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Preview for Doors Open Milwaukee 2016

Wisconsin / September 14, 2016

This coming weekend, September 17 and 18, 2016 has arguably one of the best events in Milwaukee: Doors Open Milwaukee. For two days, more than 150 buildings in the city open their doors to the public free of charge. You can visit churches, government buildings, museums, art studios, theaters, hotels, and more. The event also includes ticketed tours and family activities, including Family Passport. It’s truly a one of a kind opportunity to explore the fantastic city of Milwaukee for free.

If you’re brand new to Doors Open, I recommend starting downtown at the U.S. Bank building or City Hall and then exploring other Doors Open sites in the downtown area, as there are many located in this region. If you’ve been to previous Doors Open weekends, I recommend studying the building list and making a game plan ahead of time so you’re sure to hit a few new sites.

Here are a few peeks of some of my favorite sites from the past two Doors Open weekends. Please keep in mind that the buildings list changes from year to year. As of publishing this post, with the exception of the Avalon Theater, all of the sites featured here will be open for 2016, but this is subject to change at any time without notice.

Down in the stacks at the Central Library. A must see Doors Open location!

Calvary Presbyterian Church

View of 794, the Summerfest Grounds, Lake Michigan, and beyond from the U.S. Bank Building Observation Deck. The Observation Deck offers 360-degree views of the entire city and Lake Michigan.

Inside the U.S. Bank Building, looking up

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

Basilica of St. Josaphat, another must see Doors Open location. If you’ve never been in the Basilica, use Doors Open as an excuse to take in the magnificent architecture and learn a little of its history.

Bay View Printing Company. Please pay the printing company a visit in 2016. It is such a neat business, and the staff is very friendly.

Milwaukee skyline from one of the rooftops in Walker’s Point. There are multiple Walker’s Point buildings that open up their rooftop levels during Doors Open.

Inside 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. You can tour the majority of the building and visit the rooftop garden during Doors Open.

Part of the 88Nine Radio Milwaukee rooftop.

Avalon Theater

Milwaukee Blacksmith. So neat to watch blacksmith in action. If you’re in the Third Ward, stop by.

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church

A few other personal recommendations for 2016:
Calvary Cemetery Chapel
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Forest Home Cemetery
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
MSOE Grohmann Museum
Iron Horse Hotel

The 6th annual Doors Open Milwaukee runs 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18, 2016. The website features the full list of participating buildings and ticketed tours. Don’t forget to tag your images #DoorsOpenMilwaukee on Twitter and Instagram and explore the hashtag throughout the weekend.

Are there any Doors Open sites you’re looking forward to visiting in 2016?
Feel free to leave them in the comments!

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Milwaukee Events – September 2016

Wisconsin / September 1, 2016

One of the best events in Milwaukee, Doors Open Milwaukee, takes place in September!

the U.S. Bank Building, one of many buildings open to visitors during Doors Open Milwaukee

The 2016 event is Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. It’s a rare opportunity to explore a wealth of really neat sites around the city, including churches, historical downtown buildings, theaters, local businesses, local breweries, and much more. I’ll have a full preview post later this month, but make sure to put it on your calendar now.

I love watching the torch glass artist at the Renaissance Faire.

Also, Labor Day weekend, September 3, 4, and 5, is the final weekend for the 2016 Bristol Renaissance Faire. You don’t want to miss it!

Sept. 1-5: Milwaukee Rally
Sept. 3: The Color Run Night 5K
Sept. 4: Big Gig BBQ
Sept. 8-11: Indian Summer Festival
Sept. 9-10: Tosafest
Sept. 10: Brewers Mini Marathon
Sept. 10-11: Frank Mots Kite Festival
Sept. 12-21: 10 Days in Tosa
Sept. 14: NEWaukee Night Market
Sept. 17: Milwaukee River Challenge
Sept. 17: Bay View Bash
Sept. 17-18: Doors Open Milwaukee
Sept. 17-18: Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival
Sept. 22-Oct.6: Milwaukee Film Festival
Sept. 24: Fromm PetFest
Sept. 24-25: Harvest Fair / Maker Faire
Sept. 26-Oct. 2: Milwaukee Cocktail Week
Sept. 29: Zoo Brew

Ongoing Fall Events

Cafe Live @ The Plaza Hotel: Friday and Saturdays, 5:00-9:00 p.m., late May through late September.
Friday Night Live in Waukesha: Fridays, 6:30-9:00 p.m, June through October
Jazz in the Park: Thursdays, 5:00-9:00 p.m, early June through early September
MKE Oktoberfest: September 29-October 2. Thursday 9/29: 4:00-11:00 p.m., Friday 9/30 and Saturday 10/1: noon-11:00 p.m., Sunday 10/2: noon-6:00 p.m.
NEWaukee’s Lunar Series Presented by Penrod @ the Milwaukee Athletic Club: Fridays, 6:00-11:00 p.m., early July through early September.
Oktoberfest: September 9-10, September 16-17, September 23-24, September 30-October 1. Fridays 5:00 p.m.-midnight, Saturdays, noon-midnight.
Sunday Sounds: Sundays, 2:00-5:00 p.m, late May through early September.

Are you looking for even more free music?
Check out Free Music Milwaukee and county.milwaukee.gov.

Farmers Markets

The greater Milwaukee area is home to dozens of fabulous farmers markets, including one of my personal favorites (and one of the biggest in the area), the West Allis Farmers Market. Many Milwaukee farmers markets operate through mid to late fall.

Beer Gardens

Milwaukee is home to four fabulous beer gardens, all of which operate through October. It’s not too late to enjoy a brew and a giant pretzel in a gorgeous park setting. The Landing at Hoyt Park features live music on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (see event calendar for times), and the South Shore Terrace features live music Wednesday evenings from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Are you looking for even more things to do in Milwaukee on the cheap?
Check out Free Things To Do In Milwaukee WI.

[Disclaimer: I do not work for the city of Milwaukee. I am not paid to promote any of the events listed on this page. I’m simply a resident of southeast WI who loves Milwaukee and enjoys attending and generating exposure for events in Milwaukee.]

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Milwaukee Events – August 2016

Wisconsin / August 1, 2016

August 3: Tosa’s Night Out
August 4-7: Milwaukee Comedy Festival (2016 headliner Jen Kirkman!)
August 5: NEWaukee’s 6th Annual Urban Island Beach Party
August 4-14: Wisconsin State Fair
August 13: Brew City Cigar Festival
August 13-September 11: 2016 Wisconsin Senior Olympics
August 17: NEWaukee Night Market
August 18: Full Moon Tours @ North Point Lighthouse
August 18-21: Irish Fest

August 18-21: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte at the Zoo
NEW for 2016! National Headliners
Thursday, August 18 Los Lobos, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, August 19 The Spinners, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 20 Soul Asylum, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 21 In Black ‘N White, 3:30 p.m.

August 20: India Fest
August 26-28: Mexican Fiesta
August 27-28: MKE Fringe Fest
August 27-28: Oktoberfest @ Kegel’s Inn – West Milwaukee Lions Club

Ongoing Summer Events

Bristol Renaissance Faire: Saturdays and Sundays only, July through Labor Day
Cafe Live @ The Plaza Hotel: Friday and Saturdays, 5:00-9:00 p.m., late May through late September.
Friday Night Live in Waukesha: Fridays, 6:30-9:00 p.m, June through October
Jazz in the Park: Thursdays, 5:00-9:00 p.m, early June through early September
Lakeshore Chinooks: The Lakeshore Chinooks baseball team plays at Kapoc Park on the grounds of Concordia University-Wisconsin through late August.
Live at Peck: Sunday band concerts, Tuesday lunch concerts, Tuesday dance competitions, and Friday family movies. Late July through late August. The series concludes with the Taste of Islands, Saturday, August 27 from 2:00-10:00 p.m.
Live at the Lakefront: Wednesdays, 5:30-9:00 p.m., mid July through late August.
NEWaukee’s Lunar Series Presented by Penrod @ the Milwaukee Athletic Club: Fridays, 6:00-11:00 p.m., early July through early September.
Old World Wisconsin: Old World Wisconsin features special events and classes all summer long.
River Rhythms: Wednesdays, 6:30-9:00 p.m, early June through late August.
Sunday Sounds: Sundays, 2:00-5:00 p.m, late May through early September.
Sunset Zoofari: Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m, late June through early August.
Tosa Tonight: Wednesdays, 6:00-10:00 p.m, early June through late August.
Wednesday Night Live @ State Fair Park: Wednesdays, 6:00-11:00 p.m, late June through late August.

Are you looking for even more free music?
Check out Free Music Milwaukee and county.milwaukee.gov.

Farmers Markets

Outdoor Movies

There are around a dozen places to catch free outdoor movies during the summer, including the popular Fish Fry at a Flick at Discovery World. Check out the full 2016 line up for the Milwaukee park movie nights here.

Beer Gardens

Are you looking for even more things to do in Milwaukee on the cheap?
Check out Free Things To Do In Milwaukee WI.

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