Ranked number 36 in Money magazine's 2006 Top 100 Best Places to Live, Waukesha might be Wisconsin's best-kept secret. Nestled in a setting of authentic 1800s architecture, Milwaukee's largest suburb boasts a revitalized downtown area filled with specialty shops, restaurants, and stores. Its thriving arts community features more than 20 galleries, a cultural museum, and a new performing arts theater. Winding through the downtown area is the three-mile Riverwalk, with its art displays, water taxis, cafes, and brewpubs. With five "art crawls" throughout the year and live music on the streets in the summer, Waukesha is a pedestrian-friendly city that caters to the art community.

Just 20 minutes away is nearby Milwaukee, known as the City of Festivals. Music lovers will find every possible ty