Midwest Culture

The people of Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and Illinois share the rich soil and abundant flora and wildlife of the Midwest. Their borders surround Lake Michigan which offers abundant fishing opportunities as well as accommodating water sports of all kinds. Sail boats, jet skies, water skies, catamarans, yachts, and swimming are among the popular outdoor recreational activities. For more adventure you can travel the rivers by conoe and engage in white water rafting or tubing.

For those who enjoy or simply want to get a glimpse of the area wildlife, many species of birds can be found along the lake's shores. It's not uncommon to find an egret or two, blue herons, ducks, gull, terns, and eagles during the Summer months. White tail deer can also be spotted as they visit the shoreline for an early morning and evening refresher.

Much of the rural area consists of both working and hobby farms and ranches. There are many dairy farms, horse ranches (some with riding stables), lama farms, sheep farms, and if you keep your eye open, you might even come across an ostrich or buffalo farm to boot.

The towns and cities of the midwest each present the natural surroundings specific to their area to the visitor in grand form. One can visit the Riverfront in Menominee where people from the entire coastline and even those who wonder over through the Lake Huron and the St. Lawrence Seaway can moor their vessels at the Menominee Marina. While there, they are entertained at the bandshell, can visit the Stephenson Art Museum, play on the Marina playground with their kids, or shop the many storefronts all just a short walk along the antique street lamps that line 1st Street.

The larger cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay house an eclectic selection of arts and cultures. The Milwaukee Art Museum (the Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion) is a most unique site upon arrival. The architectural design, in the shape of a ship, is a work of art in itself. It's 90' high sunscreen (the ship's sails) can be raised and lowered to shade the glass reception hall inside the building. The museum's holdings include 17th-century Dutch paintings, 18th-century French paintings, a 16th-century Brabant-Brussels tapestry, Nardo di Cione's Madonna and Child, and a portrait of a little girl by Francis Cotes.

These represent a general look at life in the Midwest. As you tour our gallery, you will be introduced to many more fascinating aspects of our little part of the world.