Best New Year's Eve Activities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This city has always been great for hosting a variety of New Year's Eve events, whether it be an adult's-only bash or fun for the entire family.

Paradise Landing's New Year's Eve Celebration

The Hilton Milwaukee City Center offers this fun family event, centering at Paradise Landing, their indoor waterpark. For a family of five, the cost is only $349, and includes a variety of treats and activities. Aside from an overnight stay and waterpark access from check-in until 2 PM on New Year's Day, this celebration provides two full-scale dinner buffets - one for adults and one for the kids - activities and prizes every hour, music, dancing, a face painter and balloon artist, a magician, and more. There's an Early Bird countdown at 10 PM for the kids who won't be staying up until midnight, and of course the regular countdown at 12 AM. From 8 to 11 AM on New Year's Day, a breakfast buffet is provided.

Downtown New Year's Eve Party

If you're looking for a free event you can take your family to, then consider looking into this. Milwaukee County Parks and the City of Milwaukee work together each year in putting this downtown bash together. Ice-skating (with skate rentals available) will be held at Red Arrow Park, and a fantastic fireworks display as midnight strikes.

New Year's Eve at Noon

Focused on young children, this event at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum helps those who won't be staying up until midnight to celebrate. This includes some fun activities, such as creating your own countdown clock in the Artist's Studio from 10 AM - 1 PM, dancing at 11:30 AM, and bringing in the New Year with a ball drop, "sham"pagne toast, and cookies at noon. The cost is $5 for adults and children age 1 and older.

Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro

If you're looking for a classy meal to start your New Year's with, consider this park pavilion that specializes in French cuisine. For $75 a person after 6:30 PM you can enjoy a four course menu; before 6:30, it's $55 a person for a three-course menu.

The Ultimate New Year's Eve Celebration

Pfister Hotel holds this grand event for $459 per couple. The New Year's Eve party starts off with hors d'oeuvres and a fancy four-course meal. Continue the night with a performance of "Laughing Stock," a dance, and a grand dessert buffet and hosted bar for the rest of the night. Overnight stay is included.

New Year's Eve at the Radisson

Stay at the Radisson Hotel at Milwaukee Airport for a New Year's bash that's not likely to soon be forgotton. For $219 per couple, the celebration lasts from 6 PM to 1 AM, and includes complimentary tap beer, wine and soda, hors d'oeuvres until 9 PM, a performance of The Sweet Tarts from 9 PM until 1 AM, and party favors and champagne toast at midnight. A hotel room is included in this special event.

New Year's at Mantra

Check out this hot spot for New Year's Eve at the Mantra Lounge - only $15 per person (or $225 for admission for 4 under VIP treatment) gets you in to enjoy sixteen live DJs. VIP treatment includes a special entrance, coat check, champagne fountain, 8 martinis or 8 tall cocktails, gourmet pizza from Pizza Man, bottle of moet, reserved seating (before 10:30 PM), and party favors at midnight.

Cans Bar and Canteen New Year's Eve

Come join the party, featuring a Top Shelf Open Bar from 9 PM until 1 AM. Included is a complimentary champagne split and party favors at midnight. If you wish, you can even stay all night - "brunch" begins at 4 AM New Year's Day. Normal price is $70 a person - for ticket discounts, plan on bringing a big group of friends to celebrate with you.

Miller Time Pub Crawl

From $115, come join this pub crawl at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, beginning at 8 PM. This event includes a double occupancy guestroom and bus transportation to some of Milwaukee's best bars and clubs. Live it up with live music, drinks, and sandwich specials at the Miller Time Pub from 10 PM - 3 AM. New Year's Eve party favors and a midnight champagne toast is included.

Miller Free Rides

Don't worry about how you're going to get home or to another celebration after having drank a few (or many). If you find yourself stuck in such a situation, think of Miller Free Rides. The rides begin at 8 PM on New Year's Eve - for information on route and times, call 1-800-FREERIDES.