What’s your ideal American city? A place with cultural and ethnic diversity, entertainment and arts, shopping and sports, restaurants and festivals, quiet neighborhoods and thriving urban areas? You’ve just described Milwaukee, heralded as “The Genuine American City.”  Established along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, we’re Wisconsin’s largest city and we offer it all. 

Milwaukee is an easy city in which to live, work, and play, and we have a multitude of exciting attractions. From a world-renowned zoo, to many museums, mansions, breweries, gardens, and parks, you’ll find an experience for every age and interest here.

We’re also known as the "City of Festivals" and we proudly celebrate our melting-pot heritage throughout the year with an impressive number of ethnic and cultural festivals. You name it and it’s likely we’ve got a celebration of food, fun, and music to commemorate it--PolishFest, Festa Italiana, German Fest, Asian Moon Festival, African World Festival, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, Indian Summer, and Arab World Fest, just to name a few. Most take place along the lakefront on our famous Summerfest grounds, home to “The Big Gig,” an 11-day music festival attracting over a million people from all over the Midwest.

Sports enthusiasts also have plenty of reasons to celebrate in Milwaukee. The new Miller Park is a state-of-the-art ballpark for the Milwaukee Brewers Major League baseball team. It’s the only ballpark in North America with a convertible roof and natural grass playing field. The Milwaukee Bucks hold NBA court at downtown’s Bradley Center, also home to the professional hockey team, the Milwaukee Admirals.

The newest jewel on our lakefront is the widely talked-about Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). The $100 million project adds a unique signature masterpiece to Milwaukee's skyline and offers museum-goers must-see permanent and touring exhibits.
 
There’s still plenty of great outdoors in Milwaukee. In fact, we have more acres of parkland per person than anywhere else in the country with nearly 15,000 acres of recreation enjoyment and year-round activities.

Population:  1,500,741
Cost of Living Index:  

As gateway to the Northwoods, the pristine Chippewa Valley combines natural beauty, history, and family entertainment to create an enviable relaxed lifestyle for Chippewa Falls residents. Less than two hours east of Minneapolis and located on the Chippewa River, Chippewa Falls blends simple living with quality jobs and an unsurpassed quality of life. In fact, in 1997 Time magazine selected Chippewa Falls as one of the Top 10 Small Towns in America.

Originally a lumber town, today Chippewa Falls' primary natural resource is water. Not only is water an enterprising resource for industries like Chippewa Springs bottled water and Leinenkugel Brewery, it's also celebrated and enjoyed in our annual summer festival called Pure Water Days. The festival celebrates our town's distinction of having the purest water in the world!

There are more than 300 lakes in Chippewa County which abound with recreational opportunities. Two local state parks, Lake Wissota State Park and Burnette State Park, offer over 1,000 acres of four-season fun. Swimming, fishing, water-skiing, boating, and sailing are local favorite pastimes, along with hiking, picnicking, camping, snow-shoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Chippewa Falls is also known as the Christmas City. Each year, the holiday season is launched with an annual Christmas parade, along with a Christmas Village display in Irvine Park, one of the finest in the state with over 25,000 lights.

Whether you're seeking an elusive musky, enjoying a winter wonderland, or just basking in the warm summer sun on the lake, life, like our town's water, is pure and uncomplicated in Chippewa Falls.

Population:  13,515
Cost of Living Index:  79.7 (low, U.S. average is 100)

Clear water. The French had little trouble christening the beauty they found here in the Chippewa Valley, and today, Eau Claire has remained true to its name. Sitting along the banks of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers, we’re western Wisconsin's largest city and water is still an important part of our industry and recreation.

Eau Claire is rich in diversified industry and retail vitality. Two large hospitals, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, excellent shopping, and outdoor recreational opportunities all add up to reasons Money magazine named our city one of the best places to live in the U.S.

For uncrowded natural beauty and the four seasons at their best, nothing’s better than life in Eau Claire. Here, sports of all kinds are enjoyed year-round. In the summer, catch a water-ski show in Carson Park or an Eau Claire Cavaliers game, one of the top amateur baseball teams in the Midwest. The Chippewa River Trail, a first-class recreation trail can be enjoyed every season. It meanders through the city and connects with an existing state trail, further celebrating the beauty of the great outdoors.

Eau Claire has another famous baseball connection. The city’s bronze statue of Hank Aaron honors the slugger who began his career here in 1952 playing for the Eau Claire Bears.In addition to recreational activities, you’ll find a wide variety of arts and entertainment here. The university offers a host of music concerts, art exhibits, and foreign films. And the planetarium lets you enjoy an authentic evening under the stars.

Population:  61,704
Cost of Living Index:  81.4 (low, U.S. average is 100)

Shopping, theatre, restaurants…there’s a bit of the Big Apple in Appleton! Our bustling city sits in the heart of the Fox Cities, one of Wisconsin's fastest-growing areas. A progressive community, Appleton serves up big-city diversity along with small-town friendliness, and offers the perfect mix of cultural events and outdoor recreation.

Appleton’s economic prosperity has deep roots in the paper industry, but has flourished to include thriving businesses in finance, service, insurance, and manufacturing. An active retail environment has also contributed to our area's impressive growth, and our shopping is among the best in the state. In fact, Appleton is home to one of the best shopping malls in Wisconsin, the Fox River Mall, which includes fine department stores and nationally known specialty shops.

Downtown Appleton boasts an active nightlife, with a major convention center, the Paper Valley Hotel, and a state-of-the-art theatre, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. The theatre’s seasonal line-ups include Broadway production tours, as well as acclaimed comedy and musical acts.

Lawrence University also lies within our city’s attractive and lively downtown. Ranked among the best small private colleges in the nation, students and faculty members from its conservatory of music present the community with countless musical and dramatic performances. Nearby, some of Appleton’s magical history is on view at the Houdini Historical Museum. It contains artifacts of our city’s most famous native son, escape artist Harry Houdini.Shopping, theatre, restaurants…there’s a bit of the Big Apple in Appleton! Our bustling city sits in the heart of the Fox Cities, one of Wisconsin's fastest-growing areas. A progressive community, Appleton serves up big-city diversity along with small-town friendliness, and offers the perfect mix of cultural events and outdoor recreation.

Appleton’s economic prosperity has deep roots in the paper industry, but has flourished to include thriving businesses in finance, service, insurance, and manufacturing. An active retail environment has also contributed to our area's impressive growth, and our shopping is among the best in the state. In fact, Appleton is home to one of the best shopping malls in Wisconsin, the Fox River Mall, which includes fine department stores and nationally known specialty shops.

Downtown Appleton boasts an active nightlife, with a major convention center, the Paper Valley Hotel, and a state-of-the-art theatre, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. The theatre’s seasonal line-ups include Broadway production tours, as well as acclaimed comedy and musical acts.

Lawrence University also lies within our city’s attractive and lively downtown. Ranked among the best small private colleges in the nation, students and faculty members from its conservatory of music present the community with countless musical and dramatic performances. Nearby, some of Appleton’s magical history is on view at the Houdini Historical Museum. It contains artifacts of our city’s most famous native son, escape artist Harry Houdini.

Recreation and leisure opportunities abound in and around Appleton. Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest inland lake is nestled here. Nature lovers enjoy the 1,000 Islands Environmental Center and the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve. And an afternoon at Fox Cities Stadium is a hit with baseball fans of all ages. The modern stadium is home to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a minor-league affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
 
Recreation and leisure opportunities abound in and around Appleton. Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest inland lake is nestled here. Nature lovers enjoy the 1,000 Islands Environmental Center and the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve. And an afternoon at Fox Cities Stadium is a hit with baseball fans of all ages. The modern stadium is home to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a minor-league affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Population:  187,683
Cost of Living Index:  80.8 (low, U.S. average is 100)

Wisconsin’s third-largest city is a place that’s all heart. An officially designated All-American City, Green Bay sits along the beautiful bay waters. And while our city’s geography is divided by the Fox River, our football fans are never divided in their allegiances.

Home to the Green Bay Packers, our city is steeped in legend and lore. Lambeau Field is our best-known landmark, and win or lose, sunshine or blizzard, the stadium is consistently sold out, year in and year out. The stadium also houses the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, along with restaurants and shops that are open year-round.

While the name Green Bay is synonymous with the Packers, our city and metro area of nearly 200,000 is also proud of other attractions. Heritage Hill State Park brings history to life with costumed interpreters, while the Green Bay Botanical Garden offers 60 acres of display gardens and local flora. Bay Beach Amusement Park, the 700-acre Wildlife Sanctuary, Brown County Reforestation, and the NEW Zoo all add to the fun and beauty of our area. We boast some of the best public golf courses in the nation, as well as outstanding hiking and cross-country ski trails. And both the KI Convention Center and the Oneida Resort and Casino continue to bring excited visitors to our city.

Businesses thrive in Green Bay. In addition to manufacturing, paper, and cheese production, our city’s a hub for health care and insurance.

Green Bay is also northeastern Wisconsin’s center for entertainment, providing multiple opportunities to experience the arts. The Weidner Center for the Performing Arts on the UW-Green Bay campus is a state-of-the-art, 2,020-seat performance hall offering a wide selection of top-name entertainment and Broadway shows. The 10,000-seat contemporary Resch Center arena complex presents a variety of entertainment, from national touring concerts, to ice hockey, to the UW-Green Bay men’s basketball games.

Population:  102,313
Cost of Living Index:  

If location is everything, what could be better than the town of Hudson, a charming community nestled between the magnificent St. Croix River and the picturesque bluffs of western Wisconsin--all just 20 minutes east of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. The St. Croix River is recognized as one of the most beautiful in the United States, having been designated by Congress as a protected scenic river way, thus preserving the beauty of the shoreline for generations.

Hudson represents natural beauty, a clean environment, and a healthy respect for both arts and architecture. Our small-town charm is also combined with the growth and energy of a metropolitan area. With a filled-to-capacity industrial park, a comprehensive mix of manufacturing, service, and retail businesses, a modern hospital and clinic, seven schools, and the Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson is one of Wisconsin's fastest-growing municipalities.

There’s plenty of recreation in Hudson to round out your lifestyle--on land, water, and in the air. Six city parks, numerous golf courses, and an indoor ice arena offer land-related activities, while our lakes, rivers, and streams make for exceptional water recreation. Fishing, boating, water-tubing, and swimming are all popular pastimes in St. Croix County. Willow River State Park is one of our finest attractions, with its 3,155 acres of forests, lakes, waterfalls, and panoramic river scenery. The park includes campsites, hiking trails, and two lakes for fishing, sailing, and canoeing (no motor-powered vehicles allowed in the waters).

And when you’ve conquered all the activities the land and water have to offer, there’s always the air! The largest winter ballooning event in the Midwest is held here. The annual Hudson Hot Air Affair hosts over 50 regular and specialty hot air balloons, along with a variety of family activities.

Population:  8,775
Cost of Living Index:  

Population:  51,818
Cost of Living Index:  

Frank Lloyd Wright, Bucky Badger, bohemian arts, political pursuits, and beautiful lakes all make up the best of “Mad Town.” Madison is Wisconsin's vibrant capital city offering natural beauty and outdoor recreation alongside stimulating cultural events, distinctive ethnic restaurants and brew pubs, and eclectic shops.

A progressive, cosmopolitan city, Madison consistently receives top ranking on various national lists including healthiest, liveliest, most family-friendly, and best small-city living.

Built on an isthmus between lakes Monona and Mendota, our city is one of the nation’s most scenic. Five area lakes and over 200 parks provide an abundance of year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, swimming, sailing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.

Madison is considered an intellectual center for Wisconsin as we’re home to the world-class University of Wisconsin. Thousands of spirited students and an energetic campus scene contribute to our city’s youthful culture.

Bookstores, galleries, and boutiques provide endless shopping opportunities here. State Street, a unique pedestrian mall, is lined with eclectic specialty shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. The lively street links the university campus with Capitol Square and can’t be beat for people watching. Capitol Square is also home to our famous Farmer’s Market on the Square, one of the nation’s best.

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright spent his childhood in Madison and lived here at the height of his international fame. As a result, our city boasts a variety of Wright-designed buildings including the spectacular Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

Population:  208,054
Cost of Living Index:  

Population:  18,887
Cost of Living Index:  

At every turn in Menomonie there are stately reminders of the great wealth lumber barons enjoyed during the high Victorian era. This preservation of history and a pride in our natural surroundings make our community an enviable place to live and work.

Located in northwestern Wisconsin just 60 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Menomonie is picturesquely located along Lake Menomin and the Red Cedar River. Mother Nature provides a beautiful backdrop for our many historic buildings. Built in 1890, the Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater ranks among America’s top historic theaters. It stands at the foot of Menomonie's Main Street which has been designated a national Downtown Historic District. This wonderfully restored “crown jewel” provides a home for performing and visual arts, and features an intimate 313-seat theater, art gallery, public reading room, and gift shop.

The golden history of our community is contrasted and complemented by the youth and vitality found on the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus. An excellent place for learning, the university also partners with our community in innovative programs that promote local economic development.

For the adventure seeker, Menomonie offers a variety of recreational activities for all seasons. With Lake Menomin at the heart of Menomonie, residents and visitors enjoy windsurfing, water-skiing, fishing, and swimming; while nature lovers take pleasure in cycling, hiking, snow shoeing, and cross-country skiing through the woodlands and prairies of the Red Cedar Trail. The trail, constructed on an old railroad bed, follows the Red Cedar River and displays its beautiful scenery every season of the year.

Population:  14,937
Cost of Living Index:  

The warm, hospitable community of Rhinelander will test your belief on many levels. You’ll find it hard to believe the incredible beauty of the Northwoods even though it’s right before your eyes. But you’ll find it easy to believe our Hodag legend even though you’ll never see this mythical mascot.

As the gateway to the world’s most concentrated lake region, Rhinelander is a natural paradise. Within a 12-mile radius, there are 232 lakes, 11 trout streams, and the Wisconsin and Pelican rivers. You'll find amazing fishing, lingering sunsets, grazing deer, and miles of tranquil surroundings.

The logging industry, which built this area, still thrives here. There are a number of specialized wood product companies in and around Rhinelander. Our Logging Museum commemorates the industry’s contributions through a true-to-life replica of an 1870s’ lumber camp complete with authentic buildings, artifacts, and photos.

Rhinelander is also a retail and educational center for northern Wisconsin. Shops and restaurants line our downtown and beyond. Both vocational and academic classes are offered at Nicolet College, and the annual School of the Arts summer program, brings students of every age to our area for comprehensive arts study.

And the Hodag? Part of Rhinelander’s lore and tradition, it first appeared here--and only here--in 1896. Seven feet long, 30 inches high, with white horns, tusks, and claws, the Hodag is Rhinelander's fabled icon. Its name and image appears everywhere. Even our annual Hodag Country Music Festival, held since 1978, gives tribute to the fanciful creature, offering a fun way to celebrate the friendly spirit of Rhinelander.

Population:  7,735
Cost of Living Index:  

Diversity, opportunity, natural beauty, and a desirable cost of living are elements that have catapulted St. Paul to the top of several “best places to live” lists. Our city’s ethnic and economic diversity mirrors several California cities, so much so that some have labeled St. Paul “the Berkley of the Midwest.”

As Minnesota’s capital city, celebrating our diversity is a matter of pride. You’ll find events throughout the year marking a variety of heritages and ethnic traditions, from Scottish and Swedish festivals, to the state’s biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the District Del Sol, our city’s Hispanic area. Winter also brings festivities with our annual Winter Carnival, complete with artistic ice sculptures and a dazzling ice palace.

St. Paul has more Mississippi River shoreline than any other city along its course. Our city embraces its natural surroundings and our developments respect the beauty of the landscape by offering many spectacular views. 

Downtown historic buildings lend St. Paul its old-world charm. They include the capitol building and the famous Fitzgerald Theatre, home to Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” Victorian mansions and nostalgic riverboats add to our city’s celebrated appeal.

Hip jazz clubs, nightclubs, restaurants, and breweries offer evening diversions, while nature provides the backdrop for countless daytime recreational activities. We have over 160 parks and open spaces, with designated biking and pedestrian paths, as well as three, 18-hole golf courses. The Xcel Energy® Center brings sports indoors as it is home to the NHL Minnesota Wild hockey team. The stunning 19,000-seat arena also hosts national touring concerts and complements St. Paul’s many other celebrated regional theatre companies and live-performance centers.

Population:  287,000
Cost of Living Index:  

Located in the middle of Wisconsin and surrounded by Northwoods beauty, you’re sure to “get centered” in Wausau. After all, Wausau’s Marathon County contains the exact center of the northwest hemisphere. It’s halfway between the equator and the North Pole, and halfway between Greenwich Meridian and the International Date Line.

You’ll also find yourself right in the middle of Midwest hospitality in Wausau where our motto is “welcome home.” We take great pride in being named an All-American City with a low crime rate and above-average schools.

Wausau ranks as one of Wisconsin's industrial and insurance centers. Ginseng, a little herb with big healing properties, is also grown and sold here. In fact, 95 percent of all cultivated ginseng grown in the United States is produced in Marathon County.

For entertainment, our historic Grand Theatre, known throughout northern Wisconsin, offers an assortment of unique performances year-round. Musicals, ballets, live radio shows, children's productions, and international performers grace the theatre’s stage.

One of the top whitewater courses in the United States is located right in the middle of our downtown on the Wisconsin River. In summer, residents and visitors enjoy kayaking on the river and boating on Lake Wausau. The scenic Mountain-Bay Trail and a maze of single-track trails cut into a heavily-forested area give avid bicyclists a run for their money.

In September, we hold our annual outdoor Festival of the Arts. Nationally recognized artists line downtown streets with samples of their work. Fall also brings breathtaking, panoramic views of autumn colors from atop Rib Mountain.

Winter in Wausau means skiing and Rib Mountain has the highest ski-able downhill run in the state. There are also 73 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails including in Nine-Mile Park, 750 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, and sheets of indoor ice for hockey, curling, and figure skating. Ice fishing on Lake Wausau and the many surrounding area lakes is also a popular wintertime activity.

Population:  38,426
Cost of Living Index:  

Young, vibrant, and ultra-cosmopolitan, Minneapolis has all the sophistication you’d expect from an urban location, but with a surprising abundance of nature’s captivating beauty. Second only to New York City in arts activities per capita, Minneapolis offers the best of city living in an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Our wealth of cultural activities, a high quality of life, and a low cost of living help to consistently rank us as one of America’s best places to live.

A young, creative crowd populates Minneapolis, giving us our hip energy. In fact, nearly 60 percent of our population is 34 years old and under. Museums, theatres, and festivals keep residents warm and busy during the winter, while the nearly 1,000 lakes in the seven-county metro area draw runners, swimmers, cyclists, inline-skaters, and water-skiers in the summer.

Sports fans can be busy year-round supporting the numerous professional, college, and minor league teams found in the Twin Cities, such as Minnesota Twins baseball, Minnesota Vikings football, Minnesota Wild hockey, and Minnesota Timberwolves basketball.

Minneapolis has the healthiest and most literate people in the country, according to several studies. An active and well-educated workforce means there’s plenty of opportunity for professional growth here. And when the workday is done, there’s lots to eat and buy in the metro area. Offbeat shopping, culinary excitement, vibrant nightlife, and an up-and-coming music scene are part of many urban neighborhoods, as well as our dynamic downtown. Want more? Minneapolis is home to the country’s largest shopping and entertainment complex. The Mall of America is 4. 2 million square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment indulgence!

Population:  2,500,000
Cost of Living Index:  

When in Rice Lake, you’ll have the distinct urge to always look up. With so many natural habitats, our daytime skies are full of songbirds and waterfowl. With so few manmade obstructions, our nighttime heavens are full of brilliant stars and dazzling northern light displays.

Rice Lake is a friendly lakeside community with tree-covered rolling hills and dozens of spring-fed and stream-fed crystal clear waters. Nature has graced us with some of the finest recreational opportunities: Christie Mountain Ski Area, Indian Mounds Park, Barron Blue Hills area, and the beginning of the Tuscobia Trail, a multipurpose recreational trail.

The Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary is a naturalist’s paradise with 339 acres of forest, bog land, and meadow. The sanctuary provides both homes and migrating stops for hundreds of bird species. Additionally, researchers have published reports on the rare, undisturbed hardwoods here.

Rice Lake is an active town, a place known for its strong work ethic. We’re home to various industries which make varied products such as truck bodies, precision scale parts, golf club heads, kitchen cabinets, insulation board, computer assemblies, and even onion rings.

Population:  8,320
Cost of Living Index: