Milwaukee is becoming increasingly known as a specialty food and beverage producer, according to Margaret Casey, communications manager at Visit Milwaukee.
“The best place to experience this is Walker’s Point, an area just south of the Historic Third Ward,” she said. “Walker’s Point is a former warehouse district, which has been transitioning in recent years.”
At the north corner of Walker’s Point is the Harley-Davidson Museum, where groups can take a tour, host an off-site event or enjoy a group dinner of American classics at Motor, the museum’s on-site restaurant.
Located just up the hill from the Harley-Davidson Museum is Great Lakes Distillery, a high-end purveyor of spirits including absinthe and rye whiskey. Here, groups can take a tour or arrange an event in the distillery’s tasting room or on its outdoor patio.
For those in the group who prefer beer, Walker’s Point is also home to Milwaukee Brewing Co., a popular microbrewery that offers fun tours and pours samples from its tasty lineup, including Hop Happy IPA, Booyah Apricot Saison and Louie’s Demise Amber Ale.
For a taste of beer without the alcohol, stop by Purple Door Ice Cream for a scoop of beer and pretzels ice cream. This creator of homemade ice creams in other exotic flavors, including balsamic strawberry, lemon lavender and chocolate whiskey, is a popular neighborhood stop where groups can count on delicious samples.
As is Indulgence Chocolatiers, which is situated right next to Purple Door and sells truffles, toffees, chocolate bars and seasonal goodies including peppermint bark. Here, groups might also arrange to partake in a pairing class—among those offered is a sparking wine, cheese and chocolate class.
At Clock Shadow Creamery, one of the country’s only urban creameries, groups can either just stop in for samples of cheese or book a tour, during which they’ll learn the answers to questions including “Why are cheese curds squeaky?”
After the group grabs a bite in Walker’s Point, they can check into Milwaukee Kayak Co., where they’ll find the gear necessary for an urban kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding outing on the Milwaukee River.