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Carrie Woods & Kerry Burke
Every Thursday, Say Hello To America will be showcasing the voices behind official Twitter accounts of destinations all across the United States and the city they represent. This week, say hello to Carrie Woods and Kerry Burke from @VisitMilwaukee. Carrie has lived in Milwaukee since 2006, working for VISIT Milwaukee as the Tourism Public Relations Specialist for the past three years. Kerry was born and raised in Milwaukee and has served as Communications Assistant for two years.
1. What time of the year is best to travel to Milwaukee?
While we have plenty of great events happening all year long in Milwaukee, the summer months are the most jam-packed with access to our lakefront. We host some of the world’s largest festivals like Summerfest and Irish Fest as well as a variety of other ethnic festivals along the shoreline, such as Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, Mexican Fiesta, German Fest, Indian Summer Festival and African World Fest. The warm summer weather also opens up some of our great outdoor patios and plenty of outdoor dining.
2. How would you describe the people of Milwaukee?
People in Milwaukee are incredibly friendly, easy-going, relaxed and very welcoming to visitors. Even if you’re a first time tourist to the city, you can end up making new friends very easily, making it feel like you’re right at home.
3. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about Milwaukee?
A favorite aspect of Milwaukee is that despite its large size, it still offers the warmth and ease of a small town. It is a very walkable city, making it easy to see our great museums, music venues, festivals and eclectic neighborhoods. There isn’t anything about Milwaukee that is a least favorite!
4. What is Milwaukee’s most famous landmark or attraction?
The Milwaukee Art Museum is a unique and beautiful building located right along our Lake Michigan shoreline. The addition was completed in 2001 and was designed by international architect Santiago Calatrava. It features a “wing-like” sunscreen, called the Burke Brise Soleil, which can be raised or lowered creating a unique moving sculpture. In fact, the wingspan equals that of a Boeing 747! Inside of the building is the stunning Quadracci Pavillion, a 90-foot high glass-walled reception hall that provides a great view of the lake.
5. Name one “secret” location that a traveler must visit.
One of Milwaukee’s best-kept secrets – literally – is the Safe House, perfect for those seeking an exciting dinner unlike any other. This spy-themed restaurant begs to be explored, with a truly unique ambiance and cool spy props with tricks around every corner. You even need a password to get inside, but don’t count on anyone in Milwaukee telling you. Instead you’ll have to pass a test to get inside, like performing the hokey-pokey.
6. What is the best/easiest mode of transportation to get around the city?
While Milwaukee has a big city feel and many places to visit, many are within a compact footprint of the downtown area. Milwaukee is extremely walkable – you can hop on the Milwaukee RiverWalk and walk to more than 20 blocks where you’ll see art installations along riverfront restaurants, breweries, boutiques, art galleries and more. There is also a Trolley that runs during the summer months that goes in a loop around downtown for only $1 per person. The convenience of being just a few minutes away from what you’re looking for makes Milwaukee a destination that is easy to navigate, and easy on budgets.
7. Is there any festival or event in Milwaukee that a traveler should specifically plan a trip around?
Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, takes place from late June into early June for 11 days each summer at the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park. A 23,000 seat amphitheater and 10 permanent ground stages rock to the sounds of more than 800 bands throughout the run of the festival where you’ll find acts spanning every musical genre, roaming performers, sport demonstrations, family-friendly performances and more. There is a smorgasbord of food to try from festival favorites to exotic ethnic dishes and four huge marketplaces offer shopping stops throughout the festival. The Henry Maier Festival Park is also home to a parade of ethnic festivals throughout the summer including Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, German Fest, African World Festival, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, and the Indian Summer Festival, so each summer weekend is a great weekend to visit Milwaukee.
8. What are the best family-friendly attractions that Milwaukee has to offer?
The Milwaukee County Zoo is home to more than 2,000 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles for families to meet where you’ll also find a Safari Zoo Train, the SkyTrails zip line and ropes course, an old-time carousel and more. Discovery World connects innovation, science and technology with the environment and our Great Lakes freshwater resources. The museum features interactive exhibits, fresh and saltwater aquariums, touch tanks, digital theaters and labs. The Milwaukee Public Museum, ranked one of the country’s best natural history museums, lets you travel the globe at exhibits from Asia, Africa, the Arctic, South and Middle America and the Costa Rican Rainforest! See the world’s largest-known dinosaur skull, stroll among free-flying butterflies from around the world in the Puelicher Butterfly Wing or transport yourself to 1880s Milwaukee with gas lit lanes, granite blocks and historic architecture at the Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit. The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is where children ages 10 and under can have a blast exploring hands-on exhibits that make learning fun. Whether it’s planning a news broadcast in a pretend studio, finding out how far a sneeze travels or imagining what it’s like to power a riverboat down the Mississippi, the Museum offers hours of imaginative play. At the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum®, kids of all ages have a blast testing out motorcycles from the company’s archives, World War II era to present, using touch screen technology to hear the signature sound of Harley-Davidson engines or visiting the Imagination Station Kids Area – complete with a coloring table, motorcycle-themed books and dress-up biker clothes. Checking out the only 85-foot-high, three glass-domed conservatories in the world is an experience in itself, but once you get inside – the adventure starts blooming! Visit the jungle, the desert and see a blanket of color in a sea of mums or poinsettias, at the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, known by locals as the Milwaukee Domes.
9. What is Milwaukee’s signature food that every visitor has to try?
Frozen Custard is Milwaukee’s celebrated dessert! Landmark places to grab a scoop of the creamy and delicious treat are Kopp’s – since 1950 (they have great burgers too!) and Leon’s – since 1942 which has been family-owned and operated all along.
10. If I only had one day to explore Milwaukee, what MUST I see or do?
Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum (the world’s sexiest building according to Virtual Tourist) and the Harley-Davidson Museum (the world’s only!). Stroll the Historic Third Ward neighborhood and pop in to a boutique shop or art gallery along the way. Eat lunch at the Milwaukee Public Market. Take a photo with the Bronze Fonz statue along the Milwaukee RiverWalk. Enjoy a brewery tour at Lakefront Brewery, Sprecher Brewery or the Milwaukee Brewing Company because beer did, after all, make Milwaukee famous!
VISIT Milwaukee Visitor Information Center
Wisconsin Center
Inside main rotunda on First Floor
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Weekday Hours:8am-5pm
Weekend Hours: Saturday 9am-2pm | Sunday 10am-3pm
Connect with Visit Milwaukee
Website: VISIT Milwaukee
Twitter: @visitmilwaukee
Facebook: VISIT Milwaukee
Youtube: VISIT Milwaukee
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