train or bus. Less than a 15-minute walk to the convention center, the station is also connected to the downtown area by The Hop—the city’s streetcar. For those looking for more ways to arrive at the convention center, there is Bublr Bikes bike-share station and electric scooters perfect for short trips and exploring the city. In addition to the Baird Center, Milwaukee’s convention campus features the Miller High Life Theatre and the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. This powerful trio of facilities allows you flexibility and a wealth of options when planning your event. Plus, the Wisconsin Center District is in the middle of downtown Milwaukee. Your attendees will love being in the heart of the city, within a 30-minute walking distance of most top attractions, 200 locally-owned restaurants and nightlife. Blocks from the convention hotels along the Historic Old World Third Street Entertainment District, you can try an iconic local staple of a-brat-and-a-beer at a German-style pub or restaurant, buy some great Wisconsin artisanal cheese, or stop by one of the 3rd Street Market Hall for a bite and a game of shuffleboard, darts and more. Go one block west to Vel R. Philips Avenue, and you’ll find yourself standing in the famed Deer District and Fiserv Forum, where fans cheered on the Bucks during their magical 2021 NBA Finals run. More than an arena, Fiserv Forum has grown into the city’s hub for sports, recreation and entertainment. State-of-the-art facilities, panoramic views, eclectic food and beverage options, championship-caliber teams and more await visitors. The surrounding Deer District keeps fans cheering before and after events with businesses like Good City Brewing, Drink Wisconsinbly and MECCA Sports Bar and Grill. And don’t forget to stop in Milwaukee’s living room, Deer District’s Beer Garden. Looking for a unique Milwaukee space? Rev your attendees’ engines at the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum. Our place as the home base of Harley is embodied in this museum, offering a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience, and drawing motorcycle enthusiasts and visitors from all over the world. Whether you’re enjoying a meeting break at the museum restaurant or taking advantage of the amazing event spaces on the museum’s campus, the museum is guaranteed to give your attendees Milwaukee-style fun. But the venue options do not stop there. The flying Milwaukee Art Museum on the water, Potawatomi Casino | Hotel, Discovery World and many more await innovative planners to help them wow their attendees when hosting an event in Milwaukee.

Venue Details

Hotels130
Convention center300,261 sq. ft.
Guest Rooms17,791
Guest rooms at 1 hotel721
Special event venues44
Average room rate$114.83
Occupancy rate65%
Restaurants250
Daily food cost$65.08
Tax rate5.6%
Venue typeCVB
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Getting Here

Located just 90 minutes north of Chicago and within a day’s drive of one-third of the U.S. population. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is just eight miles from downtown offering non-stop flights from over 45 cities and one-stop flights from 160 cities. Nine airlines service Milwaukee Mitchell International. Milwaukee Intermodal Station offers Amtrak departures to Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Greyhound, Megabus, and Coach USA also serve the station. Lake Express Ferry is an auto/passenger vessel linking Milwaukee with Muskegon in a two-hour ride that is more direct than driving south around Lake Michigan.
Distance from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport airport 8 mi

Location

Local Attractions

Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Museum
Iconic building meets stunning collection. Watch the Burke Brise Soleil (the “wings”) of the Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion open at 10 a.m., flap at noon, and close with the museum at 5 p.m. (8 p.m. on Thursday). Four floors of over 40 galleries of art are rotated regularly with works from antiquity to the present in the Museum’s far-reaching collection. The newly renovated galleries display more than 2,500 pieces of art, including one of the largest collections of work by Georgia O’Keefe, and a quarterly-changing featured exhibition.
700 N. Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI, US 53202
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Harley-Davidson Museum
Harley-Davidson Museum
Museum
Located on a 20-acre campus in downtown Milwaukee, the Harley-Davidson Museum brings a taste of rebellion and classic American culture to both the “wild” and “mild” with interactive exhibits. This museum is the only Harley-Davidson Museum in the world, and whether you’re a devoted biker or just interested in learning more about an American institution, you’ll find plenty to explore.
400 W. Canal Street
Milwaukee, WI, US 53201
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Fiserv Forum and Deer District
Fiserv Forum and Deer District
Business district
Deer District is the city’s new hub for sports, recreation, and entertainment. State-of-the art facilities, panoramic views, premium seating, eclectic food and beverage options, and more await visitors to the Fiserv Forum arena. The surrounding Deer District keeps fans cheering before and after events with tenants like Good City Brewing, Drink Wisconsinbly, The New Fashioned, and MECCA Sports Bar and Grill. And don’t forget to stop in Milwaukee’s living room, Deer District’s The Beer Garden.
1111 Vel R. Phillips Avenue
Milwaukee, WI, US 53203
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Milwaukee RiverWalk
Milwaukee RiverWalk
Recreation
The Milwaukee RiverWalk winds through the heart of the city, tying together three distinct riverfront neighborhoods – the Historic Third Ward, Downtown, and Brewer's Hill – and bringing you to the doorstep of some of the city’s best restaurants, brewpubs, shops, and nightlife.
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Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Nightlife
Wisconsin’s number one tourist destination is Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, located right in downtown Milwaukee. Find all of your nightlife needs under one roof, with seven on-site restaurants, entertainment in the stylish Northern Lights Theater, and, of course, top-notch gaming.
1721 W. Canal Street
Milwaukee, WI, US 53233
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Miller Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company
Historical landmark
The Miller Visitor Center offers you an indoor/outdoor guided walking tour of Miller Valley, home to over 155 years of brewing history. Experience everything from Fredrick Miller's arrival in Milwaukee to the high-speed production lines used today. Your tour seamlessly blends the rich history of Miller Brewing Co. with the modern technology of today's brewing process. Oh, and beer samples, of course.
4251 W. State Street
Milwaukee, WI, US 53208
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Pabst Mansion
Pabst Mansion
Museum
Built in 1892, The Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion is the only fully-restored beer baron’s home in America. This showplace was the gathering place of Milwaukee’s privileged elite and it’s easy to imagine yourself as a guest at one of the Captain’s legendary private parties. From the stunning woodwork of the grand master staircase to the sparkling crystal chandelier in the dining room, the elegant interiors are a testament to the wealth and power of the Pabst family.
2000 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI, US 53233
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Lakefront Brewery
Lakefront Brewery
Nightlife
At Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall, we pride ourselves in homemade recipes that use the finest ingredients from local entrepreneurs to offer you a genuine taste and experience of Milwaukee. We took over ownership of the restaurant in the Winter of 2013. Our daily menu, featuring our award-winning cheese curds, is served every day through counter-service. On Fridays the kitchen closes at 3 p.m. and opens back up at 4 p.m. for our famous Fish Fry that seats until 9 p.m. and is a full service restaurant.
1872 N. Commerce St
Milwaukee, WI, US 53212
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Westown
Westown
Business district
The neighborhood to the west of the Milwaukee River, Westown makes up half of Milwaukee’s bustling downtown. You'll find the city's vibrant entertainment district here, home to sports arenas as well as popular venues like the Miller High Life Theatre, Riverside Theater, and Turner Hall Ballroom. Find sports excitement at the new home of the Milwaukee Bucks, Fiserv Forum, and the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Just a block away from the arenas is Old World Third Street, a major hub for nightlife downtown and the historic heart of Milwaukee’s German community.
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Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee Public Museum
Museum
The Milwaukee Public Museum is Wisconsin’s Natural History Museum, where every visit is a new adventure through the world of natural science and human history!
800 W. Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI, US 53233
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Mader's
Mader's
Nightlife
In business since 1902, Milwaukee’s famous German restaurant is the very definition of a classic and has been visited by celebrities from JFK to Justin Bieber. Try the pork shank and the famous giant pretzel!
1037-41 N. Old World Third Street
Milwaukee, WI, US 53203
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East Town
East Town
Business district
Between the Milwaukee River and the shore of Lake Michigan, you’ll find East Town. This downtown neighborhood is home to some of the city’s most popular attractions, as well as all the lakefront fun! From beaches to museums, it’s easy to spend the day exploring with the family, with plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy in the evening. Annual events like Bastille Days, Firkin Fest, and the Lakefront Festival of Art are hugely popular with locals and visitors alike.
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Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Museum
Italian Renaissance-style villa and gardens overlook Lake Michigan. 15th-20th century decorative arts, Cyril Colnik wrought iron, galleries, changing exhibitions and programs.
2220 N. Terrace Avenue
Milwaukee, WI, US 53202
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Grohmann Museum
Grohmann Museum
Museum
The Grohmann Museum is home to the Man at Work collection, which comprises more than 1,300 paintings and sculptures dating from 1580 to the present. The museum building is as unique as the collection housed within. Once an automobile dealership, and then the Federal Reserve Bank, the building was renovated to become the Grohmann Museum. The steel and glass-domed entrance welcomes visitors to three floors of galleries and the museum also has a spectacular rooftop sculpture garden.
1000 N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI, US 53202
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Colectivo on the Lake
Colectivo on the Lake
Historical landmark
Located across from the McKinley Marina on Lake Michigan, the historic Milwaukee River Flushing Station is now home to Colectivo on the Lake. Built in 1888 in the city’s signature “cream city brick”, Colectivo is a locally-owned coffee roaster featuring freshly brewed coffee, espresso-based beverages and bakery items, along with deli sandwiches, soups and salads. This is the place to see and be seen – a trendy café with lovely patio area and Thursday night free outdoor concerts during the summertime.
1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Milwaukee, WI, US 53202
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Historic Third Ward
Historic Third Ward
Business district
Trendy shops and dining abound in this revitalized warehouse district. Block after block of formerly industrial space is now home to galleries, restaurants, boutique shops, and stylish national retailers like West Elm, Anthropologie, and Pendleton. The neighborhood is anchored on the north end by the Milwaukee Public Market and by the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design to the south. Along the lakefront is Henry Maier Festival Park, where Milwaukee’s lakefront comes alive every summer for festival after festival.
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Milwaukee Public Market
Milwaukee Public Market
Shopping
Bursting with unique, high quality selections of artisan and ethnic products, and freshly-made prepared foods, you’re sure to enjoy shopping the independent merchants of the Milwaukee Public Market.
400 N. Water Street
Milwaukee, WI, US 53202
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Henry Maier Festival Park
Henry Maier Festival Park
Recreation
Milwaukee, the "City of Festivals," has a bash nearly every week. And everyone's invited! During the summer months, many Milwaukee festivals take place at Henry Maier Festival Park. Situated along Milwaukee’s lakefront, the grounds are one of the country’s coolest permanent festival parks with a dozen phenomenal outdoor stages, a 23,000-seat amphitheater, a thriving marketplace, and 75 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and walkways. This makes the perfect venue for the largest outdoor music festival in the world, Summerfest. Milwaukee’s diversity is on display at Maier Festival Park throughout the summer with fesitvals like PrideFest, Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, German Fest, Black Arts Fest MKE and Mexican Fiesta.
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI, US 53202
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Discovery World
Discovery World
Museum
Experience our interactive exhibits, the Reiman Aquarium – featuring 10 tanks including the 75,000-gallon Lake Michigan Tank and the walk-through tunnel Caribbean Tank, DIY projects in the Kohl’s Design It! Lab, and more! In the summer months, join us for a day sail on the Sailing Vessel Denis Sullivan, a 137-foot replica of a 19th century Great Lakes schooner.
500 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI, US 53202
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Bronzeville
Bronzeville
Business district
The historic economic and social heart of Milwaukee’s African-American community, this area is now the center of major redevelopment efforts. Annual festivals celebrate the strong roots of jazz and the arts in the neighborhood, and the main thoroughfare, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, is lined with African American-owned businesses. Enjoy the diverse dining and shopping establishments on this street and throughout surrounding neighborhoods like Harambee and Halyard Park.
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Boat Tours
Boat Tours
Recreation
Milwaukee is a city on the water! Built along the lakefront of Lake Michigan with the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers weaving throughout the city, you won’t want to miss the unique opportunity to see a city from a whole new vantage point: water-level!
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Walker's Point
Walker's Point
Business district
The longtime hub of Milwaukee’s gay community, this neighborhood is now also a hotbed of foodie activity with an industrial edge. You’ll find some of the city’s best LGBTQ bars and nightclubs alongside award-winning restaurants and locally-made artisan food products. Many of the neighborhood’s bars and restaurants are focused along Second Street, but Fifth Street is quickly becoming another hotspot for the area.
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Mitchell Park Horticulture Conservatory
Mitchell Park Horticulture Conservatory
Museum
Experience a desert oasis, a tropical jungle and floral gardens...all in one afternoon! The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, better known as The Domes, are one of the most unique destinations in Milwaukee.
524 S. Layton Boulevard
Milwaukee, WI, US 53215
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Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee County Zoo
Recreation
The Milwaukee County Zoo is one of the area's most popular attractions for families and animal lovers of all ages. Over 3,100 creatures and 350 different species from around the world make their home here, and there's always something new to explore!
10001 W. Bluemound Road
Milwaukee, WI, US 53226
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Convention Centers

Baird Center (Recently Renovated)Baird Center is a newly expanded convention center recognized for its state-of-the-art event spaces and outstanding client service.
Exhibit Space300,275 sq. ft.
Total meeting space73,566 sq. ft.
Guest rooms 1 mi. from convention center2,200

Additional Information

Additional details

There are always good things brewing in Milwaukee. As the city that beer built, brewing happens to be our specialty. The spirit of Milwaukee’s first brewers – Miller, Pabst, Schlitz and Blatz – lives on in local micro-breweries like Third Space Brewing, City Lights Brewing and Lakefront Brewery. Plus, the beer hall culture of the old breweries carries into modern Milwaukee with attractions like the Pabst Mansion, Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery and the Miller Caves. If you’d like to grab a bite with your brew, you won’t find chain restaurants with a coast-to-coast personality in Milwaukee. Our astounding restaurant scene of 200+ locally owned restaurants is dominated by creative and collaborative entrepreneurs – including 18 James Beard-recognized chefs – with their own distinct take on local flavor and cuisine. Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro is considered one of the best French restaurants in the Midwest. Ardent, a Milwaukee favorite for fine dining, takes its inspiration from the cooking traditions of the Great Lakes. And, in 2022, The Diplomat’s Dane Baldwin took home the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Midwest. Want to work off some of that food and beer? Milwaukee is a true urban outdoor destination, with activities for every season. The shoreline along Lake Michigan is a haven of green space with miles of coastal parkland, beaches and a network of trails ideal for running, walking and biking. Minutes from downtown, one of America’s most accessible beaches, Bradford Beach. A three-mile RiverWalk along a river busy with boats and kayaks connects revitalized and thriving neighborhoods like foodie paradise Walker's Point, the SoHo-style Historic Third Ward and the historic Beerline neighborhood, Brewer’s Hill. You’ll also meet Gertie the Duck and the Bronze Fonz on your RiverWalk travels. If you want more reasons to choose Milwaukee, just talk to us. We’re famous for chatting up visitors, making them feel at home, and inviting them to join in the fun. Does Milwaukee have a great, value-driven convention and hotel package, all within a safe, walkable downtown, and an airport only eight miles from the city center? Yes, but you’ll also find plenty of unique Milwaukee fun and personality to make your event here the one your attendees will go home talking about.

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VISIT Milwaukee Frequently Asked Questions

Explore frequently asked questions from the VISIT Milwaukee regarding Health and Safety, Sustainability, and Diversity and Inclusion.

Sustainable Practices

Please provide comments or a link to any publicly communicated VISIT Milwaukee's sustainability or social impact goals/strategy.
No response.
Does VISIT Milwaukee have a strategy that focuses on the elimination and diversion of waste (i.e. plastics, papers, cardboard, etc.)? If yes, please elaborate on your strategy of elimination and diversion of waste.
No response.

Diversity and Inclusion

For US hotels only, is VISIT Milwaukee and/or parent company certified as a 51% diverse owned business enterprise (BE)? If yes, please indicate which one of the following you are certified as:
No response.
If applicable, could you please provide a link to VISIT Milwaukee's public report on their commitments and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
No response.

Health and Safety

Were practices at VISIT Milwaukee developed based on health service recommendations from public governmental entities or private organizations? If Yes, please list which organizations were used to develop these practices.
No response.
Does VISIT Milwaukee clean and sanitize public areas and publicly accessible facilities (i.e. meeting rooms, restaurants, elevator banks, etc.)? If yes, describe any new measures that are taken.
No response.
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