Traveling is an important and enriching part of human existence. Through venturing elsewhere, we’re able to able to experience new and exciting things, expand our worldview, and be reminded that we all have more in common with one another than we might think. Despite the vastness of our planet, we’re all connected in one way or another. That connection can quite literally be made possible through air travel.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport currently serves 36 airports in 33 cities nonstop, meaning folks flying out of our fair city have direct connections to three dozen airports in a total of four countries. In the spirit of connection and finding common ground, Milwaukee Record has decided to document some direct connections our city has with all 33 cities Mitchell International services nonstop. Some of these connections are legitimately interesting, a few are admittedly a bit tenuous, and a decent amount are related to baseball. Enjoy!
Atlanta, Georgia
While legendary hip-hop outfit Arrested Development formed in Atlanta, founding member Speech and the group’s “spiritual elder” Baba Oje met at UW-Milwaukee.
Austin, Texas
In March 2025, Now! More! Yes!—a documentary about Milwaukee car salesman, landlord, filmmaker, music video director, musician, dreamer, and all-around swell guy TW Hansen—had its world premiere screening at the SXSW Film festival in Austin, Texas.
Baltimore, Maryland
The baseball team now known as the Baltimore Orioles actually got its start in Milwaukee. Way back in 1901, the franchise (one of the American League’s eight charter teams) played its first and only season as the Milwaukee Brewers before moving to St. Louis—where they became the Browns—from 1902 through 1953 and finally taking flight as the Orioles in its current “Charm City” digs in 1954.
Boston, Massachusetts
Speaking of professional baseball team migrations with Milwaukee relevance, the Braves moved to Wisconsin’s most populous city in 1953 following 81 seasons in Boston (under a variety of team names). As you likely know, the Braves played in Milwaukee through 1965 before relocating to their current home of Atlanta (another city Mitchell International serves nonstop).
Cancún/Riviera Maya, Mexico
While Milwaukee’s population has been gradually declining, Cancún’s has more than doubled since the turn of the century. In 2007, both cities had an almost identical population of approximately 575,000 residents.
Charlotte, North Carolina
All-Star second baseman and North Carolina native Ray Durham started playing baseball while living in his hometown of Charlotte. He ended his baseball career in Milwaukee in 2008 as a member of the Brewers.
Chicago, Illinois
There’s a “Chicago Street” in Milwaukee and a “Milwaukee Avenue” in Chicago.
Dallas, Texas
Sharpshooting guard and Milwaukee native Arike Ogunbowale is the all time leading scorer for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA.
Denver, Colorado
Denver and Milwaukee both have direct ties to two past RuPaul‘s Drag Race winners. Colorado queens Yvie Oddly and Willow Pill claimed the reality TV title in Season 11 and Season 14, respectively. Future drag superstar Trixie Mattel lived in Milwaukee when she won Season 3 of RuPaul‘s Drag Race All Stars, as did Jaida Essence Hall, who emerged victorious in Drag Race‘s seventh season.
Detroit, Michigan
There are so many connections to choose from! We could talk about Detroit being situated on the banks of the Detroit River and Milwaukee being cut by the Milwaukee River. We could mention Detroit native Jack White’s continued support of Milwaukee’s own Cactus Club or Detroit native Alice Cooper forever being remembered for his cameo as an amateur Milwaukee historian in Wayne’s World. Instead, we’ll just mention that, like that of Milwaukee, the flag of Detroit has a lot going on in the best way possible. Look at the thing!
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Florida
Both Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Hollywood, Florida are renowned for their abundance of parks, including parks in each city named Lincoln Park and Washington Park.
Fort Myers, Florida
A scene in the 1985 zombie film Day Of The Dead was filmed in Fort Myers, Florida. Close to 20 years later, the 2004 remake of that film’s predecessor, Dawn Of The Dead, was based in Milwaukee (though it was filmed elsewhere).
Houston, Texas
Current Houston Texans running back (and emergency placekicker) Dare Ogunbowale was born and raised in Milwaukee along with his sister, Arike, whom you might recall from the Dallas entry on this very list.
Kansas City, Missouri
Despite being the most populated city in Wisconsin and Missouri respectively, Milwaukee and Kansas City are not the capital of their respective state.
Las Vegas, Nevada
The greater Milwaukee area and Las Vegas both serve as bookends to the life and career of Liberace. In 1919, the piano prodigy and incomparable entertainer was born in the similarly named Milwaukee suburb of West Milwaukee, where he got his musical start. At his peak, Liberace called Las Vegas, Nevada home (or one of his homes), complete with a lengthy residency at the Las Vegas Hilton and an amazing mansion that’s still around nearly 40 years after his death.
Miami, Florida
The area codes for Miami, Florida (305) and Milwaukee, Wisconsin (414) are both mentioned by Ludacris in the rapper’s geographically focused and decidedly not safe for work hit song “Area Codes.”
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Though Hamm’s originated in the Twin Cities way back in 1865, the beloved beer stopped production in Minnesota in the late 1990s. It’s currently brewed by Molson Coors right here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Fans of Milwaukee’s preferred football franchise (the Green Bay Packers) might recall Montego Bay’s most famous pigskin player. Jamaican-American cornerback Corey Ballentine appeared in 37 games with the Packers between the 2022 and 2024 seasons. His best season to date came with Green Bay in 2023, when Ballentine managed 43 tackles (28 solo) and his only NFL interception.
Nashville, Tennessee
For much the 21st century (2005-2014 and 2021-present, to be exact), the Nashville Sounds have been the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Further bolstering the sports connection between the two cities is the longtime relationship between the NHL’s Nashville Predators and its American Hockey League affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, who have been together since the Predators came into existence in 1998.
New York, New York
East Side bar Thurman’s 15 was opened just off Milwaukee’s Brady Street by a New York transplant who named the bar after Yankees catcher Thurman Munson (who wore number 15).
Newark, New Jersey
Much like Milwaukee is for Wisconsin, Newark is the most populous city in New Jersey, but since we already used that connection for another city, we’ll instead note that actor, comedian, longtime MTV VJ, and Newark native Bill Bellamy regularly performs at Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield. In fact, he’ll return to the club for another five-show run December 19-21.
Orlando, Florida
Marquette basketball standout and current Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers’ first NBA head coaching job was with the Orlando Magic. In parts of five seasons spanning 1999 through early in the 2003-04 season, Rivers led the Magic to a 171-168 record and three postseason appearances.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
While “Philadelphia” is in its name, the milk and cream used to produce Philadelphia Cream Cheese is actually primarily sourced from dairy farms in Wisconsin. Specifically, the “star ingredients” come from Beaver Dam. Yeah, that’s not Milwaukee, but c’mon! This is a legitimately fun fact.
Phoenix, Arizona
Prior to returning to Milwaukee in late March for the regular season, the Brewers temporarily call Phoenix, Arizona home during Spring Training. Similar to the corporate namesake of their primary home, their home (away from home) ballpark is part of American Family Fields Of Phoenix. We’re still going to call it “Miller Parks Of Phoenix” though.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
We’ve looked around and have given this a lot of thought and it seems the only direct connections between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are the Apple/Funjet airline connections between the airports of these two cities. Sorry!
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Both “Punta Cana” and “Milwaukee” consist of nine letters. (Okay, so they’re not all amazing connections!)
Salt Lake City, Utah
Between 1978 (Kent Benson) and Marquette alum Jae Crowder completing the connection two seasons ago, a total of 48 players have suited up for both the Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz. Some standouts who share this two-team distinction include Richard Jefferson, Kyle Korver, Blue Edwards, Ersan Ilyasova, and Hall Of Famer Adrian Dantley.
San Diego, California
In the film Anchorman, fictional San Diego news anchor Ron Burgundy answers a phone call and, suspecting it might be his missing dog Baxter on the line, tells the caller to “Bark twice if you’re in Milwaukee.”
Sarasota, Florida
Both Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Sarasota, Florida are the namesakes and the seats of their respective counties.
Seattle/Tacoma, Washington
Following the 1969 season (the expansion team’s first season of Major League Baseball play), the Seattle Pilots took flight to Brew City, where they would become the Milwaukee Brewers.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch InBev and Milwaukee’s Molson Coors are the largest and second-largest U.S. breweries, respectively, based on overall production.
Tampa, Florida
One last baseball connection! In 1986, the Milwaukee Brewers drafted a Tampa-born prospect named Gary Sheffield with the sixth overall pick. He played in Milwaukee from 1988 through the 1991 season before injuries and a fractured relationship between Sheffield and the team resulted in a trade to San Diego. In 2009, his final season in the Majors, Sheffield hit his 500th career home run off Mitch Stetter of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Washington D.C.
The District of Colombia’s official bird is the Wood Thrush, which is in the same genetic family as the American Robin (Wisconsin’s state bird). In fact, the two birds are each other’s closest genetic relatives. And if that “not exactly Milwaukee” avian factoid isn’t good enough for you, how about the fact Khris Middleton and Kyle Kuzma each played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards during this calendar year. Satisfied now?!