Milwaukee Winter Best Bets

The skies may be gray and the days a bit shorter — but there’s no reason you shouldn’t have a little (or a lot of) fun during Milwaukee’s winter months. Grab your parka and favorite cozy boots, and revel in these five must-do activities during your Milwaukee winter staycation at The Plaza Hotel.

1. Eat Some Cheese: Clock Shadow Creamery is an award-winning “cheesery” in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, a mecca of ricotta, queso blanco, Brie and mozzarella. See where the cheese is made by taking a tour for $3 (reservations are required) while you observe the cheese-making process from an observation room. The samples are plentiful. If your stay finds you in Milwaukee during the week, visit Clock Shadow on Wednesday or Friday when they are making their local-fav cheese curds. clockshadowcreamery.com

2. And Eat Some More: You’ll find a melting pot of ethnic foods and flavors at the Milwaukee Public Market, which lures crowds to the Historic Third Ward. In addition to several local restaurant outposts, you’ll find fresh produce, deli, chocolates, baked goods, coffee, oils, spices and even fun Milwaukee apparel. milwaukeepublicmarket.org

3. Rev Your Engine: What better way to get your engine going than with some full-throttle fun at the Harley-Davidson Museum? Open 365 days a year, you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about the Wisconsin motorcycle manufacturer, and then some. You may even spot a celebrity or two, like Jason Momoa, who visited the museum and sang its praises on Instagram in January. www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/museum.html

4. Jump on The Hop: The new streetcar is connecting Milwaukee neighborhoods in a new and progressive way. Take advantage of free rides for the first year of service. You can hop on a few blocks from The Plaza Hotel at Cathedral Square Park, then visit Milwaukee attractions like the Historic Third Ward, Fiserv Forum, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and so much more. thehopmke.com.

5. Enjoy the View: Did you know Meijer sponsors free admission to the stunning Milwaukee Art Museum, set on the shores of Lake Michigan, on the first Thursday of each month? Starting in February, visit the The 2019 Scholastic Art Awards: Wisconsin Exhibition, where more than 300 artworks by Wisconsin students in grades 7–12 are featured in this annual exhibition that celebrates young talent in our state. mam.org