Long before the first settlers came to this area, the Algonkian Indians had a special name for the land: Millioki, which means "gathering place by the waters." The Indians may have picked the name because they used the area for tribal gatherings or because they observed how three rivers (the Menomonee, the Kinnickinnic and the Milwaukee) met before flowing into the waters of Lake Mie-sit-gan (Michigan). When the European settlers came into the area, the name evolved into its common form, "Milwaukee."

Positioned on the Southeastern edge of Wisconsin, along the coast of western Lake Michigan, Milwaukee today is the 19th largest city in the country, with a population of nearly 600,000 that covers nearly 96 square miles. It is located in the Central Time Zone of the United States.

The city is north enough to enjoy a full four seasons. The average temperature for the seasons are: Spring (March to May) – 52.5°F; Summer (June to August) – 77.7°F (though temps can climb into the 90s in mid-summer); Fall (September to November) – 58.6°F; Winter (December to February) – 29.4°F. For current weather and temperatures for Milwaukee, visit www.weather.com.

How to get here:

• Milwaukee is serviced by General Mitchell International Airport (web: www.mitchellairport.com), about 15 minutes south of downtown. The airport is serviced by most major airlines (airport code is MKE).
• The newly opened Lake Express Ferry (web: www.lake-express.com) connects Milwaukee with Muskegon, Michigan. The journey across Lake Michigan takes about 2 1/2 hours each way.
• Greyhound Bus Lines (web: www.greyhound.com) has a depot downtown.
• Amtrak (web: www.amtrak.com) has a terminal just south of downtown, as well as a station at the airport.
• By car, Milwaukee is about 1 1/2 hours north of Chicago, via I-94.

Besides this series, you may find the following Newspaper and Online Guides of use:

• Visit Milwaukee (web: www.milwaukee.org) -- The official visitor's bureau website for the city.
• Online Interactive Maps (web: www.milwaukee.org/maps/index.cfm) -- Visit Milwaukee's great map resources include an interactive online map of downtown
• JSOnline (web: www.jsonline.com) -- The online home of the daily newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal
• JSOnline Map of Downtown (web: graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/jul05/naacp/nightG070705.pdf) -- The Milwaukee Journal put together this handy map of downtown/Brady Street/Third Ward restaurants and watering holes.
• OnMilwaukee (web: www.onmilwaukee.com) -- A very well put together daily online magazine/city guide.
• Milwaukee Downtown (web: www.milwaukeedowntown.com) -- The official city guide to the downtown area.

Have you been to Milwaukee or just want to comment on this series? Drop me a line or talk about it on our message boards.

The articles in this series:

Part 1: Downtown Milwaukee Presents a New Face To Visitors
Part 2: Milwaukee: Where to Eat, Stay and Play
Part 3: Milwaukee: The Basics

Related articles:

The Hilton Milwaukee City Center Combines Upscale Ambiance With Lots of Water

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For more information:

Visit Milwaukee: 1-800-231-0903; www.visitmilwaukee.org.