Milwaukee was among the first cities in the United States to provide wireless Internet access in public spaces. Pere Marquette Park and Cathedral Square Park have been "freespots," or wireless access points for public use, since June 2003, but now as summer begins its slow wrap up and fall classes resume, indoor Wi-Fi spots are in hot demand.
Accessibility to the online world and online media is becoming much easier in and around Milwaukee. So go out, explore the city, lose yourself in a quiet park or relax the afternoon away in a cozy coffeehouse, but don't forget your laptop.
Here's our guide to the Web scene and Wi-Fi world in Milwaukee.
Libraries
Any branch of the Milwaukee Public Library offers free computer use, though terminals are limited and usually crowded. Washington Square Park branch was the first to become Wi-Fi, with the rest following in close pursuit. Milwaukee Public Libraries already provide more than 300 computers with free Internet access and unique library databases for public use. Be sure to call your local branch to find out sign-up requirements, availability, times of operation, etc.
Coffeehouses and cafes
Alterra Coffee Roasters
1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., (414) 223-4551
2211 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 273-3747
170 S. 1st St., (414) 765-9873 (Free in the morning)
www.alterracoffee.com
Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. (Free)
1208 E. Brady St., (414) 276-8081
920 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. (414) 489-0765
www.anodynecoffee.com
Bella Café
189 N. Milwaukee St. (414) 273-5620
www.bellacaffe.com
Bremen Café (Free)
901 E. Clarke St. (414) 324-9596
www.bremencafe.com
Brewing Grounds for Change (Free)
2008 N. Farwell Ave. (414) 273-9777
Coffee with a Conscience (Free)
East Wing of Milwaukee Public Library
814 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 286-2142
Schlitz Business Center, 1555 River Center Dr., (414) 276-4341
www.wwbic.com
www.mpl.org
Comet Cafe
1947 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 273-7677
EspressoChristoph (Free)
3116 N. Downer Ave., (414) 332-1300
825 N. Jefferson St., (414) 271-4400
www.espressochristoph.com
The Fire Escape
819 N. 27th St., (414) 935-1100
www.thefireescape.net
Fuel Cafe
818 E. Center St., (414) 374-3835
www.fuelcafe.com
Hi-Fi Cafe
2640 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 486-0504
www.hificafe.com
Mo's Mocha-A Coffee Bistro (Free)
124 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 276-6242
www.mosmocha.com
Quasi Café (Free for members)
1340 N. 6th St., (414) 305-1324
www.quasi-cafe.com
Roast Inc. (Free)
2132 E. Locust St., (414) 963-6363
www.roastcoffeecompany.com
Rochambo Coffee & Tea House
1317 E. Brady St., (414) 291-0095
www.rochambo.com
Sherman Perk
4924 W. Roosevelt Dr., (414) 875-7375
www.shermanperk.com
Starbucks
920 N. Water St., (414) 272-0232
544 E. Ogden Ave., (414) 221-9099
326 N. Water St., (414) 278-0345
1610 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 933-1233
1677 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 224-7760
1417 N. Wauwatosa Ave., (414) 607-8864
4741 S. 76th St., (414) 817-1932
1130 Miller Park Way, (414) 643-5179
5300 S. Howell Ave., (414) 747-5252
www.starbucks.com
Steamers Coffee
624 N. Water St., (414) 277-7679
Stone Creek Coffee (Free)
275 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 298-9965
2266 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 481-4215
6969 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 228-8699
4106 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 964-1608
8340 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 443-1302
601 E. Silver Spring Dr., (414) 332-2285
2644 Hillside Dr., Delafield, (262) 646-2241
www.stonecreekcoffee.com
Sven's European Café (Free)
2699 S Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 483-2233
Wildgrove Roastery and Coffee House (Free)
524 S. 2nd St., (414) 807-3699
www.wildgrove.com
Benihana
850 N. Plankinton Ave., (414) 270-0890
www.benihana.com
Bruegger's (Free)
750 N. Water St., (414) 272-0202
www.brueggers.com
Cafe Brücke
2101 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 287-2053
www.cafebrucke.com
Cafe Lulu
2265 S. Howell Ave., (414) 294-5858
www.lulubayview.com
Calderone Club
842 N. 3rd St., (414) 273-3236
Einstein Bagels
544 E. Ogden Ave., (414) 276-9888
www.einsteinbros.com
Elsa's on the Park
833 N. Jefferson St., (414) 765-0615
www.elsas.com
Flannery's Pub
423 E. Wells St. (414) 278-8586
www.flannerysmilwaukee.com
Harbor Room
117 E. Greenfield Ave., (414) 672-7988
www.harbor-room.com
Hooligan's
2017 E. North Ave., (414) 273-5230
www.hooliganssuperbar.com
Louise's Italian Café
801 N. Jefferson St., (414) 273-4224
www.louiseswisconsin.com
Major Goolsby's
340 W. Kilbourn Ave., (414) 271-3414
Milwaukee Ale House
233 N. Water St., (414) 226-2337
www.ale-house.com
Panera (Free)
600 E. Ogden Ave., (414) 224-0200
www.panera.com
Real Chili Restaurant
419 E. Wells St., (414) 271-4042
Taylor's
795 N. Jefferson St., (414) 271-2855
www.taylorsmilwaukee.com
Trocadero
1758 N. Water St., (414) 272-0205
www.ztrocadero.com
Twisted Fork (Free)
2238 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 431-1080
www.twisted-fork.com
The Social (Free)
170 S. 1st St., (414) 270-0438
www.the-social.com
Water Front Deli
761 N. Water St., (414) 220-9300
www.milwaukeewaterfrontdeli.com
Recently fast food chains and restaurants have been aadding Wi-Fi service to their value menus.
McDonald's, you are lovin' it, has fee-based service in many Milwaukee locations and outlying areas, like 617 W. Oklahoma Ave., Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Hales Corners, Sheboygan and Sturtevant.
Cousins Subs at 307 E. Wisconsin, Wild Flour Bakery at The Shops of Grand Avenue and Erbert and Gerbert's, 612 N. Water St., all offer tasty food while you surf the Web, all for a reasonable price.
Borders Books and Music
101 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 225-9977
www.bordersstores.com
Closet Classics Caffeine and Clothing
1000 E. North Ave., (414) 265-1950
www.closetclassics.net
East Side Maytag Coin Laundry & Miami Tanning
2009 E. Kenilworth Pl., (414) 831-8266
www.eastsidemaytag.com
Fed Ex Kinko's Office & Print
209 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 270-0404
1703 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 272-2679
5353 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 906-1624
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
509 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 271-7250
www.hiltonmilwaukee.com
Hotel Metro (Free)
411 E. Mason St., (414) 272-1937
www.hotelmetro.com
Just Add Soap Laundry (Free)
2534 S Kinnickinnic Ave, (414) 744-7165
Metro Market Café (Free)
1123 N Van Buren St., (414) 273-1928
www.metromarket.net
Milwaukee Public Market (Free)
400 N. Water St. (414) 336-1111
www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org
Whole Foods Market (Free)
2305 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 223-1500
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Where's your favorite place to get online? Use the talkback feature and tell us.
