With cruises, beautiful greenery, a variety of museums, interesting performance venues and a fascinating historical background, Milwaukee, Wisconsin is an attractive spot for school trips interested in learning and enjoyment.
Milwaukee Sightseeing Tours for Students
Enjoy the Milwaukee River and see Lake Michigan on Milwaukee Boat Line’s 90-minute cruise accompanied by the captain’s narration. The company also offers a historic cruise of Milwaukee’s past on the rivers Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic.
Discovery World
School trips can explore the city’s neighborhoods on a walking tour with Historic Milwaukee Incorporated.
Main Attractions for Student Tour Groups
Milwaukee Art Museum
Pore through over 40 galleries spread on four floors at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The collection includes 15th to 20th century European artwork and 17th to 20th century American art.
Student tour groups experience interactive science and technology, such as visiting 3-D virtual environments or viewing the inside of a nuclear reactor, at Discovery World. There are freshwater exhibits, theaters, labs, television and audio studios, and fresh and saltwater aquariums.
Student tours will see a butterfly garden, the Hebior Mammoth or old Milwaukee’s streets at the Milwaukee Public Museum. While visiting the museum, check out the IMAX theater and travel the universe at the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium.
At the Harley-Davidson Museum, student travel groups explore the culture, lifestyle, people, products and history that were a part of developing the brand. There are over 450 motorcycles and artifacts numbering in the thousands.
Student travel programs enjoy viewing a unique horticultural structure “The Domes,” at Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. The domes give visitors a look at desert plants, rain forest plants and floral displays.
School trips can see the facility where Olympians train at the Petit National Ice Center. Inside are a 400-meter indoor speed-skating oval plus two Olympic-size ice-rinks that are used for short track speed skating, figure skating, wheelchair hockey and other activities.
View the stone that Joan of Arc kissed after prayer at the St. Joan of Arc chapel at Marquette University. The stone is colder to touch than its surrounding stones.
Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion
At the Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion, students view America’s Gilded Age splendor with its excellent interiors, furnishings, wall coverings, wood craftsmanship, ironwork art and stained glass. Students will benefit from the educational experience.
Stroll down the River Walk and take a picture with The Bronze Fonz, a bronze statue of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli of the show Happy Days.
Student travel groups shouldstop at Summerfest and see the world’s largest music festival with over 700 entertainers on 11 stages during the11-day run every summer from late June to early July. Milwaukee is also famous for its ethnic festivals, which are great for a student trip. Student groups will enjoy the Irish Fest, Festa Italiana, Fiesta Mexicana, Polish Fest, Indian Summer, Arab World Fest and Bastille Days.
Student tours willenjoy shopping at several locations including the Historic Third Ward and Old World Third Street. The Historic Third Ward has many art galleries and boutiques. The Old World Third Street was the core of international commerce and is the only part left from the original German retail district. While you visit the Old World Third Street you can see a big selection of Wisconsin cheese at the Wisconsin Cheese Mart.
Milwaukee Area Student Performance Venues
Student choir and band groups can perform in one of these venues: Bayshore Town Center, Discovery World or Quadracci Pavilion in the Milwaukee Art Museum. Parades include the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Milwaukee Christmas Parade and the Wauwatosa Fourth of July parade. Students can also perform at summer’s Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis.
Take your dance group to perform Latin dances at Delaware House Studios on the first Friday of every month through Salsabrosa Dance Company and Mezclando Milwaukee Dance Company.
Milwaukee Student Accommodations
If your student tour group is traveling on a budget, then check into one of these hotels: Milwaukee Downtown Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Lakeshore, Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center or Milwaukee Ramada City Center Hotel. Airport properties include Hampton Inn Milwaukee Airport, Country Inn & Suites Milwaukee Airport and Wyndham Milwaukee Airport & Convention Center. For hotels located on the north side, stay in the Hilton Milwaukee River, Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee North or La Quinta Inn Milwaukee Northwest.
Milwaukee’s Student Friendly Restaurants
Eat at Mader’s Restaurant, voted North America’s most famous German Restaurant. Customers dine among a $3-million art collection and medieval armour suits. Also check out such budget-friendly locations as well including Joey Buonas (pizza and pasta), Buca di Beppo (Italian) and Motor in the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Milwaukee Student Travel Ideas
“Milwaukee is a great place for student groups because it has such a wide variety of attractions and activities. It has a scenic Great Lakes location, is safe and easily walkable and is an outstanding value as well,” said Jeannine Sherman, public relations manager for VISIT Milwaukee.
