MKE Streetcar "The Hop" Destination Guide
Edited by John December / Edition:
2022-06-21
/ Updates: johndecember.com/mke

This is my guide 1 to destinations served by the Milwaukee Streetcar, The Hop, Main Line. I list useful and fun destinations close to the streetcar stops for visitors and residents.
Criteria: I've picked general-interest destinations that are about 1-2 blocks (and in a few cases just a bit more)2 from the streetcar stops. There is much more to discover beyond that, but this guide will help you make the most of the streetcar as a base for exploring Milwaukee along its route through the city. The "Explore Further" section includes links to places further from the route. I also have a blog section covering my observations of the streetcar, my use of it, and my study of research literature in transportation and how it relates to the streetcar and the urban landscape.
Navigating this guide:
You can use the expanded table of contents in the "Destinations" column to go directly to activities that interest you.
The Main Line column has links to pages covering the areas around the stops.
The destination category links cover all the stops for
dining/drinks, activities, noted sites, and further exploration.
There are stop-specific maps and photos.
You can return to this page by clicking on the
icon.
This guide is mobile friendly
so that it will change in layout to fit to the screen of a cellphone.
Note: As in any large city, you should use due caution with your security, going about on the street3, and navigating the crosswalks (use extra caution at all intersections and cross only in designated crosswalks and obey walk signals). Be safe--and enjoy your trip.
Philosophy: I've lived in the area served by the streetcar for more than 20 years and have gone on many thousands of walks in the area.4 Milwaukee is more than just a set of destinations, but a truly special, walkable, urban place, and the streetcar route gives you a slice-of-life journey through several very interesting areas of the city. The experience of living in Milwaukee embraces a confluence of the natural setting--among rivers and by the lake--and the people, businesses, and institutions who have built, work in, and live in the historic, contemporary, and yet-to-be-built destinations. The result is more than the sum of its parts, and I hope that with this guide you might gain some insight into this. As a motivating statement, read this overview of where The Milwaukee Streetcar takes you.
You can bookmark or share this guide,
or get to it from johndecember.com/mke
Maps
- Introduction
- Highlights of the Route
- Areas Overview
- The Streetcar takes you to...
- Table of Notable Taller Buildings
- Burns Commons Area
- Astor Street Area
- Ogden Jackson (East Pointe) Area
- Juneau Avenue Area
- Cathedral Square Area
- City Hall (Wells Street) Area
- Wisconsin Avenue Area
- Third Ward (Public Market) Area
- Plankinton Avenue Area
- Intermodal Station Area
- Local Coffeeshops
- Shopping
- Grocery or Specialty Market
- Convenience Store
- Performing Arts
- Museums
- Parks / Open Space / Greenspace
- Art or Sculpture
- View / Photo Oppportunity
- Lodging
- Event Space
- Coworking Space
- Business, Mailing, or Printing Services
- Financial Services
- Transportation
- Educational
- Government
- Spiritual
- Personal
- Medical
- Media
- Events
- Buildings of Note--Tall or Historic