Smart tourists know that Brookfield is the gateway to fun throughout the region. While well known for its own artistic signature, it’s also only a few minutes from downtown Milwaukee, where world-class entertainment awaits.
The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts provides exciting performances in a premier facility – including Broadway shows, children’s theater, ballet, opera, symphony and community programming. Milwaukee’s lakefront is also the home to the fantastic collection displayed in the Milwaukee Art Museum, site of the world-renowned Quadracci Pavilion and the breathtaking Brise Soleil sculpture designed by international architect Santiago Calatrava. The museum exhibits remarkable works from artists around the world and throughout the ages.
For 11 glorious days in late June, Summerfest delights residents with a variety of musical entertainment. Billed as the “World’s Greatest Music Festival,” Summerfest is held at the Maier Festival Park on Lake Michigan and is a celebration of music, food and fun. Scores of world-renowned headliners, local musicians, games and crafts are the main attractions. Throughout the summer, the Maier Festival Park also hosts ethnic festivals with authentic food and performances that celebrate Wisconsin’s rich ethnic heritage.
For a more cerebral experience, check out the Milwaukee Public Museum, which has award-winning exhibits that include a rainforest, a dinosaur skull, a faithfully reconstructed Indian Village and the extremely popular “Streets of Old Milwaukee” (which pays homage to the city’s turn-of-the-century heritage). The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, affectionately known as “The Domes,” is another can’t-miss experience. At the Domes, you can take a trip around the world in one afternoon by strolling through its three giant, geodesic domes that house flora and fauna that simulate a desert oasis and a tropical jungle in carefully controlled natural environments.
The Milwaukee County Zoo is situated on 200 wooded acres just minutes from Brookfield and is home to approximately 2,500 animals — representing 300 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates. The facility is considered to be one of the finest zoos in the country.
If you’re a sports fan, then you’ve come to the right place. Brookfield is just minutes away from major league competition. Fan-friendly Miller Park (home of the Milwaukee Brewers) is just a few miles east of town – visible from I-94. The new stadium is one of the most exciting in the nation, with unobstructed seats, a state-of-the-art retractable roof and the world’s best bratwurst. During the winter months, reward yourself with a trip downtown to the Bradley Center – a first-class sports and entertainment facility that hosts the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. Milwaukee is also home to the Milwaukee Wave soccer team.
Recreation: The Great Outdoors
During the winter months, hockey is big in Brookfield. The Eble Park Ice Arena on Bluemound Road and the Ponds of Brookfield Ice Arena on Calhoun Road are home to much of the local play. Various leagues and clubs for players of all skill levels operate throughout the year – including the Last Chance Hockey Club, the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association and the Elmbrook Youth Hockey Association. Warriors of the gridiron are molded by the All-American Youth Football League, which provides an opportunity for kids under 14 to play in organized league games.
Individual recreational opportunities abound for the increasing number of people who exercise for fitness and fun. Bikers unite and explore the many trails that wind in and out of the community. Many connect to extensive trail networks that lead outside of town.
The 12-mile long Bugline Trail extends from Appleton Avenue in Menomonee Falls to Main Street in the Village of Merton. Enjoyed by bikers, hikers, runners and cross-country skiers, the trail also has designated portions for snowmobiles and a separate 2.5-mile path for equestrians.
The New Berlin Recreation Trail is a six-mile journey located between South 124th Street at the Milwaukee/Waukesha County Line and Springdale Road in Waukesha. Utilized by bikers, runners, hikers and cross-country skiers, it connects with the Milwaukee County 1976 Bike Trail in Greenfield Park and can be linked to the 47-mile Glacial Drumlin State Trail in the west.
GOLF
Wisconsin is home to some of the nation’s top-10 rated golf courses, and golfers of all skill levels delight in the courses right here in Brookfield. Brookfield Hills Golf Club and Westmoor Country Club test golfers’ mettle with fairways and greens that gently bend and break amidst quiet woods and lazy streams. Brookfield’s local driving ranges are just right to work on the short game or as an introduction to the sport.