I didn’t have a clue how much nature meant to me until I moved to New York City for college. Those things I took for granted growing up in the Midwest – swimming in lakes, walking in the woods, even the simple joy of lounging on the grass in the backyard – all seemed like exotic pleasures when sweating it out on the concrete sidewalks of the big city.

Access to the natural world is one of the many reasons I love living in Wisconsin. When I’m in the mood for a local hike, I head to Seven Bridges in South Milwaukee. The bridges and stone stairways add an element of charm to the experience. But the real attraction for me is the killer view of Lake Michigan from the trails along the wooded cliffs. Show your friends photos from this vantage point and they’ll think you were in Oregon or Northern California overlooking the Pacific.  

When I have more time to spend, I drive out to the Kettle Moraine’s Scuppernong Trails, less than an hour west of the city. The terrain is varied, with a grove of tall pines at the trailhead, and the paths take you up and down hillsides, making the hike just challenging enough to get your heart rate going.  

Sometimes the Midwest gets a bad rap as all flatlands and prairie, but I think we all know that isn’t the whole story. There’s plenty of variety in the landscape and more importantly, an abundance of beauty. There are also plenty of points of access. To find the best trails for the type of experience you desire, turn to “Take a Hike,” which starts on page 28.  

Here’s a question for you: When it comes to butter burgers, is there such a thing as too much butter? It’s an existential dilemma that is pretty much unavoidable when confronted with a burger from Solly’s. The golden liquid oozes from the patty, creating a wading pool of buttery goodness on the dish. Is this too much – or not enough? Decide for yourself after reading the article on page 17.  

Summer is a great time to explore our area, and this issue is packed with things to do and places to go. Use it as your guide and embark on an adventure of your own. 

– Carole Nicksin, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
carole@milwaukeemag.com, @CaroleNicksin

In the Magazine:

Features:

• Take a Hike!: From a wilderness adventure walk to a scenic urban stroll just steps from a coffeehouse, this is your guide to hiking in the Milwaukee area and beyond.
• Perpetual Motion: Milwaukee folk-rocker (and author, blogger and podcaster) Brett Newski is earnest about one of the things that makes him tick: a gnawing anxiety.
• Top Dentists 2023: Looking for a dentist? Here are the local stars of the profession, as selected by their peers.   

Your 414:

• Shop Local: How Laura Bavlnka is making sustainability stylish
• People Places Things: Meet German Fest’s main polka band, find out what it takes to win Riverwest 24, and get ready for a massive bubble art exhibition.
• Close Up: The orange “Sunburst” sculpture in front of the art museum is getting a much-needed touch-up.
• Preview: What to expect at Harley-Davidson’s 120th anniversary bash 

Insider:

• Tribute: The Vel Phillips statue in the works for Madison is taking shape.
• Bureaucracy: A quick dive into license plates rejected by the state 
• Business: Why doesn’t Milwaukee have more video game developers?  

Explore:

• Float: A buoyant way to spend a summer day
• We Tried It: Our intrepid editors discover historic surprises inside Old World Wisconsin.
• Travel: Four architectural marvels to visit “Wright” here in Wisconsin

The Dish:

• Classic: The burger at Solly’s Grille takes buttery to a new level.
• Review: Evaluating the Red Circle Inn’s reinvention
• Tidbits: Polish delicacies, the cutest paper for gifting baked goods, plus news from our culinary corner of the world     
• Roundup: Five great spots to wing out 
• Revisit: Why you should add the Kimpton’s Tre Rivali to your dining rotation 

In Every Issue:

• Editor’s Letter
• The Guide
• John Gurda’s
• Historic Milwaukee