This summer I had the amazing opportunity to take a tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum. Located in downtown Milwaukee, the beautiful facility is dedicated to nothing but telling the history of the motorcycle and how it fits into American culture.
The 130,000-square-foot, three building complex is on 20 acres along the Menomonee River. It contains more than 450 Harley-Davidson motorcycles and hundreds of thousands of artifacts from the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s over 110-year history. The museum opened to the public on July 12, 2008 and it was built in a historically industrial area of Milwaukee. The museum attracts an estimated 300,000 visitors annually.
I was really blown away. As you walk through the museum you realize that you’re seeing something that is as American as baseball or Jack Daniel’s. The Harley-Davidson Museum tells the story of a simple dream and how their motorcycles have been a part of U.S. history in a way that most people never realized. They transcend the term, “American Badass”!
Let’s Look At Some Vintage Motorcycles!
They even had them hanging from the walls!
Here’s a little bit of history that not a lot of people know. Harley-Davidson used to make bicycles.
I also was able to go to the secret facility where they store one motorcycle from every year. It’s kind of like their version of a card catalog system. Anyone under 25-years-old has absolutely NO idea what I just referenced!
By the time I was done, I was ready to strap on my motorcycle boots, my leather jacket and drive one of these beautiful machines into the sunset! The next time you’re in Milwaukee (And why haven’t you been? It’s incredible!) Put this on your list of must-sees!
When Are You Going To Visit The Harley-Davidson Museum?
Thanks to KIA for hosting me in Milwaukee!