🇺🇸 Milwaukee & Madison | 2-Day Travel Guide

Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin, while Madison is the charming capital city also set beside a lake 🌊. Though many travelers choose Chicago (just a 1.5-hour drive away), this area is well worth a visit—especially if you love beer 🍻! The region is packed with craft breweries. And if you’re an NBA fan, Milwaukee is home to its own team—check their official website for game info! Two days are perfect to explore both cities. ✨ One-Day Itinerary Day 1 – Milwaukee 1️⃣ Harley-Davidson Museum – $24 entry (my favorite spot! ⭐ Allow 2 hours) 2️⃣ Milwaukee Art Museum – Amazing architecture & exhibits 🏛️ ($27, allow 3-4 hours) 3️⃣ Public Market – Local Wisconsin products like cheese & sausages 🧀 ⚠️ Fair warning: It’s fairly small with limited stalls. Don’t expect too much—30 mins is enough. The seafood stall is highly rated. Benelux Cafe across the street is great for brunch! 4️⃣ Craft Beer Tour – Recommended: Lakefront Brewery / Miller Brewery 🍺 Day 2 – Madison (1.5-hour drive from Milwaukee) 1️⃣ State Capitol – Beautiful building ⭐ 2️⃣ University of Wisconsin-Madison – Picturesque campus 🎓 3️⃣ Lake Mendota Trail – Scenic 16-km lakeside loop 🚶♀️ (Download offline map via AllTrails: “Lake Mendota Loop”) 4️⃣ Saturday Public Market – Around the Capitol (weekends only!) 🏖️ Nearby Attraction Chicago – Check out my other guides for more! 📍 🍴 Restaurant Recommendations 1️⃣ Mader's Restaurant – Historic German spot (opened circa 1900). Atmosphere > food 😉 2️⃣ Lake Park Bistro – French dining 🍷 3️⃣ Kopp's Frozen Custard – Popular local ice cream, new flavors every 2 days 🍦 (Honest review: overhyped 🙊) 4️⃣ The Old Fashioned (Madison) – MUST try! Fried cheese curds & fish fry 🧀🐟 #Milwaukee #Wisconsin #Madison #USRoadTrip #TravelUSA