Potawatomi Casino-Northern Lights Theater: From Music to Comedy to Elvis Impersonation

A trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, isn't complete without a visit to Canal Street in the Menomonee Valley, near downtown. While you're exploring the shopping and dining venues, be sure to find your way to the Potawatomi Casino. Pull a few levers, play a few hands of poker, enjoy fine dining in any of the four restaurants and then see who's on stage at the Northern Lights Theater.

Potawatomi Casino-Northern Lights Theater History

The Potawatomi Casino, which houses the Northern Lights Theater, was originally the Potawatomi Bingo Casino. It's owned and operated by the members of the Potawatomi Community of Forest County, a federally recognized Potawatomi tribe in the U.S.

Since its opening in March 1991, it has become a must-see attraction on the western side of Milwaukee, not far from the junction of I-43 and I-94. The Casino underwent a renovation with expansion in 2008, increasing its gaming table number to 60 and offering over 3,000 slot machines. It stands 18 stories high and is Milwaukee's tallest building south of I-94.

Potawatomi Casino-Northern Lights Theater Events

The Northern Lights Theater has welcomed national comedian headliners and free shows, as well as top musical performers to its Menomonee Valley venue. The diverse line-up of performers has included acts such as Willie Nelson, Ringo Star, Bonnie Raitt, Jay Leno, Don Rickles and the legendary B.B. King. The theater serves as the home venue for the Bonkerz Comedy Series and the widely anticipated Elvis impersonation competition, "A Tribute to the King."

Potawatomi Casino-Northern Lights Theater Seating Layout

The Northern Lights Theater has a capacity of 500 seats. There are no bad seats in the house, however. The floor level offers a choice of seating at tables or booths. The balcony sports a traditional theater seating arrangement.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee, a large city of over half a million residents, adorns the western shore of Lake Michigan. The list of "things to do" here is seemingly endless.

Are you in the mood to take in a museum? There's the Milwaukee Art museum that houses over 25,000 pieces of artwork. Something a little less mainstream more to your liking? Head for the Harley-Davidson Museum. If shopping is your passion, try the Milwaukee Public Market.

Milwaukee does offer public transit and you can use it to get within a block or two of just about any attraction the city has to offer. If you're planning to catch a show at the Northern Lights Theater, it just makes sense to book your hotel room at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. If you'd prefer to stay closer to Lake Michigan, the Hilton Garden Inn and the Pfister Hotel are a few blocks from the shoreline in East Town.

You simply can't make a trip to Milwaukee without stopping by Miller Park for a shout out to Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers.

If you're more the performing arts connoisseur, plan a road trip north up I-41 to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton.

Trivia

The Potawatomi Casino Hotel is missing the 13th floor because most think the number 13 is unlucky. It is a casino, after all.