Most people don’t think of Milwaukee, as a destination for any summer trip.   Impressions of the southeastern Wisconsin city include being “that town north of Chicago,” or perhaps “Brew City,” or maybe the home to Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley.  Well, Milwaukee has earned these associations over the years, but the city also has a few summertime draws, including festivals that range from “German fest” to “Summer fest.”  If a person wants to see a Major League Baseball game and doesn’t want to venture to Chicago’s north or south sides—no problem, Milwaukee is sporting a beautiful new ballpark.  In short, there are plenty of things to do in this city by the lake.

One great new place to visit is the brand-new addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum—the Quadracci Pavillion (pictured here) designed by Santiago Calatrava.  This expansion of the Milwaukee Art Museum won Time Magazine’s “Best Design of 2001.”  The design features the “Burke Brise Soleil,” a sunscreen that resembles wings and can be raised or lowered depending on the weather.  In this photo, the sunscreen is in the raised position on a nice, dark evening.