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Milwaukee [1] is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin, United States. The city's population is 602,782 with an estimated total of 1,689,572 in the Milwaukee metropolitan area (2006). It is the 22nd largest city in the U.S. and is located in the southeastern portion of the state on the western shore of Lake Michigan.

Milwaukee has a long and turbulant history, at least for an American city. From the first time Europeans made it to the settlment there have been large and often violent divides in the city. There were three dualing settlements (Juneautown, Kilbourntown, and Walker's Point) around what is now Downtown. Especially the two former where extremely competitive and definatly created two non-aligning street grids, to this day this is why 1st street is West of the Milwaukee River downtown and the reason that the city's bridges are all diagnal. As waves of immigrats arrived in Milwaukee they tended (and tend) to form comunities in specific areas. Today the city remains largely segregated (after violent racial confilicts in the 1960s) with low rates of social and economic mobility among many demographics.

Milwaukee is home to some of America's most instantly recognized corporations such as Miller Brewing and Harley Davidson. Harley holds an enormous celebration on every fifth anniversary attracting riders (and celebrity riders such a Jay Leno) by the millions to Milwaukee each time. The 110th anniversary will be held in 2013.

Milwaukee was once the home to four of the world's largest breweries (Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst, and Miller), and was the number one beer producing city in the world for many years. Despite the decline in its position as the world's leading beer producer after the loss of three of those breweries, its one remaining major brewery, Miller Brewing Company remains a key employer by employing over 2,200 of the city's workers. This has earned the city the nickname "Brew City" and its identification with and foundness for the stuff remains strong as ever.

Milwaukee has advertised itself as the "City of Festivals," especially emphasizing an annual summer party along the lakefront called Summerfest [2]. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as "the largest music festival in the world", Summerfest attracts about a million visitors a year to its twelve stages. Smaller ethnic festivals throughout the summer celebrate Milwaukee's strong German, Native American, African-American, Italian, Irish [3], Greek, Serbian, Croatian, Latino, Arabic, Asian, French and Polish heritage.

There is an array of almost every transportation mode thinkable to get in. The cheapest way is by bus, but many travelers prefer the comfort and convenience of air, boat, car, or train travel. Chicago, a major transportation hub, is less than 100 mi (161 km) away.

Milwaukee is served by General Mitchell International Airport (IATA: MKE), [4]. South-east of the city.

Direct international flights are offered mutliple times daily from Canada, and seasonally from Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Other international travelers will have to connect or fly to Chicago and take ground transportation.

There are non-stop flights to Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Bullhead City, Rhinelander, St Louis, Tampa, Toronto and Washington [15].

To and from the airport:

• MCTS Route 80, departs every 30 minutes or less from 5 AM to Midnight. Takes 30 minutes to Downtown. $2.25.
• Go Airport Shuttle, shared taxi-van shuttle. Approximately $12 to Downtown.
• Taxi, should cost approximately $30 to downtown.

Depending on your timing there are a few other options. Buses leave from just outside the baggage claim area so if you see one stopped there it can be a good option to grab it:

• Amtrak Hiatwatha train, 7 times daily. $6.
• Badger Coaches offer 5 or more daily buses to downtown.
• Coach USA, hourly, may no longer be accepting passengers to Downtwon. Service to across South Eastern Wisconsin. $6.

Chicago's main airports?O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD) or Midway Airport (IATA: MDW)?can be cheaper or easier alternatives, especailly for destinations not served from Milwaukee. There is a direct shuttle from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Milwaukee Intermodal Station run by Wisconsin Coach Lines [16]. $26. It is possible take a CTA 'L' train from either of the Chicago airports to Chicago Union Station ($2) and then go on to Milwaukee with either bus or Amtrak saving time or money in some cases. With ideal timing you can make it from Midway to Downtown Milwaukee via rail in under 3 hours from landing. However, many flights arrive at Chicago after or near the time that shuttle or rail service end for the day. Greyhound does offer late runs to Milwaukee from their Downtown depot, in case of a late arrival in Chicago, but is not for the faint of heart. Greyhound also has a few buses each day from the Cumberland CTA Blue Line station, just two stops outside of O'Hare on the eL.

Amtrak [17] serves downtown and an airport station. The newly remodeled Milwaukee Intermodal station offers connectivity to inter-city bus services and is located downtown a short distance from many attractions and hotels.

The Hiawatha [18] has 7 daily round trips to Chicago. It offers the quickest travel time to Chicago, power outlets at your seat, a quiet car, and snack & beverage service. It runs between Milwaukee Downtown Intermodal Station, stops at Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, Sturtevant(Racine) WI, Glenview IL, and arrives downtown Chicago Union Station. $22.

The Empire Builder [19] has 1 daily round trip from Chicago through Milwaukee to Seattle/Portland, via Central Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Fargo, Spokane and many other smaller cities. The Empire Builder only stops at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. Passengers wishing to reach Mitchell Airport must change trains to the Hiawatha at Milwaukee Intermodal Station. 'Weekly Special' internet fares can be found for $120 to Portland and $40 to the Twin Cities.

I-94 comes in from Madison to the west, and continues to Chicago to the south. I-43 will get you to the city from Green Bay from the north, and continues south-west to Rockford.

The Lake Express [20] is a modern high speed ferry that operates several daily trips across Lake Michigan to Muskegon, MI. The ferry docks on the south side of the port near Bayview. No winter service.

Milwaukee has a fast growing and competitive bus market. The city is now served by seven bus lines daily. Book a few weeks ahead online for the best prices. Most buses stop at or across the street from the Milwaukee Intermodal Station (where all trains stop as well) on St Paul Street on the south edge of Downtown Milwaukee. Chartered tours of Milwaukee are also arranged from cities in the region. There are also casino charters from across the Midwest.

• Badger Coaches, 635 N James Lovell St (Between Wisconsin and Michigan Aves. this service is the only company NOT departing from the Intermodal Station), [21]. Operates six scheduled services to Madison daily and 4x weekly to Minneapolis, with a few local stops inbetween. Madison $17-19, Minneapolis $45-$53.  edit

• Greyhound, (at the Intermodal Station), ? +1 414 272-2156, [22]. Open 24h/day. Greyhound makes additional stops on request at 84 and O'Connor, Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, and some suburban locations. Chicago $6-16 / Madison $13-23 / Minneapolis $37-61.  edit

• Indian Trails, (at the Intermodal Station), [23]. Daily service from Milwaukee to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Onward connections are available. Buses have wifi and power outlets.  edit

• Jefferson Lines, (at the Intermodal Station), [24]. Operates daytime scheduled service between Milwaukee and Minneapolis, with interim stops across the state. Jefferson prides itself on its 'eco-freindly' new coaches. Connections are available at Minneapolis. Minneapolis $34-53.  edit

• Megabus, On 5th St just N of St Paul Ave (Opposite the Intermodal Station downtown), [25]. Megabus offers a six time daily round trip service to Chicago, and twice daily to Minneapolis. Intermediate stop at Ryan Road Park & Ride lot (I-94 & W Ryan Rd, NE corner), located to the northeast of the interchange. Buses have wifi and often 110v power outlets. No walk-up tickets sold, only via internet or phone, same-day prices vary. Chicago $1-20 / Minneapolis $1-52.  edit

• Wisconsin Coach, 5th St just N of St Paul Ave (Opposite the Intermodal Station downtown), (toll free: +1 877-324-7767, wisconsincoach@coachusa.com), [26]. Wisconsin Coach offers 14 buses daily, departing ever hour to O'Hare Airport starting at around 4AM. There are several pickup points including the Intermodal Station, 4960 S 13th St, and Mitchell Airport. $26.  edit

A summary of bus fares, frequencies and services including the lowest internet fare, the walk-up ticket price and how often the buses run:

?Train. AAA, ISIC, SA, Senior (walk-up) discounts: Chicago $18, Minneapolis from $44. ?Tickets must be purchased via internet or telephone($3 fee).

Getting around in Milwaukee is easy. Block numbers are consistent across the city, including most of the suburbs, starting roughly where the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers meet. All numbered streets run north-south, increasing in number as you head west from 1st Street. Most named streets go east-west, with the notable exception of streets east of 1st St. Standard blocks are 1/8th of a mile long north to south, and 1/12th of a mile east to west. Parking Downtown and on the East Side as well in some suburban business districts costs money. Visitors parking overnight on City streets should call the city at +1 414 286-8300 by 1 AM to request parking permission.

Milwaukee's bus system, MCTS [27], has an extensive coverage area (85% of Milwaukee County) and core routes with very frequent service. Outlying suburbs have shorter hours, slower and less-frequent service. Express buses called "freeway flyers" provide excellent service from park and ride lots across the county to Downtown as well as to Brewers games and festivals saving you the hassle of traffic, parking and worries of drunk driving. Express buses called "UBuses" respectively offer service to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

As of January 2010

• Cash: $2.25
• Weekly Pass: $17.50 (Valid Sunday 5AM - Sunday 5AM)
• 10 tickets: $17.50 (No expiration)
• Reduced Fare: $1.10 (Children 6-11, seniors 65+ with medicare card, passengers with disabilities.)

• Premium Fare: Applicable fare plus $1. (Freeway Flyers, denoted in green on a bus stop sign)
• Festival Shuttles: $6 round trip. (Paid in cash on inbound trip.)

Drivers only accept exact cash fare. If you do not have exact change, you will not have any choice but to pay extra. Drives do not sell passes or tickets. One week passes and ten ride ticket packs are only available from outlets displaying an MCTS sticker. (Mostly grocery stores.)

Cash or ticket fare includes a one hour transfer, make sure to ask the driver for a transfer-ticket it if they don't automatically give you one. This transfer will allow you to board as many buses as you wish before the time runs out.

Milwaukee's 500 low-floor buses feature Transit TV [28] monitors that have a constant display of the upcoming stops along the route, verbally and visually announced approximately half a block in advance. If the information system isn't working or if you need any information don't hesitate to ask the bus operator for help. They know the city well and will be happy to give you directions or call your stop.

Many buses terminate at the MCTS Downtown Transit Center located across from the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, or kitty-corner from the famous Calatrava wing of the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Trolley Loop [29] is a frequent scheduled trolley bus service sponsored by local businesses. Rides are free though service is seasonal.

• Ozakee County is served by the Ozaukee County Express from Downtown Milwaukee (some service also to Milwaukee's South Side) via the I-43 corridor. Ozuakee County Transit [30] also offers shared-ride taxi services.
• Washington County Commuter Express (WCCE) [31]
• Wisconsin Coach Lines [32] offer service from Racine and Kenosha in the south to Downtown Milwaukee, and from Wakesha and Mukwanigo in the west to Downtown Milwaukee and to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Milwaukee was awarded bronze status from the League of American Bicyclists in 2004 and again in 2009. A bike map is available from the city [33] or for sale at local shops. Weather permitting, Milwaukee is a very pleasant place to bicycle. There are several separated bike lanes and network of leisurely trails called the Oak Leaf Trail. Some are even limited access paths (think: bike freeway) as well as 65 mi (105 km) of on-street bike lanes and 75 mi (121 km) of signed bike routes (the city aims to raise that number to several hundred miles of on-street bike lanes as streets are re-paved).

Bicycle Rental and Tour Companies

• Milwaukee Bike and Skate Rental [34] a kiosk in Veterans Park on the Lake Michigan shore, just north of the art museum.
• Brew City Bike Tours [35] offer rental as well as tours including Pub Spin, Bite 'n Bike and History 101.
• POWWOW [36] offer tours across the state.

It is fairly easy to find a used bike in good working condition at local thrift stores, which is much cheaper than renting if you are going to be staying in the city for any length of time.

Bicycle Shops are also often willing to do rentals, and also sell high-quality products that are often locally made:

• Ben's Cycle / Milwaukee Bicycle Company [37] sells top-notch locally made bicycles and has the best selection of track and fixed gear equipment in the Midwest.

All MCTS buses have bicycle racks which are free to use with bus fare, so if you get tired, lost, the weather turns bad or whatever you can get on the bus and ride home that way.

While there are plenty of taxis to meet demand, do not expect to simply flag one down. With the notable exceptions of queues at larger hotels, the airport, train- and bus stations, largely attended events and most of the downtown area, you should call for one. They are not cheap. The number one company is Yellow Cab(+1 414 271-1800), with phone numbers of other taxi companies available here: [38].

While it is possible to use the bus to go to many suburbs, some tourists prefer driving. Parking outside the Downtown/East Side are is a overall a non-issue. Traffic conditions may vary, especially in the next few years during the reconstruction of the city's main freeway interchanges.

• US Bank Center, 777 E Wisconsin Ave. Built in 1973, is the tallest building in the state at 42 stories. Bud Selig, the commissioner of Major League Baseball and former owner of the Brewers has an office inside.  edit

• Hoan Bridge. The Hoan Bridge is one of the most recognizable Milwaukee landmarks. It is a tied arch bridge suspended over the port of Milwaukee on the Milwaukee River. It's part of I-794 that leads into downtown.  edit

• Pabst Brewery Complex, [39]. The former brewery sits on the north east side of downtown, adjacent to the Milwaukee County Courthouse and overlooking I-43. It contains many wonderful "old world" style buildings. Though the brewery is no longer in operation it still remains an icon of the city and what it once was. It is currently under renovation and is being re-developed for mixed-use.  edit

• Pabst Mansion, 2000 W Wisconsin Ave (just W of the Marquette campus), ? +1 414 931-0808, [40]. M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM (Closed M mid-Jan-Feb). In 1892, the Flemish Renaissance Revival Mansion of Captain Frederick Pabst, world famous beer baron, accomplished sea captain, real estate developer, philanthropist and patron of the arts, was completed. From the day the house was inhabited, it was considered the jewel of Milwaukee's famous avenue of mansions called Grand Avenue and represented the epitome of America's Gilded Age Splendor in Milwaukee. $8.  edit

• The Domes, Mitchell Park (S Layton Blvd and W Pierce St), [41]. One of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The three huge glass domes serve as the city's horticultural gardens, and house a desert habitat, rainforest, and varying themed exhibits.  edit

• Milwaukee Art Museum. Santiago Calatrava-designed addition is another of Milwaukee's most recognizable landmark, and the bird-like wings of the building's Quadracci Pavilion open and close several times each day, depending on the weather. The War Memorial which the museum is connected to was designed by the architect Eero Saarinen.  edit

• City Hall, (N Water and E Wells Sts). Was the possibly city's most important landmark before the completion of the Calatrava addition to the museum. The architecture is heavily German influenced, and is a symbol of Milwaukee's large German immigrant population at the turn of the century.  edit

• St. Josaphat Basilica. On the city's south side, it was built by the city's Polish community from the dismantled materials of the Old Chicago Customs House and Post Office. Each block was carefully measured and numbered for a best fit in the new design so that hardly any stone was re-cut or went to waste. In the end, even the original ornamental bronze railings, lighting fixtures, and doorknobs of the customs house were used for furnishings. Opulently decorated and designed, it is perhaps one of the finest examples of the so called "Polish Cathedral" style of church architecture in North America.  edit

• Allen-Bradley Clocktower. Underneath it sits the home of Rockwell Automation. It is instantly recognizable from I-43 between downtown and the south side of Milwaukee. It is the largest four-sided clock in the world, with clock-faces nearly twice as large as those of London's Big Ben.  edit

• Milwaukee Public Museum. On downtown's west side, it's excellent for children and adults alike, containing exhibits on numerous topics including large historical dioramas, an IMAX theater, and the largest planetarium in the state. Well-known permanent exhibits include a "Butterflies Alive" garden and the Streets of Old Milwaukee which feature the world's oldest continually functioning gas streetlight system.  edit

• Eisner American Museum of Advertising and Design, [42].  edit

• America's Black Holocaust Museum, [43]. Has closed due to funding.  edit

• Discovery World Museum at Pier Wisconsin, [44]. Features in depth interactive exibits about the Great Lakes and local natural science.  edit

• Betty Brinn Children's Museum, [45].  edit

• Charles Allis Art Museum and Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum [46] are located in re-purposed, East Side mansions. They are great stops as you explore the East Side neighborhood.

• Milwaukee County Zoo. Features 2500 animals representing 300 species on 200 acres (81 ha). Besides animal showcases, the zoo also features train tours, sea lion shows, and a dairy farm. Check with zoo schedules for fun special events like sleepovers at the zoo or trick-or-treating at the zoo on Halloween.  edit

• Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 Canal St, (toll free: 1-877-HD MUSEUM), [47]. Walk through a variety of exhibits that tell the stories of the extraordinary people, products, history and culture of Harley-Davidson. In addition to the fantastic motorcycle collection, stories are told through a variety of media - including photographs, videos, apparel, rare documents and other fascinating artifacts. Peek into a portion of the Archives, never before open to the public, and home base to more than 450 motorcycles, and hundreds of thousands of artifacts that the Archives team can pull from for Museum exhibits. $16, children $10, seniors $12.  edit

Breweries are integral to Milwaukee's image, although the number of them have dwindled as the years go by. The nick name "the Brew City" still rings true, however. In several spots around the city, the smell of yeast from the beer factories is quite strong. Milwaukee was once the home to four of the world's largest breweries:Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst, and Miller. For many years it was the number one beer producing city in the world. Of those four only Miller remains.

• • Miller-Coors Brewing Company offers excellent tours. And yes, you did read that correctly. Miller and Coors have recently merged together. The tour begins with a short video of famous Miller commercials, continues to the original brewery to demonstrate the growth and progress of the company, and finishes at a pub for a little beer-tasting. To set up a tour call +1 800-944-LITE or go to [48].
  • Sprecher Brewery [49] (maker of beer, root beer, and sodas) is a smaller brewery on the north side. They also offer tours, and tastings.
  • Lakefront Brewery [50] is another small, locally-owned microbrewery specializing in handmade beers in the tradition of early Milwaukee brewers. Located along the Milwaukee River just north of downtown.
  • Milwaukee Ale House[51]Founded by Local home brewers on 17 October 1997, serves up live music, fresh beer and great food to the good people of Wisconsin and travelers from all over the world. Located in a brick and timber warehouse building downtown in the Historic Third Ward, they offer indoor and outdoor dining, six or more hand crafted beers, lunch and dinner everyday with late night food on the weekends. A second location in Grafton, WI.
  • Rock Bottom Brewery [52] Although it's not a Milwaukee original, but rather a national chain based out of Colorado, they couldn't resist opening a location among the beer elite. Milwaukee RiverWalk, 740 N Plankinton Ave.
  • Water Street Brewery [53]located on Milwaukee's infamous Water Street, it is both a microbrewery and restaurant with a second location in Delafield, west of the city.
  • Stonefly Brewing Co. a microbrewery and restaurant located on the East Side.
  • Delafield Brewhouse is another microbrewery and restaurant, located 20 mi (32 km) west of Milwaukee.
  • Great Lakes Distillery[54] makes premium "Rehorst" vodkas, and gin. It is currently Wisconsin's only distillery. They also brew a seasonal pumpkin ale, and are currently working on developing a type of absinthe. They offer tours on Fridays, and Saturdays. Located near the Walker's Point neighborhood just south of downtown.

• • Fun Fact: In the 1920s Chicago gangster activity came north to Milwaukee during the Prohibition era. Al Capone, noted Chicago mobster, owned a home in the Milwaukee suburb Brookfield, where moonshine was made. The house still stands on a street named after Capone.

• Bradley Center, 1001 N Fourth St, [55].  edit

• Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N Water St, ? +1 414 273-7121, [56].  edit

• Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E Wells St, ? +1 414 224-9490 (tickets@milwaukeerep.com, fax: +1 414 225-5490), [57].  edit

• Milwaukee Theater, ? +1 414 908-6001 (toll free: +1 800-745-3000), [58].  edit

• Pabst Theater, 144 E Wells St, ? +1 412 286-3663 (toll free: +1 800-511-1552), [59].  edit

• Summerfest [60] Milwaukee used to be promoted as "The City of Festivals." To this day, there is a festival almost every weekend during the summer at the Henry Maier Festival Park, including various ethnic festivals, to Summerfest which holds the Guinness World Records title as the "World's Biggest Music Festival" attracting the worlds biggest bands, since 1999. Summerfest is held for 10 days every summer beginning at the end of June continuing into July.

• Milwaukee Riverwalk, [61]. The Milwaukee RiverWalk covers 3 miles along the Milwaukee River through the city's downtown and the Historic Third Ward. Because of its creation, the Milwaukee River has become a prominent downtown development area with a mix of high-end residential, commercial and recreational uses. Free.  edit

• Milwaukee's Water Street, Water St (downtown), [62]. Head over to the library and dig up any old city directory. If you flip to the page listing businesses on Water Street, you'll find that this main downtown artery has always been home to dozens on taverns and, often, rowdy and raucous nightlife. If you think Water Street is crazy these days, you should have seen it under the administration of Mayor (all the time rosey) Rose.  edit

• Petit National Ice Center is a renowned Olympic training center. It has a full ice-racing track and two hockey rinks. Public skate hours vary, but are usually in the evening. Skate rentals are available for a good price.

• Wisconsin State Fair West Allis, a Milwaukee suburb, is home to the state fair grounds. Held in August.

Milwaukee has memorable moments in sports history, with the Brewers and Bucks most likely to interest travelers. Home run slugger Hank Aaron hit most of his home runs in Milwaukee (as a member of the Braves, who have since moved to Atlanta). Additionally, the Bucks are the youngest team to ever win an NBA title.

• Milwaukee Brewers - Milwaukee's MLB franchise, plays at Miller Park just outside downtown. The Brewers were formally owned by Bud Selig, current commissioner of MLB. [63]
• Milwaukee Bucks - NBA member, with games at the Bradley Center [64].
• Milwaukee Admirals - AHL hockey franchise, formally a member of the IHL. This team shares the Bradley Center with the Bucks. [65]
• Milwaukee Wave - North America's longest continuously operating professional soccer club. They complete in the Major Indoor Soccer League and play home games at the U.S. Cellular Arena. [66]]
• Milwaukee Bonecrushers are a team of the Continental Indoor Football League, est 2008. They play their home games at the U.S. Cellular Arena. This is Milwaukee's second attempt at an indoor football franchise, the first since the Milwaukee Mustangs of the Arena Football League folded in 2001. Former Green Bay Packer Gilbert Brown signed a three-year contract to be the team's inaugural head coach.
• The Milwaukee Mile Its premier distinction is as the oldest operating motor speedway in the world, hosting at least one auto race every year since 1903. The track is located at the grounds for the Wisconsin State Fair. The track has held events sanctioned by major sanctioning bodies, such as the American Automobile Association, USAC, CART/Champ Car World Series, NASCAR, and the IndyCar Series. There have also been many races in regional series such as ARTGO.
• College Basketball - 2 NCAA Division I college basketball teams in the area including the Marquette Golden Eagles [67] of the Big East Conference and the Milwaukee Panthers [68] of the Horizon League.

• Juneautown and Kilbourntown/Westown - These two neighborhoods, which sit across the Milwaukee River from each other, form the larger area generally known as "downtown." Juneautown, between the lake and the river, is the financial heart of the city, as well as the place where Milwaukee was born. The city's tallest building, the 601-foot USBank Tower, is located here along the lake, as are a number of the city's most architecturally significant buildings, including the Cathedral of St. John and Milwaukee's City Hall. There are a number of coffee shops and restaurants, but the area mostly closes down after business hours. Across the river, Kilbourntown (or Westown) serves as the city's entertainment center. here you will find attractions such as the Midwest Airlines Center, Milwaukee's primary convention center. Nearby are the Grand Avenue Mall, the Milwaukee Theater, and the Bradley Center. Many of the city's hotels are located here as well, as are a number of excellent restaurants and clubs. While none of the city's tall buildings have public observatories, you can get a fantastic view from Polaris [69], the revolving restaurant perched atop the Hyatt Regency in the heart of Kilbourntown. The Riverwalk lines both sides of the Milwaukee River through the downtown area, and is home to a number of pieces of public art, as well as some of the city's most popular restaurants.

• Walker's Point Founded by George Walker in June of 1835 as a fur trading post, Walker's settlement was combined with Juneautown and Kilbourntown to become the City of Milwaukee in 1846. Walker also contributed to the building of the city's first streetcar line in 1859. Today there are several popular restaurants, and bars; residents of the area enjoy a vibrant nightlife.

• Historic Third Ward - This small district, located directly to the south of Juneautown, is Milwaukee's version of the trendy urban "warehouse district." The streets of the Third Ward are lined with 19th and early 20th-century warehouse buildings which have been converted into lofts and offices. At street level, chic shops and restaurants are commonplace. The area is also an entertainment hub. The Eisner Museum of Advertising and Design [70] is located at 208 N. Water Street, just blocks from the Broadway Theater Center, home of the Skylight Opera [71]. On the ward's southern boundary -the Milwaukee River - one can find the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (or just MIAD [72]), which is the centerpiece of the city's art scene. On Gallery Night, which occurs once every three months, the Third Ward hums with activity, as it is home to the city's largest collection of art galleries. The Third Ward is also home to the newest section of the Riverwalk, which offers some fantastic views of the downtown skyline.

• Martin Luther King Drive - A period of urban renewal has revitalized this neighborhood with brand new restaurants, coffee houses and jazz, blues and neo-soul lounges. It is known as the epicenter of African-American commerce in Wisconsin. From downtown, simply continue north on Old World 3rd Street which turns into Martin Luther King Drive. The #19 bus runs the entire lenght of the street.

• The East Side [73]. This neighborhood stretches from downtown to the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. It is home to elegant mansions, college students, and everything in between.

• Riverwest - A neighborhood of transition. It was once, in part, the Puerto Rican area. Milwaukee used to be segrageted by the river, Riverwest is west of it and thus was a largely Black and Latino neighborhood. As Milwaukee has intigrated Riverwest has become an increasingly diverse neighborhood. Amongst the many hipsters one still find plenty of Puerto Rican families and grandmothers who can remember when it was even sometimes litterly forbidden for them to cross the bridge over the river. Now, one can even find expensive condos here and there too.From downtown take a number 10 bus north or east in the direction Bayshore or Capitol (or #14 in the direction Capitol) north to Locust or Center St. (or anywhere around there). Exit there and head west (east from the #14). If the weather is nice, just walk north from downtown with the river in the corner of your right eye until you reach Humboldt St. or Holton St. take one of these north.

• Bay View - A vibrant area on the city's south shore with lots of neighborhood bars and restaurants. Number 15 bus south from downtown.

• Historic Mitchell Street - The once Polish center is now home to some of Milwaukee's most vibrant Hispanic culture. From downtown take any #54 bus and get off after it has turned onto Mitchell and gone over the freeway.

Milwaukee's has one of the best public parks systems in the country

• Cathedral Square Park - This park is a square towards the center of the city, bordered by Kilbourn on the North, Wells on the South, Jackson on the the East and Jefferson on the West. It is most notable for Jazz In the Park, free outdoor Jazz concerts on Thursday evenings during the summer [74].
• Veteran's Park - This park is located by the lakefront, just north of the Art Museum and War Memorial. Veteran's Park includes a lagoon where you can rent a paddle boat, a kite store, and bike rentals.

• East Side Home to the young, hip and open minded and not far from the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the second largest university in the state.
• McKinley Marina and Beach - McKinley Park is a great place for people who want to fish or relax on the beach. Many people also love to stroll out on the giant breakwater that goes out into Lake Michigan. During the summer, there are plenty of fishermen here as well. An easy way to get to McKinley Park is to take the Brady Street pedestrian bridge over Lincoln Memorial Drive (from the Brady Street area), or just walk North from Veteran's Park.
• Bradford Beach - This is one of the larger beaches in the Milwaukee area, and has recently seen an influx of money, upgrading the facility and increasing the quality of the experience.
• Lake Park - Lake Park was designed and built by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same man who built Central Park in New York. It is one of Milwaukee's most beautiful parks and can be found by going up the hill (West) on the North end of Bradford Beach.

• Lake Michigan and Milwaukee River
  • The Edelweiss I and II [75]offer elegant dinner cruises, and also late night party cruises on the Milwaukee river, departing from the 3rd St. and Highland intersection.
  • The Iroquois During the summer, the venerable Iroquois offers narrated sightseeing tours of the Milwaukee River, Harbor and Lake Michigan daily at 1PM and 3PM.
  • Sea Dog Sailing offers sailing trips out of McKinley Marina.
  • Wally's Charter Service [76] charter with captain Wally, and enjoy some of Lake Michigan's Salmon and Trout fishing.

• Milwaukee Career College [77] offers day and evening courses and is located at the corner of Highway 100 (Mayfair Rd) and Burleigh St in Wauwatosa.

Milwaukee is home to several Fortune 500 companies; in fact, the metropolitan region (defined as the Milwaukee-West Allis-Waukesha area) was "ranked number five in the nation when measuring the number of Fortune 500 companies as a share of the population - just behind the number four Minneapolis-St. Paul region in Minnesota" [78]. The area has a wide employment base, with companies ranging from high-tech and specialty manufacturing firms (GE Medical, Harley Davidson) to retail and finance corporations (Kohl's, Northwestern Mutual).

Milwaukee Area Fortune 1000 Companies (As of 2004 ranking)

• Johnson Controls [79]
• Northwestern Mutual [80]
• Manpower [81]
• Kohl's [82]
• Harley-Davidson [83]
• Roundy's [84]
• Rockwell Automation [85]
• Wisconsin Energy [86]
• Fiserv [87]
• Marshall & Ilsley Corp. [88]
• Briggs & Stratton [89]
• A.O. Smith [90]
• MGIC Investment [91]
• Joy Global [92]
• Toshiba International Corporation [93]

The Milwaukee-Racine metropolitan area was also rated one of the Top 20 Hot Cities for Entrepreneurs in 2005 [94].

• Grand Avenue The shops here have been providing an excellent selection of unique stores and exciting shopping, and dining in downtown Milwaukee since 1917. The Shops of Grand Avenue offers a magnificent mix of stores featuring local flavor and large national selection. With classical styles for the business professional, enticing furnishings for your home, and unique Milwaukee gifts, The Shops of Grand Avenue provides an impressive array of shopping options.

• Milwaukee Public Market, located in the Third Ward, is an indoor market selling produce, seafood, meats, cheeses, vegetables, candies, and flowers from local businesses.

• Harley Davidson motorcycles of course have several plants in and around Milwaukee, and many more retail stores. Notables include the House of Harley on Layton Ave in Greenfield, Hal's Harley in New Berlin, Wisconsin Harley in Oconomowoc, and many other dealers.

Old World Third St. along (and just west of) the Milwaukee River provides a richer variety of restaurants and also many of the more upscale restaurants (and clubs) in town. Traditional Germanic and Mediterranean foods are the highlights. Brady St., on the Northeast side, also has many nice restaurants and shops and consists of relatively inexpensive but high-quality restaurants, bakeries, and bars. Milwaukee St., between Wisconsin and Wells Sts., offers many trendy and top rated restaurants in the city as well as an upscale nightlife for the after dinner drink. List of locations that Milwaukeans selected as their favorites viewed here [95].

• Apollo Cafe, (on Brady St). Serves authentic Greek food the whole family can enjoy. A variety of healthy yet tasty food, it'll make you wonder why these sorts of food aren't more popular.  edit

• Comet Cafe, (N of Brady St on Farwell). Try the Cheesy Tomato Sandwich.  edit

• Conejito's Place, (on 6th St just N of National Ave). The best place to eat Mexican food on a budget in Milwaukee is here. Food and drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is one of the best in the city as far as Mexican restaurants go. $10.  edit

On the East Side, you can head over to the intersection of North and Oakland Avenues, where you'll find local favorites like Beans & Barley (healthy/organic), Pizza Man, Von Trier's (German), the BBC (bar & grill), and the Twisted Fork (pasta). Louisa's is also a great Italian restaurant.

A bit farther up Oakland Ave near Locust Ave. (near the UW-Milwaukee Campus), you'll find an exciting variety of restaurants like the Oakland Trattoria (Mediterranean), Sharazad (Middle Eastern), Lula's Cafe (East African), Thai Kitchen, and Oakland Gyros (Greek).

• The Safe House, 779 North Front St (just S of 150 E Wells St), ? +1 414 271-2007, [96]. An elaborate spy themed restaurant that is infamous for requiring a password to enter. You enter through an alley, and can gain access even without the password, but you will be required to act silly to convince them to allow entrance. Once inside you will find a great spy museum including numerous gadgets and displays. As you eat you will be able to watch video monitors of other patrons acting silly to gain entrance, just as you did.  edit

• The Capital Grille Milwaukee, 310 W Wisconsin Ave, ? +1 414 223-0600, [97]. M-F 11:30AM-3PM, M-Th 5PM-10PM, F Sa 5PM-11PM, Su 5PM-9PM.  edit

• Milwaukee ChopHouse, 633 N 5th St (in the Hilton), ? +1 414 226-CHOP, [98]. M-Sa 5PM-10PM, Su 5PM-9PM.  edit

• Five O'Clock Steakhouse, 2416 W State St, ? +1 414 342-3553 (dine@fiveoclocksteakhouse.com, fax: +1 414 342-3511), [99]. Considered to be one of the best steakhouses in America.  edit

• Mader's Restaurant, 1041 N Old World 3rd St (on Old-World Third), ? +1 414 271-3377, [100]. M-Th 11:30AM-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Provides traditional German cuisine in a fancy, historic atmosphere.  edit

• Mimma's Cafe, 1307 E Brady St (on Brady St), ? +1 414 271-7337 (mimma@mimmas.com), [101]. Serves a sometimes Americanized version of Italian cuisine alongside authentic recipes. The atmosphere is lovely - a bit formal, yet warm. In addition to every pasta you can imagine it comes with an excellent array of wines, albeit expensive.  edit

• Mo's A Place for Steaks, 720 N Plankinton Ave, ? +1 414 272-0720 (fax: +1 414 272-2714), [102]. M-F 5PM-11PM, Sa 5-midnight, Su special appt (lounge until 1AM). One of three national locations, the others being in Houston and Indianapolis.  edit

• Sanford, 1547 N Jackson St (on Jackson St), ? +1 414 276-9608 (fax: +1 414 278-8509), [103]. M-Th 5:30PM-9PM, F Sa 5PM-10PM, closed Su. Zagat-rated in the top 11 restaurants in the U.S. with a near perfect score of 29. It is the only restaurant in the state to achieve that honor and is widely considered to be the top restaurant in Milwaukee.  edit

There's no shortage of night life in the Brew City. Milwaukeeans spend more (per capita) on entertainment than the citizenry of any other major American city, and you can bet that a good percentage of that entertainment is served in liquid form.

Trendy night life areas include Water Street, Milwaukee Street, and Old World Third St. in the heart of the city's downtown area, Brady St. and North Ave. on the Lower and Upper East Sides, respectively, and National Ave. to the south. RiverWest, a local hipster enclave, also offers a large variety of artsy drinking holes. Finally, Bay View has several bars scattered throughout the neighborhood, but many are located along Kinnickinnic Ave.

The city is also the unofficial Capital of the Corner Bar; no matter where you go in Milwaukee, there's sure to be a neighborhood bar only a few blocks away.

Visitors to Milwaukee will find it easiest to stay in or near downtown, where most of the city's hotels are located. Milwaukee doesn't have any youth hostels, but the city has an array of hotels to meet most budgets. There is a small bed and breakfast district on the Westside.

Cheap hotels can be found on the Near South Side as well as as the North Side, the quality of these tends to reflect the average quality of life in the areas these are in, and may not be up to the standards of the developed world.

More generic cheaper hotels are located outside the urban city. For isntance, there is a strip of budget hotels on College Ave. near Mitchell International Airport. Near most interstates you can also find chain hotels.

There are several B&Bs located on the Westside next to downtwon Westtown neighborhood and Marquett University. These are in grand old mansions:

• The Burmder Mansion, 3046 W Wisconsin Ave, ? +1 414 342-9767 (toll free: +1 866 793-3676, Brumder@yahoo.com, fax: +1 414 342-4772), [104]. On the Westside next to Downtown in the Bed and Breakfast district. from $100.  edit

• Manderly, 3026 W Wells St, ? +1 414 931-7597 (manderleybb@aol.com), [105]. On the Westside next to Downtown in the Bed and Breakfast district. from $129.  edit

• Acanthus Inn B&B, 3009 W Highland Blvd, ? +1 414 342-9788 (toll free: +1 800 361-3698), [106]. On the Westside next to Downtown in the Bed and Breakfast district. from $105.  edit

• Schuster Mansion, 3209 W Wells St, ? +1 414 342-3210, [107]. On the Westside next to Downtown in the Bed and Breakfast district. from $100.  edit

There are also some B&Bs located elsewhere:

• County Clare Inn, 1234 N Astor St, ? +1 414 272-5273, [108]. Irish themed. Near the lakeshore just notheast of downtown on the lower Eastside. inclusive packages from $149.  edit
• Crane House, 346 East Wilson St, ? +1 414 483-1512, [109]. In Bayview near the Lake to the South. from $64.  edit

• Best Western, 710 N Old World 3rd, [110]. In the heart of Downtown.  edit

• Days Inn Hotel of the Arts, 1840 N 6th St, ? +1 414 265-5629, [111]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: noon. North of Downtown surrounded by transitional neighborhoods and well-established and intreaging public housing projects. Discover concierge service, well appointed guest rooms and high speed internet. $65-95.  edit

• Biller Hotel, 725 N. 22nd St, ? +1 414 933-6000, [112]. West of Downtwon. Know to be far less than perfect in security, cleanliness, etc.  edit

There are a few family-run motels along Appleton Avenue to the Northwest:

• Park Manor Hotel, 7730 West Appleton Avenue, ? +1 414 461-4587. checkout: noon. A family-run motel on the north side.  edit
• American Inn Motel, 6798 West Appleton Avenue, ? +1 414 444-2360?. checkout: noon. A family-run motel on the north side. [113]  edit
• SJP Motel, 7021 West Appleton Avenue, ? +1 414 461-8050. checkout: noon. A family-run motel on the north side. [114]  edit

• National Avenue Hotel, 1700 West National Avenue, ? +1 414 643-9088?. Rough.  edit

• Econo Lodge Milwaukee Airport Hotel, 6541 S 13th St (Exit 319 off I-94, E to 13th St, S on 13th), ? +1 414 764-2510, [115]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Conveniently located one mile from General Mitchell International Airport and Amtrak's Milwaukee Station Building, providing free 24-hour transportation and accommodations for long-term parking. $39-109.  edit

• Aloft Milwaukee Downtown, [116]. On the Milwaukee River, offering sleek accommodations from Starwood's newest brand.  edit

• Ambassador Hotel, 2308 W Wisconsin Ave, ? +1 414 342-8400, [117]. Completed a recent renovation, is an art deco gem, and is located just west of Marquette University on Wisconsin Ave.  edit

• AmeriSuites, Airport - 200 W Grange Ave, West - 11777 W Silver Spring Dr, ? +1 414 744-3600 (+1 414 462-3500), [118].  edit

• Executive Inn Milwaukee, 2301 W Wisconsin Ave, ? +1 414 342-8400 (toll free: +1 800-325-3535), [119]. Free high-speed Internet.  edit

• Four Points Sheraton Milwaukee Airport, 8900 N Kildeer Ct, Brown Deer, ? +1 414 355-8585, [120].  edit

• Knickerbocker on the Lake, 1028 E Juneau Ave, ? +1 414 276-8500 (knickerb@execpc.com, fax: +1 414 276-3668), [121]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: noon. $100-200.  edit

• MainStay Suites, 1001 W College Ave, ? +1 414 571-8800 (hotelhelp@choicehotels.com, fax: +1 414 571-8820), [122]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: noon.  edit

• Wisco Hotel Group's Milwaukee Airport Hospitality Park, (toll free: +1 888-522-WISC), [123]. Offering four hotels within 2 mi of General Mitchell International Airport. Candlewood Suites, Comfort Suites Milwaukee Airport, Fairfield Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites. Park and Fly packages. 24-hr complimentary airport shuttle to airport for guests. Free WIFI internet.  edit

If you're in the mood to splurge on a hotel in Milwaukee, there are several great places to do so.

Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W Wisconsin Ave, ? +1 414 271-7250 (toll free: +1 800-HILTONS), [124]. An Art Deco tour-de-force built in 1927, a grand hotel of legendary proportions. The hotel's ballrooms, with their vaulted ceilings, city views, and period fabrics, echo the magnificence evident throughout this showpiece. Fully restored, it is burnished to its original 1920s classic grandeur with the addition of enhanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art amenities for business and pleasure. With 730 well-appointed guest rooms in the heart of Milwaukee's Westown, the Hilton is adjacent to the Midwest Express Convention Center.  edit

Hotel Metro, 411 E Mason St, ? +1 414 272-1937 (toll free: +1 877-638-7620), [125]. Milwaukee's hippest boutique hotel. They offer a variety of different room types (including luxury spa suites, pet-friendly suites, and meeting suites), as well as amenities such as 24-hr concierge and room service, and a great location just blocks from the Water Street entertainment area, downtown museums, the theater district, and the RiverWalk.  edit

InterContinental Milwaukee, 139 E Kilbourn Ave, ? +1 414 276-8686 (toll free: +1 888-ICHOTELS, fax: +1 414 276-8007), [126]. In the heart of downtown and in the city?s Arts and Financial District. This property underwent an intensive renovation that extended to all areas of the hotel including lobby, guest rooms, restaurants, meeting and banquet rooms. The hotel?s spacious lobby showcases beautiful marble and woodwork, but with modern feel and amenities that meet the brand's standard. The hotel?s 220 guest rooms afford spectacular views of the Milwaukee River, the bustling Theater District, or nearby City Hall.  edit

Iron Horse Hotel, 500 W Florida St, ? +1 414 374-IRON (toll free: +1 888-543-IRON, info@theironhorsehotel.com, fax: +1 414 755-0084), [127]. 100-year-old downtown warehouse transformed into a modern luxury boutique hotel, blocks from the Midwest Airlines Convention Center and across the bridge from the new Harley-Davidson Museum, in one of Milwaukee?s last intact warehouse districts. A one of a kind upscale hotel geared for business travelers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike.  edit

Pfister Hotel, 424 E Wisconsin Ave, ? +1 414 273-8222 (toll free: +1 800-472-4403, info@pfisterhotel.com), [128]. Milwaukee's most famous and luxurious hotel, which has been serving visiting VIPs since 1893. Blocks from all of downtown's most exciting attractions, including the Art Museum and the Historic Third Ward. Even if you can't afford to stay, it's worth your time to take a walk through the building and explore the spectacular lobby, or check out the museum's impressive art collection.  edit

Many community and neighborhood oriented weekly papers are offered for free in cafes and coffee shops in addition to the major ones listed below.

• The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [129] is Milwaukee's only major daily newspaper, distributed in the morning. $0.50 daily, $1.75 Sunday Edition.
• The Shepherd Express [130] is Milwaukee's free-press publication.

Milwaukee can be a very fun and enjoyable trip, but like any large city, Milwaukee is not free the problems that come with its size. Though virtually all tourist destinations in and around Milwaukee are as safe and accessible during the day and night, common sense should always apply. As a general rule one should be sure to be aware of their surroundings regardless, especially in areas unknown to yourself. In general, for a city of its size Milwaukee has always been a relatively safe place.

The Downtown, Third Ward and East Side communities are typically the most clean and safe areas within Milwaukee. Also, the Fifth ward continues to experience a urban renewal much due in part to it's relative location to the Third Ward, though some caution is advised after dark.

The west and south sides of Milwaukee also offer interesting tourist opportunities that include Milwaukee's famous Basilica and Frank Lloyd Wright's Greek Orthodox church. Crime can happen anywhere; don't let geographic stereotypes dictate your travels.

Generally speaking, the near north, northwest and South sides have the highest violent crime rates in the city. With some exceptions, these areas should be avoided. In particular, the area bounded by I-43 on the east, Capitol Dr. on the north, North Ave. on the south and Sherman Blvd. on the west is especially dangerous.

Weather patterns in Milwaukee can fluctuate daily, with often little consistence in temperature or conditions. In general six months of the year are cold, overcast and wet. Because the winters are long and cold, (making Milwaukee the second coldest major city in the country), the springs can be just as likely as wet, cold and miserable. It is not unheard of to get snowfall in early April! Now one begins to understand why there are so many bars, bowling alleys and festivals in Milwaukee... The best time to visit is by far in the summer or the early fall during Indian Summer when the whole place comes to life and everybody is outside!

Also, the suburbs of Ozaukee, Waukesha, and Racine Counties have a reputation for being politically and socially conservative. It's your best bet just to go with the flow here. If you are a LGBT visitor displays of affection will turn heads in these areas. Some suburbs are even more conservative than the rural parts of the state! Milwaukee is not as socially liberal as Madison, although people in Milwaukee are overall tolerant of each other, even if many of the assorted social and ethnic groups tend to avoid each other. The city is becoming more and more progressive and integration is a hot topic.

• Ten Chimneys, S43 W31575 Depot Rd, Genesee Depot (30 mi W of Milwaukee), ? +1 262 968-4110, [131]. Ten Chimneys is the estate lovingly created by Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. With no ropes and nothing under glass, guests are treated to a VIP guided tour of a National Historic Landmark replete with original furnishings and overflowing with the romance of the 1930s and ?40s.  edit

Cedarburg is a well-known small town located 20 miles north of downtown Milwaukee in Ozaukee County. It's downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the hot of many popular festivals throughout the year. Take I-43 to well-marked Cedarburg exits.

Green Bay ← Cedarburg ←	N  S	→ Beloit
Madison ← West Allis ←	W  E	→ Racine → Chicago
Green Bay ← Richfield ←	N  S	→ Racine → Chicago