In this “Under The Radar Destination” column, Travelocity spoke with Anita Mellon, a Wisconsin native who has some great ideas on why Milwaukee might just be the perfect place to experience this unique midwestern city.
How did you come to be an expert on Milwaukee?
I’m a native! Grew up in the southwest suburb of Hales Corners. My extended family has lived in the greater Milwaukee area since the 1800’s.
Why is Milwaukee so special to you?
Aside from defining me and molding my life trajectory (thanks Marquette! University!), between its cuisine and more importantly, its killer music scene, Milwaukee is a fantastically underrated cultural destination . And I’m talking mad props, killer music.
Fun fact: Did you know back (way back) in the day, Milwaukee was the city charted to be the Midwest urban mecca? A great place on a Great Lake… river access, etc. That’s why the likes of Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley were set there. For reasons I’d need to research further, it never ended up working out that way though. And now Milwaukee plays the role of red-headed stepchild sister city to (the genuinely fabulous) Chicago.
Mader’s restaurant in Milwaukee, WI. – Courtesy, VISIT Milwaukee
Where in town would you go to celebrate a special occasion?
What an unfair question! But if you really pushed me into a corner, I’d have to suggest one of the iconic mainstays like Maders or Karl Ratzsch’s – a nod to Milwaukee’s deep-seeded German heritage (only rivaled by its equally deep-seeded Polish heritage.)
What is a great, small local eatery that only locals know about?
Mama Mia’s on Greenfield Avenue & 84th St right across from State Fair Park grounds. Incredible, old school Italian family food… but the garlic bread. Oh good heavens, the garlic bread. You honestly have never in your life seen, much less tasted, anything of the like. At Ann’s Italian Restaurant, it’s the pizza. It’s not Brooklyn or Philly pizza. It’s not trendy specialty pizza. It’s Ann’s pizza, and it’s a pizza unlike you’ve ever had before. I don’t know of any place that’s served a crust like theirs. Nor a sauce.
I have no words for Saz’s State House Restaurant. It’s a true Milwaukee institution renowned for its FRIED CHEESE KURDS. ‘Nough said (other than all the bbq and beer too).
What local venues are the best place to catch some live music?
Music is the cultural undercurrent in Milwaukee. If you’re looking for a venue for more mainstream shows, hit the Riverside Theater or better yet, spend two weeks at the Summerfest grounds and enjoy the nine free music stages (with bands playing from 10 am-1am everyday) or its mainstage Marcus Amphitheater.
However, if you’re looking for the places with the local or emerging artists, its the OG venue scene all the way. (Warning: Milwaukee’s has its roots in punk. Think Violent Femmes. Just sayin…):
If a visitor wanted to do some true local shopping in Milwaukee (i.e. local products not available nationally), where should they go?
My suggestions would be the Third Ward / Riverwest Neighborhoods or the Milwaukee Public Market.
Shopping in Milwaukee’s Third Ward – Courtesy VISIT Milwaukee
If a beer or wine aficionado came to town, where would you send them to sample locally made “beverages”?
Lakefront Brewery has the FUNNEST brewery tour, ever in the history of brewery tours. Run, don’t walk to enjoy this experience and ‘sample’ the wares along the way (hint: be sure you have Uber or Lyft. Milwaukee has never been widely regarded for its taxi scene.)
Milwaukee Art Museum – Courtesy VISIT Milwaukee
Are there any historical spots/museums/etc, that would help visitors to learn more about Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has some great museums, the most well-known being the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum. Another great way to learn about Milwaukee is to take an Edelweiss Yacht outing on Lake Michigan.
If a visitor wanted to get a feel for the Milwaukee area, are there any tours, walks, excursions that you would recommend?
There are so many great ways to see and get a feel for Milwaukee – some of my recommendations would be:
- Miller Brewery tour
- Harley Davidson tour
- Pabst Mansion tour
- All along Lincoln Memorial Drive (along the water and the trails throughout the cliffs across the street)
- Up and down Water Street
- Brady Street
- Downer Street
- North Avenue and all its offshoot streets/neighborhoods from the Easternmost entrance (off Lakeshore Drive) through to Oakland St.
Other than what you have listed above, what is a special place that you would take a friend visiting Milwaukee for the first time?
Two Milwaukee INSTITUTIONS that every first-timer should see are The Safehouse and Bryant’s. Assuming you can find The Safehouse, good luck getting into this nameless hole in the wall spy-themed bar without the secret code word (insider tip: be sure to ask, ‘Is this a safe house?’ while you’re trying to figure things out. And as for Bryant’s, if you do NOTHING else while visiting Milwaukee, for the love of all things holy go get yourself brain-busted at Bryant’s. After one of these famous (or infamous, or notorious) cocktails, you honestly won’t be able to tell if you’re at the real Regal Begal or just its doppelganger. It’s all about the vibe here. Go, experience, indulge. Be merry.
Anita Mellon is a birthright Cheesehead who’s never actually owned or worn a cheesehead. In spite of immediately fleeing the cold after college for Southern Californian paradise, she couldn’t be more proud of her Milwaukee roots. It is a great place on a Great Lake, after all.
Travelocity Editors
Latest posts by Travelocity Editors (see all)
- Why some airline refunds take so long - March 18, 2022
- Save $1,000 on these popular family vacation destinations during Daylight Saving Time - March 4, 2021
- 4 season’s greetings from the Travelocity Roaming Gnome (VIDEO) - December 16, 2020
Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.
