Southeast Wisconsin

Understand

As home to state's largest city, Milwaukee, and to Kenosha, Racine and Waukesha (the fourth, fifth and seventh largest cities respectively), Southeast Wisconsin is the population center and most developed area of Wisconsin. While somewhat culturally similar to neighboring Chicagoland to the south, the region has a separate character and a diverse economy with a mixture of industry, tourism and agriculture. Milwaukee is an exceptionally diverse city, while the suburbs and exurbs tend to be more homogenous and conservative.

Regions

Cities

Milwaukee, its inner suburbs and surrounding area to the west:

• Milwaukee
• Wauwatosa
• West Allis
• Waukesha
• Brookfield

Other large cities, south of Milwaukee:

• Racine
• Kenosha

Washington and Ozaukee Counties, north and northwest of Milwaukee:

• West Bend
• Grafton
• Port Washington

Walworth County and western Waukesha County, west and southwest of Milwaukee:

• Delavan
• Eagle
• Richmond

Other destinations

• Kettle Moraine State Forest — Non-contiguous forests that cover an over 100 mile area, stretching from the northernmost part of the Southeast Wisconsin to the Illinois border.

Get in

Southeast Wisconsin is the busiest region of Wisconsin and is serviced by a number of interstates, numbered US routes, daily rail service and General Mitchell International Airport.

By car

The region may be accessed via I-94 (from Chicago or Madison) and from I-43 (from Green Bay or Beloit). The region is also accessible via US 41 and US 45.

By train

There is daily service via Amtrak and Metra's Union Pacific North Metra Line (in Kenosha and Sturtevant).

By plane

General Mitchell International Airport has daily departures and arrivals.

By boat

There is a seasonal ferry between Milwaukee and Muskegon. Several cities on Lake Michigan have marinas.

By bike

From the north, the Sheboygan Interurban Trail connects to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, which itself connects to Milwaukee. From the west, the Glacial Drumlin State Trail connects to Waukesha.

Get around

The primary method of transport in Southeast Wisconsin is car travel. Most of the region is easily accessible via I-94 and I-43. US and State numbered routes also cross the region.

The local bus systems of Waukesha and Milwaukee have transfer points in western Milwaukee County. Milwaukee County and the cities of Kenosha and Racine also have a multitude of public transport options, usually local bus systems.