It's changed a lot. This year there were only three stages, one beer vendors, and a few food…read moreoptions. It was crammed with vendors to the point that moving through was a problem. Typically this is our fav festival but this year was really disappointing for the lack of music alone. Meh.

One of Milwaukee's best festivals! It's Riverwest, through and through, and I love it all. See some…read moregreat local bands, the food selection is really good and diverse, as is the crowd. There was a good variety of Lakefront Brewery beers on tap, and I also enjoy spending a little time in Riverwest Public House for WMSE DJs, and conviviality. Make sure to leave some money with the many high-quality DIY makers that sell here. Overall, this is a great summer hang in Milwaukee.

Polish fest is a fantastic family friendly event celebrating the rich Polish culture and its ties…read moreto the Milwaukee lakefront. We went in a beautiful Saturday afternoon and explored the three stages with active music and or traditional dance programming. The polka music was exciting and fun to dance to! After grabbing a Tyskie we walked the grounds to explore the several tents showing off the many cultural organizations, arts, and travel experiences to Poland. We also got to taste some really great authentic Polish food. All of it was great but would highly recommend the smoked Polish sausage, paczki, and potato pancakes! All in all it was a fantastic afternoon, the only reason it wasn't a five star review was that the line to get in and through security was really long and there was no daytime/ early bird discount on admission for Saturday.

Polish Fest is full of nostalgia for me - I went every year as a kid with my grandparents. We ate…read morepotato pancakes, I learned the chicken dance and at least once, I was accidentally given liquor filled chocolates. Good times. I hadn't been in years but hit up Polish Fest 2017 to watch a friends kid dance (adorable of course). Most days, you can score free or reduced admission - check their site for promos. Parking cost ranges but I paid $10 and was seriously like 50 steps from the gate. As others have noted - only about 1/2 the grounds are open. That said, there was a good amount to see and do - I did appreciate the cultural tents (agree 100% they should be bigger!!) and was truly amazed at some of the traditional craftsmanship. I also appreciate that you can get actual Polish beer (ahem, German Fest) plus lots of other options like vodka, schnapps and even bloodies! The only thing missing is a brandy old fashioned stand, IMO. Hell, you can even get pull tabs! Food ranges from amazing to uninspired but you won't lack for pierogies, potato pancakes, kielbasa or goblackis. Of course, Venice club has eggplant and Saz's has their festival famous offerings. Prices range widely as well so shop around. Some of the best values can be found at the Old European deli and Polonez stands near the Harley stage. Because I love you all and don't want anyone to suffer bad pierogies, I sampled several places. With confidence, I can tell you that the Stuffed Pierogi truck is #1 with Old European Deli coming in a close #2. Both taste just like what we had in Poland. Run away from Kuchina Polska - gummy and sad. If you're looking for a good band, Box On is a family group from Chicago with a ton of talent and energy. And of course you can't miss Milwaukees own Vern and the Originals! Overall, Polish Fest might not pack in the crowds that Festa Italiana or Irish Fest do, but there's a lot of fun to be had here!

They moved this a few years back to its current location in Franklin at the Croatian beer garden…read more Though we don't appreciate the longer drive, there is a lot more space for events. They have a series of food vendors and then some good drinks (beer, scotch). Unfortunately, this year, the food ran out pretty quick as they only have a few vendors for what turned out to be a large crowd. Adult tickets are $15/pp but there's free parking. Unlike 2024 when it was rainy and not as busy, it was booming in 2025. It was hard to find parking. We regretted not ordering food right away too because many kept running out of something while we were in line. However, they had a lot of great events - live music, dance, heavy and bagpipe competitions, haggis taco eating competition, sheepdog demo, etc. We love coming here and can't wait for next year!

Real family fun for a Saturday afternoon…read more The 2012 Highland Games did not prove to be a large festival. But they did serve up some great festival fun that was family friendly. Some of the entertainment included cricket, athletic competition (men and women throwing objects for distance), dancing, and bag pipe bands. There were also demonstrations on axe throwing, knife throwing, sword fighting, and sheepdogs. There were cultural tents, vendors, and a beer tent with music for much of the day. Sadly, the food we experienced wasn't note-worthy. There was a Papa John's pizza truck along with 2 other food vendors serving regional fare (1 was McBob's, and I forget the other). We got food from the other. I spent $18 for a Fish & Chips and a Shepherds Pie. The Fish & Chips were decent, but I had a hard time stretching their value to the ~$9 price tag. I also expected a bit more out of the Shepherds Pie. Portions were not very big either. And there was some inconsistency. Two people in our group got Fish & Chips. One person got 3 pieces of fish, the other person only got 2 pieces. And it wasn't because they happened to get bigger pieces than everyone else. They all seemed to be pretty much the same size. So I don't know what that was all about. But here's the thing, they were serving 20oz cups of Guiness, Harp, and Smithwicks for $5. Yes... that's correct. An imperial pint for $5! And the bartenders were happy to pour a half-and-half for you. My first thought was, "did someone make a mistake on the beer pricing??" Well, I'm certainly not going to say anything! So after spending the afternoon taking advantage of those beer prices, all the food really had to do was fill my belly. I like to think that I forgave the food experience because of the price offset by the beer. But it could just be because I was a bit sauced up. Oh... and they were also serving 12oz ciders and 12oz gluten-free beers for $4. Admission was $10 and I felt it was a very fair price for the afternoon. In general, some of the event locations felt a little disjointed (that is partly because of the layout of Hart Park). But they had signs pointing the way to specific event areas. The one thing I missed was the Haggis Taco eating contest. But that might be a good thing after downing all those Guiness.

Did the Caffeine Crawl 2017 for Milwaukee and had a great time with our tour led by Katie. We had a…read morelittle bit of a rainy start but the weather remained cool for our well-caffeinated morning. It was a driving route spanning 11 miles. We started our route at Hawthorne Coffee. (Parking is in a lot just across the street.) Had a great walk through by Steve Hawthorne, the owner. You could tell he was very passionate about coffee and wants to create an atmosphere of truly enjoying quality brew. Enjoyed a sample of their cold brew coffee aged in a bourbon barrel-- you can really taste the bourbon! It's a really cool concept that they execute well! The atmosphere is very friendly, relaxed, a place you take your time in-- not a drop in/out. It's a huge space, so they also have food trucks come by as well. They just completed a patio area as well. Has a bit of an unfinished feel. Overall, a cool place that brings truly handcrafted coffee to their community. Our next stop was Kickapoo Coffee. Had a harder time finding parking nearby since it's located in the popular Third Ward. It was a busy morning, but co-owner, Scott Lucey, took time to talk to us about their process. We tried a cup of their Kenya Mbeguka and Kenya Karimikui-- both very acidic/bright. The space is very bright with their large windows, hipster/chic, pots of plants. Made our way next Pilcrow Coffee. I think this was one of my favorite places. Ryan, one of the founders, was the one who led our walk through. They have a really thoughtful meaning behind their name and emphasize that they serve more as a vessel to provide the brew to the customer. (I really can't explain it as well as they can, but they're very humble.) They are relatively new to the coffee world in Milwaukee but I feel like they're someone to keep an eye on. Really loved their creamy cold brew and their turmeric ginger tea!! Our fourth place was classic Stone Creek Coffee of Milwaukee (Factory Cafe, main headquarters). It's a beautiful space! Had a very organized presentation by two of their baristas. Sampled their Green Dragon Costa Rica and then their collab with Hotel Madrid, Coffee Mint Julep. They do free tours on Sundays and also classes on brewing ($$). So happy to end our tour at Rishi Tea HQ. Walking in the doors, it smells beauuuutiful. Learned a lot about tea! Enjoyed a sample of their Runner's High and then... ah I can't remember the name of the second one. They were both super delicious and would recommend searching it out-- they said you can find it at Fuel Cafe. Will definitely have to search for it there until they have ready-to-drink options in the future. Overall, a very cool event that was fun way to explore Milwaukee and get caffeinated!

Went here for some socially-distanced Halloween fun. We went to a ton of decorated houses that…read morewere listed online, and this was the best. They had a fully synchronized lightshow to about 4 or 5 songs. This is some next level stuff right here. Turn on your radio to get the full effect. Make sure you don't block a driveway. They do a show for Halloween and one for xmas. If the December one is as good as October, I'm going back every year.

The Godmobile has been a Milwaukee fixture for at least 25 years, when, similar to a scene in The…read moreBlues Brothers, an ancient station wagon complete with an electronic bullhorn strapped to the roof began driving up and down Wisconsin Avenue, blaring out religious sermons. Scores of pious Marquette students were either spiritualized or traumatized by its appearance. The Godmobile still lives and reigns supreme, albeit in a newly incarnated 1982 Chevy Caprice Classic. For easy reference, current and past iterations of the Godmobile are attached so one can easily spot it. The Godmobile has been spotted all around town, from Lake Drive in Shorewood to Brady Street in front of the Dry Hootch to the intersection right outside Discovery World. No matter what you believe, you can have faith that if you are in downtown Milwaukee you will eventually spot and scope out - The Godmobile!

Every major city has it's share of...unusual...but beloved characters. Chicago has the Walking…read moreDude, Atlanta has the fabulous Baton Bob and NYC has the Naked Cowboy. Milwaukee is lucky - we've got Freeway, Milverine, the late Dick Bacon and of course, Brother Ron driving the Godmobile. There have been several iterations of the famous Godmobile over the years - generally all of them are total beaters and most have been station wagons. They start out subtle, with just a few bible verses and sayings painted on them but eventually the current Godmobile becomes a rolling art project - completely covered in verses, sayings, a giant megaphone, creepy baby dolls, a sandwich board and sometimes those giant plastic candles you put in your yard on Christmas. You can expect to see Brother Ron all over town - mostly cruising up & down Wisconsin and Water but sometimes you might see him parked at the McDonalds on South 27th St. Itinerant preachers gotta eat too, I guess. My favorite Brother Ron/Godmobile story comes from a former co-worker: he claims that he was in line behind Brother Ron at Leon's Custard and dude's total came to exactly $6.66 and the man FREAKED out and left. No Satan Custard for him! Anyway, I like to appreciate the Godmobile for what it is - a little piece of what makes Milwaukee unique.

With not a lot of events, attractions etc etc going on I find my self gong to more car shows just…read moreto get out and do something around people again and plus I do have a collector car and I'm a car guy. This show was organized very well and if it was your first time going like me they made it very simple to get in and register with plenty of people directing from the time you enter downtown to where to park your car. $10 entry gets your entry to the show, this year's plaque as a souvenir and a free drink or a beer. Mibbs & Vivs was on the street selling drinks and sandwich's along with various food trucks including bbq and Mexican so drinks and eats were plentiful. The cars were probably In the 300 range but 11am and scattered on streets, grassy lot, parking lots etc so this one was big with a lot of walking. The cars ranged from regular old grocery getter to drag cars and everything in between. Condition ranged from rusty patina to 100% show cars that you could eat off of. Someone even brought a big rig that was better than new condition, 100% show truck. This was just good old fashioned family fun with tons of people from toddlers to seasoned citizens just enjoying the event. My department at work has just 5 people and three of us have collector cars so I ran into my co worker while enjoy the cars and the beautiful day. This was a great car show and one of the best ones in the area so far this year with so many being cancelled and I'm just glad that it was not canceled because people need to get out and start living life again.

I love old cars. The people that own them are very special. A car show like this can be a wonderful…read morething. Using it to raise money for the community is fine. But if you are going to have a "Pancake Breakfast" and charge $11.00 for it, then it should be worth it. Two tiny rubbery pancakes, an ice cream scoop of nasty powdered eggs and sausages that have more salt than the Bonneville salt flats, well it was disgusting to say the least! I could have got 3 times better for 1/2 the price at McDonalds. Next is the number of obnoxious cars with straight headers out the side, they should not be allowed, period. These "A-holes" do not impress anyone but rather annoy people and scare children. They have no respect. Then to be sure about the "A-hole" factor, they start these nasty cars up every 45 minutes. Obnoxious cars do not belong at a show like this. We also have a serious problem with the parking attendants. Seriously, map out a plan ahead of time rather than hap hazard plopping of cars anywhere with people setting up tents and such where ever they feel. And the most dangerous element is that no thought what so ever was given to foot traffic. Cars and people were fighting for the same entry and exit space. You need a clear foot path away form cars. Somebody is going to get hurt! Come on folks, you can do much better!!

The Calling has been a symbol of Milwaukee since its inception and placement in 1982, in what was…read morethen an Urban Park with an unfettered view of Lake Michigan. It made the album cover of Milwaukee's second-most famous band, Citizen King. And while its industrial design predated Milwaukee buying it, what better way to honor Milwaukee manufacturing, than a world-class sculpture made with industrial materials? "When the piece was first commissioned, the Milwaukee Art Museum did not extend to its present location. The sculpture's backdrop consisted of the bluff and Lake Michigan. With the rising sun behind it, The Calling truly captured di Suvero's intent." Santiago Calatrava deferred to world-famous sculptor di Suvero when asked if The Calling should be moved 20 years after installation. Game respects game, Calatrava himself understood The Calling and its relation to the Art Museum's extension. The Calling got a fresh coat of paint in 2023, and looks better than ever! I love that the annual Sculpture Milwaukee exhibition starts nearby on Wisconsin Avenue, I'm not sure why there are so few reviews of Sculpture Milwaukee here, but art appreciation isn't Yelp Milwaukee's strong suit. I encourage making Sculpture Milwaukee an annual visit and grab those pictures of The Calling-Henge with straight sightlines west down Wisconsin Avenue, and appreciate the view to the east. The Calling is real Milwaukee.

Special thanks and Shout out to Carrie G. For adding (The Calling) A piece of MKE art on Yelp!…read more So. What is Art? I'm certainly not an expert but I've been moved by a positive, warm way. A good feeling like a good song or a happy memory. Or like a phone call from an long lost friend. I never really knew the real name of the artist or the sculpture. I'm guessing 95% of Milwaukee's residents may not even know either. I've always called it the Big Orange Asterisk. Or Sunburst sculpture. When it was first installed the MAM wasn't even built yet. There it sat at the east end of E. Wisconsin avenue. A reminder to turn L as it becomes N. Prospect ave. Some of my friends who don't Yelp HATE IT. They called it junk art some complained of the cost. Not really sure who paid but it. But I like the color and symmetry of this modern I beam sculpture. Coincidentally the 4 stars above almost match the color of the big orange asterisk. There are parking structures nearby as it's nearby a park. I recommend walking or biking to really enjoy. If you drive by you really can't appreciate its size and its surroundings. It would be nice to have more seating or perhaps allow a food vendor to setup a food cart. Food: none BYOF. And beverage. Amb: 5 Serv: none Loc : 2 minimal seating and close parking in structure. Oddly placed IMO but it kind of goes with the Calatrava. Value: 5 free but somebody paid pile to get it here, my guess the Milwaukee art museum owns and maintains it. 77/2014