Visiting Milwaukee

[Joseph]

Hey folks. I am coming up to Milwaukee next month to see my Reds take on your beloved Brewers and I'm hoping to get some honest ideas about the trip. It's one of those bucket list things some baseball fans have, to visit every MLB park. I'm trying to add my own spin to it and see the Reds in every MLB park though. Right now I'm admittedly getting low hanging fruit by staying in division, but its one more to check off the list. So far I'm in the beginning stages having only seen the Reds at Riverfront and GABP in Cincinnati and in LA at Dodger stadium.

 

I've never been to Milwaukee before so I'm looking for lots of stuff.

 

First off, I'm assuming you guys have similar midwestern sensibilities to Louisville where I am and Cincy where I attend most games and I'm not going to be accosted for wearing Reds hats or shirts in Miller Park. That a safe assumption?

 

Next, parking....is it ample around the park? Any place I should avoid?

 

I'm sure I'll walk all around the park, but are there any particular spots I should hit with some good Brewer history? Plaques, statues, etc?

 

Ok, ballgame aside....

 

I'm staying at a place called Aloft.

 

Great places to eat? I like anything and everything from 3.00 sandwiches to upscale stuff.

 

Other things to do? I'm a museum, zoo kinda guy if that helps.

 

I appreciate any tips you guys can give. Thanks.

[endaround]

You should be fine.

There is plenty of parking though it's a decent drive from the hotel to the ball park-there is construction along the area.

For places to eat, Milwaukee has some fine restaurants of all different types, this guide will help a bit http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/

For places more unique to Milwaukee, there is Mader's for German food (and close to your hotel)http://www.madersrestaurant.com/

For a bit lighter German food there is the Old German Beer Hall (also close to your hotel) http://www.oldgermanbeerhall.com/

The Safe House is often recommend since it is unique http://www.safe-house.com/

A bit further away is Three Brothers Restauranthttp://www.yelp.com/biz/three-brothers-bar-and-restaurant-milwaukee

You are coming in the middle of the music festival Summerfest http://www.summerfest.com so you may want to check that out by the lake

The Milwaukee Art Museum is wonderful in wonderful buildings right on the lake http://www.mam.org/

The Zoo is top notch though it can get expensive especially if you pay for parking http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/

Closer to miller park there is the Potowatomi Casinohttp://www.paysbig.com/

And the Harley Museum http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_Museum/Museum.jsp

There is the Miller Brewery Tour http://www.millercoors.com/milwaukee-brewery-tour.aspx

And a Sprecher Brewery tour http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/tours.php

And since you are right there you'll want to stop at the Usinger's store on Old World 3rd street http://www.yelp.com/biz/usingers-milwaukee

Hopefully this gives you some ideas. If you have other questions or more specific things you would want to do just ask

Oh yeah, many outside of Wisconsin do not know this but carry ins are allowed at Miller Park if they follow the following rules:

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mil/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=security

[trwi7]

Parking won't be a problem at all.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sds1l-sE6os/TE9PgBahC5I/AAAAAAAAAC4/_zD9nFkA3PM/s1600/1404_Miller_Park_Exterior_view.jpg

 

That's not even close to all the parking at Miller Park either. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Since you're staying at the Aloft that's right by Mader's Restaurant. Really expensive but really good.

 

http://www.madersrestaurant.com/

 

You're also right by Milwaukee Brat House.

 

http://www.milwaukeebrathouse.com/

 

There's the Walk of Fame outside Miller Park.

 

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mil/ballpark/walk_of_fame.jsp

 

If you want to go to the zoo it's West of Miller Park. Directions from Miller Park are go to N. General Mitchell Blvd. That will take you to W. Bluemound Rd., turn left there and it will take you right to the zoo.

 

Since you're a fan of museums the Milwaukee Art Museum is a must. Right on Lake Michigan.

 

http://paulparsons.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/milwaukee-art-museum.jpg

[theavrock]

A little more info on what types of things you like to do would be good.

 

I moved away two years ago, so I feel like an expert in packing a lot into a few days. When I lived in Milwaukee I lived on the East side, so a lot of my recommendations would revolve around there.

 

Places to eat:

 

Casual

Comet Cafe - Amazing Diner food. I refer to it as comfort food with a twist.

Koppa's Fulbeli Deli - Best sandwiches around. You order from the little deli counter in back and can play free Atari while you wait for them to make it.

Classic Slice - Huge pizza with crazy toppings. Love.

The Philly Way - Best cheesesteaks outside of Philly (as voted on by some Philly magazine)

Sobelman's - Best Burgers in MKE. I don't care what anyone says.

Kopps - Awesome custard and burgers

 

Nicer

Meritage - Kind of out of the way but really great food. Not sure if I can put my finger on the theme, but its really great amazing food.

Roots - Similar to Meritage. Can't put my finger on it, other being great food.

 

I'm in my mid 20's so a lot of my favorite pastimes revolved around boozing and MKE has some great brewery tours

 

Lakefront Brewery Tour - Really fun and entertaining. Lots of beer.

Great Lakes Distillery - Again lots of booze.

 

I think Bradford Beach is great in the summer.

Sitting out at the Alterra on the Lake is a great place to people watch and get a fun MKE vibe

Usigner's Sausage Factory is a cool German thing to do.

 

Totally agree on the Milwaukee Art Museum, Its great. I'd also suggest Discovery World. It's right down the way from MAM.

 

Hopefully that gets you started. Enjoy Milwaukee I love that city so much.

[logan82]

That isn't even close to half the parking. Unless you are going by yourself you have to tailgate. Going to a Miller Park without tailgating is missing a good part of the experience. I am going to 2 of those July games but do not know much more than that. If we are tailgating I will invite you. I kind of doubt we are though.

 

I will second the Safe House. The zoo is also very nice.

[1992casey]

There is plenty of parking…

 

As you can see from the picture, there's a ton of parking. There've been times when the lot has been known to sell out, though. You won't run into an issue if you get to the park before the last minute. Since you'll likely want to explore, you'll probably want to be there early anyway.

[logan82]

I have heard the Lakefront Brewery tour or the Sprecher Brewery tour are the good ones.

 

Try to get to the park at least an hour before the game. Like I said, lots of tailgating going on.

[hawing]

A few thoughts...

 

For frozen custard (don't call it ice cream), I would give Gilles' Frozen Custard the nod over Kopp's. It's at 76th and Blue Mound, so if you take Blue Mound from the ballpark to the zoo it's on the way. Gilles is where Bud Selig takes lunch many days when he is working in Milwaukee. Hot dog, hot fudge sundae, watch for the black Lexus parked on the west side of the building. Of course, a place associated with Selig may rub you as much the wrong way as the right.

 

The Lakefront Brewery has Bernie Brewer's slide and chalet from the Milwaukee County Stadium days, so there's something of baseball interest as well as the brewery itself.

 

Have you settled on game dates and seats for the CIN series? I'm sure you already know it's Thursday-Sunday, July 7-10. So far, Saturdays have been the biggest-attendance day of the week, so if you wanted to go 7/9 and don't have a ticket yet, it may be a challenge unless you want a really cheap seat or a really expensive one. Friday and Sunday crowds are a notch or two behind in terms of size. Thursday is not likely to be problematic unless - maybe - the Brewers are in first place by then or have made a popular roster change by then.

Your lead post didn't really touch on where to sit, but if you want advice on that as well, you can get a ton from us.

 

As for how Brewers fans will accept your Reds gear...I would certainly not expect a beatdown or serious abuse. If you sit in, say, the RF loge bleachers (i.e. the Beerpen) or terrace reserved on Saturday night, your chances of getting razzed would increase. If you take the CHC fan route and are in everyone's faces - or maybe the STL route and spend the game sighing or tut-tutting at our lack of class - that won't win you over. But if you're a cool CIN fan who avoids trash talk, I wouldn't expect trouble.

 

A little more on Milwaukee baseball history: near the home plate entrance to MP is Helfaer Field, a little league scale field that is roughly on the site of County Stadium's field. (In the photo posted above by trwi7, the entrance to Helfaer is visible under the clock tower.) Outside the Helfaer grounds is a set of monuments to the Milwaukee Braves, which I think is worth checking out. Behind the left field seating at Helfaer is also a plate marking the location of County Stadium's home plate. (Home plate at Helfaer is roughly where first base was at County.)

 

If you approach MP from the north, in the "Brewers" parking lot is a plaque in the cement marking the spot where Hank Aaron's last home run ball landed. That location was in the seats at County. The Brewers lot is preferred parking and the plaque is right behind (or I guess in front of) a parking space, so it's easier to find before the lots fill up.

 

Finally, my two cents on parking: Molitor lot FTW. You'd take Blue Mound Rd to enter it, parking is a little cheaper, and you'd be walking through a lot chock full of tailgating to get to the park. The route you'd take goes right past Helfaer and the Aaron plaque. Then when you leave, head west on Blue Mound for custard and/or zoo. The Molitor lot is also the customary parking home to many bf.net faithful.

 

Do let us know when you're going. We're fan enough to say hi. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif The only thing I can't wish you is a sweep for your team.

[endaround]

Oh and when the Brewers hammer Reds pitching, keep in mind George Webb will give you 6 hamburgers for $5 every time the Brewers score 5 or more runs. So you are really winning!

[ilovebeer]

TGIF is inside Miller Park, you also have to have a brat with secret stadium sauce. If i were you I would buy your game tickets as soon as possible, weekend games always are near or sold out.

[hawing]

There is a Friday's Front Row Grill inside MP, but you don't have to do restaurant dining to have a brat with secret stadium sauce. I second the recommendation on the brat + secret sauce.

[DatHoser]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned it yet, but the world's largest music festival is going on while the Reds are in town. Summerfest

 

Oops, my bad - thanks Hawing! (see the next post)

[hawing]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned it yet, but the world's largest music festival is going on while the Reds are in town. Summerfest

endaround mentioned it, just in a link-filled post that makes the Summerfest link slightly easier to overlook.

[homer]

If you miss Cincy style chili, Milwaukee has a place called Real Chili which is pretty darn close (some say the Cincy guys took the recipe way back in the day). There's one on Wells St. down town and another on the Marquette campus.

 

http://www.onmilwaukee.co...es/realchiliprofile.html

[RightFieldCoder]

Inside Miller Park, the concourse goes all the way around the stadium. There is no Brewer HOF, but there are several points of interest on the route. I don't remember where they all are, but here is what I remember.

 

Near home plate is an trophy cabinet (like in high school) about Hispanic players in baseball.

Between home and third is a nice area about several Braves legends.

Buried in the left field corner of the stadium is a wall of signed baseballs. When the stadium first opened you could pay money to write on a ball and have it displayed. It is now filled. Intermixed are baseballs signed by famous people, present and past. It is cool to look and find names you recognize.

In the same spot in the right field corner is something most fans don't know about. That is where our plaques are located. All of the awards the Brewers hand out yearly (Team MVP, Minor League Player of the year, Best Newcomer, etc) are located there. I haven't looked at it since last year and it wasn't updated with 2009 winners yet. But it is fun to look at names and see who we thought were great in previous years (like Bill Hall).

There is also a spot about Wisconsin natives in MLB, but I don't remember offhand where it is.

 

Like I said, it's not a HOF. But baseball geeks might find some of these points interesting. I sit in the RF bleachers. You may get some verbal abuse from fans, but nothing should get serious.

[brucrustu]

Very near to aloft is http://ajbombers.com/ You could easy walk there from your hotel, just ask front desk directions. I ate there for lunch the last time I stayed downtown and its real good burgers\bar food.

 

The stuff everybody else listed is great. There is loads of great stuff to do listed in this thread, hope you enjoy your stay.

[bucks2281]

The Riverfront Brewery tour is walkable on a nice day. And you'll drink a lot of beer for $7. It's better than Sprecher and Miller ... more to see and more to drink.

 

If you want a nice, expensive steak dinner, check out Milwaukee Steak House (62nd & Bluemound ... close to the stadium) or 5 O'Clock Club (23rd & State).

 

The best pancakes/breakfast in the city, IMO, is Broken Yolk on 20th & Wisconsin. If you like Mexican food, check out the restaurants in the Walkers Point neighborhood.

 

I'd expect the area around your place (3rd Street/Water St.) to be pretty wild after midnight, after Summerfest closes.

[brwrsfan]

For food, I would you definitely need to get a burger either at Sobelmans or Solly's. You'll know why. We also have extremely good frozen custard here - three places really come to mind, Gillies, Kopps and Oscars. Any of them will do, my favorite is Gillies. I'd also recommend Summerfest, and if you can find it, a bar called "The Safehouse". It's pretty sweet.

 

Also, I'd recommend going to tailgate before a game as well, that can be a pretty neat experience. Might be tough to get food as an out of towner, but just picking up a case of beer and checking out the atmosphere is pretty fun as well.

[Bikeage77]

First off, you HAVE to tailgate. You can get a disposable grill for cheap at most hardware stores, but if you are driving up, you may want to bring a small weber.

 

These are my recommendations to you:

 

*Lakefront brewery is hands down the best brewery tour in the state, and I'd dare say country. One magazine stated "If Miller Brewery is the Harvard of beer tours, than Lakefront would be it's Animal House" take that for what you will. They do tours early in the afternoon during the summer as well, so you'll have plenty of time to get to the game.

 

*Sobelman's has the best burgers in town. It's located on St Paul which is fairly close to where you're staying. They also have a second location that uses grassfed beef on the east side of town. Both are about the same distance. Tallgrass is healthier, yet I prefer the St Paul location.

 

*My favorite italian in town is a little hole in the wall place called Cafe Centro in the Riverwest neighborhood. They open at 4 or 5 so you should be able to get in there and eat before the game.

 

*Oakland Gyro's is the bar time place of choice around here. Your basic gyro/burger joint.

 

*Blue Egg has great breakfast on the west side of town if you feel the need to explore over there.

 

*My favorite Mexican place is called Guanajuato (or GTO's) in Bay View. They give you way too much food for a very reasonable price. The margarita's are also pretty strong.

 

*Right across the street from there is the Sugar Maple bar with 60 craft/microbrews on tap. They start at about 5 bucks a pint, kinda pricey, but lots to choose from.

 

*Another great Mexican place to check out is Conejito's which is very close to the park, cheap and great mexican food served on paper plates. Margarita's are also pretty good. People buy the salsa by the pint. There is generally some characters in there, well worth the experience.

 

*Someone mentioned going to Comet Cafe, however, I'd say their counter part Honeypie is WAY better. Also in Bay View, they also carry a lot of great bottled microbrews.

 

*The Old German Beer hall is also excellent, go in and get a liter of beer for 10 bucks, try their giant pretzels, and while your at it, make some friends and do a shot-ski. Right next door is the Milwaukee Brat House which generally has ridiculous deals, like 3 for 1's on taps.

 

*If you're coming in on a Thursday, check out Stubby's between the lower east side and Riverwest. They have 2 dollar off pints Thursdays, and there's probably 50 to choose from. They carry tons of local beers, along with other nationally known micros. I've been told the food is pretty great too, and they give you huge portions.

 

*While I absolutely hate the area, many love Water street, I'd imagine it'll be nuts after 11 or so because Summerfest is going on. Stay with the 3rd street theme, or you can barhop around Brady Street which isn't too much further. If you want to get into the hole-in-the-wall bar scene then go check out the Riverwest neighborhood (the punk rock/alternative/artsy part of town). Inbox me if that interests you at all, I don't know what you're into so I don't wanna type it all that out for nothing.

 

*Down on the lakefront is Discovery World, which is essentially right next to the art museum. I haven't actually been in it since they relocated, but there's a lot of fun and interesting stuff in there, though it's probably more kid oriented. (Can someone verify that?)

 

*If you choose to hit up Summerfest (which you should if you can fit it in), check to see what kinda entry ticket deals they have going on. Generally before a certain time you can get in cheaper with canned goods or upc codes. It may not exist on weekends as much however. Inside there's lots of nationally known acts, and basically every Milwaukee restaraunt has a food stand in there, many featuring combo platters. If you go, the Saz's Express combo is to die for.

 

Any other questions, feel free to contact me, I'd be glad to help!

[pretendastronaut]

Very near to aloft is http://ajbombers.com/ You could easy walk there from your hotel, just ask front desk directions. I ate there for lunch the last time I stayed downtown and its real good burgers\bar food.

 

The stuff everybody else listed is great. There is loads of great stuff to do listed in this thread, hope you enjoy your stay.

 

Yes, AJ Bombers is literally just across the river from Aloft and shouldn't be missed. It gets very busy at peak hours however.

[Bikeage77]

Also forgot:

 

For great BBQ go to Speed Queen on 12th and Walnut. Order ahead of time and get it through the drive through. Go during the day as there can be some real creeps around there (inside and out). Still the best BBQ around.

 

Jake's Deli on 20-something and North Ave is also great. They are mostly only open for lunch, but their sandwiches are 5-6 inches high and I had the best rueben ever there. Bud Selig and Sen. Herb Kohl meet there for lunch on occassion as well.

[Godspeed]

*Down on the lakefront is Discovery World, which is essentially right next to the art museum. I haven't actually been in it since they relocated, but there's a lot of fun and interesting stuff in there, though it's probably more kid oriented. (Can someone verify that?)

 

It's kid-centric but it's probably the most interesting place we take our kids, along with the zoo. Much of the enjoyment I get out of DiscoveryWorld is seeing the wonderment and amazement through my kids' eyes, but between the aquarium and the upper level there is a lot of stuff that I think is pretty cool too. We have a membership there though, so I'm not sure I'd be willing pay the $16.95/adult admission & the $7+ for parking. I'd rather see the art museum for that kind of monetary commitment, but it's a good suggestion in general.

[theavrock]

Discovery World is cool if you like dorky museum stuff. Yea its kid oriented, but there is still cool stuff for adults to do. Lots of cool science related stuff. I enjoyed it and the building itself is worth it to go.

[Joseph]

Thanks so much folks. There is really a lot of good information and suggestions. The wife and I are checking most of them out. I'll let you know what we end up doing.

 

Also yes, if anyone tailgates and doesn't mind an outsider/'enemy' I'd love to join you.

 

Thanks again, a lot to read here!

[DatHoser]

Joseph, I have family from around the country coming in and we hope to go to the Saturday game - tailgating included. You're more than welcome to join us!

 

EDIT2 - A rather sudden change in plans by wildcard father-in-law, and now they are coming up a week later and no Brewer game. If our own family goes that weekend, we'll let you know. Sorry about that.