Visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum in MILWAUKEE

I decided to fill in this space/page that I had been holding for about a month now about the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for about a month now. I looked through my journal and I did not see no entries, notes, nothing at all. How is that  possible? Maybe some of the stuff is on the piece of paper that flew out of my vest pocket while riding on the road back in early July.

We went there on the 8th of July just to see where it was located but on that day, it was very close to closing time. We got a room at the Ramande Inn that was about 6 or 7 minutes away and visited the next day. 

Prior to going to the Ramada Inn, which was within our price range, we were told that a lot of bikers enjoy staying at "The Iron Horse Hotel", 500 W. Florida Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204. This used to be a 100 year old warehouse built in 1907 and became a hotel in 2008. It is now considered a boutique hotel

The "iron horse" is a name that the Native Americans gave to the train as it sped through the prairies. 

In 1907, it was a warehouse for the Berger Bedding Company and located near the railroad. The building was divided into a factory and warehouse which today is the hotel and restaurant.

We were told that a night's stay starts between $250.00 to $300.00 and is well worth it. We did not agree. We were  polite and found the Ramada Inn that was $119.71.

We took several pictures outside of the museum before going inside and of course, talked to people. It was exciting to shared stories and exchanged information with other bikers or Harley enthusiasm. Some of the information we received and I still need to look up is:

The Triple Nickle

Belly of the Dragon

Backbone of the Dragon

Where Ducks Walk on the Fish

These may be interesting places or roads to travel.

In July 2012, we did the "Tail of the Dragon." In my 2012 blog of that ride, I wrote that it is a scenic road in Deals Gap, North Carolina. It is a mountain pass along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, bordering the Great Smoky Mountains. It is 11 miles with 318 curves and is American's number one motorcycle and sports car road. 

The museum is located at 400 West Canal Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201. It was established on July 12, 2008. We were in Milwaukee in August 2008 for the Harley Davidson's 105th Anniversary but at the time, we did not think that the museum was finished. 

The museum area is a whole community. Across the street from the museum on the corner was the gift shop that sold motor cloths and other souvenirs. There was also a Motor Bar & Grill and a Cafe Racer Cafe. We had burgers & beer for lunch at the cafe. On the other side of the street was the museum and also the Garage. The Garage housed special exhibits.  We were there for the Willie G. Davidson one. 

Willie G. Davidson is the Grandson of one Harley Davidson founders. He is Senior Vice President & Chief Styling Officer. He helped, along with other employees to buy back the company when it was in trouble in the 1980s. He helped save the company from bankruptcy and help with new bike designs.