Discover Milwaukee & Madison

Milwaukee [1] and Madison [2]. Call them the Heart and Soul of Wisconsin. Mind and Body. Yin and yang. Though which is which is delightfully debatable.

The two sibling cities perfectly realize the scope of what the state is and so much more. Cows? Sure. Naïve country folk? Well, you’ll hear “gosh” a lot and have perfect strangers chat you up at bus stops and restaurants.

When the two cities reveal their true Midwesterness is when you’ll be most appreciative. You’ll be utterly befuddled when, at a four-way stop-sign, a local will wave everyone through while waiting patiently — proof that urban can be lovely and polite.

The state capital is personified in its earnest politicos, earth-friendly neo-hippies, and overworked grad students. In Madison [2], everything is worthy of a community watchdog committee. The people of Milwaukee [1], on the other hand, roll up their sleeves and get to work; they don’t have to debate — things are, after all, “cooler by the lake.” Milwaukee and Madison have a contentious relationship at times — like any siblings — but they have many things in common, including being woefully overlooked and underappreciated by outsiders.

Aw-shucks humble, these two cities would never think to brag on their superlatives, yet there are many. Madison and its surroundings are perennial winners in “Best Places to Live” rankings and Milwaukee was even named “America’s Sexiest City” recently. Together they help keep Wisconsin in the top five most livable states.

Surrounding both cities are splendid sights. For your picture book clichés, moo-cow farmlands provide the best agricultural tourism of the state, especially south and west of Madison (Monroe and New Glarus). Anachronistic tiny towns such as Cedarburg [3] and Mineral Point seem straight out of a 19th-century daguerreotype. Even the North Woods resort experience can be found at Lake Geneva, the place where generations of Chicagoans have relaxed for the summer.

Whatever you’re looking for, these two cities have got it. And, assuredly, it always comes with a handshake and a smile.