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- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Milwaukee 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 neighbourhoods.
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 centre, 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 neighbourhood, 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 favourite local indulgences -
beer, brats and frozen custard-without which a trip to Milwaukee
would be incomplete.
Information & Facts
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.
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.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.