{"id":11478,"date":"2015-09-04T08:25:16","date_gmt":"2015-09-04T08:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"\/inspire\/?p=11478"},"modified":"2017-12-11T23:33:44","modified_gmt":"2017-12-11T23:33:44","slug":"radar-destination-milwaukee-wi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/radar-destination-milwaukee-wi\/","title":{"rendered":"Under The Radar Destination – Milwaukee, WI"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

How did you come to be an expert on Milwaukee?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m a native! Grew up in the southwest suburb of Hales Corners. My extended family has lived in the greater Milwaukee area since the 1800\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Why is Milwaukee so special to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019m talking mad props, killer music.<\/p>\n

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\u2026 river access, etc. That\u2019s why the likes of Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley were set there. For reasons I\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n

\"Mader's<\/a>

Mader’s restaurant in Milwaukee, WI. – Courtesy, VISIT Milwaukee<\/p><\/div>\n

Where in town would you go to celebrate a special occasion?<\/strong><\/p>\n

What an unfair question! But if you really pushed me into a corner, I\u2019d have to suggest one of the iconic mainstays like Maders <\/a>or Karl Ratzsch\u2019s<\/a> – a nod to Milwaukee\u2019s deep-seeded German heritage (only rivaled by its equally deep-seeded Polish heritage.)<\/p>\n

What is a great, small local eatery that only locals know about?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mama Mia\u2019s<\/a> on Greenfield Avenue & 84th St right across from State Fair Park grounds. Incredible, old school Italian family food\u2026 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\u2019s Italian Restaurant, it\u2019s the pizza. It\u2019s not Brooklyn or Philly pizza. It\u2019s not trendy specialty pizza. It\u2019s Ann\u2019s pizza, and it\u2019s a pizza unlike you\u2019ve ever had before. I don\u2019t know of any place that\u2019s served a crust like theirs. Nor a sauce.<\/p>\n

I have no words for Saz\u2019s State House Restaurant<\/a>. It’s a true Milwaukee institution renowned for its FRIED CHEESE KURDS. \u2018Nough said (other than all the bbq and beer too).<\/p>\n

What local venues are the best place to catch some live music?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Music is the cultural undercurrent in Milwaukee. If you\u2019re looking for a venue for more mainstream shows, hit the Riverside Theater<\/a> or better yet, spend two weeks at the Summerfest <\/a>grounds and enjoy the nine free music stages (with bands playing from 10 am-1am everyday) or its mainstage Marcus Amphitheater.<\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re looking for the places with the local or emerging artists, its the OG venue scene all the way. (Warning: Milwaukee\u2019s has its roots in punk. Think Violent Femmes. Just sayin\u2026):<\/p>\n