Summer in Milwaukee: Your Ultimate Guide to Arts, Culture, and Riverfront Fun from Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
Posted in
Jul 01, 2025

Located in downtown Milwaukee, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel offers a unique stay that combines comfort, creativity, and culture. This summer, make it your home base while you enjoy the city's festivals, food scene, and riverfront attractions.
🎨 Stay Where Art Comes to Life
Saint Kate isn't just a place to stay—it's a celebration of creativity. With five different art galleries, live performances, and our artist-in-residence program, the hotel itself is a gallery.
🌊 Embrace the Riverwalk Vibes
Milwaukee's riverwalk is a hub of activity during the summer months. Just a short walk from Saint Kate, you can enjoy:
- Riverwalk Boat Tours & Rentals: Pontoon Charters and Rentals on the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan
- Outdoor Live Music: It’s Alive on the Riverwalk, River Rhythms, and Summer of Soul
- Milwaukee Riverwalk: A scenic path that stretches along the Milwaukee River, featuring public art, dining options, and access to nearby attractions.
🎶 Dive into Milwaukee's Music Scene
Summer in Milwaukee means live music galore. From Saint Kate, you're ideally situated to experience:
- Saint Kate Sounds: Enjoy live music every night at Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, featuring a mix of local talent, from classic rock and jazz to DJs and emerging artists. Grab a drink at the bar and unwind in a lively, intimate lobby setting with performances 7 days a week.
- Summerfest: Known as "The World's Largest Music Festival," it features over 800 acts across 11 stages, offering a diverse lineup from rock to hip-hop.
- Milwaukee Irish Fest: Held in August, this festival celebrates Irish culture with music, dance, food, and more, attracting over 100,000 attendees annually.
- Jazz in the Park: Enjoy free live jazz performances every Thursday evening in Cathedral Square Park, just a short walk from the hotel.
- River Rhythms at Pere Marquette Park: Enjoy the free, outdoor summer concert series in Pere Marquette Park in downtown Milwaukee. See some of the finest local talent!
- Red Arrow Park: Heart(beats) of the City is a free lunchtime concert series held every Wednesday from June 4 to August 27 at Red Arrow Park (920 N. Water Street). Enjoy live music from local and national bands starting at noon, along with various food trucks from 11:30 AM – 1 PM. Biggby Coffee will also be serving from its new park location. Performances are weather-dependent, and lineups may change without notice.
🍽️ Savor Milwaukee's Culinary Delights
Milwaukee's food scene is as dynamic as its arts and culture. Within walking distance from Saint Kate, indulge in:
- ARIA: an artful dining experience featuring local comfort foods with a creative twist
- Proof Pizza: a fast-casual Neapolitan-style pizza joint that balances old-world character and modern design
- the Bar: Boasting natural light by day and buzzing with live music by night, it is the perfect spot to work, connect, or unwind.
- Milwaukee Public Market: Named one of the Best Public Markets in the Country by USA Today, this bustling marketplace offers fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, and international cuisine, perfect for a casual lunch or unique souvenirs.
- Local Breweries: Milwaukee is renowned for its craft beer scene. Enjoy local breweries near us, such as Lakefront Brewery, Good City Brewing, Central Standard Distillery, and Eagle Park Brewing.
- Third Ward Dining: Explore the Historic Third Ward for a variety of dining options, from upscale restaurants to cozy cafes, reflecting the city's diverse culinary landscape.
🖼️ Explore Art In & Beyond the Hotel
Milwaukee is a city that celebrates art in all its forms. Enhance your cultural journey with a visit to:
- Guided Art Tours: Join Curator in Residence Shane McAdams for a personalized tour of the hotel's exhibitions and permanent art collection. Options include the Standard Tour ($15), Champagne Tour ($20), or the immersive Grand Tour ($50), which includes a cocktail and a souvenir
- Artist in Residence Studio AIR Time: Every Saturday at 5:30 PM, meet the current Artist in Residence, Megan Woodard Johnson, for a cocktail and a tour of her studio and the hotel's art spaces
- Sculpture Milwaukee: an annual, free, outdoor art exhibition that transforms downtown Milwaukee into a vibrant, open-air museum.
- Current Exhibitions: Explore rotating exhibitions such as Under the Ice by Beth Bennett and Michael Sternoff, The Peace of Wild Things by Danielle Winger, and Snow Globe by Leif Larson
- Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA | DTN): Located within Saint Kate, this museum showcases contemporary Wisconsin artists.
- Black Cat Alley: A vibrant outdoor alley featuring rotating murals by local and international artists, perfect for a stroll and photo opportunities.
- Historic Third Ward: Just a short walk away, this district is home to numerous art galleries, boutiques, and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD)
- Lynden Sculpture Garden: A 40-acre park featuring over 50 monumental sculptures by renowned artists, offering a peaceful outdoor art experience
🗓️ Plan Your Summer Today
Whether you're into live music, great food, or exploring the city, Milwaukee has something for everyone. Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel is the ideal place to stay while you enjoy all the best of summer, from local festivals to lakefront events. Book your stay now and make the most of the season.