MILWAUKEE

Go...

• RIVER BOUTIQUE & YARN read more ›
  (18900 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield. Tel. 262-641-7427)
  riverboutiqueyarn.com
  Beautiful, colorful yarn of all kinds, along with needles and books, can be found at this shop. And if you need help with a new project, the knowledgeable staff will happily give you some tips.
• MISS RUBY read more ›
  (522 N Water St. Tel. 414-755-2900)
  missrubyboutique.com
  If you need a dress for a special occasion— whether it’s a wedding or a black-tie charity ball—this boutique has what you’re looking for. In addition to gorgeous gowns, it stocks great bags and jewels to match.
• SYDNEY B. read more ›
  (1350 W Mequon Rd, Mequon. Tel. 262-240-9970)
  sydneybboutique.com
  The parents of the most fashionable kids in town shop at this store for baby gear, frilly dresses and tiny shirts and pants. Sizes range from newborn up to 14 for girls and 8 for boys.
• PENZEY’S SPICES read more ›
  (2108 N Farwell Ave. Tel. 414-961-1777)
  penzeys.com
  The minute you walk into this store, you’ll be enveloped by the rich aroma from the racks and racks of spices. Signature blends like the Tuscan Sunset (basil, Turkish oregano, red bell pepper, fennel, anise, garlic and thyme) are perfect gifts for the gourmet cooks in your life.

• CHILL ON THE HILL read more ›
  (At Humboldt Park Band Chalet. Tel. no phone)
  bayviewneighborhood.com
  Pack a picnic or buy some brews and ice cream and settle in for a free concert. The music starts at 6:30pm every Tuesday through the end of August.
• BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS read more ›
  (9400 Boerner Dr, Hales Corners. Tel. 414-525-5650)
  www.boernerbotanicalgardens.org
  Even in the heat of summer, there is a beautiful selection of colorful fl owers (lilies, phlox and roses) that blossoms here. If you want to learn more about gardening, visit Wednesdays at 6:30pm to take an expert-led walking tour. The gardens are open through October.
• ALL THE BUZZ: INSECTS INVADE RAM read more ›
  (441 Main St, Racine. Tel. 262-638-8300)
  ramart.org
  About 25 miles south of Milwaukee is this museum, which is currently infested with bugs, cockroaches and other creepy crawlies—as depicted by three contemporary women artists— for this exhibit. Works include photographs, installations and drawings. Through fall.
• IRISH FEST read more ›
  (At Henry Meier Festival Park, 200 N Harbor Dr. Tel. 414-476-3378)
  www.irishfest.org
  The world’s largest Irish festival features the musical stylings of Kasir, Frogwater, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and dozens more. Begin the celebration early, with Irish Fest Summer School, where instructors teach students to play fi ddle or speak Gaelic. Aug. 19-22.
• MILWAUKEE RIVER CRUISES read more ›
  (205 W Highland St. Tel. 414-271-7447)
  edelweissboats.com
  The city is probably best seen from aboard an Edelweiss cruise. These boats fl oat the river most nights, serving up margaritas, upscale dinners and, of course, great views of the downtown skyline.

• CAFÉ TARRAGON AT FUTURE GREEN read more ›
  (2352 S Kinnickinnic Ave. Tel. 414-294-4300)
  futuregreen.net
  This new vegetarian café serves excellent— and good-for-you—salads, soups and sandwiches. Raw food and gluten-free items (including panini) are also on the menu. $$
• MAXIE’S SOUTHERN COMFORT read more ›
  (6732 W Fairview Ave. Tel. 414-292-3969)
  maxies.com
  You won’t leave hungry after digging into the heaping plates of authentic Southern food served here. Try the shrimp and grits in tasso ham sauce. $$$
• ROOTS RESTAURANT & CELLAR read more ›
  (1818 N Hubbard St. Tel. 414-374-8480)
  rootsmilwaukee.com
  This bistro sports one of the best patios in town, with a view of the Milwaukee skyline. Order the Korean barbecue brisket with kimchee-braised pork belly buns. $$$$
• HINTERLAND GASTROPUB read more ›
  (222 E Erie St. Tel. 414-727-9300)
  hinterlandbeer.com
  This gastropub looks like a hunting lodge as designed by a contemporary artist. Every dish, such as the grilled quail with Maple Leaf Farms duck breast and velvet pioppini mushrooms, is meticulously executed. $$$$

• BENNO’S BAR & GRILL read more ›
  (7413 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis. Tel. 414-453-9094)
  bennosbar.tripod.com
  If you’re looking to quench your thirst on the west side of town, you’re sure to find a brew to your liking at this pub. It serves 30 draft beers, plus plenty more in bottles and cans.
• WHISKEY BAR read more ›
  (788 N Jackson St. Tel. 414-312-8566)
  whiskeybarmilwaukee.com
  This downtown bar stocks close to 70 varieties of whiskey, scotch and bourbon, including some bottles that have been aged for 30 years. Located in Cathedral Square, its a great place to have a drink before or after the Thursday night Jazz in the Park music series.
• FALCON BOWL AND TAVERN read more ›
  (803 E Clarke St. Tel. 414-264-0680)
  pfanest725.org
  With bowling lanes in the basement and a no-frills tap upstairs, this old-school joint is a place both your grandpa and your hipster nephew would enjoy.
• WISCONSIN CHEESE BAR read more ›
  (1048 N Old World Third St. Tel. 888-482-7700)
  wisconsincheesemart.com
  Order an international or artisan Wisconsin cheese here and then have the bar’s able staff pair it with a beverage. Marieke’s 2-year-old Gouda goes well with a glass of Riesling.

• VALLEY OF THE KINGS SANCTUARY AND RETREAT read more ›
  (W7593 Townhall Rd, Sharon. Tel. 262-736-9386)
  votk.org
  A sanctuary for abused, abandoned and retired exotic animals, this nonprofit requires you to sponsor an animal or buy a $60 membership to visit, but it’s for a good cause, and you’re allowed to get pretty close to the big cats.

This month...

Fun Fact!
During German Fest, so many bratwursts are served that, if laid end to end, they would equal the height of eight Empire State buildings.