Summerfestis a Milwaukee creation . Every summer , the metropolis pitch up for 11 days get up with delicious food of trifling nutritional time value , gallons of beer , and musical acts that let in legends , up - and - comer , blanket circle , and distressing retreads . Savvy veterans of the Fest voyage the festival ground with simplicity , and know the tricks to have a in force metre at what ’s been dub The World ’s Largest Music Festival . If you ’re new to the experience and want to behave like one of the regulars , follow our tips : these are the form of choices that can make or break your Summerfest – and make you decide whether you ’re ever coming back .
Skip the night crowds and keep it a day trip
thing get passably buggy on weekend nights , so if you desire to have a chiller clock time , show up in the early good afternoon to avoid the crowds . You ’ll have easier access to solid food stands , and the chance to check out great band that you may have never get a line of ( but are unforced to put in the energy to get noticed by the day work party ) . The vibe in the good afternoon at Summerfest is perceptibly more put - back than when the sun goes down .
Give props to local bands
Finding great bands that play before the in demand 10 post-mortem place is an art form . This year , there are at least two that hail from Wisconsin deserving look into out : Trapper Schoepptakes his jangling rock to the Harley - Davidson Roadhouse at 8 pm on July 1st , and the soulful tribe rock and roll ofCory Chisel and The Wandering Sonstakes the stage at the Miller Lite Oasis on July 7th , also at 8 pm .
Take a break from big beer at big stages
The bulk of stage go through mountains of cheap lager kegful , but the Water Street Brewery area and Lakefront Brewery point of view are oases where beer has flavor , and you do n’t have to oppose the masses . And if you prefer the hard hooey , head to JoJo ’s Martini Lounge .
Opt for alternate transportation
Parking choice are plentiful around Summerfest , but they be money , and parking dozens can mean mayhem when thousands of people stream into them after the gates close down . Plus , if you contrive to indulge in adult beverages , driving is n’t exactly a splendid option . Opt alternatively for a shuttle from a local watering hole , Uber , or the bus .
Seriously, get Saz’s sour cream and chive fries
If you need to ask why , then your first halt after walking in the gate should be a Saz ’s yielding sales booth . The crispy , golden fries are awesome when dip in cool sour cream & chive sauce . There are plenty of toothsome food option at Summerfest . They can all expect . Saz ’s is a custom .
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Battling heatstroke might be the worst way to spend your Summerfest , although being pressed up next to a sweaty shirtless guy at a crowded concert is a close second . Contrary to pop notion , beer ( even light beer ) is not the best way to keep fluid in your body , and it gets live on the mineral pitch in the sunlight . So drink weewee before , during , and after your Summerfest visit .
Plan your day
The Summerfest basis are tough to navigate when filled with revelers , so give yourself plenty of prison term to make the trek between stage . If you ’ve been waiting all summertime to see a 10 atomic number 61 show on the diametric end of the grounds , do n’t bumble it by starting your wage hike from the BMO Harris Pavilion to the Miller Lite Oasis at 9:45 .
Set up camp
If you absolutely have to see Styx for the 1,237th time , check that you ’re at their microscope stage hour ahead of time . That elbow room , you’re able to stake out a great position , and be flirt with by lesser - know band that will appreciate your support .
Take the path less traveled
The main walkway through the midsection of Summerfest is ordinarily a huge dealings muddle . Try walk along the path that follow the lakefront instead . Sure , you may have to hedge a few high schooltime kids arrive at out on the rocks , but the lake manner of walking is far more scenic than wading through the ocean of humanity .
People-watch
Summerfest is a gaga scene , so make it a game : snag a cinch mesa and see the human term saunter by , then score point for spotting dudes in cheeseheads , or anyone wearing a vintage Summerfest T - shirt from before 2000 ( fillip for any from the ' LXXX ) . incentive points for altogether ill - meet habiliment items ( triple point if the particular in question is a tube top ) . Sorry , zero points for mass playing gentle wind guitar – there are far too many of those around .
Try some under-the-radar dining options
Two aspects of corrode at Summerfest that need to be considered : the quality of what you ’re eat , and how hard it is to eat while walk . Martino ’s works in both category : the Chicago - style red-hot dogs are luscious and made for walk ( and the business never seems to be too long ) , and after you ’ve been indulging in deep - fried snacks for days on remnant , a fruit pipe bowl at Catalano Produce is a straightaway and loose alternative that ’s actually healthy – as well as delicious .
Ride the Sky Glider
Even Summerfest amateur know that you should avoid take the air under the Sky Glider at all costs . But the bird’s - eye view from up above is pretty awing . The smooth ride over the dry land is a relaxing departure from the crowds below . Plus , it ’s a pretty speedy mode to get due north or in the south .
Catch a concert at the Marcus Amphitheater
There are passel of majuscule stages at Summerfest to see outstanding live music , but the Marcus is an wholly different ball game . check that to see one of the headliner in the locale that holds 23,000 , but still manage to sense kind of intimate . Do n’t forget to take in the amazing aspect of Lake Michigan from the back of the lawn .
Avoid the walking dead
Summerfest shuts down at midnight , and it ’s a good idea to empty before then . Even if you scud out at just 11:45 , you ’ll avoid being a part of the inebriated mass of humanity doing a zombi walk to wherever the dark is aim them . A day filled with sun and beer does odd things to mass .
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Courtesy of Summerfest
Courtesy of Water Street Brewery
Saz’s State House
Courtesy of Summerfest
Summerfest
Martino’s Hot Dogs & Italian Beef
Courtesy of Summerfest
