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It’s no surprise that Summerfest is a draw for folks both near and far. After all, it’s the biggest friggin’ music festival in the world. But lately, folks are seeing the city behind the Big Gig, and that’s even better.
Take for instance this article published today in the Chicago Tribune, which outlines 10 things to do in Milwaukee during Summerfest.
It’s a very good list and includes some of the best things to do during our great Milwaukee summer, including planting your butt in a beer garden, heading to Lakefront Brewery or Great Lakes Distillery, exploring the Riverwalk, taking a Milwaukee Food & City Tour and climbing up the North Point Lighthouse.
There’s also a plug for the pork shank in apple demi-glaze at Mader’s, and an affectionate shout-out for Colectivo Coffee (which Chicago better be cozying up to, considering a cafe is coming their way).
And I was happy to see the author didn’t miss recommending a trip over to the Milwaukee Art Museum, though if it were me doing the writing, I’d add a trip to Cafe Calatrava or the East End Wine Bar, because Chef Jason Gorman has taken art museum cuisine to a whole new level in both places.
Surely there are other hidden secrets to be explored in our amazing city (here are 100 more suggestions for you). But hey, you gotta start somewhere.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
