Kayak Milwaukee with guided brewery stops and a dry-land paddle lesson
4 Hours
Guide, Paddle lesson, Brewery tours
Paddle the Milwaukee River on a guided half-day tour with a dry-land paddle lesson and multiple stops at local favorites. Dock your kayak for brewery tours and beer sampling, then keep exploring the riverfront with your guide.
This tour launches from Brew City Kayak at 820 S. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Yes. Submit the tour waiver before you arrive.
Bring sunscreen, water, a change of clothes, and a swimsuit.
Yes. You can buy food at Lakefront Brewery, and you can choose to buy a souvenir on Old World Third Street.
820 S. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Step inside Lakefront Brewery and you are immediately surrounded by the warm hum of conversation, the yeasty perfume of fermenting grain, and the clatter of pint glasses along wooden tables. Housed in a restored former Milwaukee city power plant on the Milwaukee River, Lakefront Brewery wears its industrial bones proudly, pairing exposed brick and towering ceilings with a genuine neighborhood spirit that has made it a cornerstone of the city's craft beer scene since 1987.
Michael and his crew have built something genuinely special on the Milwaukee River. Guides like Jenna and Mark consistently earn praise for being knowledgeable, fun, and patient with first-timers, turning what could be an intimidating experience into something the whole family enjoys. The tours weave together river paddling, city views, and local history in a way that feels more like exploring with a local friend than a formal excursion. Options are flexible, with guided tours and multi-hour rentals available, and the staff handles all the logistics smoothly including life jackets, launching, and skill-level adjustments. The sunset tour gets a specific shoutout, and the free parking and accessible location make the logistics easy. A small number of reviewers ran into communication hiccups around bookings, so it's worth confirming your reservation details ahead of time. That aside, the overwhelming experience here is a highly positive one, and repeat visits seem to be the norm rather than the exception.
Michael and the crew are the epitome of what you want to find in a local business. They are kind, welcoming, flexible, they have positive/fun attitudes that are infectious to each group, and they really love the city and area! On each kayaking excursion, the guides are attentive, fun to be around, they have great personalities, and most importantly, there is never any pressure of any kind on anyone who might be a first timer. They treat everyone with the care ensuring that all who come out with them have a marvelous time...not to mention, the views are pretty spectacular! I highly, highly, highly recommended heading out to Brew City Kayak for some family time, couples time, or even solo - it will not be the first time you visit, I can promise you that! God Bless, Michael and Co. - thanks so much for the wonderful outing. I was even able to get some sweet GoPro footage on our excursion!
Justin Beaton
September 8, 2025
Michael and the crew are the epitome of what you want to find in a local business. They are kind, welcoming, flexible, they have positive/fun attitudes that are infectious to each group, and they really love the city and area! On each kayaking excursion, the guides are attentive, fun to be around, they have great personalities, and most importantly, there is never any pressure of any kind on anyone who might be a first timer. They treat everyone with the care ensuring that all who come out with them have a marvelous time...not to mention, the views are pretty spectacular! I highly, highly, highly recommended heading out to Brew City Kayak for some family time, couples time, or even solo - it will not be the first time you visit, I can promise you that! God Bless, Michael and Co. - thanks so much for the wonderful outing. I was even able to get some sweet GoPro footage on our excursion!
Justin Beaton
September 8, 2025