Today marks 414 Day – otherwise known as an excellent excuse to talk about our true first love: Milwaukee. (Honestly, just about anything or everything is a great excuse to brag about Brew City.) To celebrate our city, we came up with 414 reasons why we love it here. It was even easier than we thought. In no particular order:

1. The recombobulation area at the airport

2. The chaser – because of course we serve a bonus beer with our alcohol

3. The awesome DJ Shawna

4. Urban spelunking through all the history, obvious and hiding in plain sight, across the city

5. We love to rescue dogs and treat them like family

6. Cranky Al’s donuts – just ask Alton Brown!

7. The lack of pretense

8. Driving thru Miller Valley

9. Kopps burgers, grilled cheese and, of course, custard

10. Milwaukee Public Market’s variety

11. Bob Uecker, the voice of baseball in Brew City

12. The City Hall bell

13. Everything about and at Sherman Phoenix

14. Human pinsetters at Koz’s Mini Bowl

15. Urban Beets’ smoothies

16. Works burrito from Beans and Barley

17. Stone Creek’s scones

18. The 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks

19. Real Chili’s lunch counter

20. Breakfast at Blue’s Egg (no matter the wait time)

21. Fiserv Forum, which feels shiny and new yet now like home – especially when it's filled with cheering fans

22. Midnight Madness at Marquette

23. Purple Door’s whiskey ice cream

24. Kids’ (and adults’) photos on the Milwaukee County Zoo train

25. How easy it is to get to Chicago (if you need to get away, for some reason)

26. Conejito’s chicken mole

27. Our cool, easy-to-dial area code

28. Rueben rolls at O’Lydia’s

29. September’s weather – "Milwaukee’s new summer month"

30. The Streets of Old Milwaukee’s candy shop

31. Katie Rose from Goodkind

32. Victory Gardens Initiative commitment to urban gardening

33. Learning to ride a Harley Davidson – or riding on the back of one

34. Hooligan’s patio for lunch on a warm day

35. The lake’s colors – and they are different every day

36. Fr. Tim Kitzke of Three Holy Women parish

37. Autographed photos of Packers at The Bungalow

38. The affordability of The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center

39. Nachos from El Senorial

40. Miller Lite in the shower

41. These coffee shops 

42. The sound of ringing bells on paleta carts

43. The innovative elevators in the CityCenter

44. Rx Drugs (local band)

45. Steny’s Bloody Mary

46. The "flame" a top the Wisconsin Gas Building

47. Old Blatz signs outside of bars like Uptowner 

48. Milwaukee themed loca-mojis and gifs

49. The swanky decor at Five O’clock Steakhouse

50. "I Closed Wolski’s" bumper stickers

51. The Waxwing

52. The Boat House

53. Bras hanging from the ceiling at Holler House

54. Brussel sprouts at Swinging Door

55. Walking around at Seven Bridges

56. Peanut carriers at AJ Bombers

57. Sculpture Milwaukee

58. Magnificent European Copper Beech tree in South Shore Park

59. MATC Promise Program

60. The Riverwest house with cars planted in the front yard

61. Soup on a bitterly cold Brew City day

62. Judge Derek Mosley

63. View from Blu in The Pfister Hotel

64. Usinger’s fresh liver sausage

65. Boulevards on Newberry Boulevard

66. Janitor statue at Milwaukee Art Museum

67. Friday 80s Night at Mad Planet

68. Paul "PK" Kennedy

69. Black Sheep’s wine dispensers

70. Safe House password

71. The still-feels-new East Side Library

72. Walker’s Point mural on South Second Street

73. Press waffles

74. Quaker Meeting House

75. The Summerfest splash pad. Actually, everything about the Big Gig

76. Vintage finds at BC Modern

77. Fuel Cafe on Fifth Street

78. The Wisconsin Humane Society

79. That we're the hometown of Oscar winner John Ridley and cinematic icon Gene Wilder

80. It's Small-waukee: Everyone knows everyone here

81. Lake Park lighthouse

82. Day drinking wine at the Public Market

83. Walker’s Point Center for the Arts

84. Vintage "I’m Hooked on Oriental Drugs" T-shirts

85. Our uber Midwest accent

86. Mark Waldoch’s voice

87. Walking around the pond at Kosciuszko Park

88. Elsa’s burgers

89. Milwaukee Tool’s logo

90. Wednesday night bingo at Hamburger Mary’s

91. Fishing in Lincoln Park

92. Bar dice

93. Fresh peppercorns from Penzey’s Spices

94. El Rey’s lemon chips

95. The timelessness of the Violent Femmes’ first album

96. Roverwest in Riverwest

97. This video of Craig Counsell

98. Memories of The Purple House

99. The yellow giraffe sculpture on Lincoln Memorial Drive

100. Outpost Natural Foods

101. Paddleboats on the lagoon at Veteran’s Park

102. Koss headphones

103. Soul Boxer's bourbon old fashioned

104. Fischberger’s

105. Locust Street Festival Beer Run

106. Quality Optical

107. The brand new 3rd Street Market Hall

108. Sitting on the rocks during lakefront festivals

109. Phoritos from Bamboo

110. The Milverine

111. Rollerskating at Rollero

112. Third Ward Gallery Night and Day

113. The piano man in the Pfister Lobby Lounge

114. Taco Moto's corn cup

115. Children’s Outing Association’s Family Center

116. Spoken word performances by Kavon Cortez Jones

117. Brainbusters at Bryant’s

118. Our abundance of hoppy and historic brewery tours

119. Jukebox at Mamie’s

120. The legendary, late Dick Bacon

121. The Villa Terrace

122. Lucky Bob’s Raceway

123. The throwback movie selections at The Times Cinema

124. Even when the weather's cold, we look beautiful

125. These 34 things about Giannis – though we could keep going well beyond 34

126. Three Bridges Park

127. A good clean shave from groom or Stag

128. The bar at Harbor House

129. The good folks and great music at Radio Milwaukee

130. The Domes – especially the "behind the scenes" story

131. Colectivo’s Blue Heeler blend

132. Moda3

133. "Rock ‘N Roll Pizza Party" by Tigernite

134. Swinging in Milwaukee parks

135. Our love of fish fry

136. MPS’ Montessori schools

137. MPM’s European Village

138. Tiny succulents from Mod Gen

139. Frederick Olmsted’s Lake Park art

140. Speed Queen’s pork shoulder

141. Butter pecan custard at Leon’s

142. Lynden Sculpture Garden

143. The knives in the gift boxes at Usinger’s

144. Our love of patios, whether at a bar, restaurant or even just at home

145. Hartung Park’s pond

146. Paul Cebar’s music

147. Our many delicious pizza options

148. The Pabst Mansion’s skylight

149. The new Northwestern Mutual Commons tower

150. The sneaky snake button at MPM

151. The Miller Brewery Tour

152. The Northpoint Water Tower

153. Dusty road sundae at Gilles’

154. Renaissance Books at the airport

155. Rocket Baby brioche bread

156. The shimmering star-filled ceiling in the main house of the Avalon Theater

157. The Menomonee River Parkway trail

158. The renovated Marcus DeBack Playground

159. The beautiful Old Soldiers Home buildings

160. Nite Owl burgers

161. Festa Italiana’s food (duh)

162. YMCA’s Camp Minikani

163. Frank Zeidler was our mayor

164. Milwaukee Public Library’s online librarian chat service

165. The view of the lake and Discovery World from Gallery K216 at Milwaukee Art Museum

166. Maple bourbon wings at McGinn’s on Bluemound

167. MKE Brewing Co.’s Hop Happy IPA

168. Miller Bakery pretzel buns

169. The mosaics in the Wells Building entry

170. Hoyt Park Landing Beer Garden

171. WMSE Radio Free Milwaukee

172. Taking a sail on the The Denis Sullivan

173. Uncle Wolfie's

174. Boerner Botanical Gardens

175. Milwaukee County Historical Society

176. The Wauwatosa roll at Ginza Japanese

177. Henry Koch architecture (City Hall, Pfister Hotel, Turner Hall, etc.)

178. Tutu cookies at Sciortino’s Bakery

179. The Oriental Theatre – and particularly the elephants

180. Acme Records

181. This bucket list of 52 Milwaukee restaurants

182. Boswell Book Company and the great books they have to offer

183. The Big O burger at Oscar’s Pub and Grill

184. The delicious wings at Neighborhood Draft

185. Karl Kalich’s WPA sculptures at Parklawn

186. Milwaukee County Zoo’s Aquatic and Reptile Center

187. Walker’s Point Center for the Arts

188. Not one, but TWO lion houses

189. St. Joan of Arc Chapel at Marquette

190. Biking the Hank Aaron State Trail

191. The Bay View High School auditorium murals

192. Mr. Dye’s Pies

193. Frank Lloyd Wright system built homes on Burnham Street

194. All of the cocktail finds at Bittercube Bar & Bazaar

195. Wednesday wings at Club Garibaldi

196. O&H Kringle

197. Old fashioneds at The Packing House

198. Fein Brothers

199. Bublr Bikes

200. Housemade cones at Oscar’s Frozen Custard

201. Milwaukee's best bar burgers

202. The cats at Downtown Books

203. Jeremy Novy’s koi fish

204. County Clare’s mashed potatoes

205. When the real moon is over the Polish moon

206. Cream City brick

207. Burt's Liquors

208. Watching future Nashville Predators stars at Milwaukee Admirals games

209. Rush-Mor Records vinyl selection

210. The old Bernie’s slide at Lakefront Brewery

211. Mama Tried motorcycle festival

212. OnMilwaukee April Fools edition

213. Weekday day games at American Family Field

214. Secret Stadium Sauce

215. The Ball and Glove logo aka the new logo

216. All of our neighborhood ice rinks, making the best of our brutal winters

217. Milwaukee's many marvelous "Hidden Gems"

218. Classic Slice

219. The Usinger’s Elves

220. Milwaukee Pretzel Company pretzels

221. Rishi craft brew tea

222. The London Cleaners

223. At Random

224. Espresso shakes at Purple Door Ice Cream

225. Deer District and all the excitement on that side of town

226. The gorgeous new home of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

227. Brandy – and our legendary love of it

228. Summer days lounging "on the beach" at Twisted Fisherman

229. Memories of Oriental Drugs

230. Cold brew from Pilcrow Coffee

231. The witch’s house

232. Fresh, squeaky, warm cheese curds from Clock Shadow Creamery

233. Kettle Range Meats’ tomahawk steak

234. Neon fish on the river

235. Tasty sausages with wacky wrestling names at The Vanguard

236. The whimsical patio at Odd Duck

237. Iron Ho Ho

238. Cool finds at American Science & Surplus

239. Bowling at Holler House

240. The Ladybug Building

241. Kingdom of Talossa

242. Twisted Path dark rum

243. Chef Adam Pawlak – not only his tasty restaurants in town but how he represented Milwaukee so well on "Hell's Kitchen"

244. The Milwaukee Film Festival (this year's edition, less than a week away!)

245. Sunday Funday’s at The Garage

246. The cute little patio at Pourman’s

247. Blueberry pancakes from Riverwest Co-op

248. Honey bee latte from Anodyne Coffee

249. TVs on Leff’s Lucky Town patio

250. Cheese whips on a bloody Mary 

251. Calderone Club pizza and staff

252. Milwaukee's other awesome historic East Side movie theater: The Downer

253. The cozy warm weather escape that is Foundation Tiki Bar in Riverwest

254. The rooftop lounge at The Rave

255. The salted caramel pot de creme at Balzac

256. 414 hat from Too Much Rock For One Hand

257. Carrot cake from Buckley’s

258. A panini from Nessun Dorma

259. Barnacle Bud’s patio

260. The rooftop fires at The Outsider

261. A hookah at Casablanca

262. Forest Home Cemetery

263. The popcorn at Wolski’s

264. These amazing entrepreneurs of color

265. The Estate’s vibe

266. Corned beef hash at Benji’s

267. St. Paul’s Fish Company’s lobster roll

268. Indulgence Chocolatiers dark chocolate sea salt

269. Great Lakes Distillery’s front patio

270. Ringing out ahoya with an M-U rah rah at Golden Eagles games

271. 414 Day

272. Tour of America’s Dairyland

273. St. Joan of Arc Chapel

274. Old St. Mary’s Parish

275. Milwaukee OGs

276. Glorioso’s Italian Market

277. The Wisconsin Club

278. The Milwaukee Riverwalk

279. Doors Open Milwaukee

280. The NEWaukee Night Market

281. Driving, walking or biking Canal Street to American Family Field

282. Lost Valley Cider Co.

283. The patio at The Plaza Hotel

284. Cubanitas’ plantain chips

285. Xankia

286. Brews and views at City Lights Brewing Co.

287. That pretty much any bar can be a Packers bar

288. MKEBKE’s summer underwear bike rides

289. The People’s Flag

290. Paintings by Reginald Baylor

291. Gallery night at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

292. Cyclocross season

293. Perusing Black Cat Alley

294. The exploring the ever expanding Oak Leaf Trail

295. We have a statue of The Crusher

296. Red Light Ramen

297. Getting enveloped in nature in the middle of the city on the Milwaukee River trails

298. The helpful ‘tudes at Bliffert’s Hardware

299. Milwaukee's first food hall: Crossroads Collective!

300. The dogs at Art Bar

301. Roller girls

302. Winter trips to the Mitchell Park Domes

303. The beer garden at Third Space Brewing

304. The view from the North Ave. Reservoir

305. Riverwest 24

306. The lions at Lake Park

307. Bradford Beach

308. The Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market

309. Milwaukee Community Sailing Center

310. The North Ave. Water Tower

311. Driving north on the Hoan, particularly if speeding a lot

312. Driving east up Water Tower Rd, particularly if speeding a little

313. Fein Brothers

314. Shah Jee’s

315. Maxing out the heat scale at ee-sane

316. Telling people City Hall was the tallest habitable building in the U.S. when it opened

317. The view of the river/city from the North Avenue and Locust Street bridges

318. Floating at Float Milwaukee

319. The famous racing sausages

320. Lake Park Bistro

321. Eating basically anywhere in Silver City

322. The hot deli at El Rey

323. Tailgating at Miller Park American Family Field

324. How gorgeous the Milwaukee Art Museum is – and that's before you even go inside

325. Winter trips to the Milwaukee County Zoo

326. Our world-class ballet 

327. Plants that don’t belong, but survive because of said climate near the lake (e.g. the weeping beech near the North Ave. water tower has no business thriving here)

328. Fests every weekend in the summer

329. Juneteeth Day

330. The view of Fiserv Forum from Glass + Griddle's rooftop patio

331. Milwaukee Running Festival

332. Milk House at the state fair

333. Beer. Gardens. 

334. Hawaiian at Pizza Man

335. The Great Milwaukee Summer

336. Milwaukeeanisms.

337. Banana pudding dessert at Mr. Perkins

338. The wings at Points East Pub

339. Bartolotta Downtown Kitchen in US Bank Building

340. Chicken noodle soup at George Webb’s

341. Miss Katie’s Diner

342. So much frozen custard – yet somehow never enough either!

343. Cafe Lulu’s Calabrese salad

344. How much Milwaukee's dining scene has grown in the past decade

345. The view when driving East on Wisconsin Avenue and The Calling is in front of the open wings of "the Calatrava"

346. Happy hour at The Knick

347. An Old Fashioned at Jamo’s on a cold, winter night

348. The burgers from Merriment Social

349. The Dogg Haus hotdogs

350. The small kids park in the Historic Third Ward

351. Bavette La Boucherie’s meat counter 

352. The Milwaukee Toast!

353. Snacking on a Saz’s sampler at Summerfest

354. A Summer Shandy while the grill is heating up

355. The drive-thru option at the Downtown Public Library

356. The relish plate at Jackson’s Grill (which is hopefully coming back this year)

357. Our constantly growing and changing craft brewing scene

358. Atari at Koppa’s

359. Watching the planes take off from Mitchell on Layton Ave.

360. BBC Lighting

361. Free popcorn at Y-Not II

362. "The Be A Maker Space" at Betty Brinn Museum

363. The typewriter collection in the basement of the Milwaukee Public Museum

364. Memories of the Grand Avenue Mall circa 1984

365. The iconic John McGivern

366. Kayaking the Milwaukee River

367. Expo Hall at Wisconsin State Park

368. A table outside at Cafe Hollander on Downer

369. A glass of rose at the back bar at Groppi’s

370. Tomken’s fried chicken

371. Riverkeeper

372. Chocolate cheese at Wisconsin Cheese Mart

373. MAM After Dark

374. The sounds and smells of Mitchell Street on a warm day

375. Bullseye Records

376. Food truck Fridays at Red Arrow Park

377. South Shore Terrace Beer Garden

378. Hot ham and rolls on Sundays from Grebe’s

379. Pizza from Zaffiro’s

380. Glo-Bowl at Bay View Bowl

381. Music lessons from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

382. Indian groceries from Best Foods

383. Thrift shopping at Marlene’s

384. Everything and anything with Milwaukee Makers Market

385. Shank Hall shows

386. Cathedral Square lights at Christmas time

387. An Americano from Valentine Coffee

388. Four Seasons Skate Park

389. Solomon Juneau’s "cabin" in Juneau Park

390. Picnic at Lakeshore State Park

391. Bocce at Lake Park

392. The opulent Pabst Theater

393. The sparkly public art at Discovery World

394. Miller Caves

395. How awesome you all looked in Deer District during the Bucks' run through the 2021 playoffs

396. Milwaukee historian extraordinaire John Gurda

397. Glamping

398. Dead Man’s Carnival at Miramar

399. The "Milwaukee: It’s Tits" poster

400. Mittenfest

401. St. Patrick’s Parade

402. True Skool Inc.

403. Brewhaus Polka Kings accordion band at Lakefront Brewery fish fry

404. The view of Downtown skyline when driving north over The Hoan Bridge

405. Hands of Henna by Anita

406. Antiques on Pierce – all three floors!

407. Day of the Dead parade in Walker’s Square

408. Knight’s Bar at Mader’s

409. The memories and feelings that Lake Michigan inspires

410. Fried cheese curds from Who’s On Third

411. The blue soda at Maria’s Pizza

412. Milwaukee Air & Water Show

413. Watching soccer bright and early at The Highbury

414. The wonderful users and readers of OnMilwaukee