Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

US Census estimates for 2007 put Milwaukee's population at 602,191. People of African American and German descent make up the most significant portions of the population. The city has a high proportion of college students, with two major universities (Marquette and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), and several smaller colleges and institutes. The metro area is home to 13 Fortune 500 company headquarters, making it the sixth highest in the nation. It is also a hub of manufacturing due to its proximity to Lake Michigan and the Menomenee River.

Although once known for its breweries, today Milwaukee has only two major brewers, Pabst and Miller. Leinenkugel and microbrewer Lakefront are other brewers of note, although the city does have several brewpubs.

Milwaukee has a number of notable performing arts groups, including opera and ballet companies, a professional symphony, and several theater troupes. Art, history and science museums attract large numbers of locals and visitors, as do the city's professional sports teams and public parks.

Sales tax for the state of Wisconsin is 5%. County and city sales taxes add an additional 1.6%, for a total sales tax of 5.6%.

Weather

Milwaukee has a humid continental climate, which is mitigated somewhat by urban heat island phenomenon as well as nearby Lake Michigan.

Milwaukee's coldest month is typically January, with average lows of 13°F and highs of 25°F. The warmest month is usually July, when low temperatures reach an average of 63°F and daily highs of 81°F. Summer humidity can range from about 55% to about 85%. August tends to be the rainiest month with around 4 inches of precipitation; snowfall is highly variable, but is usually about 35 inches per year. Sleet, ice and freezing rain are fairly common in late fall and early winter. The main tornado activity is from late March through early June.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

General Mitchell International Airport
5300 S Howell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207
http://www.mitchellairport.com/
414-747-5300
info@mitchellairport.com
General Mitchell hosts 13 airlines with more than 190 flights daily. The airport is located about six miles south of downtown Milwaukee.

Making Your Way

Milwaukee has a reliable public bus system that can get you to most locations throughout the city. Fares are inexpensive. http://www.ridemcts.com/

For taxi service, try:
American United Taxicab Service
646 S 2nd St
414-220-5000
414-220-5016

OR

Yellow Cab Co-Op
1840 N Martin Luther King Dr
414-271-1800
414-264-1310

News & Views

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Daily newspaper
http://www.jsonline.com/

Greater Milwaukee Today
Online newspaper
http://www.gmtoday.com/

Shepherd Express
Alternative arts, entertainment and news
http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/

M Magazine
Local arts and entertainment publication
http://www.mmagazines.net/

Milwaukee Magazine
Regional arts, entertainment, and news
http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/

Quirks & Curiosities

Milwaukee's German heritage is highly visible even today. Beginning in the mid-1800s, the city became the destination of choice for a large number of German immigrants who, over the ensuing decades, would influence everything from the local restaurant scene to architecture to politics. In fact, until the early 1900s, there were more German speakers in Milwaukee than English speakers.

The city also has the perhaps dubious distinction of being the center of the US Socialist movement. During the first half of the 20th century, residents elected three Socialist mayors who served a total of 38 years (1910-1912, 1916-1940, and 1948-1960), a unique occurrence in the US.

Getting Your Bearings

The Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau
http://www.milwaukee.org/
info@milwaukee.org
800-231-0903
414-273-3950
Fax: 414/273-5596

The CVB maintains two visitors centers:
Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin
Inside Promenade on First Floor
500 N Harbor Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Daily 9am-5pm

AND

Midwest Airlines Center
Inside main rotunda on First Floor
400 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203
800-554-1448
Hours Vary Based on Events

Necessities - Post Offices

USPS
606 E Juneau Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202-9998
800-ASK-USPS
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 8:30-3pm

Common Courtesies

Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.

Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1-2 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).