Milwaukee Featured in Conde Nast Traveler's "Cities to Watch in 2017" List

The city of Milwaukee might be on more tourists radars after a high-profile mention by 'Conde Nast Traveler' on Wednesday.

The magazine put Milwaukee on their list of "Cities to Watch in 2017". The blurb also name-dropped a few local spots.

The list of 'Cities to Watch' is kind of like a list of underdog cities - places tourists might not usually consider. Milwaukee was put alongside places like Baltimore and Indianapolis. 

But for businesses in Milwaukee the mention was was a bit little surprise.

The latest pizza comes out of the oven at Wolf Peach - a restaurant on Brewers Hill with a rustic European-style menu. This spot - with it's view - got a mention from Conde Nast Traveler.

The exposure is appreciated but somewhat questioned by Executive Chef Kyle Toner.

"I'd hate to be put in the category of 'City to Watch'. You know, I think the trend toward smaller cities is a larger trend, not just this particular Conde Nast article," Toner said.

"Those are the places people are going to be drawn toward as each huge metropolis becomes unaffordable," Toner said.

It makes sense around Milwaukee where the Chief Operating and Financial Officer of the Milwaukee Art Museum, Jane Wochos, says the museum continue to be a huge draw for out-of-towners.

"I think we do see it in that we track our attendance by zip codes so we are seeing that we are attracting visitors from the Chicago area as well as nationally and internationally," Wochos said.

The museum got a name-drop in Conde Nast Traveler as well as the Journeyman Hotel in the historic third ward.

Hotel General Manager Patrick Gaskin says Summerfest and other lakefront activities help guide people to stay there (or drink at their rooftop restaurant).

"It's a place that you want to show off to your friends and family when they're in town and it gives you a reason to come up and have a cocktail or beverage or a bite to eat, and hope that this is the place where your family's staying. Because you don't want them staying at your house. You want to have that fun time with them but you want them to have their own space and time to enjoy the city," Gaskin said.

The Conde Nast Traveler list also mentioned the restaurants Vanguard, Odd Duck, and Ardent. The Pabst Mansion and Theatre were also put on as places to see.