Before you know it, 2023 will be here, which means one thing: the 120th anniversary of Harley-Davidson. In celebration of this iconic American bike manufacturer’s enduring success, we’ll head out on a special outing, as we’ve done for previous blowouts hosted by this storied institution. These celebrations are always a blast, and we can’t wait to share the experience with you. It’s sure to be bigger than anything Harley-Davidson has hosted before! While we think the best way to experience this tour is by combining it with a journey on Route 66, you can also join us strictly for the anniversary bash.
If you share the road with us on the Harley-Davidson tour, you’ll enjoy a visit to the company’s hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, according to TripAdvisor, the Harley-Davidson Museum sits on 20 acres of land, affording travellers from across the world an experience unlike any other.
The complex offers free parking, and groups can reserve guided tours or explore the museum through individual, self-guided audio tours.
Ready to journey from Melbourne to Milwaukee? Or perhaps from Western Australia to Wisconsin? Let’s take a look at four highlights from this massive museum.
Downtown Milwaukee is home to many popular tourist attractions.1) Custom Culture and the Motorcycle Gallery
Why do people come to the Harley-Davidson Museum? To see the eye-catching assortment of bikes, of course! Your motorcycle tour is not complete until you experience the wide assortment of vehicles on display. The sheer variety, craftsmanship and creativity to observe here will rival the bikes that line Main Street during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Here are two of the top permanent exhibits on display at the museum:
- Custom Culture: This attraction features customised Harleys across the ages in a nod to the spirit of uniqueness and individuality that permeates the Harley-Davidson community to this very day. One of the most stunning creations in the exhibit is a 4-metre beast named King Kong. You have to see it in person!
- The Motorcycle Gallery: The main event, this display is broken into two sections. The first one contains motorcycles from 1903 to the 1940s while the second part picks up from there and takes us home to the present day. The first section features three lines of bikes side by side and running about 55 metres across the second floor of the museum. The more modern section boasts bikes with enhanced safety features but with no less style or grace than their predecessors.
2) The Experience Gallery
Here’s where things get interactive. You’ll already be used to handling a bike by the time you get to the museum with our motorcycle tour. Still, there’s nothing like hopping on the saddle of a new and different heritage Harley.
The Experience Gallery is a permanent interactive exhibit with motorcycles selected to represent a diverse array of sizes and models. Hop on and picture yourself riding one of these impressive contraptions while a life-sized video depicts the open road winding by.
3) The Shop
At the Harley-Davidson Museum, you don’t just stop by and visit the gift shop. You experience The Shop. Enthusiasts of this innovative company are often also dedicated collectors of their branded memorabilia. While the online store contains a wide assortment of apparel for men and women, as well as souvenirs and rugged leather jackets, visiting The Shop in person is the only way to secure certain artwork, collectibles and gifts.
Available gifts range from patches to reusable mugs, kitchenware, glassware, shot glasses and more. Also, consider updating your wardrobe and enhancing your style here before your next photo-op on the road.The Shop is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays going until 8:30 p.m. If you see something you like while visiting but you’re light on cash in the moment, you can email or call them later to have a staff member assist you.
4) MOTOR Bar & Restaurant
After admiring all the classic bikes and memorabilia at the museum, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Fear not! The MOTOR Bar & Restaurant is here to serve up a culinary experience consisting of classic American foods while pouring local craft beer to slake your thirst.
This restaurant offers delicious dining with a scenic river view right on the Harley-Davidson Museum grounds. Some of the menu highlights include a wide variety of barbecue, cheese curds (a local Wisconsin favourite!), chicken wings, chilli, macaroni and cheese and – of course – mouthwatering burgers piled with ingredients like coleslaw, cheese and bacon.
Those who are interested can partake in the assorted options of a full bar, including well-known local brews like Spotted Cow.
In season, nearby related facilities on the riverwalk host a pub cruise that stops at the MOTOR Bar, along with other must-visit Milwaukee restaurants like The Twisted Fisherman and the Riverfront Pizzeria Bar & Grill.
Sign up for our Harley-Davidson Tour today
In 2023, Harley-Davidson will celebrate its 120th anniversary in Milwaukee, and we’ll be riding there in style. Will you? We have options ranging from six to 12 nights, and you work with our booking agents to reserve slots for a single person or a pair, who can opt to ride one or two bikes.
The full tour starts in Las Vegas. Then we ride down the Mother Road, Historic Route 66, all the way up to Chicago before heading just north of the Windy City to Harley-Davidson’s hometown, Milwaukee. For an abbreviated journey, you can join in Oklahoma City or Chicago. After the fun in Milwaukee, we’ll head back to Chicago for a farewell dinner before the conclusion of the tour.
Some of the events that the folks at Harley-Davidson have hosted in the past include music, racing and climbing. One of the main attractions is sure to be an impressive parade featuring thousands of Harleys riding past. Our travellers stay in the Ambassador Hotel, which is situated right on the parade route. Can you picture it? Do you want to join for this once-in-a-lifetime experience?
Reach out to reserve your spot on our next Harley-Davidson Tour today.
