Proudly known as the “City of Festivals,” Milwaukee showcases a rich tapestry of cultural celebrations that unfold throughout the year. There is year-round excitement of college and professional sports teams and picturesque golf courses. Milwaukee is at the epicenter of a region that extends from the natural beauty of Wisconsin’s North Woods two hours to the north to the world-class city of Chicago, 90 minutes to the south.
Milwaukee’s cultural and entertainment scene includes James Beard award-winning chefs, nightclubs, and live music venues that ensure the city never sleeps. And if you are looking to connect with nature, the region boasts an extensive network of hiking paths, ski hills, and cross-country trails, providing ample opportunities to embrace the great outdoors.
Milwaukee holds more festivals than any other city in the United States. The Milwaukee Film Festival, Irish Fest, Polish Fest, and Mexican Fiesta are just a few examples of the diverse range of cultural celebrations that take place annually, showcasing the city’s multicultural fabric.
These events foster cross-cultural understanding, allowing residents and visitors to experience a broad spectrum of artistic performances, cuisine, and traditions.
“The city that turned beer brewing into a major industry by 1900—thanks to barons Blatz, Pabst, Schlitz and Miller—excels today because of multiple personalities. Kayak on downtown rivers, book an Edelweiss cruise along Lake Michigan’s shore or simply stroll Bradford Beach.”
Milwaukee is a sports-loving city offering a variety of professional and college sports. It is home to the Milwaukee Bucks, which won the National Basketball Association national championship in 2021; the Milwaukee Brewers professional baseball team, which won the National League Central Division in 2021; as well as the top-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles and UW-Milwaukee Panthers NCAA basketball teams.
Just a little more than an hour away, Madison is home to the Big 10 Wisconsin Badgers football team and a host of other exciting collegiate teams, including men’s hockey and women’s volleyball. And just two hours to the north is the legendary Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers.
A Culinary SmorgasbordFrom global cuisine and fusion dishes, Milwaukee serves up a full spectrum of epicurean delights including tapas, farm-to-table comfort food, classic fare and iconic fish fries.
Chef Dane Baldwin was named the best chef in the Midwest by the prestigious James Beard Foundation for The Diplomat, his shareable plates restaurant. Four other Milwaukee chefs were named semifinalists.
“Wolfgang Schaefer has a saying about Milwaukee's restaurant scene that sums it up better than any outsider ever could: From comfort food to fine-dining, it's ‘awesome and approachable,’ a sleeping giant that doesn't take itself too seriously.”
Wisconsin has hosted many major golf championships in recent years, including a U.S. Open, two U.S. Women’s Opens, three PGA Championships, and The Ryder Cup. The U.S. Senior Open returned in 2023 and the U.S. Women’s Open comes back in 2025.
Three of the nation’s top 100 golf courses can be found in the Milwaukee area: Washington County’s Erin Hills, which hosted the 2017 U.S. Open; the Milwaukee Country Club in River Hills; and the Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in Wauwatosa. Whistling Straits, in nearby Kohler, has hosted the PGA Championship three times and hosted The Ryder Cup in 2021.
Whether you crave an invigorating workout, a serene stroll; or just a moment of tranquility, southeastern Wisconsin has an abundance of outdoor treasures waiting to be explored.
Botanical gardens and zoos bring nature close to home while hiking and biking paths, ski hills and cross- country trails satisfy the appetite of any outdoors enthusiast.
Prepare to be amazed by Milwaukee County’s vast and awe-inspiring park systems that is one of the largest in the country. There are dozens of public golf courses, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, soccer fields; miles of public beachfront access; and a state park that provides panoramic views of both the Milwaukee skyline and majestic Lake Michigan.