Growing up in Milwaukee – or even living here for a period of time – will show you just how incredible this little city is. It’s not unlikely that you know us for our beer, cheese, or even the headlines you see on TV, but Milwaukee is so much more than all of these stereotypes. There are many different things Milwaukeeans wish everyone knew about us, but here are ten of the most important ones:
1. The weather isn’t that bad.
Milwaukee is infamous for terrible winters. We won’t lie, it can get extremely cold, but we also get to experience all four distinct seasons, and they’re absolutely beautiful.
2. Our Friday’s are dedicated to fish fry.
This is one tradition that can’t be broken. On Friday nights, the entire community gathers together to share a meal that has been a tradition for decades. Not only that, there may even be polka dancing!
3. Frozen custard is better than ice cream.
Milwaukee is practically the frozen custard capital of the world. If you’ve never had it before, you must try Leon’s while you’re here.
4. We’re more than a beer city.
Beer is practically synonymous with Milwaukee. We occasionally get a bad rep for our drinking habits, but there’s so much more to Brew City than our brews. Many Milwaukeeans don’t even drink beer and spend their nights being active rather than on a bar stool.
5. ...but we do brew it better than anyone.
That said, we do appreciate beer to the fullest. Even if beer isn’t all we’re good for, we still do it best. From being the home of many big names in brewing to having a welcoming culture of microbrewers, Milwaukee is the beer capital of the country... we even have more bars than grocery stores! You’ll never go thirsty here.
6. Besides Summerfest, we have many more celebrations.
We’re well-known for having the largest music festival in the world, and don’t get us wrong, we love it! But Summerfest isn't our only fantastic festival; we host dozens of other ethnic events celebrating the cultures of the world. During the summer it’s not hard to find a celebration, and we embrace them all completely!
7. Every neighborhood has something to offer.
Everyone knows the downtown area, or perhaps even the East Side. These areas have plenty to offer, but other neighborhoods are full of character and originality. Whether you’re visiting Bay View, Walker’s Point, Riverwest, Harambee, Washington Heights, or any of the other incredible areas that make up our city, you’re sure to find something special.
8. We have beautiful architecture, but we’re still awfully green.
Milwaukee is a city through and through, but there’s so much beautiful nature to be seen, too! Our parks system is award-winning, and there are over 150 breathtaking parks to explore. You may even forget that you’re city-living with this much green.
9. Despite the headlines, Milwaukee is an amazing place.
Our city often gets a bad reputation in the headlines for the crime that’s happened here, but the news stories don't show off a complete view of Milwaukee. Behind those headlines, we are working hard to show the world that Milwaukee is a beautiful place, and despite the negative opinions, there have been fantastic changes over the years that have brought us closer together as a community.
10. Milwaukee is full of incredible people.
Milwaukeeans are the best people you’ll ever meet, hands down. We’re always willing to lend a hand and a smile, and we are bursting with pride for our city. The people are truly what makes Milwaukee "The Good Land."
Now it’s your turn, Milwaukeeans: what do you wish everyone knew about Brew City? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments!
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