Although it's the 17-largest city in the nation with a vital downtown sector, Milwaukee has been a bit shortchanged in terms of publicity. About the only image that appears in one's mind upon the mention of this city is Laverne and Shirley; Milwaukee is where those sitcom partners in crime took up residence in the popular series, both of them gainfully employed at a local brewery. Yes, Milwaukee is well-known for its brew. And while that's nothing to sneeze at, this town has plenty of other attractions that are worth checking out.

Milwaukee is a center where old and new worlds sit side by side. The city hangs on to tradition while welcoming the arrival of modernism. Located at the point where three rivers meet, Milwaukee was a magnet for settlers from all over the world. As a result of that history, residents that live here today hail from a diverse assortment of ethnic backgrounds, and many of these local populations celebrate their heritage on an annual basis. Throughout the year, you'll see many festivals in progress that pay homage to these varied cultures. The city's architecture is just as diverse; it's a mixture of Victorian buildings, industrial warehouses and upscale lakeside commercial and residential properties. Several city parks wind throughout this eclectic mix of architecture. In recent years, city planners have invested a large amount of money into Milwaukee's Riverwalk development, which serves primarily as an entertainment center for the city.

Because Milwaukee was a major center of industry both in Wisconsin and the North Central region of the United States, the wealthy capitalists who sat at the helm of these industries built opulent mansions and estates along the shores of Lake Michigan. Many of those properties remain standing today, serving as homes for the noveaux-riche. Among the industries that helped Milwaukee soar to economic heights was the manufacture of beer. Several breweries thrived here throughout the 19th century, spurring the opening of bars, pubs and saloons in greater Milwaukee. The founders of those breweries were among the city's wealthiest industrialists. One such economic titan was Capt. Frederick Pabst. Visitors can visit the late captain's former mansion on West Wisconsin Avenue. A study in excess, it's a 37-room, Renaissance-style castle built in 1893.

Breweries continue to proper in Milwaukee today, and so do bars. In fact, some have estimated that modern Milwaukee's bar-to-resident ratio is about 100 to one -- an astonishingly high figure for any metroplitan center. To get more perspective on the brewery industry in Milwaukee, you'll want to pay a visit to Miller Brewing Company, the city's foremost household name brewery. You can take a tour of the brewery, and yes, free samples are included.

Many of the nation's major cities have sacrificed their surrounding natural resources and dismissed that loss as the inevitable cost of urban progress. Not so with Milwaukee. While the city is an industrial center, its Situated on Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is a scenic metropolitan center, and its local attractions wind throughout the natural beauty that surrounds the city. The Milwaukee Art Museum, for example, offers more than just views of priceless masterpieces. Visitors can look out onto scenic views of Lake Michigan and beyond.

The Milwaukee Museum Complex is a three-for-one opportunity for visitors; the complex is comprised of the Milwaukee Public Museum, Discovery World and the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater. Another symbol of Milwaukee is that time-honored piece of Americana, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The company maintains a major facility here. Visitors can tour the plant; it's a must for any fan. The Milwaukee County Zoo also is known nationally; its collection of wildlife is considered among the country's most diverse.

Home prices in greater Milwaukee are generally reasonable, ranging from well under $100,000 to $1 million and more. The city offers a mix of older properties, including many two-family homes; and newer single-family homes and condominiums. Milwaukee's approximately 630,000 residents live in a patchwork of neighborhoods known for their close-knit nature. A few examples are Walker's Point, River West and Sherman Park; all three of these neighborhoods are old, yet well-preserved. Neighbors are well-settled, and many of the families have roots here that extend back through multiple generations. Ethnic traditions -- including Irish, Greek, Italian and Native American -- are strong and reflect Milwaukee's original populations. Many of the residents join together throughout the year to hold festivals that celebrate their traditions. While not every neighborhood is multicultural in its flavor, these three neighborhoods are typical in their well-established nature. Milwaukee residents are known being hard-working, hospitable and down-to-earth.

Milwaukee is an example of a city where tradition lives alongside economic development and progress, where diverse architectural styles and populations stand side by side. This "the more, the merrier" environment -- combined with its afforable home prices -- makes Milwaukee a friendly, approachable town for any visitor or relocating family. Amidst all of the media attention paid to the urban centers on either coast, this city on the water may well be overdue for more favorable publicity.

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Published: November 8, 1999

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