Smooth Traveler: Memorable Milwaukee

More than 10,000 years ago humans began to settle on the shore of the largest freshwater lake in the country. They called it "Michi Gama," meaning "big lake." The first European, Jean Nicolet, discovered the lake in 1634 and in 1761 Milwaukee is documented for the first time.

Milwaukee's first immigrants were hunters and trappers who settled on what was then a land occupied by local tribes and the name was taken from a Potawatomi Indian word meaning "council grounds." The natural harbor was impetus for the village's rapid growth in the early 1800s and the city's continued popularity and current designation as one of America's most livable cities. Situated on the shores of the only Great Lake with no international border it has maintained the vast majority of its shoreline for public use and visitors can enjoy the 1.6-mile riverwalk and 25-mile "liquid parkway" in a variety of ways. In addition to fishing, canoeing, kayaking and boat tours, an exciting way to experience the waterway is to attend an event in the Henry W. Maier Festival Park.

Milwaukee is world renowned as the "City of Festivals," with a schedule of events that boggles the mind and fits every taste. The 75-acre Maier Festival Grounds, named in honor of a former mayor, is best known as the site of "Summerfest", the largest music festival in the world.

It all began in 1968 when the first Summerfest was spread out over more than thirty locations throughout the city. In the 70s a dedicated location was chosen on the lakefront as a permanent grounds for festivals, concerts and varied events. From a series of rudimentary stages the grounds have expanded to consist of eleven, genre-specific stages of varying sizes, an aerial tram, a children's area featuring special activities and artists and nearly 100 retail and food venues.

Although numerous events are held on the grounds the most famous is still the 11-day Summerfest held in June and July. For more than forty years people have gathered here to celebrate the season and the songs on the shore of Lake Michigan.

There are more than 500 music performances and 200 other types of acts. While watching performances on the US Cellular Stage you can text messages to the stage to vote on the best act and prizes are awarded at the end of the show. Headliners perform in the 23,000 seat Marcus Amphitheater. Prices are more than reasonable with a 3-day pass to the grounds costing less than $50.00 with most of the performances being included in the ticket price. This is a do not miss event. http://www.summerfest.com/

Just as Summerfest is a don't miss event, Milwaukee is filled with must see sites and activities. If shopping is on your list one of the fun places is Retique, the first Goodwill boutique stocked with handpicked designer and vintage clothing, high-end housewares and artworks and handcrafted items, all previously owned and all at astonishing prices. The 5,343-sq. ft shop is situated in the historic Third Ward at 190 N. Broadway. http://www.amazinggoodwill.com/

The Safe-House, 779 N. Front Street, is often featured in the media as one of the most imaginative and exciting places in the city and every word is true. This spy-themed cocktail lounge is wonderful from the moment you set out to find it. Tucked away on a side street, with a discreet sign marked International Exports Ltd., you are sworn to not reveal its location once you find it. Entrance is gained via Ms. Moneypenny's office and the delivery of the correct code.

The earliest documented mention of a spy visiting a safe house is that of the Biblical Joshua in the home of Jericho's Rahab the Harlot and the interior of this safe house is designed around the concept that modern spies continue to need a place to regroup. It is divided into different sections, a French café, an English room, Russian and American Sectors, with the center being a neutral Swiss area.

The décor includes movie posters, many autographed by stars who have visited, the world's largest mechanical puzzle, a fragment of the Berlin Wall, a cell door from East Berlin's Stassi Prison and, my personal favorite, a telephone booth with a wide variety of background noises for use in providing alibis. True to the spirit of the venue the website offers a unique virtual experience. http://www.safe-house.com/

Adjacent to the Safe House is the oldest continuously functioning Press Club in North America, the 1885 Milwaukee Press Club. Autographed plaques on the walls are an American who's who and thematically showcase the signatures of thirteen presidents, including Obama, and a host of entertainers, boxers, and literary figures.

How do you honor a legend? Thousands of people find out each year when they visit the Harley-Davidson Museum at 400 West Canal Street. The 20-acre, three building complex houses a museum, archives, retail shop and two restaurants. The 2-story, nine-gallery museum focuses on 106 years of history through interactive displays, audio, videos and photographs.

Exhibit highlights include the oldest known Harley, Serial Number One, displays of both vintage and customized bikes and the Pop Culture Gallery with Elvis' 1956 Model KH and clips from movies showcasing famous bikes and their riders. At the end of the self-guided tour guests can climb atop the Harley of their choice for a photo op. Don't miss the shop. You can purchase anything from a magnet to a $600 Monopoly game. You can really channel your inner adventurer here. http://www.h-dmuseum.com=0d/

The city's most awe-inspiring structure is the Milwaukee Art Museum with its 2001, $110-million expansion that includes a magnificent wing-like brise soleil, moving sunscreen, with a span equal to that of a Boeing 747. It is 217-ft. across and a mere 1/4-inch thick, thin gauge steel.

Tours begin in the atrium with its marble floor that undulates in the light and 90-ft. tall, 293-ft. wide window. Visitors need several hours to view the museum's 20,000 object permanent collection, 1,400 of which are on display. 700 N. Art Museum Drive. http://www.mam.org/

Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Drive, is the place to test your skill in any of numerous interactive exhibits. This 120,000-foot complex opened in 2006 with a plethora of displays including an aquarium, television studio and recreated 1800s schooner. http://www.discoveryworld.com/

The 3-story Milwaukee Public Museum is a great place to get an overview of the city's history by walking through the replicated "Streets of Old Milwaukee" and a "European Village" that interprets the lifestyles and ethnic heritage of thirty European cultures. Additional highlights include a 2-story Costa Rican Rainforest walk and an excellent series of ethnological dioramas showcasing the diversity of Africa and its people. 800 W Wells St. http://www.mpm.edu/

Brewery baron Captain Frederick Pabst built his Flemish Renaissance Revival Mansion in 1892 at, 2000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, at a cost of $250,000. The 3-story residence was constructed with an elevator, both gas and electric lights, nine bathrooms, 14 fireplaces and hot and cold running water. It remains an architectural gem. Guided tours of the sixteen rooms reveal original furnishings, hardware, woodwork and doors and rooms, each different with furniture designed to match the room. http://www.pabstmansion.com/

The Pabst Mansion does not provide overnight accommodations but leave it to Milwaukee to provide modern day, historic, deluxe equivalents.

The Iron Horse Hotel caters to vacationers and motorcycle enthusiasts. This 6-story, boutique hotel offers 102 rooms in a 100-year old restored furniture company. Guests can experience authentic Wisconsin in the 2-story atrium or in rooms complete with antique furniture, original timbers and artwork by local artists. http://www.theironhorsehotel.com/

The Art Deco Ambassador Hotel is on the register of Historic Hotels of America. It has been refurbished with modern amenities but retains the elegance of its era. 2308 West Wisconsin Avenue. http://www.ambassadormilwaukee.com/

You can't leave Milwaukee without visiting the Potawatomi Bingo Casino. Dream Dance Steak is a 4-star, 4-diamond restaurant that is unrivaled for its cuisine, presentation and service.

After your meal be certain to end your trip with a stop in the 1,300-seat Nest of Life Bingo Hall. It opened in 1991 and pays a jackpot minimum of $73,000 daily. Players choose between paper and electronic cards and the number of cards people can play simultaneously is amazing. http://www.paysbig.com/

There are direct flights to Milwaukee from Philadelphia and fall fares are currently on sale. It is truly a special city filled with unique and unusual things to do and see. Information is available online. http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/

I wish you smooth and festive travels!

By Renée S. Gordon

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