Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Milwaukee, WI

Arriving this afternoon on Milwaukee, WI check into your local hotel for a four night stay. Tonight, enjoy an authentic German Dinner at Mader’s Restaurant. (D)

Day 2 – Guided Milwaukee Sightseeing – Pabst Mansion – Streets of Old Milwaukee

After breakfast, meet your local guide for a full day of Milwaukee Sightseeing. Tour includes a photo stop at the Lakefront area to see the beautiful views of Lake Michigan.

Next, tour the Basilica of St. Josaphat. This church and parish are named for St, Josaphat, an Archbishop in Poland in the early 1600’s. In the Catholic Church, basilica status is reserved for the largest, most beautiful, and most historically important churches. It is the largest church in Milwaukee, with a seating capacity of over 1,000 on the main floor, and hundreds more can be accommodated in the galleries.

Lunch is included today at The Original Suburpia Subs, a Milwaukee tradition since 1967.

This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Pabst Mansion. The Pabst Mansion represents the epitome of America’s Gilded age splendor in Milwaukee. The Pabst residence was completed in July of 1892 for world famous brewer, Great Lake steamship captain and model citizen Captain Frederick Pabst. Since 1978, dedicated volunteers and community leaders have been working to restore the Pabst Mansion to its original grandeur. The Mansion stands as one of Milwaukee’s great architectural landmarks.

Next, head to the Streets of Old Milwaukee Exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. This exhibit created one of the first walk-through dioramas in the world, transporting you back to a fall evening in Milwaukee at the turn of the 20th century. In honor of the Streets 50^th anniversary, the exhibit was reimagined by further incorporating themed storytelling and a heightened sensory experience to give the visitor a different perspective on every visit.

Stroll down the darkened, gaslit lanes, peer into the windows of some thirty shops, businesses, eating and drinking establishments, and pay your respects to Granny patiently rocking on the front porch of one of two residences to grace the Streets (the other being the Watson Family Home, a tribute to one of Milwaukee’s first prominent African American families).

Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum – Tripoli Shrine Center – Forest Home Cemetery Tour

This morning start with a guided tour of the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum and Renaissance Garden. Overlooking Lake Michigan, this Italian Renaissance-style villa was designed by architect David Adler in 1923. Originally the residence of Lloyd Smith of the A.O. Smith Corporation and his family, the Museum features fine and decorative arts dating from the 15th through the 18th centuries, wrought-iron masterpieces by Cyril Colnik, and a formal garden and changing exhibitions by local, regional, and international artists.

Lunch is included today at Sobelman’s Pub & Grill, located in the original Schlitz Tavern. Sobelman’s is well known for their homemade sandwiches and burgers and has been featured on Food Wars on the Travel Channel.

After lunch, tour the Tripoli Shrine Center. Completed in 1928 as a meeting place for the Shriners, a fraternal organization that is composed of Master Masons. The building was heavily inspired by the Taj Mahal, featuring minarets, intricate mosaics, and the previously mentioned camels.

Next, meet a local guide for a tour of Forest Home Cemetery featuring Milwaukee’s rich and famous. The Cemetery’s sprawling landscape covers 189 acres and is filled with the rich and famous of old Milwaukee. Most of the big names in Milwaukee’s brewing industry, banking industry and manufacturing industry all now reside at the Forest Home Cemetery. Forest Home is both a public cemetery and garden cemetery, meaning it was designed to serve as a public park where family members would make a day out of visiting their deceased loved ones. You will see the enormous and magnificent granite structures of the Schlitz family, Pabst family, Harnischfeger family, Davidson family, and the largest of them all belonging to the Blatz family.

Dinner this evening is at County Clare Irish Inn & Pub. Enjoy a traditional Irish meal. (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Milwaukee Tour with Laverne & Shirley – River Cruise

Today, features a Milwaukee city tour with Laverne & Shirley.  First, Laverne & Shirley will run into the group at the hotel, then they will lead the group on a light hearted city tour featuring stories of Laverne & Shirley’s antics.  Stops will be made at the Bronze Fonz, City Hall and a Polish Flat (very similar to the style Laverne & Shirley lived in – not the exact house that is shown on TV) and the Pfister Hotel which was features in a few episodes of Laverne & Shirley. 

Next, tour the Lakefront Brewery, ranked the 4th best brewery tour in America by Trip Advisor. You will see for yourself, laugh a little, drink a beer, and enjoy the humor brewing story. You will also have the opportunity to learn the Schlemiel, Schlimazel dance (great photo opportunity). Tour the facility, see the bottling line, enjoy some samples (soda is available for those who do not consume alcohol) and everyone will receive a souvenir glass.

Lunch is included today at a local Mom & Pop Italian Restaurant.

This afternoon you head to Koz’s Mini Bowl, Milwaukee’s favorite place for mini-bowling, fun, and atmosphere. There are 4 mini bowling lanes with human pinsetters. The balls fit in the palm of your hand and weigh 2-3 lbs. People travel to Koz’s from all over the Midwest to play a game of mini-bowling. Enjoy a 1/2 game of mini-bowling. Everyone receives milk and Pepsi to try (a favorite of Lavern’s).

Next, enjoy a custard treat at Leon’s Drive-In, a Milwaukee tradition since 1942. From Presidents to celebrities, all stop here for a delicious frozen treat while in Milwaukee.

Then visit the Harley-Davidson Museum. You will take an engaging guided tour “Journey through the History of Harley-Davidson.” There is lots to see like the oldest Harley-Davidson in existence – serial number one, movie sampling of Hollywood’s most memorable motorcycle moments, learn about Harley-Davidson’s humble beginnings in Milwaukee during the Industrial Revolution, and much more. After the tour there will be time for shopping and pictures.

Dinner is included this evening at Don’s Diner. This retro local diner is well known for their amazing food and boozy shakes (non-alcoholic shakes also available). It is a real Milwaukee experience.

End the day with a Milwaukee River Cruise aboard a pontoon boat. Travel down the Milwaukee River into the harbor of Lake Michigan and get a front-row view of architectural treasures. (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Depart for Home

After breakfast, depart for home. (B)

Tour Map