Are you heading to Milwaukee? As with navigating any new city, it is always best to prepare ahead of time. Here's what you need to know to make the most of your trip (and avoid one of the city's infamous parking tickets.)
Add Baseball, Beer, and Bikes to Your Itinerary
One way to get to know a city is to surround yourself with its sports fans. If you're in town during baseball season, catch a Brewers game under the retractable roof at Miller Park. From downtown, it's just a short five-mile drive to the southwest. Speaking of brewers, don't miss the tour at Lakefront Brewers. You'll get four six-ounce tastes of what's in season, plus a souvenir pint glass that some local restaurants will fill up for free. Dine on cheese curds and brats at the on-site beer hall before heading to your next destination.
After lunch, get ready to rev your engine at the Harley-Davidson Museum. The complex spans 20 riverfront acres and boasts 12 permanent and several rotating exhibits, plus a restaurant and gift shop for those who want to make a day of it. If you're looking for something a little more refined but still true to Brew Town, visit the Pabst Mansion. The Grand Avenue residence dates back to 1892 and features nods to the family business, such as finials in the shape of hops buds, integrated into the decor.
Finding Parking in Milwaukee
Look for lodging that comes with off-street parking, and be sure to ask about parking at your destination before heading out so you can plan accordingly. Pay attention what time you will need to arrive at your destination so you can consider busy traffic hours.
Most importantly, pay attention to parking signs and don’t miss a beat when feeding the meter. Milwaukee has a reputation for aggressively ticketing expired meters. Don’t let this deter you from venturing out for shopping, dining and exploring all the city has to off. All it means is some extra diligence when parking.
Milwaukee Makes It Easy to Mix Business and Pleasure
From Mitchell International Airport (MKE), it's a 10-mile, 20-to-30-minute trip to downtown, and the car rental counters are inside the main terminal, so you don't have to hop on a shuttle. Wisconsin Center, the city's convention center, is an attraction in itself. At the convention center, you’ll be treated to the $1.2 million Burke Family Collection of commissioned and integrated art. If you’re looking to bring business to the convention center, it boasts 188,695 square feet of contiguous exhibit space in addition to extensive meeting space and breakout rooms. It is located right in the heart of downtown, convenient to restaurants, hotels, and the riverfront.