Guide to what to do in Milwaukee in March, including fun Milwaukee March events and how to spend spring break in Milwaukee
With relatively mild weather and a lot of events, there are so many fun things to do in Milwaukee in March that make it the best time of the year to visit the city.
Travel to Wisconsin has so many things to offer all year round, but Milwaukee in spring has its own charms with the cool breeze weather and various events to attend.
You can celebrate the festivity of St. Patrick’s Day or go hiking to make the most of your visit to Milwaukee in March.
Look no further if you’re looking for the best Milwaukee activities in March; here are the best ways to spend your spring break in Milwaukee!
Psssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Milwaukee, Wisconsin? Have a look at my other posts:
- Where to stay in Milwaukee, WI [Ultimate Guide]
- Tastiest Vegan Restaurants in Milwaukee
- Best Milwaukee Family Resorts
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Table of Contents
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Overview: Top 3 Things to Do in Milwaukee in March
- Joining the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Exploring the Mitchell Park Domes
- Joining a Milwaukee Brewery tour
1. Joining the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Celebrating St. Paddy’s Day isn’t complete without sipping the best beer Milwaukee has to offer.
Home to various breweries, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the major Milwaukee events in March you shouldn’t miss.
The city annually hosts the parade from W. Wisconsin through the downtown around Highland Avenue.
Organized by the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin, the parade is only a small part of Milwaukee March events since they typically host week-long Irish events in downtown Milwaukee.
From the kick-off party to enjoy live music with special drinks to celebrate, to attending the annual mass at the iconic Saint Patrick’s Church in Milwaukee, the holiday is arguably the pinnacle of March events in Milwaukee!
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2. Visiting Milwaukee County Zoo
If you’re planning to visit any Milwaukee events, March is the best time of the year to visit the city.
From the Saint Paddy’s Day parade and spring break to the Easter celebration, you don’t have to worry about what to do in Milwaukee in March!
Milwaukee County Zoo hosts several events if you plan to travel during spring in Milwaukee. On the first Saturday in March, the zoo annually hosts Family Free Day.
If you’re looking for things to do in Milwaukee with kids, don’t miss this event, as your family can visit Milwaukee County Zoo for free!
March in Milwaukee also marks the preparation before Easter, and the zoo regularly hosts Egg Day a few weeks before the holiday.
During this event, kids will have an exciting day to enjoy games like Scavenger Hunt, egg hunting, or even do some face painting!
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3. Signing up for a golf course in Milwaukee
Whether you’re an advanced golfer or a novice to the sport, Milwaukee is known as one of the top destinations in the world for golf.
If you’re looking for Milwaukee things to do in March, signing up for a golf course can be a great addition to your itinerary!
Erin Hills in Hartford is one of the best day trips from Milwaukee, as the area is located around the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin.
You can sign up for a short golf course at Erin Hills, and continue your trip with various outdoor activities like hiking or even fishing around the Kettle Moraine recreational area.
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4. Joining a Milwaukee Brewery tour
Beer has been associated with Milwaukee for centuries, giving it the nickname “Brew City.” So, why not make the most of your stay by participating in a brewery tour in Milwaukee?
Home to some of America’s largest breweries like Miller and Pabst, the brewery industry in Milwaukee has been thriving since the 19th century, and you can join a lot of brewery tours in the city these days.
If you’re on the lookout for things to do in Milwaukee, WI, in March, be sure to include one of these tours to learn about the brewery industry around the city.
For those who love history, you will enjoy the Miller Brewery Tour to explore the story behind the brand and its business journey since 1855.
Alternatively, you can also join the Pabst Brewing excursion. Although the headquarters has moved to San Antonia for some years now, you can still visit the Blue Ribbon brewing complex in Milwaukee as a part of the tour.
With the craft beer industry still growing in the area, you can also find some other tours around microbreweries in the city for your March things to do in Milwaukee.
Hanging out at breweries is one of the best things to do in Milwaukee at night, so once you find a favorite, you can always head back in the evening and meet some new faces.
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5. Hiking or biking through the Route of the Badger
With over 300 miles of trail system in Southeast Wisconsin, hiking and biking are some of the best outdoor activities in Milwaukee.
The popular Route of the Badger expands to a larger area that allows people to explore the Wisconsin area that connects some of the best Milwaukee bike trails.
Hiking and biking are some of the best outdoor activities in Wisconsin, and exploring the Route of the Badger is often a part of the bucket list for things to do in Milwaukee in spring.
The Beerline Trail that starts from E. Pleasant Street is one of the most popular biking trails in Milwaukee, while Bugline Trail in Waukesha seems to be more well-known for hikers.
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6. Exploring the museums in Milwaukee
There are over 100 museums in Wisconsin, with some of the major ones located in Milwaukee.
Adults may enjoy wandering around the Harley-Davidson Museum, while families with kids can consider going to the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in the city.
Traveling to Milwaukee isn’t complete without visiting the Milwaukee Art Museum. With over 30,000 art pieces, the museum is arguably one of the best art museums in the Midwest, if not in the United States.
Situated in Lake Michigan, the museum also offers the best view in town!
If you plan to visit in the first week of March, Milwaukee Public Museum is also free to visit every first Thursday of the month!
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7. Watching the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Whether you love orchestra or plan to do something new in Milwaukee, getting a ticket to the world-class orchestra full of wonderful musicians at Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) can be a great option for things to do in March!
Contrary to popular belief about symphony orchestras, the ticket to see the MSO’s performance at Bradley Symphony Center is pretty affordable.
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8. Indulging in Milwaukee’s traditional frozen custard
Spring break in Wisconsin isn’t complete without having a scoop of frozen custard for desserts.
As the “Frozen Custard Capital City of the World,” you’ll most likely find a lot of frozen custard stalls in every corner of Milwaukee.
However, make sure to add Gilles Frozen Custard to the list of things to do in Milwaukee in March.
Not only is it the oldest frozen custard stall in Milwaukee, March is also the month when Gilles offers the special for their frozen custard menu: Jameson frozen custard!
To celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in the stall, they serve their signature frozen custard with Jameson Irish whiskey throughout the month.
So, don’t forget to add it to your bucket list for things to do in Milwaukee in March!
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9. Camping at Waukesha County Park
Are you planning for fun weekend trips in Wisconsin? There are a lot of great options.
Waukesha County Park is one of the best day trip destinations from Milwaukee, where you can also go camping at one of the best campsites near Milwaukee at Menomonee Park.
With over 30 campsites and a great location between Menomonee Falls and Lannon, it’s a suitable spot if you’re traveling in a group.
With lots of recreational activities, it’s a great place to go if you’re an outdoorsy person looking for the best spot for hiking in Milwaukee!
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10. Having fun in an Escape Room
The weather in Wisconsin can be unpredictable at times, so it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan with indoor things to do in Milwaukee in March.
Especially if you’re traveling to Milwaukee as a group, an escape room experience can be a great option.
The city has some of the best escape rooms in Wisconsin, including Escape the Room Milwaukee in the Historic Third Ward neighborhood.
If you don’t mind driving a little further away from Milwaukee’s city center, Breakout Games in Brookfield can also be a great option for a day trip in Milwaukee in March.
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11. Roaming around Black Cat Alley
Situated on the east side of Milwaukee, the Black Cat Alley is well-known for its artistic murals that you can enjoy for free around the city.
Being one of the best free things to do in Milwaukee, March is also the best time of the year to roam around this area with the chill, walkable weather.
Take a few snapshots for Instagram, or stop by Sip and Purr Cat Cafe to enhance your experience in the area. It’s one of the most unique cafes in Milwaukee, and I heard you can do yoga with the cats there!
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12. Exploring the Mitchell Park Domes
Mitchell Park Domes is a great place to visit in Milwaukee all year round, but what’s a better way to welcome the spring surrounded by flowers all around?
You can enjoy flowers of all kinds in their floral dome, but you can also escape the chill weather and visit the tropical and desert dome to learn more about the variety of plants you can find in a different climate.
If you’re looking for romantic things to do in Milwaukee, this is also the perfect spot for fun spring date ideas in Milwaukee.
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Milwaukee hosts the biggest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Wisconsin, making it one you shouldn’t miss when visiting Milwaukee in March. The city also offers a lot of outdoor activities, from hiking to camping.
Home to some of the best museums in Wisconsin, you should also include them in your Milwaukee itinerary.
There are some things to do in Milwaukee in March for everyone, no matter which type of traveler you are!
FAQs About Best Things to Do in Milwaukee in March
Does it snow in Milwaukee in March?
Snow in Milwaukee during March is not guaranteed, but it also isn’t uncommon, especially towards the beginning of the month.
Is March a good month to visit Milwaukee?
March is a great time to visit Milwaukee as it’s the beginning of spring. This means many trails and outdoor activities are opening up, but many winter sports are also still available if there is still snow. It also isn’t as busy as summertime.
What is March like in Wisconsin?
March in Wisconsin is still a bit cold, but starting to warm up, making it a great time to go exploring hiking and bike trails. Later in the month, you’ll also get to enjoy the start of spring blossoms.
Before You Go: Top Tips for your Trip
- You’ll snap tons of photos and I love to take my GoPro in order to shoot even in extreme situations.
- Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and hiking sandals when traveling to warm countries. Consider trying some of these eco-friendly vegan hiking boots.
- Sunscreen is key! I always take with me my eco-friendly sunscreen by Thinksport.
- I always carry a light rain jacket, just in case. Pack smart with these organic cotton clothing companies.
- Be environmentally friendly and get one of these awesome backpacks made from recycled materials.
- Get in the mindset with these amazing wilderness survival books.
- Travel insurance is essential! If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, travel is protected against all odds with HeyMondo.
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
