Milwaukee, Wisconsin — Harley-Davidson, beer and festivals.
Heralded as the “City of Festivals,” Milwaukee celebrates its melting pot heritage throughout the year with a delightful procession of ethnic and cultural festivals. Stroll along the RiverWalk which winds along the Milwaukee River with access to some of Milwaukee’s best restaurants, brewpubs, exciting nightlife and shops. And, of course, Milwaukee is best known for its beer culture and breweries as well as the world renowned Harley-Davidson city.
Bold, beautiful and spectacularly progressive-the perfect summation of what Milwaukee is today. Yet the city remains as genuine as ever. It’s still the place where you can best experience the very spirit and values America is built on.
Old traditions of family values, ethnic heritage, diverse culture, and warm hospitality make Milwaukee the Genuine American City.
Stroll along the RiverWalk which winds along the Milwaukee River with access to some of Milwaukee’s best restaurants, brewpubs, exciting nightlife and shops. Eye-catching art displays adorn the RiverWalk, home to many of Milwaukee’s Festivals including Riversplash, River Rhythms, Rainbow Summer and more.
Nestled along a magnificent bluff overlooking one of Lake Michigan’s most beautiful bays, Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and the 22nd-largest nationwide. The city is known for its cleanliness and safety.
Long before the first settlers came to this area, the Algonkian Indians had a special name for the land: Millioki, which means “gathering place by the waters.”
The Indians may have picked the name because they used the area for tribal gatherings or because they observed how three rivers (the Menomonee, the Kinnickinnic and the Milwaukee) met before flowing into the waters of Lake Mie-sit-gan (Michigan).
Heralded as the “City of Festivals,” Milwaukee celebrates its melting pot heritage throughout the year with a delightful procession of ethnic and cultural festivals.
Asian Moon Festival, Rainbow Summer, Polish Fest, RiverSplash!, Lakefront Festival of Arts, Bavarian VolksFest, Bastille Days, CajunFest, Festa Italiana, German Fest, African World Festival, PrideFest, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, Labor Fest, Oktoberfest, Indian Summer Festival, Arabian Fest and the Holiday Folk Fair are all colorful tributes to a cherished past.
In addition to the ethnic festivals, Milwaukee is home to the nationally-acclaimed Summerfest, the world’s biggest festival.
Milwaukee boasts a wide range of historical and architectural landmarks including the magnificent Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion, home of one of the city fathers and beer barons.
The St. Joan of Arc Chapel, originally built during the 15th century in Lyon, France; the Charles Allis Art Museum, the English Tudor mansion of the first president of Allis-Chalmers Company; The Kilbourntown House, an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture, listed in the National Register of Historic Places; Milwaukee’s City Hall, a landmark of Flemish Renaissance design built in 1895; Basilica of St. Josaphat’s, an architectural masterpiece and the first Polish basilica in North America.
Sightseeing and Attractions
See our article: Milwaukee — Sightseeing & Attractions
Climate and Temperatures
Best time to travel / Season
Climate and Temperatures
Milwaukee has four distinct seasons.
Lake Michigan influences the climate considerably, cooling the city in the warm months and moderating cold temperatures in the winter.
The average temperature for the seasons are:
Spring (March to May): 52.5° F (11.4° C);
Summer (June to August): 77.7° F (25.4° C);
Fall (September to November): 58.6° F (14.8° C);
Winter (December to February): 29.4° F (-1.5° C).
Precipitation averages: around 33 inches (84 cm) per year.
Data and Facts
Area
96.91 square miles (251 sq. km)
Public transportation
Milwaukee County Transit System
Population
596,974
(U.S. Census 2000; every 10 years)
Airport
Mitchell International Airport
Elevation 816 ft. (248.71 m): Southwest side at S 93rd St and Beloit Rd.(Department of Public Works)
Visitor Center
101 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 425, Milwaukee
