MilwaukeeMilwaukee is
Wisconsin's largest city. It began as a Native American settlement, and was then an outpost for French fur traders and missionaries. But its real boom took place in the 1800s, when waves of German immigrants settled in the city, bringing with them the art of beer brewing.
Milwaukee went on to become known as the beer capital of the world as well as a major commercial and manufacturing area. Although a few major breweries have relocated, Milwaukee's brewpub culture remains strong, as does its German heritage. It is perhaps its immigrant background that makes Milwaukee
feel like a small town of friendly neighborhoods. Residents take an active part in their community, and welcome visitors to experience their city.
Milwaukee is situated on
Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes, so vast it appears no different from the ocean when walking along the shore, although without the waves. While surfing is not an option, almost all other water activities are, including sailing, powerboating, jet-skiing, dinner and cocktail cruises as well as some of the best shipwreck diving in the area. If lounging in the sun sounds more appealing, visitors can head to Bradford Beach, a long strip along the lake packed with swimmers and sunbathers in the summer.
For adventures of the shopping and dining kind, the other waterfront is the place to be. The RiverWalk system of promenades and bridges meanders along the
Milwaukee River, linking the central downtown area, including the financial and Westown districts, and the Historic Third Ward. Westown is a hot spot for entertainment, with a variety of upscale restaurants, clubs and hotels as well as an upmarket shopping mall, convention center, professional sports arena and various performing arts venues. The Historic Third Ward, a rehabilitated warehouse district with trendy lofts and stylish boutiques, is perfect for an afternoon stroll, as is the nearby Brady Street neighborhood, which offers a more eclectic experience. Its tattoo parlours and alternative clothing shops, vestiges of the 1960s, when the area was a counter-culture haven, are now mixed with galleries, diverse nightlife spots, cafés and fine restaurants. After touring the city, visitors in need of a respite ought to try one of the three favorite local indulgences - beer, brats and frozen custard-without which a trip to Milwaukee would be incomplete.
Getting Around: Many tourist attractions in downtown Milwaukee can be explored on foot. However, if visitors wish to travel a bit farther, the city has a relatively good bus system operated by MCTS. The standard fare is $1.75, and a variety of discounts and passes are available. Taxis often queue at hotels and other attractions, though visitors should not assume it will be easy to hail one on the street. In recent years, Milwaukee has worked hard to make the city bicycle-friendly, and there are now 45 miles (72km) of bike lanes.
Climate: Milwaukee has a humid continental climate. Summers are warm and pleasant, though thunderstorms can be frequent. Winters are quite cold, and snow is common and plentiful throughout the season. Due to its proximity to Lake Michigan, Milwaukee experiences 'lake-effect' conditions. In the summer, areas along the lakeshore are often comparatively cooler than inland, and in the winter, they are slightly warmer. Tornado season is from March to June, and the wettest month of the year is August.
MadisonMadison, the capital of Wisconsin and home of the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a small city bursting with vibrancy and progressiveness. It has the same abundance of youthful energy and innovation combined with the richness in arts, culture and history that make college towns such beguiling destinations. Nowhere are all these attributes more prominently on display than
State Street, an outdoor pedestrian mall anchored by the stunning Capitol building at one end and the university campus at the other. State Street is a picturesque walkway packed with eclectic boutiques, sidewalk cafes, coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, rare booksellers and arts and theater venues. The lovely
Capitol Square at the top of the street is the site of popular community events, including art fairs and food festivals, Saturday farmers' markets and evening chamber orchestra concerts. Nearby neighborhoods
Mansion Hill and
University Heights abound with architectural sights, from imposing sandstone mansions to designs by
Frank Lloyd Wright and other
Prairie School masters.
Madison, however, has yet another advantage with which to lure travelers - beautiful scenery. Situated on an isthmus between Lakes Monona and Mendota, the 'green city' is surrounded by three more lakes, an extensive range of parkland and the spectacular UW-Madison Arboretum, a 1,260-acre research center featuring the oldest and most varied collection of restored ecological communities in the world. It is open to the public for hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing. Sailing, boating, swimming and ice fishing are also highly popular sports in the area. This proximity to the great outdoors, along with
Madison's many other charms, has been a key factor in the city consistently being ranked among the country's top places to live, work, play and raise a family.
Door CountyWisconsin's small eastern peninsula bounded by Lake Michigan and
Green Bay is one of the Midwest's not-so-secret hideaways. Once visitors experience the quiet beauty of
Door County, they will understand why so many families return year after year, generation after generation. The peninsula, along with
Washington Island, is graced with hundreds of miles of pristine shoreline, dotted with bustling harbors, hidden coves, sandy beaches and historic lighthouses.
A handful of quaint towns are scattered throughout Door County, each heavy on charm but different enough to cater to visitors' various tastes.
Sturgeon Bay is the largest, with a historic downtown district and waters that teem with walleye, northern pike and lake trout. Further north, Egg Harbor is known for its serene beauty, while Fish Creek is the arts hub of the peninsula. The village of Ephraim has a rich heritage, with many historical sites. Next door is Sister Bay, a buzzing spot with a lovely waterfront and excellent restaurants. Finally, a short ferry ride takes visitors to Washington Island, the oldest Icelandic community in the country, with stunning scenery encompassing high bluffs and rocky shores.
Summer is the most popular season for a visit, when sunbathers hit the beaches and sailors, cruisers and kayakers take to the water. In the evening, a traditional Door County fish boil is a mandatory dining experience. Autumn has its own appeal. The fall foliage is breathtaking, and roadside stalls and farmers' markets overflow with harvests from the local orchards and farms. In the winter, ice fishing shanties spring up across the frozen bay, and sleigh rides, roaring fires and Christmas celebrations make this season special as well.
