Valley Week Features Urban Nature & Outdoor Exploration

MILWAUKEE – Valley Week, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, returns from September 24 to October 1 and showcases nature in the heart of the city, world-class companies, premier tourist destinations, and unique opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Menomonee River Valley’s annual fall festival features 15 events, 11 of them outdoors, and most events are free thanks to sponsors. With parks, trails, and the Menomonee River, nature is abundant in the Valley.

See the Valley from the Menomonee River on the Sunset Kayak Tour or the Happy Hour Cruise. Take a hard-hat tour of Milwaukee’s recycling facility. Grab binoculars for a bird walk to find bird species that have returned to the Valley. Family-friendly experiences include an Outdoor Movie Night at the Harley-Davidson Museum and Kids Story Hike through Three Bridges Park. You can also show nature some love by responsibly disposing of your old electronics in exchange for free Palermo’s Breakfast Pizza and a morning cup of coffee.

Valley Week showcases the Valley as a great place to visit and work. Like the Menomonee River Valley itself, Valley Week offers something for everyone. Proceeds support Menomonee Valley Partners, the organization which has led the Valley’s successful redevelopment since 1999.

All the week’s experiences are listed at TheValleyMKE.org, including:

Saturday, September 24

• Walking Tour: From Drag Racing to Design District – 12-1:30pm | St. Paul Ave

Explore how St. Paul Avenue has changed from a bustling manufacturing corridor to mostly vacant to Milwaukee’s growing design district.

• Third Space Brewing 6th Anniversary Party – Noon-10pm | Third Space Brewing

Third Space is throwing their party of the year with multiple beer releases, food trucks, live music, and more!

Monday, September 26

• A Walk in the Park + Optional Silver City Lunch – 11-11:45am | Three Bridges Park and Silver City

Take a lunchtime stroll for fresh air and new sights. The Valley is perfect for discovering nature in the heart of the city – and we’ll share some fun facts along the way! FREE

• Sunset Kayak Tour – 5:30-8pm | Milwaukee Kayak Company

Get a new look at Milwaukee on this guided paddle on the Menomonee River. There are big plans for these shores! $40/person and $20 donated to MVP

Tuesday, September 27

• Bird Walk – 8-10am | Three Bridges Park

Kick-start your day with fresh air and bird song with the Urban Ecology Center. First-timers and interested bird watchers of all ability levels are invited to explore Three Bridges Park for birds with us. FREE

• Valley Business Bags Tournament – 4:30pm | MOTOR Bar and Restaurant

Toss your way to the top with beautiful riverfront views at the Harley-Davidson Museum®.  $75/team

Wednesday, September 28

• Hard-Hat Recycling Facility Tour – 11am | Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful

It’s fascinating to see what happens to all the items you put in the recycling bin! Join us for a hard-hat tour of the Materials Recovery Facility located right in the Valley! FREE

• Happy Hour Cruises – 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm | Twisted Fisherman Crab Shack

Three 45-minute cruises on the Menomonee River offer a journey through the Valley’s past and a glimpse of its future—as well as beer and cocktails! $15 includes a drink

Thursday, September  29

• Food Trucks and Tunes – 11:30am-1:30pm | St. Paul Ave Eco-Area

Soak up some mid-week vibes and kick back to music while enjoying tasty food truck fare.

• Art Museum Tour – 12pm | Warehouse Art Museum

Join curator Melanie Herzog for a guided tour of the current exhibition William Kentridge: See for Yourself at The Warehouse MKE. FREE

• Valley Tailgate and Brewers Game – 5pm | City Lights Brewing and American Family Field

Stick around the Valley after work and catch a game with your Valley co-workers! The first 100 ticket holders are invited to a complimentary tailgate at City Lights Brewing! $30/ticket

Friday, September 30

• Breakfast and Electronics Recycling – 7am-Noon | Stamm Technologies

Drop off those old electronics lying around AND get charged up with free Palermo’s Breakfast Pizza, Rishi Sparkling Botanicals, and coffee (7-9am!). FREE

• Outdoor Movie Night: Lightyear – 6-8:30pm | Harley-Davidson Museum and MOTOR Bar and Restaurant

Bring your whole family down to the Harley-Davidson Museum in the Valley for an outdoor movie and fun activities as we welcome in the fall season! FREE

Saturday, October 1

• Kids Story Hike – 10-11:30am | Urban Ecology Center and Three Bridges Park

Three storytellers around Three Bridges Park will be ready to engage young minds with tales of Native Americans and their relationship to wild rice, the secret language of trains, and nature. FREE

For more information and to register for events, visit TheValleyMKE.org/ValleyWeek.

Menomonee Valley Partners is a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 with a mission to revitalize and sustain the Menomonee River Valley as a thriving urban district that advances economical, ecological, and social equity for the benefit of the greater Milwaukee community. Since then, 67 companies have moved to or expanded in the Valley, more than 5,200 jobs have been created, 60 acres of parks and trails have been established, and 10 million people visit the Valley’s recreation and entertainment destinations each year.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.