The Milwaukee area’s vast array of standout group off-site venues represents everything from its rich history to its impressive lineup of cultural experiences.
Following are six of the area’s top attractions, including an acclaimed museum, a must-visit zoo, a popular performance arts center and a delicious local brewery where planners can throw memorable events ranging from a 20-person luncheon to a 1,000-person gala.
Milwaukee Public Museum
The Milwaukee Public Museum is a natural history museum located downtown with three floors of indoor exhibit space that includes life-size dioramas, mummies, dinosaurs and a planetarium.
The museum’s Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit, dating to 1965, is a walk-through diorama of the city at the turn of the 19th century.
“Depending on your space selection, groups could find themselves dining underneath a 36-foot-long humpback whale skeleton or on the cobblestone streets of the newly reimagined Streets of Old Milwaukee,” said Jill Engl, the museum’s director of events.
With 80,000 square feet of event space, including a 212-seat lecture hall, the museum regularly hosts presentations, meetings, receptions, galas, tradeshows and conferences for 10 to 3,500 people. On-site catering is available to work with planners on the perfect menu. Unique experiences may coincide with events at the museum, Engl added.
“Add an interactive, planetarium educator-led sky talk or giant film for 260 guests in our six-story Dome Theater and Planetarium, the largest in Wisconsin, or schedule a docent-led tour of the Streets of Old Milwaukee for a guided stroll into Milwaukee’s past,” she said.
Pending availability, groups can also enjoy browsing limited-engagement exhibits during the event. This spring, for example, from Feb. 10 through May 28, guests can experience Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed.
The museum also provides complimentary themed scavenger hunts for groups on request.
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, Milwaukee
Also located in downtown Milwaukee, in buildings that are certified historic structures on the National Register of Historic Places, is Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery.
“Best Place offers a unique slice of architectural history,” said Mark R. Bertieri, the venue’s marketing coordinator.
Original architectural details and furnishings remain, including ornate woodwork, carvings and brickwork, stained-glass windows, statues, painted murals and Captain Pabst’s original roll-top desk.
The venue’s halls and courtyards are available for an array of events that accommodate up to 600 people, from banquets and conferences to seminars and tradeshows. Spaces, including Blue Ribbon Hall, Captain’s Corner and the speakeasy, possess an Old-World charm.
“The Prohibition-era speakeasy was once an infirmary, possibly haunted by a few friendly spirits,” Bertieri said.
While food is not available on-site, Best Place works with some of the Milwaukee area’s best caterers.
“We can also incorporate one of our famous beer history tours along with a breakfast, luncheon or dinner in connection with your event or simply during a meeting break,” Bertieri added.
Raised Grain Brewing Company, Waukesha
The brewmaster and brewer at Raised Grain Brewing Company are University of Wisconsin graduates with medical degrees and a keen interest in brewing, according to Tammy Tritz, executive director of the Waukesha Pewaukee CVB.
“Each of them is in the medical practice but equally active in the beer industry,” she said. “Raised Grain is a two-time gold medal winner at the U.S. Open Beer Championship.
Not bad for two doctors!”
PageBreakRaised Grain Brewing Company offers groups a casual and fun environment for post-meeting social events in the taproom area, which is decorated in warm hues, and the back brewery area, which can accommodate 35 people for a social gathering with brewing equipment as a backdrop.
“They have their own food truck serving a variety of appetizers, specialty pizzas and build-your-own pizza,” Tritz added. “The entire menu complements the homemade brews.”
Raised Grain, which offers “the biggest little brewery tour” for private groups, based on availability, is located within walking distance to Escape Chambers, an escape room teambuilding experience for groups.
Clausing Barn Loft at Old World Wisconsin, Eagle
Located at Old World Wisconsin, which has been providing visitors the opportunity to explore and experience Wisconsin’s rich immigrant past since 1976, is the circa-1897 Clausing Barn Loft.
This unique octagon-shaped barn, which bears the name of its builder, Ernst Clausing, and features a vaulted ceiling, is among the few structures of its kind that have survived.
“The Clausing Barn offers rustic, casual dining in the lower level and garden patio during our regular season,” said Carol Wilde, first impressions and group reservation coordinator at Old World Wisconsin. “If you’d rather eat outdoors on the grounds instead of in the cafe, we’ll be happy to pack your food to go.”
The Clausing Barn is available for private events for up to 175 people for a sit-down meal, and the garden patio is a lovely setting for an 80-person cocktail reception.
Group tour add-ons are available, including a narrated tram tour.
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield
Performances, outdoor concerts, fundraisers and corporate retreats are among the many events accommodated at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.
“Whether our rental clients are seeking a cozy gathering place, an inspirational retreat setting or a sophisticated atmosphere, the Wilson Center’s ‘lodge in the park’ design is the perfect backdrop for a unique and memorable event,” said Nichole (Koko) Cooper, the venue’s vice president, marketing and communications.
The focal point of the Wilson Center’s Kuttemperoor Grand Hall, a wonderful setting for receptions and banquets, is a towering 40-foot-tall limestone sculpture surrounding the fireplace, called Streaming.
“Artist Susan Falkman began work on this beautiful sculpture before the walls of the Wilson Center were even up,” Cooper said. “As a multidisciplinary arts center, we are proud to have numerous works of art integrated into the design of the building, which add to our warm and welcoming ambience.”
In addition to the Streaming sculpture, other artworks that event attendees can enjoy include 22 Steps, a sculpture consisting of 22 limestone boulders each weighing 5,000 pounds and placed like Greek columns along the walkway leading to the main entrance; and Flock, a work of hand-blown birds lit with fiber-optic pastel lights that soars overhead in the Harris Theater.
The Wilson Center, which features a prep kitchen that is available for catered events, also offers add-on options for groups, including tours and customized visual art classes.
Milwaukee County Zoo
At the Milwaukee County Zoo, which is situated on 190 acres of parkland, groups can visit with 3,100-plus animals representing 402 species.
“It continues to be recognized as one of the finest zoos in the country,” said Renee Klatt, group sales coordinator in the marketing and communications department at the zoo. “As a venue for private events, the zoo offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces and animal backdrops from which to choose.”
Animal areas available for rental, among others, include Big Cat Country and Apes of Africa, which Klatt said boasts North America’s largest group of bonobos, the smallest of the great ape species.
Other spaces available for private functions include the Peck Welcome Center, which accommodates up to 500 people, and various picnic areas. Over the years, the zoo has hosted many types of events, including those that utilize the entire grounds.
“If a company wants to keep the group on the go, there are many opportunities for taking a break during a meeting to enjoy the park itself,” Klatt said.
She added customized group tours, including an interactive experience, or a scavenger hunt, can be added to most group events.
