The Summerfest music festival in Milwaukee is without question one of the premier annual Wisconsin events. Spanning the course of eleven days from late June to early July, Summerfest presents visitors with numerous opportunities to catch a number of big name concert acts, and performances from various up-and-coming artists. Practically all genres of music are covered during this festive event, and while you might plan your visit around a specific group or artist, you could just as easily show up on any given day and have tons of fun. The music definitely takes center stage at the Summerfest Wisconsin music festival, but there's plenty more to enjoy as well, so you can really make a full day of things whenever you decide to show up.

The Summerfest grounds, which can be found right on the Lake Michigan Lakefront, cover some 75 acres, and when you're not checking out a musical act, you might take some time out to enjoy the lovely lake views. Grabbing a bite to eat is also an option, as scores of food vendors set up shop every day during the event. From the Ethnic Village at the north end of the grounds to the numerous food stands that represent area restaurants, finding something delicious to enjoy shouldn't be an issue. As plentiful as the dining options are at the Summerfest Wisconsin music festival, so too are the beverage choices. As one might imagine in Milwaukee, beer is certainly in good supply. For those who fancy other adult beverages, wine is also sold, while patrons who are under 21 years of age can sip on lemonade, soda, and other non-alcoholic beverages. In addition to purchasing food, beer, and other beverages, Summerfest visitors can also shop for jewelry, novelties, clothing, and other things while exploring the grounds. Keep an eye out for the covered merchandise tents should shopping be on your list of things to do.

Getting back to the music, you can expect to see some prolific acts during the Summerfest music festival in Milwaukee. Artists like Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and John Mellencamp have graced the Marcus Amphitheater Main Stage in the past. The Marcus Amphitheater can accommodate up to 23,000 people, and while that's quite a lot, you'll definitely want to get your tickets in advance if there's a special act that you want to catch. Thousands of visitors take to the Summerfest grounds every day during the almost two-week run, and you can bet that the featured artists sell out quickly. If you're not heading to Summerfest to see a specific group or artist, you can simply pay the general admission fee and hope to attend any of the smaller, free concerts. As a side note, the Marcus Amphitheater hosts various concerts throughout the year, so if your Wisconsin vacation doesn't coincide with Summerfest, you might check the schedule to see what's on.

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When you're not listening to some music, sampling some good food and drink, or hitting the merchandise tents during the Summerfest music festival in Milwaukee, there are a range of other attractions that you can also enjoy. On the south end of the grounds, for instance, the Columbia St. Mary's Cool Down Lounge is a great place to hang out, and you can always take a relaxing ride on the Skyglider, which offers wonderful bird's eye views of all that's going on below. For weekday Summerfest visitors, gaming doesn't have to be limited to the outside Wisconsin casinos, as the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage offers free Bingo sessions. On both weekdays and weekends more fun can be had at the Hole-In-One putting game, which is sponsored by the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa. Coincidentally, the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa is one of the best resorts in Wisconsin.

The Summerfest Wisconsin music festival has something for everyone, especially when you consider that more than 700 bands perform during the eleven-day event. With so much music on tap, it's not hard to understand why Summerfest dubs itself as "The World's Largest Music Festival." There are no less than eleven stages at Summerfest, so you can wander about and take in a variety of musical acts during your visit, and since the festival is open daily from noon to midnight, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself. When planning on attending this top Wisconsin music festival, it's important to book your stay at one of the Milwaukee hotels in advance, especially if you have a specific lodging establishment in mind. Various shuttles-for-hire are available for Summerfest-goers, so you can choose to go that route if you need a lift either to or from the grounds, and you can also drive over should you prefer. You'll pay more on average for parking if you are driving, which helps to make the shuttles a great option. Regardless of how you choose to get to the Summerfest music festival in Milwaukee, a terrific time awaits you.