South Milwaukee lies on the shore of Lake Michigan. The city can be explored through a range of themes: a museum about the history of the Bucyrus Company, a life-size statue, a farmers market, a performing arts center, as well as trails and sports activities. So, when planning your stay, it helps to consider which focus you want to shape it. History, events, and outdoor activities are represented by specific places; their differences can help guide your choices.

Local history from different perspectives

The Bucyrus Museum is located in the historic Bucyrus Club Building at 1919 12th Avenue. It focuses on the origins of the Bucyrus Company and its arrival in South Milwaukee in 1893. This connects a specific place with a particular period in the city’s history.

The life-size Da Crusher statue offers a different perspective. It honors Reggie “Da Crusher” Lisowski, who spent his entire life in South Milwaukee. The museum and statue highlight different aspects: one focuses on the history of a company and its arrival in the city, while the other commemorates an individual with lifelong ties to South Milwaukee.

Market and events

The Downtown Market is a farmers market in South Milwaukee featuring food, vendor stalls, and music. Its offerings differ from the historical themes of the museum and statue: here, the focus is on market stalls and a diverse range of goods. If you’re interested in this aspect of city life, these three elements are the market’s defining features.

The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center hosts, presents, and produces hundreds of events each year. This complements the market with a distinct focus on events and the performing arts. If you’d like to plan your trip around a specific event, check its date as you make your plans. This keeps your decision focused on the actual occasion, rather than equating the number of events held annually with a specific event date.

Trails, golf, and sailing

The Seven Bridges Trail winds through ravines and along unpaved paths, trails and stairways made of Lannon stone, and numerous footbridges before reaching the shore of Lake Michigan. The trail is defined not only by its destination at the lake, but also by a sequence of different trail features. This makes it a different kind of outdoor activity from a golf course or sailing program.

The historic 18-hole golf course in Grant Park opened in 1920. The South Milwaukee Yacht Club is next to Grant Park Beach and offers sailing programs for young people. These three activities can be distinguished by their individual character: the trail winds through ravines to the lake shore, the golf course is notable for its 18 holes and history, and the Yacht Club focuses on sailing programs for young people.

Discover more destinations: West Allis, Glendale, Oak Creek, Milwaukee, Greenfield, River Hills, Shorewood, St. Francis.

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