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.
Thankfully, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between Columbus and Milwaukee. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked for the occasion. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)
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Cheapest Milwaukee flights
Currently, the cheapest flights between Columbus and Milwaukee are if you leave on June 27 and return from Wisconsin on July 2. United currently has roundtrip, nonstop tickets for $332.
Top Milwaukee accommodations
Regarding where to stay, 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.)
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.)
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.)
A third option is The InterContinental Milwaukee. With a 4.4-star rating on Skyscanner, the hotel is one of the most luxurious in the city. Rooms are currently listed for $126/night.
Top picks for dining and drinking
Milwaukee has plenty of top-notch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner.
Leon's Frozen Custard (3131 S. 27th St.)
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.)
If you're looking for a local favorite restaurant pick, head to 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."
What to see and do in Milwaukee
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)
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.)
Lastly, spend some time at 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.
