Some visit events like Summerfest and State Fair for the beer. Others prefer the music. Some hit Miller Park and the BC for the love of the game.
But lots of Milwaukeeans visit these spots and others around town simply to gaze upon their fellow Milwaukeeans. People-watching is a fun and satisfying sport and one that most of us love to engage in.
With that in mind, we offer up our staffers' suggestions for the best people-watching in the Milwaukee area. And we trust that you, dear readers, will do the same using the Talkback feature at the bottom.
Let's just remember to be kind, folks. People-watching ought to be fun, not mean-spirited. But who could blame you if you snickered every once in a while. Just be discreet.
Julie Lawrence
Staff writer
Pick: The Nomad World Pub
Some of the
best people watching in the city, in my opinion, is from the sunny patio
at The Nomad World Pub. Sitting comfortably on the corner of Brady Street
and Warren Avenue with a drink in your hand lends itself to all kinds of
interesting sights and sounds, from street musicians playing for
spare change, to trendy shoppers ducking in and out of boutiques and vintage
stores. And as the sun sets, the street's nightlife sets in ... and if
you're still sitting out on the patio, cheers.
Drew Olson
Senior editor
Pick: The food court at Mayfair Mall
Let's face it, you don't really go there for the food. When you absolutely need that Auntie Anne's pretzel and a soda or some bourbon chicken to fuel another hour of power shopping, you can plunk yourself down and watch the show. With relaxing piano music in the background, you can check out the action with mall employees on break, new moms looking to get out of the house, businessmen conducting meetings, teenagers on dates ... It's a smorgasbord of people-watching, with a multitude of food options. When I retire, I might spend an hour or two a month lingering over a Cinnabon and watching the show -- as long as it isn't Christmas time.
Jeff Sherman
President
Picks: Milwaukee Bucks games and Jazz in the Park
The NBA Playoffs bring out a whole new class of fan, so the three game this past season were full of prime-time people-watching. From players' wives and kids to former players and, of course, plenty of Green Bay Packers the Bradley Center's lower bowl is a who's who. Winning helps and not only builds buzz for the Bucks but adds eye candy for the fans.
There may not be a more diverse event than Jazz. Old, young, all races, all parts of town and all occupations -- Jazz in the Park has them all and Cathedral Square Park provides a perfect setting for people-watching.
Bobby Tanzilo
Managing editor
Pick: UW-Milwaukee Student Union
A couple recent visits to my alma mater, UW-Milwaukee, reminded of just how great the people watching has always been at the union. Thanks to diversity of the student body -- young and old of all races, colors and creeds -- and the design of the building (with its great balconies that look down on the big atrium) make this a great place to watch the tide of scholarly humanity ebb and flow. Back in the '80s (and maybe into the '90s, I can't say for sure), there were all kinds of great personalities there. Among them was Ray, eager to talk politics with anyone and everyone. Then there was the fellow in the wheelchair -- I'm sorry to say I don't know his name -- eager to know what high school you attended. Add in Freeway, the students, faculty, staff, visitors, bus drivers on layover and countless others and the union becomes one of the city's best people-watching spots.
Andy Tarnoff
Publisher
Pick: State Fair Park
Pretty much any Milwaukee summer festival can also double as a study in anthropology, with our city's finest and most esoteric populace converging to form a melting pot of recreation mixed with beer and live music. Each of the ethnic festivals brings its own unique flavor (I most enjoy Polish Fest and Mexican Fiesta), but the Wisconsin State Fair -- and the other events held on the grounds -- takes people watching to a whole new level. While this sounds condescending, I don't mean it as such. I really have grown to love the State Fair, but the cross section of Wisconsinites it attracts can be found in no other single place at no other single time. From mullets to farmers to suburbanites to families to hipsters, it's the place to hang back and watch people eat anything on a stick. And that expo center, with its rows and rows of "as seen on TV" schlock is a sight to behold. It's among my favorite summer traditions.
Andrew Wagner
Staff writer
Pick: Bar patios along Old World 3rd St.
One of the many reasons I choose to live on this historic street is the ample opportunity to people watch. Located smack in the middle of Downtown, people from every neighborhood and walk of life pass by throughout the evening, while I sit with my friends outside one of the many establishments enjoying a cold one. College kids on a bender, theater-goers looking for a quick bite, the "hip and beautiful" out to prove their superiority and the average Joe's, just looking for a place to imbibe ... there's always something interesting going on.
