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All United States Wisconsin Milwaukee

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Milwaukee

24 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Updated March 14, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

American Science & Surplus

Robots, lasers, and whoopee cushions, oh my!

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Frank Lloyd Wright's Burnham Block

Six tiny houses built for working class people form the largest intentional cluster of Wright homes anywhere.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Safe House

A place to eat for on-the-run agents and espionage enthusiasts.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Swing Park

An off-the-beaten-path place to literally hang beneath Milwaukee's Holton Street Bridge.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Art Museum

This striking art museum holds an amazing series of curiosity cabinets.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pabst Mansion

A giant, Gilded Age mansion that once belonged to the beer baron of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Mitchell Park Domes

A unique botanical garden housed in three giant geodesic domes.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Shaker's Cigar Bar

Once a speakeasy operated by Al Capone, this Milwaukee cigar bar is now a haven for ghost hunters.
See All 24 Things To Do in Milwaukee

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Safe House

A place to eat for on-the-run agents and espionage enthusiasts.
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

11 Zany Collections That Prove Wisconsin's Quirkiness

Pick an object. It could be a bottle of mustard. Or a life-size troll sculpture. Or a metal sculpture with big Victorian-steampunk energy. It doesn't really matter, as long as you collect or create so many of them that your collection becomes a roadside attraction and a cherished local landmark. A remarkable number of Wisconsinites have chosen this life path, and the result is a truly remarkable collection of collections scattered across the state. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore America’s wonders. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask.

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Explore Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Outsider Art 3
Art 3
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Architectural Oddities 3
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Stories About Milwaukee

Hunting for 'The Secret' Treasure Buried in Milwaukee

Has this couple finally found fantasy author Byron Preiss’s hidden treasure?
by Tea Krulos
March 14, 2023

Krampus Is the Christmas Icon We Need—And Maybe the One We Deserve

At Milwaukee’s Krampusnacht, we go in search of the essence of Santa’s unholy enforcer.
by Gemma Tarlach
December 9, 2022

A Revived Museum Presents the Full History of Black America

America's Black Holocaust Museum reopens in the historic hub of Milwaukee's African American community.
by Beck Salgado
February 24, 2022

What the Heck Is a Pneumonia Front?

The explanation behind a "drastic," bone-chilling, mysterious weather event in the Upper Midwest.
by Gemma Tarlach
June 2, 2021

Podcast: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
April 13, 2021

The Milwaukee Dogs That Learned to Sniff Out New Zealand Mud Snails

In a Wisconsin basement, two Labradors learned to detect tiny aquatic hitchhikers.
by Ashley Stimpson
January 11, 2021

When the Government Banned PBR, Pabst Made Cheese Instead

Selling dairy products helped the brewery survive Prohibition.
by Mark Hay
April 7, 2020

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