Waukesha, Wisconsin, in Waukesha county, is 16 miles W of Milwaukee, Wisconsin . The city is located along the Fox River. In 2006 the city was ranked 36th in Money Magazine's 100 best places to live in the United States list. The region provides numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Waukesha History
Settlers arrived in 1834. In 1846 the Village of Prairieville was incorporated and in 1847 it was renamed Waukesha. During the late 1800's and the early 1900's the town was a prominent spa location due to the area's high quality spring water. The rich and famous often visited the luxury resorts, including the notable Fountain Spring House. The city was named after a nearby Indian village.
Waukesha Attractions
Old World Wisconsin is a museum focusing on rural history and features a vast number of noteworthy buildings. Waukesha County Museum. Wisconsin Highland Games & Celtic Fling features a rugby tournament, Scottish and Irish sporting events, music, parades, dancing and pipe and drum competitions. Ashton Arts Gallery. Apple Harvest Festival features hay rides, concerts and activities for children. Waukesha Symphony Orchestra. Carrol Players. Waukesha Civic Theatre. Waukesha Art Fest includes a fine arts competition and a variety of entertainment. Les Paul Band Shell features summer concerts. Charles Z. Horwitz Planetarium. Waukesha County Expo Center. Waukesha Farmers Market. Almont Gallery. Rowe Art Gallery. The historic downtown includes numerous specialty shops.
Waukesha Activities
The Retzer Nature Center includes a trail which provides opportunities to see a wide variety of plants, birds and animals. Golf enthusiasts enjoy the numerous courses. The city incldudes extensive bicycle and hiking trail systems. A vast number of pristine lakes provide residents and visitors with opportunities for outdoor recreation. The scenic Kettle Moraine State Forest is a popular destination and includes hiking and bicycle riding trails.
The scenic Glacial Drumlin State Trail features rolling hills, marshes and rivers. The Lapham Peak Trails are enjoyed by residents and tourists. Fox River Park includes woodlands, wetlands and trails. Minooka Park is situated in a vast acreage and is popular for swimming, horseback riding, hiking as well as cross-country skiing.
Waukesha Higher Education
Carrol University is a private Presbyterian liberal arts college. The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha is located in the city.
Waukesha Transportation
The city is served by the nearby General Mitchell International Airport.