5-16-13 0930 AM

Wisconsin’s largest city is not only known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and cultural attractions like the Milwaukee Art Museum, it’s also known for beautiful and parks and its maritime heritage.  Milwaukee is also Wisconsin’s largest Harbor Town.

Al and I explored this aspect of Milwaukee Thursday when we paid a visit to the S/V Denis Sullivan docked at Discovery World, it’s home port.

The crew were getting the schooner ready for the summer season beginning May 25. A new main mast had just been installed and final adjustments being made.  We chatted with them a few minutes. In fact, she was given a shakedown cruise within the breakwall that very morning while we were walking on the Lakeshore State Park path along the lake.

A little history on the pier in this area. We did the loop of the “island” joined to the mainland by a bridge. after I crossed I saw the Denis Sullivan sailing.  We also saw the red and white lighthouses from there.

From our parking spot we had a great view of the Art Museum.

After our walk we were hungry so went to the Milwaukee Ale House for lunch. It was 11:25.  It’s located in the Historic 3rd Ward. Quite the striking red brick building.

The views were just as great on the patio, it is alongside the Milwaukee River and the restaurant has 6 slips available for people boating in. The Milwaukee Boat Line gives tours along the waterways of the city. One of their boats, the Vista King  went right by our window while we had lunch.

After lunch we headed to South Milwaukee to visit Grant Park. Quite beautiful there, and plenty of wildlife, especially fat raccoons looking for food.  There are seven bridges and steps leading down a deep ravine with a creek running through. It led to access to a beach on Lake Michigan. Very beautiful!

It was a great spring day with perfect weather and lots of fun!