My favorite part was the wall of tanks and the motorcycle that was spilt into parts but seemed whole from a distance. They have tons of vintage bikes and early advertisements. Worth seeing. read more

See all

Lets just say it was not my idea to come here. But I'm glad I did because I saw a lot of really cool bikes, including the oldest bike! Lots of history here and you can really see the changes to how far motorcycles have come. They offer headset tours, or you can tour on your own by walking around and reading the signs. On the lower level, you can even hop on a bike to take pictures. The actual museum is in the 400 building. The gift shop is the closest to the parking lot. There arent really a lot of signs around to guide you on where to go. Parking is free. read more

See all

Pretty kickass. I was only going to stop by milwaukee for a cup of coffee and to see if the art museum's wings were up. But we ended up spending half a day in this museum. Soooo cool! I'm not a motorcycle fan but as a person who appreciates good design and engineering I loved seeing the narrative of how their models have evolved and even the history of the company. From the moment we walked in, everyone was super friendly and helpful - asking us if any discounts applied (we're students, so $12 per person), telling us to feel free to take pictures, etc. The museum benefits from the subject of their displays - the motorcycles look pretty bad ass. But the way the little sections are arranged and presented are very unique and engaging. I also loved that there are so many interactive parts, even if they're silly little things. Because it's not always fun to just look and not touch haha. It's also great that they don't try to do the tourist trap thing. Anyone who pays to go in the museum can sit on one of several models in this section and get a picture taken and emailed to you by the computer. OR you can just use your camera because no one guards the section to charge an extra fee :D And you can get a sticker made of your very own customized bike design in the shop for (I think) only like 52 cents. Overall a VERY cool experience. my only complaint is that I'm still waiting for my customized bike and motorcycle pictures to be emailed to me and it's been about 5 days. (edit: looks like they never got to me :( Use your own cameras!!) read more

Harley-Davidson is very much a part of Milwaukee's history and culture, so this is a unique spot to the area. If you're a huge fan of their motorcycles and want to see different bikes from different eras this is definitely a stop worth looking at. You can even hop on a few at the end to take pictures. For myself, I think they're cool but I'm not a huge enthusiast, so we raced through the museum in less than 20 minutes. We did purchase the audio tour which gives you a headset to use while you walk around which was informative, but to be honest I didn't feel inclined to listen to much of it because a lot of it is on the written plaques. Still, a unique spot and a fun Father's Day gift idea! read more

See all

We took the Boy Scouts here to earn their Engineering merit badge - Harley has a great program for that. The museum itself is fascinating. From Serial No. 1 to the more current models, there's plenty to look at. Even if you're not a big cycle guy, looking at the engine room is very educational, as is the design room. I was blown away when I heard that all of the motorcycles on display (all but 4 or 5) actually were operational (ie. they would start and run). When you see how many early 1900's bikes are on display, that's an impressive number. The younger kids were a bit overwhelmed by the work required to earn their merit badge, but that's where Scout leadership comes in - the material has to be covered. I was impressed by how many museum staff were on hand - and wired together via headsets. If you had any questions about the displays or the badge requirements, they were more than helpful. It's really impressive how tied into the Scouts these folks are. Cycle buff or not, this is a great stop while in Milwaukee. Some will enjoy the tour more than others. I'd be interested in doing the audio tour - I suspect you get all sorts of tidbits read to you (versus going around reading all the displays on your own). read more

Please note, this review is just for the gift shop. I did not have time to visit the museum itself on my trip through Milwaukee. BF and I stopped into the gift shop on a hunt for Wisconsin souvenirs for his family members.The shop is quite large and carries a huge variety of merchandise. They have large art pieces, glassware, stickers, pins galore, leather goods including bags, boots and jackets, and a huge selection of women's and men's shirts, as well as cute Harley kid gear. The prices range from reasonable for small items, e.g., key chains, pins, stickers, to pretty pricey for apparel ($25 - $100 for tees and sweatshirts). The shop is big, well lit and clean. Displays are laid out well to draw you and keep you in the store for a long time. If you pry into the far back corners, you'll find small clearence racks. read more

I liked this place a lot. I think even if you don't care for motorcycles or have little interest there may be something there for you. There is one of Elvis Presley's Harleys. There are two bikes from the Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholas movie Easy Rider. They may be replicas tho. Captain America's bike was there and even Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator 2 Harley was there. The museum is a testament of perseverance and entraprenurs. The three Davidson brothers and Harley started our in a small she'd in Milwaukee. Hence the saying "Respect the Shed". read more

See all

Outstanding museum! The right combination of history of Harley Davidson and backdrop history with cool exhibits. This is a must see if in the area. The store on site has a very large selection of t-shirts and other branded items for purchase. I attended a special event in The Garage and it was very well done offering good food, open bar, motorcycles for photo ops, and live music. read more

See all

Went on this tour while visiting family in Milwaukee. We paid for the one with the guide. It was neat to learn the history behind it all. Something that is a couple hours max, not a full day thing. read more

See all

I suppose this place a must-see (dare I say Mecca) for die hard Harley Davidson fans. If that's you, then you'll probably love this place. If, on the other hand, you're just interested in checking out something to do that's generally interesting, then you may be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it's an OK experience, but I think it's a bit too expensive for what they offer. You can see pretty much everything in maybe two hours. Long story short, a must see for Harley Davidson fanatics, just OK for a museum. read more

Harley-Davidson Museum - Display of fuel tanks - Museums Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

We LOVED this museum. A perfect way to spend a winter afternoon. There is free parking upon arrival and the staff are friendly and welcoming. We added the audio tour and it was well-worth the extra $4. This museum provides a fascinating history of HD with a lot of antique motorcycles and several of the bicycles they sold in the early days. There is a lot of interesting information on police, military and merchant use with artifacts and videos. There are also interactive sections where you can listen to the different types of engines, learn about the mechanics and even sit on some of the bikes. I think this would be a fun place for older grade school age children and teenagers. The restaurant was closed for a private party the day we were there, but the little cafe where you order at the window had wonderful sandwiches and soups. The gift shop is extensive, too. I highly recommend this museum. I wish we had visited sooner. We will certainly bring out of town guests here in the future. read more

Harley-Davidson Museum - Wall of fuel tank designs through the years. - Museums Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great museum even if your not a Harley fan. I don't own nor have I ever owned a motorcycle at all. However this museums attention to details with its layout and meticulous restorations are at a high standard. You will enjoy not only learning about the history of the company but also how they have influenced our country through the war efforts, policing, motorcycle development, pop culture and more. I would suggest spending the $5 for the audio tour as it will give you some more information and break up all of the placard reading you will be doing. I'm glad that they allow you to take as many pictures as you would like because I have some friends that will probably never make it to Milwaukee but are huge Harley-Davidson fans and would like to see some of the bikes. read more

See all

Not a HOG, never will be, but this place is worth the $16 admission. Where else do you get to sit on a variety of bikes (bolted to the floor cleverly so they can move side-to-side) while watching an enormous video of the open road? Play with interactives that show you how bikes stay stable at speed, or listen to the brrrm-brrrm of a whole wall of engine evolution? The company history is all here too - started by a couple of enterprising Milwaukeeans (is that a word?) in 1903. Not only were they great engineers, they were genius marketers. The first Harley clothing started in the 19-teens. It's that whole rags to riches, American dream story. There's something here for everyone and every age, and if you have doubters in the group, take them to the adjacent restaurant for meat loaf, or ribs, or pulled pork sandwiches, with Sprecher's root beer, or a real beer with a fun motorcycle-related name. And don't forget the gift shop. You'll be an enthusiast. read more

If you're a devout Harley fan, you'll love the museum. If you're not, you'll still enjoy it. The price of admission is $16, i.e. not cheap, but nowadays (unless you're at the Smithsonian in DC) such prices are average for just about any decent museum. If you have kids with you, make sure to pick up the clever scavenger hunt activity pack for them -- it'll keep them occupied so that you can spend more time reading about the history about HD (rather interesting, as a matter of fact) and checking out all the cool historic bikes. read more

Harley-Davidson Museum - Museums Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

I had such a great time at this museum and learnt a lot about Harleys and their History. The stuff is really friendly, informative and you can tell that they are all passionate motorcycle lovers. Even for someone who does not know much about motorcycles I enjoyed learning the history, seeing the beautiful motorcycles and getting informed about how much Harley Davidson is part of American history. I went on a Thursday evening which ended up being really cool because individuals come to showcase their bikes and you can walk around and check them out. read more

See all

I loved my visit even if I had to chase my son around. I think he enjoyed it more then I did. They have everything from the beginning to the present. The kids loved the interactive things such as getting to listen to the different types of engines and seeing the workings of the engine. The wall of gas tanks caught the eye of my daughter as did Elvis Presley's Sportster. The best part was getting to sit on all of the different bikes at the end of the tour. Seeing some of unique bikes and reading the history made appreciate the quality and hard work that goes into this American made product. read more

See all

This is a great looking museum and I was absolutely excited to check it out. HD has become cultural phenomenon and would be fantastic to learn about its foundation. Unfortunately, they didn't gave me a chance. I got there prepared, mask on, with a bottle of water and they are not allowing people to walk in with bottles of water. I'm not sure how is staying dehydrated helps to slow down the spread of the virus. I find the decision to not allow people to bring their water bottles a reflection of a culture that Harley-Davidson has created and embracing. They created a brand that has the power to teach people to get better, and instead they are choosing to stay ignorant (as the majority of their base) with the decisions like this. Not supporting this with my money. read more

Harley-Davidson has done a pretty decent job with this museum. A bit pricey but worth it to be there. Lots of cool early bikes and literature on display. Very cool engine displays. The upstairs area is awesome. Downstairs was not so much my style. Other than the one dirt bike and a few motorcycles for me it was not as exciting as the upstairs. I get that they are running the whole history but the early bikes made it worth it to me. read more

Well what can you say!?! The legendary king of motorcycle history on display for all to see. There is much to see and view and the displays are laid out in a chronological order fro oldest to the latest. Awesome history (if one takes the time to read it), photos, posters, advertising prices and of course the motorcycles. One might consider this just a museum but if you like riding, this is a part of where it all began. Tons to see, movies to watch and interactive displays which bring you into the action. The lower level also lets you sit on several different era style bikes. There is also the opportunity to get on a real bike and give it a try if you haven't ridden a bike before. When we were there H-D was also offering demo rides of their latest bikes. Thursday nights are huge gatherings of local riders for Thursday night bike nights. Great place and a great museum for Milwaukee read more

In Milwaukee for a few days so we checked out the museum for something different to do. We're not Harley people, but the museum was a fun place to spend a couple hours wandering around. Hundreds of beautifully restored old Harleys and lots of exhibits with well documented histories and stories. The headphone/audio tour was a good way to go, but many of the exhibits were missing the little numbers that told you what track to play. This place is a sort of Mecca for Harley riders, but even non-Harley folks will enjoy the experience. read more

We went to Milwaukee specifically to see the Harley-Davidson Museum. The museum itself was pretty spendy. If you are going to do the museum, save yourself some change, either do the self guided tour or the tour with the headphones - not the one with the tour guide. The only information you get extra with the tour guide is that you get to go behind a locked door to see there are stacks upon stacks of motorcycles on racks. We were very disappointed in the Motor Cafe. After waiting for a hostess to show up so that we could be sat in a mostly empty restaurant while staff wandered around. Tables were sat and served around us with people from the group that were in the same tour we were in or the one after ours, When a server finally did notice that we hadn't been served she went to the hostess, they were discussing who was supposed to be our server. We ended up leaving after a fifteen minutes and we hadn't even been given a glass of water. Three stars for the museum, one for the cafe. read more

I am not a fan of Harley, although my father did have one (V-Rod), but as a motorcycle enthusiast I can appreciate this place. Very comprehensive history of the brand from the early 1900's up to the present. Good collection of historic and contemporary bikes. I enjoyed the information of the brand during its formative years and the 1980's when it was owned by AMF. If you are a bar and shield head then this is the mecca. read more

See all

I've been riding for over 40 years and couldn't pass through Milwaukie without stopping here. It was great to see all the HD history. Go and see it for yourself, been there done that and got the tee shirt. read more

Harley-Davidson Museum - Museums Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Absolutely wonderful! You won't find something like this anywhere else. The museum displays replicas and originals, some of which are unrestored, of motorcycles owned by celebrities, veterans, and stunt people. Some of the bikes my family and I found especially interesting were an unrestored WWII army cycle, "Serial Number One" the oldest known Harley, and Elvis Presley's bike. All the staff were kind, and they informed us that for $4 in addition to admission, we could rent a player to give us an audio tour. We chose not to, but it's a great option if you want to learn even more about the displays. Admission was reasonable, and my dad got in free because he's a HOG (Harley Owners Group) member. Overall, a great, educational, experience. read more

See all

I"m not big into bikes, but am into cars, planes, vehicles in general. Also a history buff, and H-D seems very focussed on their history. The place is obviously new, and pretty well laid out. There are a lot of bikes from all eras, and a decent amount of background info (though I wish there had been a little more.) Two reasons why I didn't give it five stars: first, I wish there had been more displays (maybe because it's new, they're still filling it out.) Also, it is a bit pricey compared to the other small-to-midsize museums I've been to lately. I've been to some very good museums that charge $8-10, and $16 for this seemed a bit steep. And that was the minimum charge, without the archive tour, headphone commentary, etc. But they have a good variety of displays, and lots of stuff for for all ages- from the tots to grizzled old bikers, everyone will learn and be entertained. Overall, a very nice museum about an icon of American culture and history. read more

Shaking my head over here... a fan of Harley Davidson's museum?! It's true! This is from someone who points out motorcyclists who don't have helmets on to my son and explain to him how dangerous that is! I have never been on a motorcycle and don't think I ever will! But, I do love exploring my new city and I went on 4/14- Milwaukee Day- and it was free to enter! Score! It was busy since I was there on a deal day, but I was still ok with by (oops, fairly large) Bob stroller since there are elevators, etc. There is a small kids' area that was a bit underwhelming, but my son enjoyed the coloring area. I liked the area where you could sit on the motorcycle for a picture, yes, the only pic I will have on one! Some people are die-hards and have come from all over to see this place. Others of us were learning about HD for the first time. Be sure to look for the motorcycle that was found after the tsunami. That was interesting. Amazingly, this is the #1 tourist destination according to TripAdvisor in MKE, so yes, I do think it is worth a visit! read more

The Museum was great but I have to say we were so surprised how good the food was at their Motor Bar and Restaurant. We never expected to have such a delicious lunch, it really started the tour out right. read more

Not just Milwaukee cool, all around cool. First time visit for me, my husband, and some out-of-town visitors. We all enjoyed our visit for different reasons. I'm not a motorcycle person so, from my perspective, I liked that there were enough interactive exhibits to interest my three-year-old. We also had fun in the children's area, watching the stunt bike movie, and sitting on the bikes on the first floor (near the exit). Of course, even a non-bike rider can appreciate the sheer beauty of these amazing bikes! The only detraction was that all the merchandise in the gift shop said Harley-Davidson Museum. We live here so it's easy to get H-D (and not H-D Museum) merchandise, but we ended up taking our out-of-town relatives to House of Harley so they could get non-museum swag. read more

Harley-Davidson Museum - Museums Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

Great place to be for those who are Harley Davidson fans. The museum is not huge and in my opinion is not really worth $20 but it was fun to see Elvis Presley's bike as well as the 1990 Fat Boy used in Terminator-2 movie. In the end of your tour, you can test a bike of your choice and practice starting/shifting even without the drivers license! read more

Come when it's empty and try to chat up the older museum workers. They will have lots of stories. Some of them ride quite a bit and know a lot of history. Makes you want a harley baby. read more

We had come here a long time ago for a Yelp! scavenger event when we still had events and really didn't have time then to explore the exhibits. Since it was 414 day, you got in free with a Milwaukee shirt. We got a chance to look at the exhibits a little more closely. It is not only a homage to Milwaukee history but American history. I have only ridden a Harley a few times and it scared the bejesus out of me but the Harley brand itself is pretty cool and their is a lot to see here. There is even a section that shows Harley in the movies which is pretty interesting. It's a neat piece of Americana if you have never been. read more

My husband and I visited because we had free tickets. Admittedly, we are not that interested in motorcycles, but we figured we should check it out since we're from Milwaukee, and we want to support our city. It has a very industrial feel. We were greeted at the door by friendly workers. There is one way flow due to COVID and everyone wore masks. There was a bathroom located on the first floor after you go up to the main area and then down again to the second part of the museum. You could purchase headphones for more info but we were ok with reading everything. I enjoyed seeing how the bikes had developed over time as well as the early history. You can sit on a few bikes at the end of the tour and take pictures throughout the museum. We only spent about 30 minutes in there, but you could probably spend 45 minutes to an hour there. Don't forget to stop by the Motor restaurant when you're done. We enjoyed eating on the patio right on the river. Also, parking is free, and there were plenty of spaces. Overall not too crowded on a Saturday. read more

See all

If you enjoy hogs and their history I definitely recommend. Went with my wife on a day that they were allowing people in for free. It was awesome, so much history behind Harley. Gift shop is awesome be ready to spend some money! read more

Definitely a destination for motorcycle lovers. It is pretty interactive where you can listen to the engine and guess what it is or climb on a motorcycle and take pictures. But the ticket is a bit pricey if you are not a die hard biker read more

See all

Gear head Graceland, The Harley Museum is a must-visit for out-of-towners and both riders and non-riders alike! read more

Harley-Davidson Museum - Engine room wall - Museums Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

Milwaukee, WI The only reason I went into this state was because the Harley Davidson Museum. This museum was beautifully located, the restaurant was also beautifully positioned. Right next to the water. Just amazing. The display of bikes from beginning to recent years were a joy to see. The bikes were perfectly restored. This visit is a must, when you are in Milwaukee. I would of loved to take home any one of those bikes. RM read more

Harley-Davidson Museum - Dreams come true - Museums Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

$20 for 30 minutes or less tour was a bit pricy. The museum itself was pretty small. I will admit, I am not a fan nor know much about motorcycles. I hope it would draw my attention more though. Other than being too expensive, the museum itself was pretty informative, somewhat. Mostly we're artifacts or past famous or decorative Harleys . Not much interactive elements otherwise. Gift shop was way too pricy too! I saw a few caddish material sweaters for $250s. Wow! Not so sure if that was in my budget. Overall, I would recommend this place for Harley fans or tourists who have nothing else planned. read more

Blown away!!! A Milwaukee touchstone for sure. As integral a part of the history of Milwaukee as Beer, Brewers, and Brats! Probably the best traveled Milwaukee trademark that has ever existed. I challenge you to find any country in the world where HD is not a status symbol. Nothing says "Fuck Yeah 'Merica!!" like a V-twin. The HD museum tells the story of all of it and makes you proud to be standing in Milwaukee. I heard it was cool and expected that it would be, but not being the biker type myself, I was waiting for someone else to flip the bill. This year, there was a reciprocal membership day with several of the other Milwaukee museums, and I was able to take advantage of that. As many others have already noted, the modern-industrial architecture of the building is as cool as the bikes themselves but without taking away from the exhibits. It does, in fact, create the perfect surrounding. Again, I don't know jack about HD motorcycles other than they look awesome, sound awesome, and I'm not cool enough to have one. I was mesmerized by some of the bikes. "Serial #1" stands out, as did some of the factory built service trikes from the 40's and 50's. I was totally drawn in by all of the displays. I enjoyed the cases with all of the advertisements and accessories just as much as the bikes. I really love any thing to do with Milwaukee history and it was awesome for me to see so much of it in one place. There is just soooo much to see here that you'll probably encounter "museum overload" as I did. I did notice that of the reviews on Yelp, most men give it 5 stars and most women give it 4. I can see that. Something in that Y chromosome that makes men love stuff like this 20% more.. read more

Great tour even for those who know nothing about motorcycles. I went here a couple weekends ago with my dad who had been wanting to go for a while. I didn't know what to expect or if I would be interested in any of the displays. Needless to say, I had a pretty good experience. What was most fascinating was the history behind the company. Knowing that the company started in Milwaukee and hearing about how Harley and Davidson invested all of their time and money into the company, it was inspiring. And super cool that it all happened here in our city! The museum is packed with tons of HD models from over the year. There are displays that talks through the different engines, history (starting of the company, how they were used during the war, how they've evolved over time), the models, gas tanks, HD racing, and the culture behind the bikes. There is definitely something that will interest everyone. For me, it was seeing the pop culture and how so many movies showcase their bikes. My only gripe. I would have loved to sit on more of the motorcycles at the end. I know. This is a tall order, but it would have been cool. read more

It's hard to think of a brand marketing campaign that has been as successful as Harley Davidson. How many other corporations do you know of that have legions of devotees that tattoo the company logo to their bodies and travel thousands of miles to congregate with other devotees? How many other corporations could have pulled off something like the Harley Davidson Museum? Basically it's a giant ad for the brand, but it somehow feels natural, not so crass and commercial as to be a turnoff to those who aren't in the cult. At the Harley Davidson Museum, you immerse yourself in the brand, and everything it represents: freedom, individuality, adventure. By the end of the tour you half-expect to be led right into a Harley Davidson dealership where company representatives are standing by ready to put you on one of these beauties today. And the weird thing is, you don't care that you've just paid Sixteen Bucks to walk through a huge commercial. The magic of the Harley Davidson brand is that it somehow seems authentic, not cooked up by a team of marketing geniuses. As someone who is indifferent to motorcycles, I thought the Harley Davidison Museum was a mildly interesting diversion. As a Milwaukeean, I love the fact that the company built this museum on a long forgotten piece of land in an old, industrial part of the city that is coming back. They could have just as easily put it in Vegas, where it probably would have had ten times the visitors. But Harley Davidson is serious about contributing to its home city, and that's A-OK by me. read more