1. The Hoan Bridge
CHELSEA MAMEROW, ART DIRECTOR
Without a second of deliberation, I can say the Hoan Bridge and its many perspectives of our city. I love seeing it from afar, heading east on 94 as I pass American Family Field at night, catching a glimpse of the glittering bridge and being reminded how small our big city is. I love floating by on a kayak or underneath in a pontoon admiring the size and feeling thankful to live in a city on the water. Maybe most of all, I love driving over it and admiring the views of Lake Michigan to the east, the growing skyline to the north and the colorful mix of industry and architecture in every other direction.
2. The Basilica of St. Josaphat
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
I was baptized here many years ago when I was just a lil’ baby boy. When the priest splashed me with holy water, a heavenly light blazed forth from behind my eyes and the entire congregation wept at the sight of my majestic visage – at least according to my mom. According to my dad, I just started burping and wriggling around a lot. Who’s to say which of them remembers right? Either way, this Catholic church on the South Side is stunning, with ornate decoration, a domed ceiling and a vast, echoing space. Whether you’re a cradle Catholic like me or not, you can still appreciate the unmatched beauty of this place. In fact, Kevin Miyazaki shot some fantastic photos of it for our Seven Wonders of Milwaukee feature last year – if those shots won’t convince you to check it out in person, nothing will.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Milwaukee Art Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion
SOPHIE YUFA, JUNIOR DESIGNER
Its grace will never cease to amaze me. It’s one of the first places I suggest newcomers to visit or simply pass by, if the chance presents itself. It’s an iconic landmark that gradually changes throughout the course of the day, opening and closing its wings (with, not to mention, a wingspan comparable to that of a Boeing 747-400) in accordance with the museum’s operating hours. And thanks to recent lighting updates, the pavilion is now able to participate alongside many of Milwaukee’s other notable structures in citywide lighting events.
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4. Milwaukee Art Museum
ABBY YEMM, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Without a doubt, I also have to pick the MAM wings. They’re endlessly stunning in any season, and the design and operation element is fascinating. Love that iconic building and how it’s so beautifully positioned on the water.
5. Allen Bradley Clock Tower
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
I’d easily echo the answers of everyone else – all of theses spots are beautiful and symbolic of our city in their own way – but I also want to shout out a landmark that has a special spot in my Milwaukeean heart, the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower. As a kid when I’d visit the city, I remember comparing it to Big Ben, laughing about how “it’s like we’re in England!” But now, living right by the world’s second largest four-face clock, I love looking for it in the distance when I’m out and about in Milwaukee, because I can think to myself “hey, my apartment is way over there!” and let my inner child get excited about a huge clock in the sky.
6. North Point Water Tower
ANNA GIPPLE, EDITORIAL INTERN
I was heading up North Lincoln Memorial Drive to pick up the keys to my first Milwaukee apartment when I caught my first glimpse of the North Point Water Tower. I remember comparing the Victorian Gothic-style tower to that of Rapunzel’s castle, before learning what stood beneath the Cream City brick and dressed limestone. Structured inside is a 4-foot-wide, 135-foot-tall iron standpipe that assisted in supplying the city with 16 million gallons of water per day until 1963. The stairway that loops around the restored, surviving iron standpipe is not available for recreational climbing, but you can get the virtual experience through photos on the city’s website.
