We went to check out the casino on the way home. This casino is located in downtown, you can see…read morethe hotel from the freeway. Parking ramp in the back with skyway entrance. They do check for ID at the entrance of every door except for the hotel. There were 2 floors of gaming, first floor was the restaurants and slot machines. My friend likes playing table games and the tech told us to go upstairs. While she played I went towards the music. There was a dj playing music in front of the dance floor. Afterwards we went downstairs to meet the rest of our friends.

I love that this place is always open. I think it's the perfect spot to walk around after a night…read moreout on Water or Brady street. There's nothing open to eat or drink but you can play games or watch people. I'd love to come by when the restaurants are open and to try their drinks. I saw that they're having an event for 414 day. I love the Milwaukee pride. It's great that they're hosting something for the community to get together and celebrate our beautiful city!!

I have been here many times for concerts and a couple basketball games and I want to love it but…read moreit's pretty *meh* First of all, unless you pay for parking, they (the city) has made it near impossible to find a spot. I understand they are trying to make the downtown area more walkable, but the infrastructure isn't there to support such a crazy idea. There should be automated trams (street cars!) that allow people to get from the west to the east side, maybe all the way to the lakefront. Maybe extend that to go north and south too. But I digress.... Second, getting inside. It's always unnecessarily stressful and never enough people scanning tickets (or paying attention). Now let me gripe about the escalator situation. I want to believe there are 2 sets but I have only ever seen the one at the main entrance. Stairs are also difficult to find, and most of the doors have a warning that if you exit you cannot re-enter or alarm will sound. If you are here for a concert they usually only have 2 merch stands, both by the main escalator which generally impedes the flow of traffic. Drinks - lots of places to purchase and wildly over-priced. Food - are there a lot of food options? Yes. Are they all open? No. I feel like Fiserv Forum and the Deer District is an example of how newer isn't always better and that newer also does not equate to user friendly.

I must say... There really doesn't seem to be a bad seat in this stadium. I've been on the third…read morefloor, sections 207 and 206 for basketball games. Both had (ok, not fantastic), but great bird's eye view of the game. I was ok with the view for the price I paid. Now, if I was here for a concert, I might not want to be up there. Second floor views are much better, but duh. The stairs going up and down are steep so be careful. I have tripped and rolled once. Not fun. Trust me. Be careful. The shop inside is also very nice, and open to public even when there isn't a game on.

When I heard the Milwaukee Film Fest was considered to be in the top 10 film festivals in the US…read more(according to a variety of measurables), I was intrigued. When I picked up their festival guide and saw their impeccably curated list of thought provoking and artistically rendered independent films, my interest was officially piqued. And, then, when I read that they were playing a documentary on Bill Nye, the science guy? I was downright excited. I mean. C'mon. Bill Nye. The Science Guy. AmIright?!? Intensely cool. The film was being played at the Downer Theater, which is an wonderful little theater in the upper East Side offering vintage charm and some of the best buttered popcorn on planet Earth. The film was wonderful. The director of the film was on hand to answer questions after the film as well, which was an added bonus. They do encourage patrons to arrive 15 minutes prior to the show to ensure a seat. We arrived 25 minutes prior, purchased our tickets, got in line for entry, grabbed some snacks at the concessions, and took our seats with 10 minutes to spare. You can eliminate a step by purchasing your tickets online, of course. But, I would still recommend getting there at least 15 minutes early. These shows are popular and fill up quickly. If we'd been much later, our party of three wouldn't have been able to get seats together. Their prices are reasonable (not sure if it varies by film, but our tickets were $12) and the service was fast and friendly. We're so lucky to have such an amazing organization bringing the best in thoughtful, independent films to Milwaukee. Truly. The Milwaukee Film Fest is a local gem. Get to it!

It looks like nobody has (positively) reviewed the MFF. I've attended for four years: 2012, 2013,…read more2014 and 2015. It has been amazing to see the festival grow and gain popularity year after year. The best advice I can give you is ARRIVE 15 MIN BEFORE YOUR FILM STARTS. This is communicated when you buy your tickets. Otherwise your seat may be given away to somebody else. This year in particular I rushed for three films...and got into all of them. For those who have never attended a film festival, "rushing" for a film means all of the tickets have been purchased for the showing. The rush line is slowly let in when the ticket holders have been seated (5-10 minutes before the film starts) based on the number of seats available. If you want to rush for a film, get there early. One film I was there an hour early. Depending on popularity, 30-60 minutes is the right amount of time. I was really glad to see that Milwaukee had a film festival when I arrived from Madison where the Wisconsin Film Festival is held. Having attended both festivals, I believe Milwaukee's festival is better than Madison's. It has been great to see more guests and filmmakers arriving in Milwaukee over the years. One of the things that brings more filmmakers to Milwaukee vs. other festivals is that there is not a fee to enter films to be considered for the festival. This means smaller filmmakers are more likely to apply and we in Milwaukee benefit because we get to see the works of those chosen. Many of them have never been to Milwaukee before and leave with a positive sense of our community.

What a nifty way to spend an afternoon. Provided that you're a vaguely cerebral (fair to say,…read more"nerdy") older sort, especially if you're a fella (I wouldn't recommend the place for most kids - especially not a gaggle of tween girls). All manner of The Work of Man memorialized in sculpture and painting, with a particularly nice Carl Spitzweg side gallery (worth a visit if you ever admired Norman Rockwell's "The Bookworm" - the original of which is also there, right outside the Spitzweg room - because you'll find its inspiration). Oh, and it's five bucks (I didn't even ask about the Senior Rate). And be careful not to trip over the students sunbathing on the grass in bikinis when looking at the magnificent sculptures in the rooftop garden.

Been living in the neighborhood almost a year and never gave thia place a secons thought. Realizing…read moreit was right next door to one of my favorite coffeeshops (Discourse) and that it was only $5, I gave it a shot. This is one of the best kept secrets in Milwaukee, honestly. The artwork on display is incredible, with some genuinely masterful pieces, as well as more modern interpretations. Mostly paintings with some sculptures, iron work, and videos. They even have a rooftop which offers incredible views of the skyline and features several large sculptures, just bw aware that it's closed for winter. I took an hour and a half to get through it, and that's just taking a peak at the rooftop. I would say you could spend upwards of 2 hours here with little difficulty.

Look, if you don't understand the magic of the Milwaukee Public Museum I can't help you. This place…read moreis nostalgia overload with immersive displays, incredible dioramas (which, BTW, have an entire style named after them called "Milwaukee-style") and three floors of fun to explore. Hot tip: Start from top to bottom to avoid getting burnt out on the larger exhibits on the first floor.

Though I'm sure the new MPM will be amazing, I'm still bummed to know this museum is closing soon!…read moreMy kids are big fans of this place. So crazy that it hasn't changed a bit since I would go here on school trips years and years ago. The exhibits continue to offer so much! From taking you through the dino-ages, to exploring the rainforest, and Native American history. Lots of areas to check out. Favorite has to be the Streets of Old Milwaukee which is just so immersive. We also love the butterfly room (so many live butterflies!) and the planetarium dome theater, which shows various educational films. They ask that you don't have food and drinks while touring around (understandable), but they have a huge cafe/dining area on the ground level. It's great because you can bring your own packed lunch and snacks, or purchase from their various offerings. Underground parking, easy check-in, and friendly staff, too!

Although I thought the play Circle Mirror Transformation was done poorly, I loved the theater…read more Intimate, the audience on three sides, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Acoustics are good and the lighting excellent. As for Circle, the casting was ludicrous, especially the younger women who didn't fit their roles at all. Their performances were less than high school level. They played into over-acting, exaggerating every facial expression and movement. It was embarrassing. This play's staging is all about mirror placement. The audience should be able to see the reactive expressions of the actors from different angles. This director placed one mirror at the back of the stage, barely reflecting the audience. What the heck was that? It served no purpose. I understand the Next Act Theater has a low budget, but hire actors who look the part of the characters they play. There are hundreds of wonderful theatrical artists in the Milwaukee area who would give anything for one of these parts. There is no excuse. All that being said, the Next Act Theater is still a fantastic venue to see a production, most are much better than this version of Circle Mirror Transformation, an Obie award winning play.

Milwaukee's theater scene is really strong, but don't sleep on this small powerhouse of a theater,…read moreNext Act Theatre! I loved my subscriptions in 2021, 2022, and can always count on Next Act to give me a play that makes me think, laugh, question society through the lens of a new play written in a Shakespearean style or through a multicultural lens. So far in 2023 I've enjoyed Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" the West End's longest running play, and am looking forward to another in 2024! The art in the lobby is curated to reflect the current play, as well! Seats are easy to purchase online or by phone, and there's even an audio service during performances for the hard of hearing. Next Act supports the best in acting talent in the Milwaukee area, great playwrights and I recommend you check them out!

We made advance reservations & parked in the complimentary lot across the street. Admission is…read more$19 per person, reduced for seniors, children, and free for members. The building is under construction, we entered through the gift shop. We showed our NARM card for free entry. We started with an informative film about the history of the Pabst Mansion. Fifty of us were on the tour, we were broken into 2 groups & I followed Molly throughout the house. She pointed out interesting pieces & fascinating stories. Our hour long tour of the Pabst Mansion was a fascinating:90. We learned about the home, Pabst family & details about the architecture and furnishings of the home while exploring the 1st through 3rd floors. This house had electricity, inside plumbing, a telephone, central heat & 10 bathrooms. In 1892, Captain Frederick & Maria Pabst completed construction of their mansion, It was designed by George Bowman Ferry and Alfred Charles Clas, & cost $254,000. These art collectors, filled their mansion with priceless treasures. During the years of the Pabst family's ownership, the house was the scene of many fine parties and receptions, a wedding & in the end, their funerals. The Pabst descendants sold the house in 1908 and for 60 yrs. was the archbishop's residence When it was sold in 1975, the mansion was nearly torn down but become a museum & was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Pabst Mansion certainly comes alive during Christmas time with whimsy and play amidst history…read moreand class. It's my favorite time to visit since each room is activated with holiday decor, festive cheer, and pops of color! Year after year, a team of volunteers help staff transform the Pabst Mansion into this whimsical exhibition adding to the MKE beer baron's living experience. Each year, the colors and decor changes adding a unique experience every holiday season! Times entry and same day tickets are available in advance or at the door, though "at the door" occurs at street level in an adjacent building. A very small free parking lot is up the hill onsite next to the mansion but additional free parking is available across the street and is labeled with signage. If you haven't had the chance to visit during the holiday season, I do recommend it as something different to do during the colder months!