Milwaukee is often called a big small town. Vibrant and cosmopolitan yet accessible and friendly, it offers everything to amp up your social life, including cultural activities, great restaurants, sports, music, and 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 Collectivo, 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 store, Middle Eastern food, a top-notch burger joint, Milwaukee's famous custard and 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 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, which is just a few miles from Marquette, you can experience an arid desert, a tropical jungle and a themed botanical garden all in one afternoon.

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!)

Fiserv Forum

The Fiserv Forum is the downtown home of music concerts, the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and, of course, your Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team. You'll find it all just one mile northeast of the Marquette campus.