Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest urban area, is a vibrant Great Lakes city that retains its industrial past while pouring energy and investment into the cultural life of its distinctive neighborhoods, its charming downtown with late 19th-century buildings, and its waterfront district with views of Lake Michigan. Three rivers — the Milwaukee, the Kinnickinnic, and the Menomonee — pass through town, and you can kayak and canoe along the urban river trails. During the summer, enjoy a swim in the crisp Lake Michigan water at Bradford Beach.

The Old World Third Street Historic District is the best place to immerse yourself in Milwaukee’s German roots. You’ll want to come hungry to this area of town, home to restaurants serving Bavarian favorites like wiener schnitzel and bratwurst. The Milwaukee Public Market is an indoor marketplace with 20 local vendors selling craft cheeses, fresh seafood, and prepared foods. Just outside the city center, you can spend hours wandering through the historic neighborhoods of the Lower East Side or Murray Hill, admiring the Victorian homes.

The closest airport is Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), just a 10-minute drive from the city center. From there you can easily take a cab, ride-hailing service, or a shuttle to your vacation rental in Milwaukee. A public bus route also connects the airport to the center of town; the ride takes around 30 minutes. Getting around downtown is easy, as many destinations are within walking distance of one another. You can also take the Hop Streetcar or the extensive bus system to get around town, or take advantage of the city’s bike-sharing system and explore on two wheels. If you plan on visiting other parts of Wisconsin, it may be a good idea to rent a car at the airport.

Milwaukee experiences extreme weather conditions, and although the temperature changes drastically throughout the year, there is plenty to do indoors and outside, making it a great year-round destination. The summer is a perfect time to visit Milwaukee’s beautiful waterfront, as the longer days are hot and, in late July through early September, humid. Spring in Wisconsin moves from melting snow and slush to wildflowers around April, and from late September through the end of November, you’ll see the city splashed with the colors of autumn leaves. Winters are cold, with freezing winds coming off the lake, so make sure you bring warm outerwear. You’ll want to browse museums then, try German beers along the Old World Third Street Historic District, or even test out your cross-country skis in the outlying parks.

Milwaukee Public Museum

This museum of natural and human history has three floors filled with more than 4 million artifacts, making it the largest museum in Wisconsin. Experience interactive exhibits where you can walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, stroll through the streets of Old Milwaukee, check out a recreated European village, or learn about the ancient crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia. You can also visit the planetarium.

Milwaukee RiverWalk

Once a thriving industrial area, the banks of the Milwaukee River are now home to a pedestrian path lined with bars, restaurants, and gardens. Starting at the historic Pierhead Lighthouse, the Milwaukee RiverWalk stretches an impressive 20 blocks through downtown. During the warmer months, the restaurant patios along the boardwalk hum with diners.

National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

Home to more than 6,500 bobbleheads that date back decades, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the city’s quirkiest attractions. Search for bobbleheads of your favorite baseball players, actors, cartoon characters, and politicians. You can also learn about the history of bobbleheads and how they are made.