Milwaukee, Wisconsin, does not get nearly enough love. Black-owned Milwaukee, WI most definitely does not get the love it deserves.
I think part of the reason is its close proximity to Chicago. Located only about 1.5 hours away on Amtrak’s Hiawatha route, Milwaukee can easily become a side trip from Chicago.
But after exploring Black-owned Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I realized it deserves to be the main trip. There is a reason why it is a part of my 20 Underrated Amtrak Travel Destinations for Black History & Culture.
And that’s exactly what I did: I spent a long weekend in Milwaukee traveling from NYC.
So, is Milwaukee, WI worth visiting? I think so.
Here’s why:
So, if you’ve ever wondered:
Spend a Day in Black-Owned Milwaukee, WI
Traveling While Black in Milwaukee, WI
This one-day guide to Black-owned Milwaukee, WI is for you.
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Here are some Black-owned coffee shops and cafes in Milwaukee to consider that I have not visited yet:
Unfortunately, the place I recommend, Rise & Grind Cafe, is closed. There are plans for a smaller return at a nearby location. Be sure to check for updates before visiting.
Within walking distance in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood is HoneyBee Sage, and it really is an experience.
From the moment you walk in, you feel a little calmer. I loved that the space has both a cozy, home-like feel, with comfortable chairs, and a bar-like atmosphere with stools and a high-top table area. It gives you options depending on how you want to settle in.
I had never experienced tea being served quite like this. The details make such a difference, from the tools they use to prepare and serve the tea to even the container holding the honey. Everything felt intentional.
I walked out feeling like my nervous system had been regulated, but I also walked out with a new affirmation book and a pair of wire earrings.
Sometimes the best travel experiences aren’t about doing more. They’re about finding a place that invites you to slow down.
The name alone may pique your curiosity: the American Black Holocaust Museum.
Located in Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood, the museum was founded by Dr. James Cameron, the sole known survivor of a 1930 lynching. It chronicles the 500-year journey of African Americans, from pre-captivity Africa and the arrival of enslaved Africans in 1619 through slavery, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, and modern systemic challenges.
Dr. Cameron believed there was power in understanding the Black Holocaust in America and how its effects continue today. He also saw parallels to the Holocaust of European Jews and admired how Jewish communities use that history to educate and empower future generations.
What I loved most was how the museum connects global and national history to Milwaukee’s local Black history. This is where I learned about Vel Phillips, a Milwaukee attorney, politician, judge, and civil rights activist who broke numerous barriers. Among her many firsts, she was the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, Wisconsin’s first African American and female Secretary of State, and the state’s first African American judge.
Learning about figures like Vel Phillips reminded me why understanding local Black history adds so much depth to travel. You’re not just visiting a city; you’re learning about the people who helped shape it.
If you have another day in Milwaukee, I’d also recommend the Milwaukee Art Museum. While it isn’t Black-owned, it’s worth visiting for its architecture, waterfront views, and extensive collection of Black art.
What surprised me most was learning that it has the largest collection of early 20th-century Haitian art outside of Haiti, with approximately 90 paintings and examples of Haitian ironwork.
As a Haitian American, I was fascinated by this.
The museum also features many other works by Black artists, making it a worthwhile addition if you have extra time.
If you want one place to shop and support multiple Black-owned Milwaukee businesses, head to Sherman Phoenix.
Located in Milwaukee’s Sherman neighborhood, this marketplace features 20+ small businesses offering everything from cupcakes and food to jewelry and more, with many of the businesses being Black-owned.
This is also where I purchased my crochet earrings from J. Riley, which I’m still rocking three years later.
But what stood out to me most was the sense of community. I noticed how connected the Black community was and how warmly people welcomed others.
At one point, I bumped into a local I had met a couple of nights earlier. He introduced me to everyone he knew, and in that moment, I felt like I had found a community I could return to if I ever came back to Milwaukee.
That unexpected feeling of connection was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
One of the more unique experiences I had was a hip-hop paint and sip at Vibez Creative Space.
I ended up being the only customer that night, but I think everything happens for a reason. The artist was a former school principal who was considering pursuing a doctorate, which immediately gave us something in common. I was a former assistant principal and in the middle of my own doctoral program at the time.
We spent a couple of hours painting and talking, and I left feeling like I had made a local connection I could reach out to if I ever returned to Milwaukee.
I also loved that the painting was hip-hop themed, and the juice was delicious!
Milwaukee is known as the City of Festivals, so there is always something happening, from live music to festivals like the Black Arts Fest and Bronzeville Week. Since I visited during the colder months, I opted for an indoor experience and caught local legend Donna Woodall performing.
Watch on Instagram and YouTube.
Ye, and lots of us! And honestly, because everyone I knew beforehand who was from Milwaukee was Black, I expected there to be a large Black community. I may have even expected it to be larger than it is, so I was surprised to learn just how racially diverse the city is.
Milwaukee’s population is approximately 38.5% Black or African American, 34.2% White (non-Hispanic), 20–21% Hispanic or Latino, 5.1% Asian, with nearly 4% identifying as multiracial or another racial or ethnic group.
During my visit, though, my experience of Milwaukee felt very Black or very White. That could certainly be influenced by the neighborhoods I explored, but the Black community was highly visible in the areas I visited, particularly through the businesses, cultural spaces, and people I encountered.
I do want to bring up something. Unfortunately, when you look at the headlines and data, the picture of Black Milwaukee can be difficult. One NPR article even asked, “Why Is Milwaukee So Bad for Black People?”
Before visiting, I had no idea about the extent of some of the racial disparities in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. For example:
The numbers paint a sobering picture. But I also don’t want the data to tell only half the story. Because while Milwaukee has significant racial inequities, Black Milwaukee is persistent, resilient, and deeply invested in its community.
During my visit, I met Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders who were actively building businesses, creating spaces, preserving history, and pouring back into their communities.
The headlines may tell you about the challenges Black Milwaukeeans face. But spending time in the community showed me another side of the story: people who continue to build, create, and thrive despite those challenges.
Both stories deserve to be told.
Overall, yes. I felt safe traveling as a solo Black woman in Milwaukee. There was never a point when I felt unsafe, even as I ventured into different neighborhoods, including Downtown, Bronzeville, and Sherman.
More than anything, I felt comfortable and welcomed. Everywhere I went, people treated me warmly and often greeted me with curiosity, asking why I was visiting Milwaukee. The welcome was so genuine that, by the end of my trip, I felt like I could actually move to Milwaukee. That says a lot about how welcomed I felt while I was there.
If I had to describe Milwaukee, WI, in three words, they would be underrated, community-first, and Black.
Milwaukee has so much to offer, but is often overshadowed by Chicago. I loved that it’s a much smaller city, making it easy to explore more deeply over a weekend. That’s one reason it made my list of Underrated Amtrak Travel Destinations. And just like the slogan at Rise & Grind Cafe, a Black-owned spot I visited, nearly every place I visited felt community-first.
Black Milwaukeeans are invested in giving back to their city and proud of where they’re from. Whether it was HoneyBee Sage creating a calming space for the community or Sherman Phoenix supporting Black-owned businesses, I consistently felt surrounded by community. And beyond the demographics, Milwaukee’s history and culture make it a very Black-forward city. There is a strong sense of Black pride, even while acknowledging the systemic injustices the community has faced and continues to navigate.
But don’t just take my word for it. Listen to Sojourner, a Milwaukee local, share the three words she uses to describe Black Milwaukee.
Black-owned Milwaukee, WI, is truly underrated. What stood out to me most was the city’s rich Black history, the deep roots businesses have in their communities, and the number of Black people who are intentionally pouring into the places they call home. I experienced that sense of community everywhere I went, from the businesses I visited to the people I met along the way. Milwaukee reminded me that Black travel isn’t just about finding Black-owned restaurants and shops. It’s about learning the history, meeting the people, supporting the businesses, and experiencing the communities that continue to shape the city. Milwaukee deserves to be more than a side trip from Chicago. It deserves to be the destination. Milwaukee is definitely worth a visit!
Check out this podcast episode with Sojourner White, a local from Milwaukee, WI!
This post is part of my 50 States Challenge, where I document my journey as a Black woman visiting all 50 states by 50. As a U.S. travel enthusiast and Black travel curator, my goal is to build the largest collection of Black-owned travel guides and reflections on traveling while Black.
Through Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, I am also archiving the Black experience across all 50 states, one conversation at a time.
Wisconsin is the 38th State I have traveled to. I’ve traveled to Milwaukee.
Would you visit Milwaukee, WI?
Because sharing is caring and it costs nothing!
Welcome to the Franny the Traveler blog! I’m Dr. Franny, a national award-winning educator, entrepreneur, author, and Black travel enthusiast on a personal mission to make every destination a Black-owned destination. As I visit all 50 states and 50 countries by age 50, this Black travel blog is a growing collection of Black-owned city guides, itineraries, travel tips, and reflections on traveling while Black for the conscious traveler. I’m so happy you’re here!
