Overview
Waukesha is a city of 62,000 people (2021) in Southeast Wisconsin. It is about 20 miles west of downtown Milwaukee.
3 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Waukesha
Chicago and North Western Depot
A historic former rail depot with a few railcars remaining.
Carroll University
Wisconsin's first four-year university, established in 1846. Home of the Pioneers sports teams.
Waukesha County Historical Society Museum
Sky Zone Milwaukee
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 17°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Apr. (climate data from nearby Milwaukee)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MKE General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MSN Dane County Regional Truax Field, Madison — 57 mi away. Directions
Interstate 94 is the main east-west route through Waukesha. It connects the city with Madison and other points west, as well as with Milwaukee and Chicago to the east and southeast. The closest major airport is Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport, which is about 30 minutes east of the city. Also available is Chicago O'Hare International Airport, about 2 hours southeast.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Carroll University, Waukesha County Historical Society Museum
- Lunch Rochester Deli
- Afternoon Sky Zone Milwaukee, Chicago and North Western Depot
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Visitor information
Get in
By car
Interstate 94 is the main east-west route through Waukesha. It connects the city with Madison and other points west, as well as with Milwaukee and Chicago to the east and southeast. The closest major airport is Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport, which is about 30 minutes east of the city. Also available is Chicago O'Hare International Airport, about 2 hours southeast.
By bicycle
Go New Berlin Trail (New Berlin Recreational Trail)
Bicycle trails that connects to trails in Milwaukee near the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Go Glacial Drumlin State Trail
Bicycle trail to Cottage Grove in the Greater Madison Area.
By plane
Get around
By car
Waukesha is easily navigable by car. Non-locals may be confused by the high number of five-way intersections, but the old-one way streets are a thing of the past, which makes navigating the city much easier than it once was.
By bus
Waukesha Metro Transit also provides bus service to the city, with the transfer point located at the terminal downtown. Limited bus connections are available to Milwaukee County Transit System for service to Milwaukee County and the surrounding areas. MCTS and Waukesha Metro use an integrated fare payment system; if paying with the app or card, transfers between or within both are free.
See
Do
Waukesha is the county seat of Waukesha County. The Lake Country area in the northwestern portion of the county offers outdoor activities such a swimming, golfing, camping, fishing, boating, etc. There is also plenty of shopping, dining, and nightlife around much of the county, and in the city of Waukesha.
- - located in Waukesha
Eat
Eat Rochester Deli
Selection of sandwiches, salads and wraps. Dine in, carryout and delivery (with a large minimum).
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Nearby
Pewaukee
City / town · 11 listings · 4 mi away
New Berlin
City / town · 4 listings · 7 mi away
Brookfield
City / town · 13 listings · 7 mi away
Delafield
City / town · 20 listings · 9 mi away
West Allis
City / town · 14 listings · 11 mi away
Wauwatosa
City / town · 11 listings · 11 mi away
Eagle
City / town · 2 listings · 15 mi away
Milwaukee
City / town · 149 listings · 17 mi away
My experience
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