To My Friends Who Are Scared of Milwaukee,

There is no reason to be scared of Milwaukee. I know that after the Sherman Park incident this past summer many who haven’t spent much time here would be scared, but take it from one Milwaukeean there is no reason to be scared of it here. There aren’t just hundreds of festivals and concerts and events that happen here every year, but there are some amazing places to visit. On top of the amazing places to go and the awesome things to do the people aren’t half bad (take a look at yours truly). Milwaukee is a city full of love and excitement, you just need to know where to look.

You guys are scared because you think what you see on the news is all Milwaukee offers. Yeah things go bad here from time to time, but overall this city is one of the best. It is easy to forget things like this until you’re driving through downtown at three in the morning and the lights of the city are flying as you zoom down the expressway and your windows are down and you feel the energy of the city below you. Or when you walk out of a Bucks game and the crowd is still hyped, win or lose, and you are intoxicated by the lights and the sound of the city. Milwaukee is electric year round and you have to be here to feel it.

On top of that, we throw some awesome parties. Many of you come for Summerfest, no surprise since it is the world’s biggest music festival (which we are very proud of), but through the entire summer we have festivals devoted to many cultures. Irishfest gets pretty lit, same as Germanfest (trust me, have a DD if you’re going to one of these things, it gets pretty crazy, unless you’re underage then you should offer to be the DD and let your parents have a little fun for once. You owe them your life. Literally).

If you aren’t a partier then please I beg of you check out all of the amazing forms of art we have going on. Whether you start at the Grohmann Museum (one of Milwaukee’s hidden treasures trust me) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, or the Marcus Center of Performing Arts you are seriously lucky to be in this city. Any symphony done by the MSO is magnificent and it will make you cry (probably, but that may just me who cries at the ending of Gilmore Girls and any Disney movie ever). The Milwaukee Art Museum is extremely aesthetically pleasing and if you want to take some killer selfies the lighting is perfect. Seriously.

On top of all that you NEED to check out the Milwaukee Public Market. This place is full of some of the coolest stuff. It is nearly impossible to take in all of the action especially if you are there on a Saturday in the middle of summer. There are so many people and so many noises you are exposed to you won’t know what to focus on! It’s exhilarating. After you’re done there you need to take a stroll around the entire Third Ward. Rain or shine it is probably the best part of Milwaukee.

Overall, if you’re scared of Milwaukee you haven’t seen the right parts of Milwaukee. Spend a day wandering around and being a tourist. It is one of the most beautiful and exciting cities. Oh and make sure to wear a really cute outfit because there are so many places for you to take pictures you’ll thank me for it later. I promise.

Don't be scared of what you don't know and don't believe everything you see. Milwaukee is a beautiful place and it's full of love and light. Just give it a chance and you may be surprised.