READ MORE OF OUR 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW STORIES
This year was filled with so many great MilMag stories, from a thought-provoking piece on the long Foxconn saga to a guide to Wisconsin’s state parks that’ll make you want to pack a backpack, to a surprisingly deep dive into why exactly there’s underwear in fortune cookies. We tackled issues ranging from the unique challenges LGBTQ+ seniors face to the state of arts funding in the city. It was a good year!
And while our editorial staff chose our favorite stories of the year here, it’s really you, our readers, who determine which stories are the most popular of the year. And without further adieu, here are the 10 most-read stories of the year:
1. The Best Restaurants in Milwaukee
The No. 1 spot on this list is no surprise – we love our food here in Milwaukee. In fact, the top three stories of the year were all by Ann Christenson, our dining critic, who brought her expertise to this list of Milwaukee’s top dining destinations. Fair warning – you can’t read it without immediately wanting to book at least three reservations.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
2. 15 Delicious Milwaukee Breakfast Spots
Breakfast. It’s an important meal! And an important story to bookmark for later. While dinner gets most of the love in our “Best Restaurants” feature, this list gives that crucial morning meal its due.
3. The Best New Restaurants in Milwaukee
Our dining scene continues to expand, and we’d say it’s pretty dang exciting. Here were just a few of the new spots that caught our attention last year. We’re already beginning to put together this list for next year, so keep an eye out!
4. 20 Great Hikes Within an Hour’s Drive of Milwaukee
How cool is it that you can drive less than an hour from the city and end up at one of these stunning spots? One of my goals for the new year is to actually take advantage of these scenic hikes. Better bookmark this one too…
5. Where Did the Nickname ‘FIB’ Come From?
Ah yes, Tom Kertscher’s origin story for this well-known epithet for our friends to the south. Have you read this one? It’s a fun dive into the history of the profanity – and the timeline Chris Drosner wrote about the history of the Wisconsin-Illinois rivalry is insightful!
6. The Real Story Behind Mills Fleet Farm and Blain’s Farm & Fleet
This story is from 2022. And yet, year after year, the people still want (need?) to know the truth about these home-and-farm store rivals. Archer Parquette lays it all on the table wonderfully.
7. Why Are Rats Causing Mischief in Milwaukee?
We loved this story, but were not expecting it to grab this much attention. Could it be because of the growing frustration with the little critters – the eye-catching, hilarious illustration?
8. Wisconsin’s Eligibility to Vote Referendum: What Does it Mean and How Did We Get Here?
Larry Sandler’s dive into a complex civic issue is a masterclass in analysis. I enjoyed editing this one and was grateful for the read ahead of the 2024 election.
9. Snoop Dogg Is the First Headliner at New Potawatomi Concert Series
The people love Snoop Dogg. Also, if you’re wondering how this concert went, Chris reviewed it here.
10. ‘Top Chef’: What We Know a Few Months Out
The Wisconsin-filmed season of “Top Chef” was one of the most memorable Milwaukee moments of the year, so I’m not in the least bit surprised this cracked our top ten list. This article was from way back before we had even seen a single episode, before we featured chef Dan Jacobs on our Summer Guide cover, and before I could tell folks I was at the taping of episode 11. Man, feels so long ago.
