Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Waukesha

"Layton Blvd. in Mitchell Park, the indoor conservatory is the highest-rated park in Milwaukee, boasting 4.5 stars out of 106 reviews on Yelp."

"Visit the home of Captain Frederick and Maria Pabst, built in the 1890’s for $254,000 as a testament to America’s Gilded Age. The Pabsts became consummate art collectors, filling their mansion with priceless treasures, and they hosted many fine parties and receptions. Between 1908 and 1975, the mansion was the archbishop’s resident and the center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee."

"Pabst Mansion was once a home to a German-American man who was the founder of Pabst Brewing Company. The house was later named after him and is currently a spot where visitors can sightsee. The mansion has an collection of galleries and the spacious rooms that used to be Pabst’s areas of relaxation and is open to the public."

"Once home of beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst and his family, this mansion is the epitome of Gilded Age splendor. The house has been lovingly restored to its original grandeur and features fine period furniture and architectural details. It’s an especially enchanting sight fully decked out for a Victorian Christmas."

"Home field for the Milwaukee Brewers, Miller Park's most famous feature is its retractable roof. The 12,000-ton, seven-panel roof opens and closes almost silently in just 10 minutes. Miller Park is not a walking destination, but is still just a short jaunt west of downtown situated in an industrial area, and flanked by far-reaching parking lots."

"The weather is always perfect for baseball under Miller Park’s fan-shaped retractable roof. Let younger fans enjoy the KidsZone, an interactive play area featuring a mini-version of Bernie Brewer’s famous slide, and the whole family can cheer on the famous Racing Sausages when they take the field before the bottom of the sixth inning."

"Miller Park is home to the Major League baseball team, Milwaukee Brewers. It has a capacity of 41, 900 and was opened in 2001."

"Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is an awesome mansion on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. When the person died who built it, he dedicated the mansion to the city. Since then, it has served as a decorative arts museum with fantastic gardens leading down toward the lake, in addition to being a popular spot for weddings."

"Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is a popular Milwaukee arts destination housed in an Italian Renaissance-style villa. Designed and built by architect David Adler in 1923, the villa originally served as the residence of Lloyd Smith of the A.O. Smith Corporation and his family."

"The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum creates opportunities for residents and visitors to experience history, culture and the arts, by offering vibrant exhibitions and performances in the grand yet intimate setting of the Lloyd Smith family’s lakefront Renaissance villa and garden."

"The North Point Lighthouse is home to a charming renovated museum, where you can learn about maritime history, see artifacts from ships that sailed Lake Michigan, and learn about the keepers who maintained the lighthouse (there are some real characters there!). Climb the 74-foot tall tower for a spectacular 360° view of Lake Park, Lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee. Kids must be at least 38 inches tall to climb the tower."

"Established in 1855, the North Point Lighthouse is an architectural and historic treasure. Located on a high bluff in Lake Park, one of Milwaukee’s oldest public parks, the lighthouse remained operational until its deactivation in 1994. It stands 74 feet high, and its keeper’s quarters and lighthouse are open for touring."

"The dual purposes of the North Point Lighthouse Friends, Inc. are to restore and rehabilitate the North Point Light Station and to operate it for the benefit of the public."

"Comprised of a shallow lake, shrubland, upland and lowland forest, a marsh, and sedge meadow, this diverse habitat allows many uncommon wildlife species to thrive. A gravel trail encircles Mud Lake, and a soft trail lets visitors explore the western end of the park."

"Fans of street art will love the murals in this alleyway turned open air gallery in Milwaukee’s East Side neighborhood. Local Milwaukee artists as well as muralists from all over the world made their mark on these city walls, including internationally-renowned French artist MTO, who created one of his only murals in the United States here at Black Cat Alley in Milwaukee."

"It's a hard to go wrong when there are over a dozen different murals in one place. One of the best murals for an Instagram photo is the butterfly wall. It's a great spot for something cute and "candid."

"Best known for its beer garden, Hubbard Park also has a pair of cool tunnels and what amounts to stadium seating for gazing at the Milwaukee River. Swing by every Sunday for the “Lumberjack Brunch” celebrating when hungry lumberjacks plied the river."

"This mobile mini-donut bar (yes, that actually exists!) makes balls of dough into perfectly shaped mini-donuts right before your hungry eyes. Check out their festival and farmer's market schedule on their website."

"They stock all the usual favorite varieties fresh throughout the day, and at the 24/7 locations, all night long, too. They've been neighborhood staples for decades, so the decor walks that precarious line between dingy and retro, but the donuts always satisfy that sweet tooth and that's really all that matters."

"Maybe not the fanciest donut joint in town, but Honeydip makes up for it with around-the-clock hours. Dubbing themselves master of the apple fritter, Honeydip has been serving up delicious fried dough for decades. They ask guests to “expect to be treated like family” when stopping into the donut shop."

"Honeydip is the king of warm and fresh donuts, and on a college budget, we’re sure you’ll appreicate the price. One donut is less than a dollar!"

"Neroli Salon & Spa was established in 1993 at the location of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. They are a team devoted to their passion for caring for their guests by giving flawless salon and spa facilities. Their team comes out of diverse environments with a variety of specializations that enable us to take a custom method to meet the needs of every guest they have the honor of assisting."

"The Lynden Sculpture Garden is the former home of Harry and Peg Bradley. In May 2010, they opened their doors to the public, permitting everyone to enjoy the tranquility and beauty for which these 40 acres of woodlands have become famous. The lovely lakeside park is studded with intriguing sculptures, while the inside galleries hold contemporary exhibits that contain thought-provoking paintings and other works on paper."

"If sculpture art is more your thing, head to Lynden Sculpture Garden, which is about the same drive as to Hales Corners, and still in the city of Milwaukee, near where I-43 meets West Brown Deer Road. Its 40 acres are open year-round and filled with ponds, sculpture art and rotating exhibits, a grand place to work off all the food you ate earlier in Walker’s Point."

"The experience of monumental sculptures in nature is great for families. Weekly "art drop-in" sessions introduce kids 6-11 to a new artmaking technique."

"Located in the Helfaer Community Service Building, a building intended by philantrhopists Marion and Evan Helfaer to “improve and enrich the lives of all members of the Milwaukee community, regardless of race or religion,” the Jewish Museum's mission is to enhance the public’s awareness and appreciation of Jewish life and culture. With a particular focus on preserving and presenting the history of the Jewish people in southeastern Wisconsin, the Jewish Museum has an extensive collection of oral histories, genealogy records and other archives."

"Celebrate the history and contributions of Southeastern Wisconsin’s Jewish community. Changing special exhibits like “Jews Who Rock” and “Stitching History from the Holocaust” explore the breadth of the Jewish experience alongside historic pieces in the permanent collection."

"This museum has plenty of fun for those a few years shy of getting their motorcycle license. Interactive exhibits showcase the extraordinary products, people, history, and culture of this iconic American company. Little visitors can get their photo taken on one of the bikes in the Experience Gallery, and can try on a pint-sized leather jacket and rev the engine on a bike that’s just their size in the Imagination Station."

"Pose for a photo with the company founders, see the oldest known Harley Davidson motorcycle (knowns as “Serial Number One”, rev up your engines in the engine room, rummage through discvoery drawers filled with vintage toys and trinkets, make your own custom creation at the build-a-bike station, and much more!"

"One of Milwaukee’s biggest claims to fame is Harley Davidson. If you’re an avid road warrior or even an occasional rider, you’ll find the Harley Davidson Museum an absolute blast. As one of the premier things to do in Milwaukee, make sure to check it out."