With Memorial Day firmly in the rearview and June about to begin, we’re officially in the summer part of the calendar (solstice be damned). It’s the perfect time, then, to share a new way for you to save more than a few bucks while you explore Milwaukee over the next couple months.
Last week, Visit Milwaukee launched what it’s calling the Summer Savings Pass. Whether you live around here or — in the spirit of the organization’s name — are just visiting Milwaukee, the free digital pass gives you instant deals at dozens of local businesses. We’re talking restaurants, bars, museums, activities, health shops, food trucks and plenty more.
“This summer is momentous for tourism in Milwaukee, and we wanted to make the most of it by enticing visitors to spend even more at our local businesses,” Visit Milwaukee president and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith said in a release. “Visitors contribute over $2 billion in direct spending at Milwaukee County businesses each year, and we are constantly seeking out new and innovative ways to increase that impact.
“This is the latest addition to our series of passes, and we couldn’t be more proud to offer visitors and locals another reason to support our businesses.”
Before covering all the different places you can save, let me walk you through the process I just navigated to get the pass:
- Go to Visit Milwaukee’s Summer Savings Pass page
- Click “Sign Up” and then “Checkout”
- Enter a few basic pieces of information (name, email, phone number) and click “Complete Order”
- Click the link sent via text or email
- In the webpage that opens, follow the instructions to add a small widget that will allow you to quickly access the pass from your phone’s screen
Typing it all out makes it seem a little more involved than it actually is. I got it done in less than a minute, and when you tap the widget on your phone screen, it takes you to a simple app that lets you view the pass and filter/search all the different places you can use it.
A couple that jumped out to me were buy-one-get-one offers at Eldr+Rime and Fred’s Frozen Custard & Grill, free desserts at Aperitivo and Red Rock Saloon, 30 minutes of free open play at the Little Village Play Cafe and 20% off several more active options (kayak and bike tours, boat rentals, etc.). A full list of participating locations is right below, and you can get the pass-procuring process started at Visit Milwaukee.
Visit Milwaukee Summer Savings Pass participants
- Aloekui Handmade Soap & Lotions: 20% off total purchase
- Aperitivo: free dessert
- Bear Paw Adventure Park: buy one get one
- Beef Jerky Outlet: 20% off total purchase
- Belle Fiori, Ltd.: 20% off one non-sale item
- Betty Brinn Children's Museum: 20% off select tours
- Brew City Kayak: 20% off select tours
- Cave of the Mounds: buy one get one
- Charles Allis Art Museum: buy one get one
- Chocolate Sommelier: 20% off one non-sale item
- CityTins: 20% off purchase
- Clover: buy one houseplant, get one free
- Cocoa Tree Confectionery: 20% off total purchase
- Eldr+Rime: but one get one free
- Fred's Frozen Custard & Grill: buy one get one free
- Great Lakes Distillery: buy one get one free
- Green Baked Goods Cafe: free dessert
- J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard: buy one get one free
- Jewish Museum Milwaukee: 50% off one regular admission
- Lela: 20% off one non-sale item
- Lucky Clover: buy one get one free
- Maggio's Wood Fired Pizza: 20% off drink bill
- Milwaukee By Bike: 20% off select tours
- Milwaukee Duffy Boat Rentals: 20% off select tours
- Milwaukee Food & City Tours: 20% off select tours
- Milwaukee Harley-Davidson: free keychain
- Milwaukee Makers Market: free entry and coffee
- Milwaukee Paddle Tavern: 20% off select tours
- Milwaukee Pedal Tavern: 20% off select tours
- MobCraft Brewery: buy one get one pints of select beer
- Pabst Mansion: 20% off total purchase
- Pier Garden at The Starling: buy one get one free
- Pilot Project Brewing: buy one get one free
- Pomona Cider Company: free house beverage
- Potawatomi Casino | Hotel: free appetizer
- Red Rock Saloon: free dessert
- RUTA's Fresh Indian Fare: free house beverage
- Sabrosa Cafe & Gallery: 20% off food bill
- Saz's State House: buy one get one free
- Style Pop Cafe: 20% off food bill
- Sweetly Baked: 10% off your total purchase
- Tanya's Food Truck: free hot dogs when any two burger meals are purchased
- The High Note Karaoke Lounge: buy one get one free
- The Little Village Play Cafe: 30 minutes of free open play
- The Pasta Tree Restaurant & Wine Bar: 20% off food bill
- Torzala Brewing Company: buy one get one free
- Ultimate Confections Chocolates: 10% discount
- Ultimate Farm Collaborative: buy one get one
- Ultratwist Vintage: 20% off one non-sale item
- Urbaine Oasis Spa Boutique: complimentary facial cleaner
- Urbal Tea Co.: 20% off total purchase
- Urban Milwaukee: The Store: 20% off total purchase
- Vault: 20% off food bill, 20% off drink bill
- Villa Terrace Art Museum: buy one get one
- Vino Third Ward: 20% off total purchase, buy one get one free
- War Memorial Beer Garden: buy one get one free
- WaterStone Bank Air & Water Show: 20% off select tours
- WhirlyBall: buy one get one free
- Wizard Works Brewing Company: buy one get one free
