Walking backward while talking is useful for leading a tour, demonstrating a moonwalk, or retreating from a room full of ominously staring toddlers. See the reverse saunter put to good use with today's Groupon: for $25, you get two tickets to the Spaces & Traces tour of the Riverwest neighborhood from Historic Milwaukee (up to a $50 advanced value, up to a $60 value at the door). The annual open-house event occurs Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Today’s Groupon also gets you access to the Historic Taverns of Riverwest Crawl on Saturday, May 14 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Groupons may be redeemed at any one of these bars along the crawl: Falcon Bowl, Uptowner, Tracks, Stonefly Brewery, Nessun Dorma, Linneman's, Gee Willickers, or Riverwest Public House.
Historic Milwaukee leads loyal Wisconsinites and curious cross-country travelers through layers of living history and traversable tales of Milwaukee’s slightly more mustachioed past. Today’s deal gets you a day-long guided adventure through the timeless architecture and multicultural past of the Riverwest neighborhood, an area that the native Menominee originally called To the Left of the Water—No, Sorry, My Left. Along the way, tour takers will examine diverse architectural styles, from 1920s bungalows to mid-century-modern dwellings, and have access to the interiors of 10 private homes. Tour guides will explain the historical significance of each abode, with added factoids available in a detailed, complimentary information booklet. John Gurda, a Milwaukee-born writer and historian, and Tom Hubka, a professor of architecture at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, will regale attendees with lectures on Riverwest.
Along with the Spaces & Traces admission, Groupon holders gain access to the Historic Taverns of Riverwest Crawl, an eight-bar celebration of the neighborhood’s most welcoming taverns. Sample brews and take in live music courtesy of local acts who have all had their Freebird vaccinations. At 7 p.m., there will be an honorary ceremony at the Stonefly Brewery on East Center to celebrate Spaces & Traces’ 30th anniversary; be one of the first 300 guests to receive a free commemorative pint glass that’s great for cold beer or expensive wine-flavored wine coolers.
Historic Milwaukee Inc
What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition?
For over thirty years Historic Milwaukee Inc. has offered walking tours of Milwaukee neighborhoods focused on their history and unique architecture. In addition we organize Doors Open Milwaukee which is a two day open house event every year allowing the public to access buildings and businesses that are typically off limits. We stand out from the competition by providing informed and passionate tour guides who are eager to show off their city.
What was the inspiration to start or run this business?
Historic Milwaukee Inc. was formed as a way to encourage Milwaukee residents to explore their city, learn its history and increase commitment to the preservation of our built environment.
What do you love most about your job?
I love getting to work with people who share an appreciation for Milwaukee's history and future.
What is the best reaction you've ever gotten from a customer?
The best reaction I've gotten from a customer is having them tell me they didn't realize how much fun Milwaukee was as a city and that they can't wait to come back. s.