Beyond Beer and Brats: Milwaukee Facts That Reveal a City of Surprises

Although it's well-known for its beer and cheese, Milwaukee is a waterfront, Midwestern city that offers much more than blue ribbon breweries and addictive cheese curds. Here are fun facts that showcase Milwaukee’s unique character.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Photo byMiguel Ángel SanzonUnsplash

Largest City in Wisconsin: With over 1.5 million residents, Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest city, making it a bustling hub along Lake Michigan.

Impressive Innovations: Milwaukee played a key role in communication technology, being the birthplace of the QWERTY keyboard and the answering machine, innovations that shaped modern-day devices.

Brew City Legacy: Nicknamed "Brew City", Milwaukee’s German immigrants laid the foundation for its brewing industry in the 19th century. Today, iconic brands like Pabst, Miller, and Schlitz keep the city’s beer history alive.

Summerfest in Milwaukee.Photo byShutterstock.

Milwaukee is the City of Festivals: Milwaukee hosts Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival drawing more than one million attendees and featuring over 1,000 performances across 11 days each summer. Milwaukee also hosts a wide range of cultural and ethnic festivals, including PrideFest, Polish Fest, Bastille Days, Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, and several other annual festivals.

Fish Fry Tradition: Milwaukee’s Friday Fish Fry tradition began during Prohibition when local breweries served fried fish to offset beer sales restrictions. The tradition continues to be a city favorite.

Fish Fry in Milwaukee.Photo bySage Scott.

Teddy Roosevelt’s Near Miss: In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt in Milwaukee, famously delivering a speech before seeking medical attention for the bullet wound.

Cream City Bricks: You may be surprised to learn that Milwaukee’s nickname, “Cream City”, comes not from its dairy but from its distinctive cream-colored bricks made from local clay.

Home of Harley-Davidson: The iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand was founded in Milwaukee, where you can visit the Harley-Davidson Museum, the only one of its kind in the world.

A man on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.Photo byMaxim SimonovonUnsplash

Riverwalk Charm: Milwaukee’s Riverwalk stretches over three miles, lined with restaurants, shops, and a statue of “The Fonz”, a nod to the city’s role in the TV show Happy Days.

Winter Fun: Milwaukee’s Slice of Ice skating rink in Red Arrow Park is larger than New York’s Rockefeller Center rink, making it a winter must-visit.

Polar Plunge Tradition: For the brave, Milwaukee’s Polar Plunge invites residents to dive into icy Lake Michigan each New Year’s Day, a tradition since 1916.

Architectural Marvels: Milwaukee’s Art Museum, with its bird-like Burke Brise Soleil, and Miller Park, with its unique fan-shaped retractable roof, are two standout examples of the city’s innovative architecture.

Joan of Arc Chapel at Marquette University.Photo bySage Scott.

Joan of Arc Chapel: Located on the campus of Marquette University, this centuries-old chapel was transported from France and holds a fascinating history.

Milwaukee’s vibrant history, from beer brewing to cultural festivals, offers something for everyone. Whether you’re exploring its architectural wonders or indulging in frozen custard, this city is full of surprises.

Check out the full article at Everyday Wanderer for more fun facts about Milwaukee.