Basilica of St. Josaphat

The Basilica of St. Josaphat has stood on Milwaukee's south side since 1901, and its copper dome is one of the most recognizable shapes on the city skyline. The church was built by Polish immigrant parishioners, and it was constructed using salvaged materials from the old Chicago post office and customs house, a famous economy that gave a working-class parish a monumental church. It was later named a minor basilica, an honor that few churches in the United States hold. Inside, the nave is richly decorated, and the church is still an active parish, which gives a visit a different tone from a museum. The visitor center offers a $5 donation audio tour, printed self-guided maps and a free exhibit on the basilica's story on the lower level of the Pope John Paul II Pavilion. The experience works as architecture, as immigrant history and as a quiet counterpoint to the beer and bikes of the rest of the city. Visitors should remember that the church is active, so the experience is quiet, respectful and best at a slow pace outside services.

If you are interested in architecture or immigrant history, this is one of the best half-hour stops in the city, and the cost is a small donation rather than a ticket.

Is it worth it? For architecture and history lovers, absolutely, and the small donation makes it one of the best value stops in the city. The main drawbacks are the limited windows around Mass times and the possibility that the upper church is closed for services, so a quick call to the parish office is sensible. Visit with a respectful mindset and allow time for the exhibit, and you will leave with a better understanding of the Polish immigrants who built a monumental church on a working-class budget.

Because the neighborhood is mainly residential, a car, ride-share or the bike route makes the trip simplest, and a short walk afterward lets you see the surrounding streets and small shops.