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Brookfield, Wisconsin: The Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit (And Not Get Bored)

Brookfield is a suburb west of Milwaukee, and it works as a base rather than as a destination. The Milwaukee County Zoo and downtown Milwaukee are both a short drive out. In Brookfield itself: the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Fox Brook Park, a 16-screen cinema and a mall with over 100 stores. Nothing here is hard.

Brookfield sits in the middle of Wisconsin’s easiest weekend. The city covers family activities, fine dining and shopping without asking much of anyone, which is exactly the point. Local staycation or a stop on the way through, it works either way.

Brookfield’s streets reward wandering more than planning. The arts and culture run from the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts through to the Brookfield Craft Center. Prairieville Park and Adventure Rock handle a day with children, and the Majestic Cinema of Brookfield covers the evening. Breakout Games is the one for anyone who wants to be locked in a room and made to think.

Key Takeaways

• Brookfield offers a diverse range of activities, from family-friendly fun to fine dining and shopping.
• The city boasts a rich arts and culture scene, with numerous venues and centers to explore.
• Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Brookfield is the perfect destination for a fun-filled adventure.

Humorous Journey Through Brookfield

Most travel guides send you to the same museums and landmarks. This one goes the other way, through the parts of Brookfield, Wisconsin that are actually fun rather than merely notable.

Fox Brook Park first. A stroll around the lake and a picnic are both available and both perfectly nice. The better option is renting a paddleboat and racing whoever you came with. Bring a change of clothes, because somebody usually ends up in the water.

Then WhirlyBall, which is exactly what it sounds like and also nothing like it. The game combines bumper cars, basketball and lacrosse, and it is impossible to play with any dignity. That is the appeal, and it is a fast way to bond with whoever you brought.

Anyone who follows films should make time for the Majestic Cinema of Brookfield. Upgrade to the VIP package if you want the night to feel like an event rather than an errand. You will feel like a Hollywood star without the paparazzi following you out.

The Garcade is the low-key option. The retro arcade runs classic pinball machines alongside vintage video games, and you can drink a cold beer while you play. Keep your reflexes sharp enough not to spill it.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is the last stop and it is not technically in Brookfield, but it is a short drive and worth the detour. Lions, tigers and bears are all there, along with a great deal else. Keep a respectful distance from the monkeys, who have been known to throw things.

That is Brookfield, Wisconsin without the usual list of landmarks. Travel does not have to be serious, and this town is proof.

Arts and Culture in Brookfield

Brookfield carries more arts and culture than a suburb usually does, across theaters and galleries both. The places worth an evening:

Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts

The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is the best thing in Brookfield. The programme runs theater and dance through to art exhibitions and workshops, so there is nearly always something on. The outdoor sculpture garden is the part people do not expect, and it is worth a slow walk on its own.

Marcus Majestic Cinema

The Marcus Majestic Cinema is the one for films. The theater runs 16 screens with plush seating and clear sound, and the programme covers blockbusters and independent releases equally. The food and drink options go well past popcorn if you want to make an evening of it.

A night at the theater or a night at the movies: Brookfield handles both. The fine arts and cultural side is the part of this city most visitors miss entirely.

Family Fun in Brookfield

Brookfield is easy country for a family, with enough variety that nobody has to compromise much. The best family-friendly things to do in Brookfield:

Milwaukee County Zoo

The Milwaukee County Zoo is the big one. Over 2,000 animals from around the world, running from the big cats through to the penguins, and it holds the attention of adults as reliably as children. You can feed the giraffes or take the train through the park.

Pro tip: wear shoes you can walk in. This zoo is large, and rushing it is the one way to make it disappointing.

Playgrounds and Parks

Brookfield has plenty of playgrounds and parks for running children into the ground. Fox Brook Park is the popular one, with a playground, a beach and hiking trails. Mitchell Park is the other, carrying a splash pad, a playground and picnic areas.

Pro tip: pack a picnic and stay put. The children get the running around and you get an afternoon in the sun without driving anywhere.

The Milwaukee County Zoo or a day at a local park: Brookfield covers the family end without much planning. Load the car and go.

Recreational Activities in Brookfield

Brookfield has a wider range of things to do outdoors than its size suggests, from golfing through to hiking and fishing. The best recreational activities in Brookfield:

Golfing in Brookfield

Golfers are well served here. The Brookfield Hills Golf Course is an 18-hole course that takes any skill level, with rolling hills, demanding greens and views that hold up. The Western Lakes Golf Club is the harder one, an 18-hole course known for fast greens and the country around it.

Miniature Golf and Other Games

For something less serious, Brookfield has options. Swing Time Golf and Baseball covers miniature golf and batting practice, plus laser tag and arcade games when the enthusiasm runs out. The Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course is the outdoor obstacle course, and it is a genuine workout rather than a novelty.

Hiking and Biking Trails

The hiking and biking around Brookfield is better than expected. Fox Brook Park takes a leisurely walk or a ride, with the lake, picnic areas and hiking trails all in one place. The New Berlin Trail is the longer option, over 7 miles of paved trail for walkers, runners and bikers.

Fishing Spots

For fishing, Brookfield has two answers. Fox Brook Park has a lake stocked with a variety of fish and easy access from the bank. The Menomonee River is the other, and it is known for the fishing along it.

That is the recreational side of Brookfield. Golf, an obstacle course or a quiet day out in the country: all three are within a short drive of each other.

Exploring Brookfield’s Shopping Scene

Brookfield is a serious shopping town, which is not something every suburb can claim. Several destinations cover everything from high-end boutiques through to budget-friendly stores.

Brookfield Square Mall

Brookfield Square Mall is the main event. Over 100 stores under one roof, running from clothing to electronics, which makes it the efficient option rather than merely the large one.

The mall does more than shopping. There is a movie theater for the latest release and a row of restaurants when the walking catches up with you. When the decorations go up at the end of the year, the events there are worth timing a visit around.

A warning: the mall gets crowded at peak hours. Go off-peak if that matters to you, and wear comfortable shoes either way, because the distances add up faster than you expect.

For shopping with variety and something to do between the shops, Brookfield Square Mall is the answer. Give it a morning.

Dining Delights in Brookfield

Brookfield eats and drinks well across the whole range, from gourmet popcorn to craft beer and cocktails. The dining spots worth knowing in Brookfield:

Laughing Mountain Gourmet Popcorn

Laughing Mountain Gourmet Popcorn is the one to seek out in Brookfield. The shop runs flavors from classic butter and salt through to spicy cheddar and caramel apple, and you can mix and match varieties into a custom flavor of your own. It is a better souvenir than anything the mall sells.

Beer and Cocktail Spots

Brookfield has a real craft beer and cocktail scene, with bars and restaurants doing genuinely creative work rather than following a template. The best places to drink in Brookfield:

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

This is the upscale one, pouring wines across the full spread alongside craft beers and cocktails. The outdoor patio is where to sit on a warm summer evening.

The city splits into three easy pieces. Fox Brook Park is the outdoor one, carrying the lake, the beach, the walking trails and the fishing between them. The Corners of Brookfield and Brookfield Square Mall handle the shopping and most of the eating. And the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts covers the evenings. Everything else worth seeing is in Milwaukee.

Biloba Brewing Company

The local brewery, specialising in Belgian-style beers with a rotating selection of seasonal brews. The taproom is small and comfortable, and it works for a pint and something to eat with it.

The Craft Room

The speakeasy-style bar, running craft cocktails alongside a rotating selection of local and regional beers. The room is intimate enough to make it a good date and quiet enough to make it a good conversation.

The Corners of Brookfield

This upscale shopping center has several restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, which makes it the people-watching option. The Capital Grille handles a classic cocktail, and Cafe Hollander carries a long list of Belgian beers.

Whatever you are after, Brookfield will feed you. Indulge accordingly.

Sporting Events in Brookfield

Brookfield covers the sporting calendar better than its size suggests, from baseball games to fishing shows. Two events worth planning around:

Milwaukee Brewers Games

Summer means baseball, and Brookfield is a short drive from Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. Take the peanuts and Cracker Jacks and go. The “Beast Mode” burger is the famous one, a bacon cheeseburger loaded with pulled pork, fried onions and barbecue sauce, and it is not a decision to make lightly.

All Canada Fishing and Hunting Show

The All Canada Fishing and Hunting Show is the one for anyone who spends time outdoors. The annual show runs over 250 exhibitors showing hunting and fishing gear, alongside seminars and demonstrations. Experienced angler or complete beginner, you will come out knowing something you did not, and possibly holding a new rod.

Cheering the Brewers or working through the latest hunting gear, Brookfield covers the sporting side properly. Both are worth the drive.

Staying Safe During Covid in Brookfield

Brookfield, Wisconsin is straightforward to visit, and it is worth checking current public health guidance before you travel, as anyone who was here during the Covid pandemic will remember. A few things to keep in mind:

Health and Safety Measures

• Wear a mask: Masks are required in most indoor public places in Brookfield. So, don’t forget to bring your mask and wear it properly to protect yourself and others around you. Plus, you might even look like a ninja!
• Practice social distancing: Keep at least six feet away from other people who are not in your group. You can use a long stick or a hula hoop to remind people to stay away from you.
• Wash your hands: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Sing “Happy Birthday” twice or recite the alphabet to make sure you’re washing long enough. If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face: Keep your hands away from your face to reduce the risk of infection. If you need to scratch your nose, use your elbow.
• Stay home if you’re sick: If you’re feeling sick, stay home. Don’t risk infecting others and ruining your vacation.
• Check for updates: Keep yourself updated with the latest news and regulations regarding Covid in Brookfield. You can check the city’s website or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website for more information.

Staying sensible does not have to spoil the trip. Follow whatever public health guidance is current, which since Covid most people are used to doing anyway, and keep an eye on the crowds. The rest of Brookfield works exactly as it always has.

Transportation in Brookfield

Getting around Brookfield is easy in a way that many cities are not. Driving, public transportation and walking all work here, and none of them requires much planning.

Driving

Driving in Brookfield is uncomplicated. The road system is well-maintained, the streets are easy to navigate and parking is plentiful. Watch the speed limits, though, because the local police enforce them.

Public Transportation

For something greener, Brookfield has public transportation. The Milwaukee County Transit System runs several bus routes through the city, which covers most of what a visitor needs.

Ride-Sharing

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are widely available in Brookfield. It is the simplest answer if you would rather not think about parking or unfamiliar roads.

Biking

Brookfield is a bike-friendly city, with bike lanes and trails throughout. Renting a bike is the pleasant way to see it, and the trails connect more of the city than the roads suggest.

Walking

Walking works too. Brookfield is pedestrian-friendly, with sidewalks and crosswalks where you need them, so setting off on foot is a reasonable plan. Pay attention at the crossings and the rest looks after itself.

However you move around Brookfield, whether by car, by bus or on foot, getting there is not the hard part. This city makes it easy on purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the best food and drinks in Brookfield?

The Corners of Brookfield is the answer. It carries a run of restaurants and bars covering most cravings, from sushi to burgers and from craft beer to cocktails. It is the one place in Brookfield where you can arrive without a plan and still eat well.

What are some must-see attractions in Brookfield, Wisconsin?

The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is the one to start with, running concerts, plays and art exhibits through the year. For something outdoors, Fox Brook Park has the lake, the walking trails and the picnic areas, and it is where locals actually go.

What are some fun date night ideas in Brookfield, WI?

Start with a drink at the Explorium Brewpub, where the rotating selection of craft beers will suit anyone who cares about beer. Then the Marcus Majestic Cinema for a film, with IMAX and 3D among the options. It is a reliable evening and it requires almost no planning.

What makes Brookfield, Wisconsin stand out from other cities?

The parks, first of all. Brookfield holds over 400 acres of parkland, which is a great deal of room for a city this size. The Brookfield Square Mall and the China Lights festival are the other two things people name. What actually sets this corner of Wisconsin apart is the people, who are friendly in a way that is not performed.

Frequently asked questions about Brookfield, Wisconsin

Is Fox Brook Park worth visiting in Brookfield?

Yes. It is the best of the Brookfield parks, with a lake, a beach, walking trails and picnic areas, and the lake is stocked for fishing. Paddleboats are available to rent by the hour. It is the default answer in this town whenever the weather holds.

How far is the Milwaukee County Zoo from Brookfield?

A short drive, and it is not technically in Brookfield. The zoo holds over 2,000 animals, runs a train through the park and lets you feed the giraffes. It is large enough that you should wear proper shoes and give it the whole day.

How many stores are at Brookfield Square Mall?

Over 100, running from clothing through to electronics under one roof. There is a movie theater and a row of restaurants inside as well, so it works as an afternoon rather than an errand. Go at off-peak hours, because it fills up.

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