The tourism bureau heads to Chicago’s Union Station May 17 to promote vacations in Milwaukee and Wisconsin via Amtrak


Good things will soon be brewing when VISIT Milwaukee heads south to participate in the 2023 Wisconsin in Chicago Day.  This event will be held at Chicago’s Union Station May 17 in partnership with Amtrak Hiawatha and Travel Wisconsin. With inspiring performances and activations set against a welcoming beer garden atmosphere, the purpose of Wisconsin in Chicago Day is to showcase to Chicagoland residents the wealth of fun and accessible vacation opportunities available just a short train ride north.

“In February, Chicago represented the top visitor origin destination for Milwaukee, with 18.2% of all travelers hailing from the Chicago area – and it’s easy to see why. Whether they came for our incredible cultural assets, a night on the town, a concert or a major sporting event, getting to and enjoying Milwaukee is easy and accessible for millions of Chicagoans,” says Peggy Williams-Smith, president & CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “We are so thrilled to be able to push our message to even more potential visitors in that market through this activation. We are so grateful to our partners at Amtrak Hiawatha, our local partners, and our destination marketing partners across the state who have joined to help us do so.”

Wisconsin in Chicago Day will take place in Chicago Union Station’s Great Hall from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. May 17 and will feature a beer garden theme with free food, beverages, entertainment and giveaways provided by participating organizations. Media are invited to cover the event and representatives from all participating organizations will be available for interviews.

VISIT Milwaukee’s Wisconsin in Chicago Day activation includes a beer garden theme spread across half of the Great Hall featuring Adirondack chairs, string lighting, games of bag toss, free Milwaukee-made snacks and beverages, ticket giveaways, and plenty of Milwaukee information alongside rousing performances from Milwaukee artists sponsored by the Milwaukee Theater District.

Participating organizations include:

​“Chicagoans who have not visited the many venues for arts, entertainment, fun, dining at supper clubs -- or other unexpected gems throughout Wisconsin -- can learn how easy it is to head north,” said Ray Lang, Amtrak Vice President, State-Supported Services. “Go to great places in Wisconsin the quick and easy way on Amtrak Hiawatha Service trains sponsored by the state transportation departments in Wisconsin and Illinois.”Chicagoland residents are regular visitors to

Wisconsin and participating organizations are eager to encourage even more residents to choose Wisconsin for their next vacation. In 2022, Chicagoans made up 15.2% of all visitors to Milwaukee, and Illinois residents overall made up 19.3% of all visitors to Milwaukee. Both of these represent the largest origin markets for Milwaukee tourism outside of Wisconsin.

If you or your organization are interested in attending this event at Union Station, please reach out to Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs Claire Koenig at ckoenig@milwaukee.org for more information.