Since 1881, Marquette University has called the heart of Milwaukee its home in alignment with the Jesuit tradition of being located in an urban environment where we can be in community for and with others.
If you’ve stepped foot on Marquette’s campus and explored the surrounding neighborhoods and towns, it’s easy to understand why Milwaukee was named the No. 3 best city in the U.S. in 2025 by Conde Nast Traveler. And if you’ve never visited, there are plenty of measures to back up that claim.
Don’t just take our word for it. We tracked all the reasons others believe Milwaukee is a great place to live, learn, work and play.
Milwaukee is on a Great Lake, and it has some great beaches and parks
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, just a 90-minute drive north from Chicago, Milwaukee is renowned for its waterfront access and activities. Marquette’s campus is just minutes from numerous parks and beaches along the lake. Bring a blanket and a kite to Veterans Park or find a sandy spot along the mile-long stretch of Bradford Beach, named one of Travel Channel’s top 11 city beaches in the U.S. Bradford Beach has also been recognized for its wheelchair access, leading Ability Center CEO Damian Buchman to call Milwaukee home to “the most accessible beach in the country.”
Thinking of making a visit? More good news! Milwaukee was also named the most affordable lake town beach vacation in 2025.
It’s a breeze flying to and from Milwaukee
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is consistently ranked among the best in the country — and the world. MKE was ranked the sixth-best mid-size airport by J.D. Power and the 13th-best overall by the Washington Post. Conveniently located about 15 minutes from downtown (and from campus), our airport offers plenty of nonstop flights to major cities coast-to-coast.
We get to enjoy all four seasons
Sure, Wisconsin is known for its chilly, snowy winters (don’t get us wrong, we love a snowy Marquette campus). But Milwaukee gets to embrace spring, summer and fall too, making it a year-round urban weather oasis. Students can experience all four seasons, including the full transition from summer to fall during the first semester.
Wisconsin was named a hidden gem for the best fall foliage in the country, and you don’t have to travel far outside Milwaukee for great leaf peeping. Marquette community members love making the short trip to Holy Hill Basilica for its fall colors or taking a hike in Kettle Moraine State Forest, both less than an hour from campus.
Milwaukee’s job market is thriving
Milwaukee has always been a city of trailblazing industry and innovation, from the invention of the QWERTY typewriter to Fortune 500 companies like Northwestern Mutual, Kohl’s and countless leaders in manufacturing and technology headquartered here. Year after year, companies continue to invest in Milwaukee, which is great news for Marquette students and graduates: The Wall Street Journal in 2025 named Milwaukee the second-best metro area for college grads to land jobs and launch their careers, and Forbes placed it in the top-five for students and graduates.
While you’re here, take a visit to one of our most famous industrial epicenters: the Harley-Davidson Museum.
There’s no shortage of live music
Milwaukee was named the best city for live music in the Midwest for good reason. Because of its location along I-94 between Chicago and Minneapolis, Milwaukee has the fortune of having national touring artists passing through the city — and making stops — daily. Yes, Marquette has its own history of hosting famous acts such as Radiohead and Pearl Jam, but you can catch a show at any of the Pabst Theater Group’s historic downtown venues or see an outdoor show at one of the stages at Henry Maier Festival Park, home to Summerfest.
Milwaukee itself has a robust local music scene, too. Find Midwestern rock, pop, jazz, rap or DJ sets at cool, intimate venues like Cactus Club, X-Ray Arcade and the Cooperage. Or, attend one of Milwaukee’s cultural or street festivals throughout the year — you’re bound to find good music at any of them.
Visit with wizards, elves and trolls
Marquette’s Raynor Library is home to the J.R.R. Tolkien Collection that includes original manuscripts and drafts of three of the author’s most celebrated books — The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and Farmer Giles of Ham, as well as other Tolkien writings and memorabilia. Marquette offers limited public showings each year!
Hobbits aren’t all Milwaukee’s known for anymore. In May 2025, Wisconsin became the newest state — one of 20 in the U.S. — to have a world-famous Dambo troll. Built by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, the 25-foot, 4,000-pound art piece named “Mama Rosa” is located in Firefly Grove Park in the nearby suburb of Wauwatosa, just a few miles from campus.
It’s easy to find beer (and other libations) here
Milwaukee earned the moniker “Brew City” due to its long, rich history of beer. Pabst, Miller, Blatz and Schlitz breweries all started here, and all still have a presence in the city. Through the decades, dozens of breweries — large and small — have called Milwaukee home (and we have a namesake Major League Baseball team to honor them). Marquette even has its own officially licensed Golden Ale from nearby Third Space Brewing! While you’re here, take your pick of taprooms or hop into a tour of the popular Lakefront Brewery. Milwaukee County also hosts a dozen beer gardens during the warmer months to enjoy outdoor merriment. All that said, USA Today readers ranked Milwaukee the No. 8 beer city in the U.S. (a little low, if you ask us).
Not feeling the suds? Visit a distillery like Great Lakes or Central Standard, or check out the options for craft and non-alcoholic cocktail bars in the city.
Marquette’s Campus Life page has all the information you need
As you can see, whether you’re a prospective student, a parent of a student or a graduate who moved out of town, there are plenty of reasons for you to plan a trip to Milwaukee. Want to learn even more? Visit the best website in higher education (OK, this one’s according to us).
