Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
Utne Reader
and its readers once chose Milwaukee, a funky and utterly unpretentious
amalgamation ofhard-working blue and white collar,as “America'sTopUnderrated City.”
Do you need proof that Milwaukee doesn't get any respect (à la Cleveland—or any
other Great Lakes metropolis, for that matter)? Even Milwaukeeans' Badger siblings down
I-94inMadisoncan'tescapeingrainedimageryofbelchingsmokestacksandtanneryefflu-
via. Honest Madison denizens will admit they picture Milwaukeeans as beer-and-bowling
knuckleheads.
Milwaukee
is
decidedly morelunchboxthanbentobox,butthat'sonlyonepieceofthis
wondrous mosaic of half a million people with a low-key, rootsy feel. The lingua franca in
the city's older neighborhoods is often a mother tongue peppered with accented English.
In fact, you'll often hear people speak of
gemütlichkeit
(warmth, hospitality in German) in
Milwaukee, and it's by no means hyperbole. Hey, the city even rates in the top 5 percent in
the nation in arts, attractions, and recreation!
Ineveryweatherreport,you'llhearthetagline“cooler/warmernearthelake.”TheGreat
Lakes establish their own microclimates and influence inland areas for miles. Look for the
tear-shaped light atop the Wisconsin Gas Company building downtown: Gold means cold,
red means warm, blue means no change, and any color flashing means precipitation is pre-
dicted.
