Downtown Milwaukee Walking Tour

4.3 (4 reviews) 1 h 30 min – 2 hours

out of 5

4 reviews

4.3

View of E. Wisconsin Ave. looking towards Lake Michigan — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Downtown Milwaukee Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

Private and Luxury Audio Guides Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours New Product Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min – 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–10
Audio guide: English
Guide: English
Operated by: Historic Milwaukee

Ages: Infants (0–4 years) · Children (5–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Audio Headsets

Not included

Not included: Tips (not required but appreciated)

Itinerary

Stop 1

10 min

Our tour will begin inside the Historic Milwaukee Store located at 235 E. Michigan St., formerly known as the Grain Exchange, now referred to as the Mackie Building.

The Mackie Building is a building designed by E. Townsend Mix and built in 1879 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which housed Milwaukee's Grain Exchange Room, now converted into an events space.
Milwaukee Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse

Passing by

The tour will walk east along Wisconsin Ave. passing the Federal Building.
Stop 3

Passing by

The tour will pass the Gas Light Building. This Art Deco building was designed by architects Eschweiler & Eschweiler and completed in 1930
Milwaukee Art Museum

10 min Admission not included

The tour will end by the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We meet at the Milwaukee Store which is located at 235 E. Michigan St. (on the corner of Michigan St. and Broadway).

End point

This tour ends at the orange sculpture called "The Calling" just west of the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not recommended for travelers who can not walk or use a mobility device for one mile