The Quirky Side of Milwaukee

Here are some fun and quirky things to do in Milwaukee.

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Adam Richman and the Man v. Food Nation crew headed to Milwaukee for beer, sausage and the ultimate 23-minute challenge: a giant burger stuffed with a chicken breast and spicy wings. Along with eating, there is plenty to see in Milwaukee such as the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Historic Third Ward and Lake Park. Travel Channel uncovered a quirky, fun side to the city. Here are 10 must-see places and events to check out.

1) The Fonz Statue

MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 15: Gerald P. Sawyer's "Fonz" statue, sits on the Riverwalk in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on JUNE 15, 2012. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Photo by: Raymond Boyd

Raymond Boyd

In 2007, a local group raised $85,000 to create a statue of Arthur, aka "The Fonz," Fonzarelli from the TV show Happy Days, which was set in Milwaukee. Today he stands along the Milwaukee River, giving his famous thumbs-up ("Ayyy!"). Head to the Milwaukee River walk, just south of Wells Street, say hello to The Fonz.

2) The Witch of Fox Point

Known as "The Witch's House", this lakefront home once belonged to folk artist Mary Nohl. The reclusive artist created concrete sculptures, which she displayed around her house. The looming statues -- more than 60 in all -- are cool, a few rankled neighbors notwithstanding. Nohl never married and rumors began to circulate that she killed her family and entombed them in the statues' bases, hence the "witch" nickname.

3) Jelly Belly Tour

FAIRFIELD, CA - JUNE 10: Jelly beans are shown at the Jelly Belly candy factory June 10, 2004 in Fairfield, California. The late former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was known for his fondness for jelly beans during his political career and claims the candy helped him quite smoking when he was governor of California. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

Photo by: David Paul Morris

David Paul Morris

A flying Mr. Jelly Belly. Giant Jelly Belly beans. And an Elvis made entirely of jelly beans. These are just some of the creations you will see at the Jelly Belly Visitor Center. Hop aboard the Jelly Belly Express Train for a warehouse facility tour to learn more about how the candy is made. It also includes plenty of tasting opportunities and a store to further your sugar high.

4) The Famous Racing Sausages

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 07: The Sausage Race mascots compete during the spring training game between the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park on March 7, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Photo by: Christian Petersen

Christian Petersen

Head to Miller Park to catch a Milwaukee Brewers game. Prior to the seventh inning, look for the sausage mascots -- Brett Wurst (bratwurst), Stosh (Polish sausage), Guido (Italian sausage), Frankie Furter (hot dog) and Cinco (chorizo) -- to take to the field and race. In 2000, they went from a virtual race done on a giant scoreboard, to the 6-foot plus characters that race live today. And yes, one was taken out by a Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman.

5) Des Vaches: Mo, Ni, Que

Des Vaches: Mo, Ni, Que by Samuel Buri or, as we like to call them, the polka-dotted cows, are on display at the Lynden Sculpture Garden in Milwaukee. Head here to visit them, along with 50 other sculptures, set in 40 acres of park, lake and woodland.

6) Engine Room at the Harley-Davidson Museum

Visit the Harley-Davidson Museum's Engine Room where you will find a wall of engines. The gallery includes a "family tree" which showcases the evolution of Harley-Davidson motorcycle engines.

7) 43-Foot Eiffel Tower at Bastille Days

Photo by: Susan Ruggles

Susan Ruggles

Bastille Days, the largest outdoor French-themed festival in the US, is held every year in Cathedral Square Park in downtown Milwaukee. A signature fixture of the event is a 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica, which makes you feel like you are really in Paris!

8) Polar Bear Plunge

[UNVERIFIED CONTENT] Milwaukee's Polar Plunge is one of the countries best.

Photo by: Joshua Eral#126587

Joshua Eral#126587

Each year on New Year's Day, folks gather at Milwaukee's Bradford Beach to jump into Lake Michigan. (Yes, they strip off their warm winter clothes, in the freezing temperatures, to take a dip ... crazy! ) The proceeds go to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

9) Milwaukee Public Museum Overnights

The museum offers a program for families and groups, which includes a flashlight tour of the museum, a show in the planetarium (Wisconsin's largest), and a sleepover in one of the exhibits. What kid wouldn't want to sleep among the dinosaurs? Awesome.

10) American Science & Surplus

American Science Surplus

Photo by: sciplus.com

sciplus.com

Only word that comes to mind for this store is random. Items include NATO gas masks, squirrel cage blowers, tuning forks and polyethylene gowns. A trip here will be entertaining, if nothing else, with plenty of quirky finds to tumble upon.