Milwaukee is often called a big “small town.” Vibrant and cosmopolitan yet accessible and friendly, it offers everything to amp your social life, including cultural activities, dining, sports, music, performance and visual arts.

Coffee shops: There’s no shortage of ways to get a caffeine fix. Head to the trendy East Side, where you’ll find coffee shops such as Alterra, Anodyne, Comet Café and Rochambo — all hot spots for studying students.

Brady Street: If you’re looking for an eclectic mix of boutiques, restaurants and bakeries, check out Brady Street, a short bus ride east of Marquette. Come hungry — you’ll find an Italian grocery story, Middle Eastern food, a top-notch burger joint and Milwaukee’s famous custard packed together with loads of other shops, all within a few blocks. Bargain lovers, take note: Brady Street is also a hub for vintage and resale shops.

Milwaukee County Zoo: Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Located 15 minutes west of Marquette’s campus, the Milwaukee County Zoo is considered one of the nation’s best zoological attractions.

The Third Ward: One of Milwaukee’s trendiest neighborhoods, this renovated warehouse district is known for some of the city’s most exciting art galleries, theatres and restaurants. Plus, it’s now home to the Milwaukee Public Market, a collection of specialty delis, butchers, bakeries and produce vendors with only the freshest foods. The Third Ward is a terrific place to spend your Saturday afternoon.

Mitchell Park Conservatory (a.k.a. the Domes): Looking to escape the Wisconsin winter? At the Mitchell Park Conservatory, you can experience an arid desert, a tropical jungle and a themed botanical garden all in one afternoon. Located just a couple miles from Marquette, you can stroll through the Domes and explore the beautiful sites and scents of this horticultural wonder.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra: If classical music is your passion, you can’t beat an afternoon or evening spent with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. As with many forms of entertainment in Milwaukee, tickets are often discounted for students. (Take advantage of your student status while you can!)

Bradley Center: The Bradley Center is the downtown home of music concerts, the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, the IHL’s Milwaukee Admirals and, of course, your Marquette Golden Eagles men’s basketball team. You’ll find it all just one mile northeast of the Marquette campus.