Festival travel: Milwaukee hosts Summerfest, with cheap flights from Austin

Festival travel: Milwaukee hosts Summerfest, with cheap flights from AustinPhoto: iStock
Hoodline
Published on May 29, 2019

Wisconsin winters can be brutal, which means locals know how to enjoy the summer. The annual Summerfest in Milwaukee is one of the largest (and most affordable) music festivals in the U.S., and it's happening June 26 to July 7, so there's just enough time to start making travel plans.

The city's "Summerfest Grounds" includes more than 10 stages, plus an interactive sports zone and a children's theater and play zone. The venue is located downtown on the Lake Michigan lakefront, near many of the city's famous breweries, as well as restaurants, theaters, galleries and more.

It’s more doable than you think. According to travel site Skyscanner, there are plenty of flights from Austin to Milwaukee in that time frame, and the prices aren't too shabby.

So if you're looking for a change of scenery, here are some deals to put on your to-do list. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)

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Flight deals to Milwaukee

Currently, the cheapest flights between Austin and Milwaukee are if you leave on June 26 and return from Wisconsin on July 1. Delta currently has tickets for $353, roundtrip.

There are also deals to be had later in June. If you fly out of Austin on June 27 and return from Milwaukee on July 1, Delta can get you there and back for $360 roundtrip.

Top Milwaukee hotels

To plan your accommodations, here are some of Milwaukee’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.

The Pfister Hotel (424 E. Wisconsin Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Pfister Hotel. The hotel has a 4.6-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $169.

Set in the heart of Milwaukee, this hotel is close to the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World.

The Iron Horse Hotel (500 W. Florida St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

There's also the 4.7-star rated The Iron Horse Hotel, which has rooms for $169/night.

"Great, stylish hotel with gorgeous rooms. The service is top-notch and there are a couple of great bars and restaurants at the hotel," wrote visitor Tom.

The InterContinental Milwaukee (139 E. Kilbourn Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

A third option is The InterContinental Milwaukee. The 4.4-star hotel has rooms for $126/night. 

Top picks for dining and drinking

Don't miss Milwaukee's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.

Leon's Frozen Custard (3131 S. 27th St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First things first: dessert. For a popular option, check out Leon's Frozen Custard, which has an average of five stars out of 13 reviews on Skyscanner. Leon's Frozen Custard opened for business on May 1, 1942, and is still owned and operated by the original family.

Beans & Barley Market, Deli & Cafe (1901 E. North Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

One of Milwaukee's most popular restaurants is Beans & Barley Market, Deli & Cafe, with 4.9 stars from 10 reviews.

"Everything about this restaurant and co-op is comforting and delicious," wrote reviewer Andrea. "On the co-op side of the building, you can pick up everything from books and magazines to grocery and sundries. The menu items on the restaurant side include local and delicious vegan, vegetarian and meat items."

Cafe Corazon (3129 N. Bremen St.)

Finally, there's Cafe Corazon.

"Cafe Corazon has delicious Mexican food," wrote Anya. "The place has character and nice drinks."

Featured Milwaukee attractions

Milwaukee is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are a couple of popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.

The Milwaukee Art Museum (700 N. Art Museum Drive)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is The Milwaukee Art Museum, which has four floors of rotating displays and over 30,000 works of art. The museum includes a rich history, that dates back to the 1880s and encompasses many types of art forms. The museum also offers many programs for everyone in your family.

"This museum has been expanded and renovated recently to a current size of 341,000 square feet," wrote visitor Mary. "This collection includes European art from the 15th through the 20th century as well as American art from the 17th to 20th century."

Harley-Davidson Museum (400 W. Canal St.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Lastly, consider checking out the Harley-Davidson Museum.

This museum celebrates the 100-plus-year history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles with trivia, models and exhibits.

"This museum is a must-see for motorcycle buffs," wrote visitor Mary. "On display one will find more than 450 motorcycles and artifacts, dating back to Serial Number One, which is the oldest known Harley-Davidson motorcycle."


This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.