Some Milwaukee things come and go, while some become icons. Mandatory Milwaukee is all about the latter. This week: Trying to do as much as you possibly can in the post-July 4 and post-Summerfest portion of summer.
Even though it has technically been summer for fewer than three weeks, doesn’t it kind of feel like it’s already starting to slip away? Following a virtually non-existent spring, festival season sprung into action in a big way beginning in late May and reached its crescendo during Summerfest’s season-dominating three-weekend run. The Big Gig concluded this past Saturday, which also happened to be the Fourth of July.
While we haven’t yet reached “dog days of summer” territory and there’s no shortage of other summertime happenings left of the city’s festival calendar, the pressure is mounting to do as much as you possibly can to maximize what’s left of the season where Milwaukee and Wisconsin both truly shine their brightest. If you’re also feeling the squeeze, what are you planning to do between now and summer’s informal end after Labor Day weekend?
Have you made it to Chill On The Hill yet? What about Washington Park Wednesdays, Musical Mondays, or any of the other weekly musical happenings taking place at spots like Third Space Brewing, the Harley-Davidson Museum, and various other businesses?
Have you hit up a beer garden yet? That failing, how about Barnacle Bud’s or another one of the area’s iconic patios? What about a farmers market?
Please tell us you’ve had some frozen custard and/or some blue moon ice cream by this point! If you haven’t, are you planning to change that anytime soon? And while you’re talking food, have you even busted out the grill yet?
Did you grill before taking in a Brewers game? Beyond the Brewers, have you made it to a Milkmen or Chinooks game yet this season? See any other new-to-you ballparks? Will this finally be the summer you make it out to Target Field?
You’ve surely gone on a hike by this point, right? Either on one of the trails in the Milwaukee County Parks System, at a Wisconsin State Park, the Ice Age Trail, or another regional walkway that’s in the city’s general vicinity.
If hiking isn’t your thing, at least tell us you plan to go swimming. A city pool will do, but we think it’s tough to top a good old fashioned beach.
Been camping yet? And have you also been aching to jump into a lake and sit around a fire “Up North” (whatever that means to you). If a full-fledged camping trip or cottage getaway isn’t in the cards this year, you’ve at least likely sidled up beside a bonfire in someones backyard.
Are you an angler? Have you caught anything…interesting this summer? Perhaps you’re more of the golfing type—be it traditional, miniature, or even the disc variety—and you’re still hoping to get out a few more times this year. Good luck with that!
Are you a Wisconsin Dells person or more of the Door County type? Is this the year you find the Hodag in Rhinelander? If you can stand the drive, Bayfield is pretty beautiful in summer. Same goes for “The U.P.”
Really, no matter where you wish to go or what you want to do this summer, we truly hope you make a point to do it while you still can. Use a little P.T.O. and set aside some time to hop on the interstate to explore an unfamiliar destination and all it has to offer.
Or venture off the beaten path to experience a weird roadside attraction you’ve heard about for ages, but just haven’t seen in person yet. Make memories with old friends and loved ones or get out and make some new friends in new places. We might be in that post-Summerfest and after-July 4th portion of Wisconsin summer, but there’s still enough time to fit in more fun before its said and done. So go out there and make it happen!
