[ON LOCATION] PALOMA VILLAVERDE DE RICO
Milwaukee, a mid-sized city that beckons with its stunning Lake Michigan setting and charming Midwestern vibe, regaled me with its rich array of must-do’s. During a recent visit, I got a whirlwind tour of a city in motion.
A Trio of Museums
The celebrated Milwaukee Art Museum— with the Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion as its centerpiece—is stunning inside and out. Driving up to the building, groups will notice a moveable sunscreen with a 217-ft. wingspan that unfolds and folds (for branding, the wings can be lit to any color). Once they step into the museum, attendees will find the Windhover Hall, a cathedral-like space with gorgeous lake views topped by a 90-ft.-high glass roof. This area can host up to 400, and larger groups can spill over to the two adjacent halls that lead to the galleries, with each holding 150. The 4-floor museum is home to 40 art galleries—from folk art to German expressionism—and groups can hold teambonding scavenger hunt activities.
The 20-acre, unique-to-Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Museum campus features an enhanced Experience Gallery and year-round event spaces. Here, small to large groups can create imaginative happenings all while paying homage to Harley-Davidson’s 120-year history. Groups who rent out the various eye-popping spaces, which includes the 8,200-sf, industrial-style The Garage—with movable and customizable bars and floor-to-ceiling glass garage doors (450, sit down; 600, reception-style)—get museum tickets and the museum can curate after-hours for groups.
Meanwhile, the 2,500-sf America’s Black Holocaust Museum allows groups to delve into the history of African Americans with a thought-provoking exhibit that ranges from the pre-captivity of African Americans to the present. Founded by lynching survivor Dr. James Cameron, the museum’s goal, the director says, is to initiate serious conversations “around systemic racism and equity.” It’s a great space for teams to bond over a serious conversation.
The Scene
Milwaukee’s culinary prowess is evident in its range of eateries—from chef-driven restaurants to casual breweries. Small groups can dine at the Spanish- and Portuguese-inspired Amilinda restaurant, with dishes that use locally sourced ingredients paired with specialty items from the Iberian Peninsula (full buyouts are available). Large groups who want to eat like a local can head to the 3rd St. Market Hall, whose food vendors are all original to the city. Here, event planners work with groups to create menus unique to Milwaukee and an event can take place at the bright and airy Starlight Room, which holds 150 for cocktail hour, or 75 seated (full bar available). In the heart of the market you can host 40-50 people for happy hour with backyard games at The Turf. Groups of up to 1,250 people can take over the entire market hall.
Other notable venues include the multi-tier Milwaukee Public Market, with 20 vendors offering everything from locally baked goods and cheeses to artisan products. Here, groups can participate in hands-on cooking classes. And when in Milwaukee, groups have to head to a brewery: Lakefront Brewery is one of the city’s top recommendations (available for private events).
Groups who want to explore the city should hop on City Tours MKE’s Discover Iconic Milwaukee tour, plus the company can create corporate tour and teambuilding experiences, including a mini-golf brewery tour. For group stay, The Trade, an Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott—located in the Deer District, adjacent to Fiserv Forum (home to the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks)—pays homage to the Milwaukee tradespeople with a stunning building and unique art and decorative pieces. Opened in May 2023, the hotel is ideal for small to mid-sized groups with 207 rooms and suites, onsite dining with a rooftop restaurant and lounge, a 2-story VIP suite with a private entrance and over 9,000 sf of indoor/outdoor meeting spaces (for groups of up to 400).
visitmilwaukee.org/meetings-and-conventions; ;mam.org; harley-davidson.com; abhmuseum.org; amilinda.com; 3rdstmarkethall.com; milwaukeepublicmarket.org; lakefrontbrewery.com; citytoursmke.com; thetradehotel.com/meet-gather