In the early ’90s, when Michael Jordan was leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in eight years, tickets to Bulls home games became impossible to get. If you could get one, you paid a heavy price and also endured the usual Chicago traffic snarl to get to the game. Looking for alternatives, my friends and I decided to see the Bulls in Milwaukee when they went there to play the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite the 75-mile drive, it really didn’t take much longer than going to a Bulls home game.

In 2001, Miller Park opened as the new home of the Milwaukee Brewers. Sports Illustrated rated it the best ballpark for value per dollar spent. It really is a beautiful place to watch a baseball game. Miller Park also has hosted many concerts and other events.

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Milwaukee has more to offer than just sports, though. The Milwaukee County Zoo opened in 1892 and has grown ever since. It is one of the biggest and best zoos in the country. The Milwaukee Art Museum, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, houses over 25,000 works of art and offers a visual delight in itself as well.

There are plenty of great restaurants in Milwaukee, too. From fine French dining at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro to a lively, fantastic sports bar called Major Goolsby’s and everything in between, Milwaukee has great food options.

The Wisconsin State Fair is held annually in West Allis (basically just west of Milwaukee). Milwaukee also hosts Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, as well as many other ethnic-themed fests.

I know, as a lifelong Chicagoan, I am supposed to have ill will towards Milwaukee. I should be armed with many cheesehead jokes. I should eschew it because of the many ways it is not like Chicago. However, I actually like Milwaukee because of the many ways it is not like Chicago. I love Chicago, but I kind of view Milwaukee as a long-distance suburb. It’s a great place to visit and spend a day or two.

–John Wroblewski, distribution specialist Global Traveler has joined the world of social marketing. For breaking news, special offers and much more, fan us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @Gtmag!