​Milwaukee: Easy does it
Roderick Eime look’s at USA’s smaller cities for a more relaxing experience.
If I were to ask you what you know about Milwaukee, Wisconsin, chances are you might recall the hit 1970s sitcom, ‘Laverne & Shirley’. Either that or you’re a bike nerd and know Milwaukee as the birthplace of the iconic US motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson.
Milwaukee is roughly the size of Newcastle (NSW) and with a similar post-industrial feel, where former heavy industry sites are repurposed for arts, hospitality and general lifestyle. So it is with Milwaukee on the western shore of Lake Michigan, just a short drive north of its much larger neighbour, Chicago.
Furthermore, there is an argument that supports the rise of USA’s small to medium cities as tourism hotspots. Sure, Aussies will always flock to the mega-metropolises of New York and LA, but there is a lot to be said for the less-populated cities such as Portland, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Denver or Seattle.
The crush of humanity in these larger cities can be overwhelming. Times Square in New York City or Disneyland in California is no place for the claustrophobic, so the open spaces and relaxed pace of somewhere like Milwaukee can offer a clear alternative.
Milwaukee is no sleepy town either. There are festivals, museums and outdoor activities for all. Here are just a few.
Located in Oshkosh, two hours north by road from Milwaukee, is the EAA Aviation Museum, an internationally renowned museum with more than 100 airplanes on display. Their signature event, AirVenture takes place every July. www.eaa.org
The Harley-Davidson Museum. Another attraction that draws motorcycle devotees from all around the world. Hundreds of machines on display, plus the history and personalities behind them all, you can also visit one of the H-D factories and this year, 2018, H-D celebrates 115 years with lots of special events. www.h-dmuseum.com
Milwaukee's own science museum includes interactive exhibits, educational programs and more. Located on the Lake Michigan shore, see interactive exhibits, the Reiman Aquarium, which features ten tanks including the 75,000-gallon Lake Michigan Tank and the walk-through tunnel Caribbean Tank. www.discoveryworld.org
Located in the hip Historic Third Ward, The Tory Folliard Gallery is Milwaukee’s premier art gallery and exhibits and sells both emerging and established artists with an emphasis on Midwest.  www.toryfolliard.com Follow up your art tour with a visit to the stunning Milwaukee Art Museum. www.mam.org
If you want a 101 in Milwaukee famous brewing history, stop by the old The Pabst Brewing Company right in downtown for a guided tour and a frosty ale or lager. www.bestplacemilwaukee.com
The year-round indoor Public Market is a great place for gift shopping, light meals and exotic snacks. You can even see cooking demonstrations. www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org
Staying in Milwaukee is a breeze.
The Iron Horse Hotel just across the bridge from the H-D Museum is the chic place for bike nuts in this historic refurbished warehouse. www.theironhorsehotel.com
Gambler or not, the rooms at the Potawatomi Casino are excellent. www.paysbig.com
The historic, Victorian-era Pfister Hotel is located right in the centre of town and harks back to an elegant time in Milwaukee’s past. www.thepfisterhotel.com
Dining in Milwaukee
Doc’s Smokehouse serves southern style meats. Go hungry! www.docsbbq.net
Motor. Great American food and drink at the H-D Museum www.motorrestaurant.com
Fuel. Two sites in town serving fast and flavoursome. www.fuelcafe.com
For comprehensive information about attractions in Milwaukee, visit the official website: www.visitmilwaukee.org

Words and pictures: Roderick Eime http://www.travography.com/

Feature supplied by: www.wtfmedia.com.au
 
Images:
1. Motorbike enthusiasts flock to the Harley-Davidson Museum (RE)
2. Replica of the Easy Rider bike of Peter Fonda (RE)
3. Riverfront at the Historic Third Ward (RE)
4. The Iron Horse Hotel (RE)
5. Discovery World Science Museum (supplied)
6. Milwaukee lakefront skyline with art museum in foreground (supplied)