What’s more Wisconsin than finding yet another way to enjoy our very generous winter season? Milwaukee Record sent me down the Milwaukee River on a Skyline Boat Company hot tub boat, delivering the excitement and winter whimsy I needed.
When the Record suggested I venture to Skyline for a hot tub ride, I was thrilled. The idea of boating down the river on a winter afternoon in a cozy tub was no missable event. So, I gathered a few of my closest friends—a fellow Wisconsinite, a New Yorker, and a Californian—to spend the Wednesday before Thanksgiving quite lavishly: on an electric Spacruzzi hot tub boat.
After filling out our waivers, assembling towels, making hot chocolate, and grabbing our coziest earmuffs and hats, we ventured downtown to 206 W. Highland Ave., where Skyline Boat Company owners Ryan Strycker and Laura Kirklewski work riverside magic. They even prepared a welcome sign!
The pair, who put the money down on the boats at the end of 2023, officially opened Halloween of this year. They work together to deliver a full experience. Strycker had already prepped the watercraft for us, spending about an hour making sure the water in all three of their hot tub vessels was clean, temperatures were set, and the hot tub boat, which fits up to five people, was ready for our voyage. Kirklewski told me she works on booking, managing waivers, documentation, and setup, basically ensuring your ride is ready from the get-go.
“I thought it was a cool kitschy thing to do with friends, parties, or whatever, but people actually find this cathartic and relaxing. I had this idea of what it was, and it exceeds that,” Strycker said.
Strycker read about floating hot tubs in a magazine in 1997, and the idea returned to him after seeing it done in recent years in Chicago. Now, we have them in Milwaukee.
When we arrived, we checked into Skyline’s floating boathouse they built from scratch. We changed into our swimsuits in a cozy cabin-like room, heated and ready with waterproof bags for our boatside belongings.
“It’s kind of like a chalet, but with less snow gear, more swim trunks, and less wind burn,” said Wade Beury, a northern Californian who frequents Milwaukee to visit me.
“This is basically the ultimate Milwaukee experience for you,” said my sister, Cece Mihelich, as she braced herself for a delight of warmth amid 30°F weather.
After changing, we got into the cozy, acrylic tub, complete with tan paneling and a steering device that makes driving simple. Strycker walked us through all of the safety procedures for the boat, noting where we could stow towels and belongings, and explaining what to do if we fell overboard (highly unlikely). Before we knew it, he untied us into the abyss of the Milwaukee River.
Our route would begin at the dock of Skyline and continue to Water Street Bascule Bridge. Then we would turn around and head back in the direction we came from. We would also venture north for a bit.
I must say, as somebody who frequents the river in the summertime, the winter scenery was drastically different than usual cruises. With little to no boats on the water, the freedom to float unobstructed was fascinating.
As we made our way past Pere Marquette Park’s Christmas lights, it was a perfect blend of holiday magic. Passersby took the occasional photo, likely scanning the QR codes on top of the boat bimini, admiring our ride, or admiring us.
An individual walking over the Wells Street Lift Bridge shouted, “You’re crazy!” and laughed as we made our way down the windier end of the cruise. Unfortunately for them, the gusts of wind hitting the streets above were worse than they were for us in our warm bubble.
As winds picked up and we ventured further into the Historic Third Ward, the sunlight peeked through for a moment, revealing bright reflections off of downtown apartments. We passed Milwaukee classics, including the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, The Riverside Theater, and the Milwaukee Public Market. We took photos and enjoyed music from a portable speaker.
When we made our way back to our destination, it was more than ideal to have Strycker waiting for us, ready to help dock. We unloaded our things, and only had to withstand the cold for a brief moment.
For passengers who are especially sensitive to the cold, I would recommend having another passenger comfortable to steer with their hand outside of the vessel. Of course, we were welcome to bring hats and gloves on board with our waterproof bags. As a somewhat cold-weather pessimist, I will report that I was content for the entirety of the ride.
“It was so nice to hop out and walk into a cozy, comfortable room. I’m happy to say it was pretty ideal, not being cold in a bikini when it was 30 degrees out!” said Catherine Nelson, a 22-year-old who recently moved to the Big Apple.
For those interested in taking a hot tub down the Milwaukee River, I would recommend bringing cozy clothes to slip on after, your besties, extra towels, sunglasses, and a hot beverage. Oh, and maybe getting a cocktail and a pretzel afterwards!
Skyline has closed their hot tub rides for this season due to the Milwaukee River already freezing. They expect to re-open in early March 2026, as long as the river is unfrozen. Take a peek at upcoming dates on their website: skylineboatcompany.com.
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