1. Shop at the Milwaukee Night Market
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
Last year, I recommended going to the Night Market for one of my editor’s picks, and then a tornado warning shut it down. So I kind of feel like my recommendations might be bad luck for the Night Market. But despite that, I’m going to risk it and once again recommend heading to Westown on Wednesday evening to check out the awesome collection of vendors they bring to the outdoor market every year. It’s one of the coolest new summer events in the city. … Knock on wood.
2. Visit Wizard of Oz Plaza
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
The other weekend I spent an afternoon poking around Oconomowoc, and on my way to the car, I did a double-take, spotting this homage to the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Oconomowoc, which claims to be the town where this Judy Garland movie had its world premiere 84 years ago, created the Wizard of Oz Plaza on one of the main downtown streets (168 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc) in 2019. It features the swirly start to the Yellow Brick Road and life-size statues of characters such as Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion and Toto, too. And you bet I pulled out my phone. It wasn’t busy when I was there. Just a family pushing a stroller filled with – not kidding – ferrets.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Go to Jazz in the Park
ALLI WATTERS, DIGITAL & CULTURE EDITOR
Summer is here, which means I’m back on my quest to hit every free weekly music event around town. Last week, I kicked off the season with the big one: Jazz in the Park. I went with my book club (we’re not really reading much these days) and sang along to tunes from cover band B.D. Greer & The Gents. My only regret is that it seemed like everyone packed a charcuterie board except me, and my jealousy over this was distracting. If you go this Thursday, you’ll be singing the blues with Altered Five Blues Band. I recommend getting there early so that you can get a good spot and take advantage of the 5 p.m. happy hour (and pack some charcuterie!).
4. Eat … Anything at Paloma
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
We stopped by this nearly 3-year-old, slightly bougie cantina in Washington Heights again on Saturday and it cemented its place as one of my favorite neighborhood dining spots. Just about everything here is over the top, in a good way – loaded with flavorful cremas, interesting salsas and elotes everywhere. I had a seemingly simple burrito – half chicken, half chorizo (by request) – that was far more deliciously complex than it had any right to be. Paloma is my mostly-vegetarian wife’s favorite, too, for the boss meat-free hot chips and tofu-avocado quesadilla, and summer is a great time to visit because the sidewalk patio alleviates some of the space crunch inside the lively space. 5419 W. North Ave.
5. Go on a Day Trip to Lake Geneva
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
This past Saturday, I spent the day in Lake Geneva for my sister’s bachelorette party! And we had a lovely day. We started the morning at Inspired Coffee, then headed across the street to The Candle Mercantile, where we got to make custom candles. It was very fun. Then, we ate lunch at Egg Harbor (delicious), shopped a bit, then spent the afternoon at Board & Brush Lake Geneva. I didn’t think I was a board and brush type of gal, but it turns out that it was really fun. I love how mine turned out. For dinner, we ate at Tuscan, and it was just great. The service, the food, the atmosphere were all top notch. We ended the night with a walk near the lake and some drinks.
