If fall entertainment equals Halloween celebrations in your book, Milwaukee in October is the place to be!
This is actually one of the most popular events for Halloween in Wisconsin!
You'll have a chance to visit the zoo adorned with Halloween decorations and take part in a series of activities, including arts and crafts and a haystack maze.

These are best viewed from one of Milwaukee’s hiking and biking trails. Milwaukee’s hiking trails are some of the most popular hiking trails in Wisconsin and one of the best ways to enjoy gorgeous fall colors here.
The Oak Leaf trail is the most spectacular of all, measuring 100 miles in a loop encircling the entire county. You can join the trail at any point for walking, running, or biking.

Once the weather turns cooler and the summer crowds disperse, why not take a weekend off and pamper yourself at one of the many luxurious resorts in Milwaukee?
For a spot of luxury without leaving the city, The Pfister Hotel will be a great choice. Located in downtown Milwaukee, this high-end resort features a spa, an indoor pool, and a Martini bar on the 23rd floor with gorgeous views of the city.

For a while in the first half of the twentieth century, Milwaukee was home to not one, but four of the largest breweries in the world.
Nowadays, the beer culture in Milwaukee keeps thriving, with plenty of local breweries to visit and unique beers to taste!
Consider visiting Good City Brewing on Milwaukee’s East Side for a tour of the brewery, and an opportunity to taste craft beers and local food, either in the venue’s taproom or on the rooftop patio.

Few settings can be more romantic than a remote cabin for just the two of you, with fall colors all around you, and a warm crackling fire.
There are plenty of romantic cabins in Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee area offers some great choices.
An hour's drive west from downtown Milwaukee, you’ll find the Fort Atkinson Cottage small, quaint cabin in a quiet location, complete with a deck on Lake Koshkonong.

By October, the NFL season is in full swing. If you’re visiting Milwaukee, make sure you spare some time to cheer on Wisconsin’s own Green Bay Packers in one of the many sports bars in the city.
And the good news is, you don't need to travel to Green Bay to have a great football atmosphere!
Milwaukee boasts over a dozen sports bars, each with its own vibe and unique advantages. The Mecca Sports Bar and Grill, for instance, features a high-definition 42-foot screen, so you can feel as close to the action as possible.

Lake Geneva is one of the most popular resort towns in southern Wisconsin, and it's only an hour's drive away from downtown Milwaukee.
In October, the lakeside town is just as charming as in the summer but far less busy and more relaxing to visit.
While you’re here, take advantage of the fall season and visit one of the four apple orchards in the area. Apple Barn is one of the best things to do in Lake Geneva, and it includes a winery and bakery as well as an orchard.

Among other things, Wisconsin is known for its strong tradition of small, authentic, family-owned restaurants.
Despite the fact that Milwaukee is a huge, modern city (the largest in the state), the heritage prevails even among its busy streets.
To enjoy healthy, authentic, farm-to-table food in Milwaukee, head to one of the many restaurants offering hand-crafted meals. Morel in eastern Milwaukee, for instance, offers seasonal menus composed of locally sourced produce.

“German craft beers, sauerkraut, lederhosen, bratwurst, and live polka musik"; sound familiar? Thanks to Milwaukee’s annual Oktoberfest, you can enjoy all of these things without having to travel to Munich.
Taking place during the first weekend of October, the Milwaukee Oktoberfest features everything you'd expect from a German beer festival.
The family-friendly event features tons of activities, including folk dancing, live bands, and customary contests, including Miss Oktoberfest, Dachshund races, and a brat eating competition. It's definitely a great idea when looking for fun Wisconsin vacation ideas in October.

Weston's Antique Apples is an unusual orchard located in New Berlin, less than 20 miles southwest of Milwaukee.
The historic property features mostly antique apple trees dating back to the 1930s, so it's a must-see for all orchard enthusiasts.
There's no apple picking allowed at Weston's due to the historic nature of the orchard. It's definitely one of the best things to do in Milwaukee in October.
However, you can take part in a fascinating tour and leave with tons of new information about the traditional way to run an orchard and about the dozens of varieties planted here. It's thus perfect when looking for fall getaways in Wisconsin!

There are literally dozens of farmer markets in the Milwaukee area, and all of them are still available to visit in October.
The festivals take place on different days of the week, so whether you visit on a weekend or midweek, you won’t be leaving Milwaukee empty-handed.
The South Shore Farmers Market on Saturday mornings is among the most popular, offering standard farmer market fare: baked goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and hot beverages Don’t miss the West Allis Farmers Market, too, open three times a week.
Keep in mind that the Milwaukee Public Market, Milwaukee, is open every day, and also offers plenty of local produce.

If you find driving a car or riding a motorbike relaxing, Milwaukee is the perfect place to spend an easy Sunday enjoying the October fall colors at their most glorious.
The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is perhaps the most well-known route in the area and a popular entry on the list of fall activities in Wisconsin.
The full drive covers 115 miles of mostly wooded glacial terrain, though of course, the experience will be no less enjoyable if you only drive part of the route. To get started, head west from Milwaukee.
Motorcycle enthusiasts in particular will likely be interested in rustic roads. Wisconsin roadways that feature scenic views and are not heavily trafficked.

Take a break from the bustling city to visit Mukwonago, a small village 30 miles southwest of Milwaukee. It is one of the best places to vacation in Wisconsin.
Mukwonago is home to one of the best Autumn Harvest Fests in the area, open every weekend from mid-September until the end of October.
Here, you’ll find a farmers market, a fun corn maze for visitors of all ages, hayrides, pony rides, vintage train trips, and much more to keep you busy during your stay!

If you’ve ever wondered how life might have looked like in Wisconsin in the 19th century, Old World Wisconsin will provide all the answers.
The open-air museum will introduce you to the traditions and daily life of Wisconsin settlers through exhibitions and activities.
During fall, Old World Wisconsin offers interactive events such as making pickles and preserving meat, just as the 19th century settlers would have done this time of year.
The site is located near the town of Eagle, only about 40 miles from downtown Milwaukee.

What better way to spend a chilly October night while on vacation in Wisconsin than to watch a movie set in the area?
For instance, Dawn of the Dead, Tommy Boy, and Dogma, among others, all make references to Wisconsin. There are several best movies set in Wisconsin that make for a great movie night like Bridesmaids, Love Actually, and many more.
For the ultimate challenge, watch a movie filmed in Milwaukee itself and see if you can recognize any of the landmarks during your visit! It’s thus perfect to spend a chilly night at home when in Milwaukee in October.

October is by far the best time to go apple picking. Luckily, the Milwaukee area is rich in orchards open to visitors and full of fun things to do.
The Peck & Bushel Organic Fruit Company in Colgate, 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee, is one such orchard.
You can pick over 25 varieties of organic apples, enjoy the tasty snacks at the on-site bakery, and drink freshly pressed apple cider.
If you’re looking for a quieter experience without crowds and additional activities, consider Nieman Markets Inc. in Cedarburg or Awe’s Apple Orchard in Franklin, both fairly close to Milwaukee.

The Holy Hill church has been built on the peak of a glacial hill, at one of the highest points this side of Wisconsin.
Views of the church are breathtaking any time of the year, as the stark gothic architecture contrasts sharply with the surrounding natural landscape.
In October, however, the view is particularly beautiful thanks to the colors of the foliage. As the fresh shades of green give way to blazing oranges, the church seems adrift in a sea of bursting fall colors.
To reach Holy Hill, head to the town of Erin near Hubertus, just over 30 miles to the northwest of Milwaukee.

If there’s one thing everyone knows about Wisconsin, it’s that it’s the land of cheese and brats. An October trip to Milwaukee can’t be complete without indulging in authentic local comfort food.
The best way to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the local tastes is to join a private food tour, where a guide will take you to the best restaurants in town and tell you a bit more about the city’s history along the way.

A corn maze is exactly what it sounds like: a maze, or a labyrinth, cut into a large corn field.
Most of the mazes around Milwaukee are open only in October, so don’t miss this chance to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and have tons of fun as you try to find your way through the maze!
For an easy corn maze in Milwaukee suitable even for the youngest visitors, head to New Berlin on the outskirts of the city and enjoy the corn field at the Lindner Pumpkin Farm.
The Homestead Animal Farm in Hartland, less than 30 miles from the city, will provide a tougher maze and lots of other fun, including a petting zoo and hayrides.
If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, consider the Spooky Stalks Haunted Cornfield on the northeastern edge of Milwaukee.
This is a maze-like no other, where you’ll be chased and spooked by vampires, ghosts, and monsters!

40 miles south from downtown Milwaukee lies the small city of Kenosha, boasting a rich and fascinating history, a gorgeous waterfront, and plenty of must-visit restaurants and cafes.
Doing a foodie day trip to Kenosha makes a great day trip from Milwaukee no matter whether you are traveling with your beloved one or with your family.
October is a great time for a foodie getaway to Kenosha. No matter what the weather is like, you’ll get to make some wonderful memories and enjoy local tastes.
For delicious pies, cookie dough, and homemade jams, visit Elsie May’s Canning and Pies on 5819 6th Ave.

Why do people want to live in Milwaukee? The city’s affordability is one of its major draws! The cost of living in Milwaukee is 13% lower than the national average and 9% lower than the Wisconsin average. Brew City has also been named one of the most affordable metros for first-time homebuyers, offering a median home price around $115,500. In addition, Milwaukee has a steady job market with a 5.5% unemployment rate and excellent opportunities in the manufacturing sector with major employers like Harley-Davidson, Johnson Controls, and Rockwell Automation. So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly Midwest metro with plenty of jobs, moving to Milwaukee might be the perfect place for you!

The city of Milwaukee is an ideal spot for college students, as there are three major colleges and universities within the city limits! Get a liberal arts education in the heart of Downtown Milwaukee at Marquette University, which has been recognized among the top 100 universities in the country, thanks to its top programs in marketing, business, and biomedical sciences. Engineering students don’t have to go far to get a great education when they attend the private Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), which offers degrees in everything from architectural engineering to software engineering. There’s also the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a highly-rated school that’s ideal for those who plan to study manufacturing, behavioral health, sports psychology, and more!

One great thing about moving to Milwaukee is that you get to experience all four seasons. But it also means you have to experience the heavy snowfall and freezing cold temperatures of an Upper Midwest winter. Average temperatures in Milwaukee from December through February hang right around 20 degrees—and that’s without the added chill from the winds coming off of Lake Michigan! On top of that, the city can see an average snowfall of 47 inches throughout the winter, meaning you need to be ready to shovel at home and give yourself extra time during your work commutes. But winter in Milwaukee also creates opportunities for fun, unique winter activities. Ice skate your heart out with Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park or marvel at Wisconsin’s largest outdoor drive-through light display with Country Christmas at The Ingleside Hotel.

Throughout the 19th century, Milwaukee was a landing spot for many German immigrants. Nearly two centuries later, Milwaukee’s German heritage is celebrated every year at the city’s annual German Fest in the summer and during the free Christkindlmarket in the winter. But you don’t have to wait for festivals to experience the city’s German background. Just head to Old World Third Street anytime! Grab a pint inside the Old German Beer Hall, which was modeled after Munich’s Hofbrauhaus. Enjoy traditional Bavarian food like Liver Dumpling soup, Rheinischer Sauerbraten, or Wiener Schnitzel at Mader’s Restaurant, which opened its doors back in 1902! You can also visit Usinger’s Famous Sausage or the Milwaukee Brat House for traditional German food experiences.

A defining characteristic of Milwaukee is its connection to Harley-Davidson. The world-famous motorcycle manufacturer is one of the city’s largest job producers—not to mention, Brew City serves as home to Harley-Davidson’s headquarters, which still operates out of the same building it started in over 100 years ago. The history of the company is on display for all to see at the Harley-Davidson Museum. At this top Milwaukee attraction, families and motorcycle lovers alike can come see special items like Serial Number 1—the oldest known Harley-Davidson motorbike—or take a tour of the past through photos to see how the motorcycle giant went from its humble beginnings inside of a shed to the top American motorcycle company!

Not only does Milwaukee have one of the best downtown areas for raising a family, but it also has a vast amount of kid-friendly activities readily available! The Milwaukee Public Museum offers free admission to all patrons on the first Thursday of every month, giving you full access to view the research and collections housed on-site! Spend the day at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum playing on the indoor playground, learning about science, and making music. If your family loves art, the Milwaukee Art Museum offers rotating exhibitions throughout the year, so you’ll rarely see the same piece twice! Brew City is also filled with tons of public parks, trails, and playgrounds—such as Lake Park, Kosciuszko Park, West Milwaukee Park, South Shore Terrace, and Lakeshore State Park—so you and your family can enjoy the outdoors when the weather is nice!

One of the best things about living in Milwaukee is the incredible array of festivals held throughout the year! The annual PrideFest Milwaukee honors the city’s LGBTQ community with events for everyone, including a parade, concerts, and drag competitions. Celebrate different cultures from around the world at yearly events like Polish Fest (which is America’s largest Polish Festival), Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, and Mexican Fiesta! Love BBQ? The Big Pig BBQ Fest is a great event for Milwaukee residents to enjoy the last bits of summer with amazing barbecue from local vendors. Join thousands of music lovers by heading to Summerfest, where major recording artists like Thomas Rhett, Brandi Carlile, and Styx have taken the stage. No matter what kinds of festivals you’re into, Milwaukee has what you’re looking for!

Summerfest isn’t Milwaukee’s only music outlet. In fact, the city has tons of local music venues where you can see touring artists, indie up-and-comers, and mainstream bands. The Rave is a hot spot to see both underground artists and huge names like Jack White and Laura Jane Grace. There’s also The Back Room @ Colectivo, a small coffeehouse that’s home to some of the best indie shows you can find in Brew City. Of course, you can’t miss shows at Riverside Theater, where touring mainstream artists like Norah Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Ben Folds pass through. But there’s no better room in the city than The Cactus Club, which has seen bands like Queens of the Stone Age and Death Cab for Cutie grace the stage before they were big!

It’s hard to imagine sports in Wisconsin without thinking about the Green Bay Packers, but while Green Bay might be home to the state’s NFL team, Milwaukee is home to some of the top teams in the MLB and NBA! Baseball lovers unite each summer to watch the Milwaukee Brewers over at American Family Field. Come winter, basketball takes over, and fans start heading to the Fiserv Forum to watch the Milwaukee Bucks. If professional sports aren’t your thing, another fun thing to do in Milwaukee is to cheer on the Marquette Golden Eagles! Their women’s volleyball and men’s basketball teams are usually ranked in the top 25, continually giving fans hope for their first National Championship since the ’70s!

If you’re moving to Milwaukee, just know that you might become a cheese head! Since cheese is always on the brain when you’re living in Wisconsin, Milwaukee is no different. You can find several shops and restaurants around town with excellent cheese. Head to the Wisconsin Cheese Mart to pick up handcrafted cheeses and incredible cheese curds! Make your way into the heart of Downtown Milwaukee to visit West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe for the perfect meat and cheese pairings. Pay a visit to Clock Shadow Creamery, which not only creates some of the best cheese in the area, but offers one of the few cheese factory tours in Milwaukee as well! Here, you can learn about how cheese is made and get answers to pressing questions like “Why are cheese curds squeaky?” from the masters!

Finding a new favorite restaurant can be difficult when getting settled in a new city. Fortunately, Milwaukee restaurants are full of options for foodies! You’ll never try the same thing twice at Odd Duck as they update the menu with Milwaukee’s changing seasons. If you’re looking for a new twist on seafood, Third Coast Provisions is your best bet with their Blue Crab and Pimento Croquettes or their Lobster Potholes. Snack Boys is your home for, as they say, high-brow snacks for low-brow folks, such as a Fried Bologna Sammy, Dilly Wings, and Chips Toodaloo. Kick off your day at Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern with the Wolfundito or some Pineapple Inside-Out French Toast. And if you’re looking for a more relaxed lunch, don’t miss out on 10-cent martinis with a Naughty Angel Burger topped off with a boozy milkshake over at Don’s Diner.

Casual beer fans and brew masters alike have been making their way to Milwaukee for decades, thanks to Brew City’s well-known beer brands: Miller, Pabst, Sprecher, and Leinenkugel’s! But while the old staples are great, the breweries in Milwaukee have helped make the city one of the nation’s best beer cities. To get the full Brew City experience, head to spots like Third Space Brewing to try their Unite the Clans Rye Ale, or grab a Radar de Stout over at Urban Harvest Brewing. IPA fans should check out Good City Brewing to try their Spare Time Hazy IPA. Or if you’re willing to get a bit creative with your beer, join thousands online and come up with a new beer flavor for MobCraft by voting for crazy flavors like Pinkies Up, Sour Catch, and Field of Creme!

Visiting Milwaukee’s local breweries is great, but you don’t have to wait to get a taste of everything nearby when you attend the Milwaukee Brewfest, which is held annually on the shores of Lake Michigan. The event gives Milwaukee residents an opportunity to try beers, ciders, and hard seltzers from more than 100 local and national craft brewers. There’s also Milwaukee Oktoberfest! Open to the public, the city’s Oktoberfest celebration has delicious German fare from local restaurants, as well as a number of German biers that the 21+ crowd can sample from souvenir mugs!