Realising the dream of visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee

A couple from Spain achieved a lifelong dream by making the pilgrimage to the Harley-Davidson Museum^® in Milwaukee.

Words by Jose Manuel Criado Rey

Back in 2011, my wife Ana and I bought our first Harley-Davidson^® motorcycle — a beautiful Sportster^® SuperLow^® 883. From that moment, we became part of the H.O.G.^® family and began receiving The Enthusiast^® magazine, which made us dream about traveling around the world after seeing other members’ adventures. It also kept us up to date on the latest accessories, clothing, and motorcycles from the brand. In those articles, which I read again and again, many members described what the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was like. We always dreamed of being able to visit it someday, and now that wish has finally come true.

After almost 10 hours on a flight from Madrid, Spain, we arrived at the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, which would be our home during our stay in the United States. We spent a few wonderful days in the Windy City, enjoying the spectacular weather and beautiful views along Lake Michigan. Soon it was time for our visit to the home of Harley-Davidson. To make the most of the trip, we decided to take an Amtrak train from Chicago, and when we arrived in Milwaukee, we were overjoyed – our dream was about to begin.

Our first stop was a visit to the powertrain operations outside of Milwaukee, more specifically on Pilgrim Road in Menomonee Falls. Upon arrival, we headed to the tour center entrance. While in Spain, I had booked tickets for this visit, complete with a discount for H.O.G. members. From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly friendly, and they even offered to take photos of us all together. We began with a presentation on the history of H-D and the company’s facilities around the world. Then they explained how they manufacture the engines of our Harleys — their heart and soul — while passing around the different parts that make up a Milwaukee-Eight^® engine so we could feel their strength and perfection. We were given a very cool safety kit so we could enter the factory, consisting of a vest, safety glasses, and an audio system that allowed our guide to give us the appropriate explanations throughout the tour.

In this factory, Milwaukee-Eight and Evolution^® engines are built from scratch for the Softail^®, Touring, Trike, CVO^™, and Sportster motorcycle families. The factory is enormous, with state-of-the-art manufacturing and assembly systems. Workers greeted us as we passed, all wearing Harley-Davidson T-shirts and jeans as work uniforms that allowed them to work freely. A gigantic U.S. flag hangs in the center of the factory — everyone is a part of the team that produces the best motorcycles in the world. 

The tour lasted about two hours and ended in the employee shop, where we were allowed to buy exclusive powertrain souvenirs. As a final surprise, all the visitors received special gifts, but I won’t reveal what they were here!

Our next stop in Milwaukee was the first Harley-Davidson factory, located on Juneau Avenue. When we arrived, the first thing that caught our attention was the striking red brick building from the early 20th century, topped with a white water tank bearing the Harley-Davidson name and a massive U.S. flag. I couldn’t help but think of all the history those walls have witnessed: the construction of the first models, the design of the famous and robust WLA motorcycles for the army during World War II, and everything leading up to the present day. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go inside as the building currently serves as both H-D’s headquarters and the Harley-Davidson University, and tours are only allowed during special events, such as the annual Harley-Davidson Homecoming^® event.

Directly in front of the main building is Davidson Park, a cultural space for concerts and family enjoyment. It’s a very special park, designed so that visitors can enter with their motorcycles. At the entrance, we were struck by the cobblestones signed by all the members of the Davidson family and the board of directors — an incredible detail that reminded us we were standing where the company’s history began back in 1903. We had to keep moving, though, because the best had been saved to last: the modern premises of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

The museum is just a 10-minute ride from Juneau Avenue, and when we arrived, I was blown away — it was much larger than I had imagined. Smooth surfaces define the building, and on the façade, giant letters spell out “Harley-Davidson”. We were in a place that preserves not only the history of the brand but also a part of American history. As soon as we arrived, we took photos in a replica of the shed where the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle was built. By that point, we were exhausted, and there was no better way to recharge than with a tasty burger while enjoying a gentle breeze on the terrace overlooking the Menomonee River. I couldn’t stop for long, as there was still so much more to see.

Admission to the museum was free when we showed our H.O.G. membership cards. On top of that, we were given some exclusive pins from the museum dedicated to H.O.G. members. What can I say about the inside of the museum? Incredible, spectacular and unforgettable. Although I had already seen some impressive Harley-Davidson collections at European events in Prague and Budapest, the Milwaukee museum contains the entire history of the brand. From the very first motorcycle, carefully preserved like gold in a glass case, to the earliest trikes, as well as Elvis Presley’s Harley, along with the stories of enthusiast riding groups, racing models, military and police bikes, and prototypes that were never mass-produced. The collection guides you through different spaces and eras, all the way up to today. One of our favourite rooms was the fuel tank exhibit — the tanks themselves were stunning, painted in the vivid colours of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, showcasing all the logos the brand used, including anniversary editions.

In short, nearly two hours felt like nowhere near enough time, but we still had to visit the museum’s outdoor campus, where the Living the Legend^™ steel rivets are placed. There were hundreds of them, some with very moving messages dedicated to motorcyclists who are no longer with us. Since it takes a few months for a rivet to be installed, we hope that we’ll be able to see ours in place on our next trip.

To end this dream day, there was no better way than to go shopping at the museum store and factory outlet. But, of course, all good things must come to an end. We had a wonderful experience and hope to return soon, continuing to enjoy the passion of belonging to a great group like H.O.G. and riding the best motorcycles in the world.

You can find out more about the Harley-Davidson Museum by visiting its website.

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