Visiting Milwaukee - Requesting Help

[shovelhd]

The SH's will be visiting Milwaukee during the last weekend in June. I will have the kids while Mrs. SH will be working at a convention downtown, which is where we are staying. We have a 17 year old son and a 12 year old daughter.

I am looking for help from people that know the area.

We will be flying into MKE. Does it make sense to rent a car to get to the hotel, and use it for the stay? In other words, is the public transportation good enough where one isn't needed? Are most of the places we will want to go accessible via public transportation?

I am looking for some good places to eat. Nothing high end, just family type places, preferably ones that the locals go to.

Can I bring the kids on a brewery tour?

How is the beach on Lake Michigan? Which is the best one for us, with older kids? Can we rent chairs? Is there a place to eat nearby?

I saw that a hotel has an indoor water park. How would this be for my kids? Is it geared towards little kids?

We plan to attend Summerfest at least one day, probably Monday. Is it worth going to more than once?

Thanks in advance for any ideas you can give us.

[jEa]

There are a buch of friendly peeps on the forum next door, riding in the box. Some are from Milwaukee, they might be able to help. Come and visit EOC, we don't bite (ask JCKridgeline).

[HondaTech]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

The SH's will be visiting Milwaukee during the last weekend in June. I will have the kids while Mrs. SH will be working at a convention downtown, which is where we are staying. We have a 17 year old son and a 12 year old daughter.

I am looking for help from people that know the area.

We will be flying into MKE. Does it make sense to rent a car to get to the hotel, and use it for the stay? In other words, is the public transportation good enough where one isn't needed? Are most of the places we will want to go accessible via public transportation?

I am looking for some good places to eat. Nothing high end, just family type places, preferably ones that the locals go to.

Can I bring the kids on a brewery tour?

How is the beach on Lake Michigan? Which is the best one for us, with older kids? Can we rent chairs? Is there a place to eat nearby?

I saw that a hotel has an indoor water park. How would this be for my kids? Is it geared towards little kids?

We plan to attend Summerfest at least one day, probably Monday. Is it worth going to more than once?

Thanks in advance for any ideas you can give us.

I would certainly rent a car. You could get around with cabs - but you'd wait. The city buses are no good. There was a driver that got beat up a few weeks ago and a passenger that was beat up not too long ago too. I'd stay away from them.

As for restaurants - it all depends on your taste. There are a lot of big chain restaurants - Chili's, Outback, Qdoba, etc.... It all depends on what you like. Milwaukee's eastside has some good places.... Palermo Villa for some Italian, Pizza Shuttle for , uh, Pizza.... and Walker's Point is home to two excellent Mexican restaurants - La Perla and La Fuente.

You do not need to be 21 to go on the brewery tour. You do need to be 21 to enjoy the free "samples" at the end.

I don't frequent any of the beaches in the Milwaukee area. They dump raw sewage into the lake. And they also get the city's water from the lake so.... yeah.

Summerfest is worth going to more than once if there are a couple of bands that you would like to see. The bands have to be on the free-stages though, otherwise it's not worth it. Keep in mind, the good bands play late, and as it gets later it gets less kid friendly. More of a drunk fest.

I HIGHLY recommend a few places, if visiting with kids. Discovery World - it's a museum-sort of place but with lots of hands on stuff the kids can do.

The Milwaukee County Zoo, it is very very good, especially considering the climate here. Plus they have a the Shark and Ray exhibit open now (or soon). I think you get to actually touch some of them.

The Art Museum. It's beautiful. Simply put, fantastic.

If you are coming in late June, The opening night of Summerfest (June 26th) is also the night of "The Big Bang" a first rate fireworks display put on right at the lakefront/Summerfest grounds. It always draws a crowd, and you can watch for free from Veterans Park. Come early, as lots of people "camp out" to get good spots.

Front Row Friday's is a restaurant at Miller Park. It's open year round and offers great overviews of the stadium. If you go on gameday you need a ticket, otherwise, it's just like any other Friday's.

I personally love Milwaukee - if you want any further information, I'll be glad to offer it.


HT

Almost forgot - the Milwaukee Public Museum is good, and the Mitchell Park Domes are awesome.... So many different varieties of plants. Very scenic.... not sure if kids would enjoy it as much.

[shovelhd]

Originally Posted by jEa

There are a buch of friendly peeps on the forum next door, riding in the box. Some are from Milwaukee, they might be able to help. Come and visit EOC, we don't bite (ask JCKridgeline).

OK, I'll take you up on that.

[shovelhd]

Originally Posted by HondaTech

<snip>

HondaTech. The gift that keeps on giving. Thank you very, very much. If you're ever headed to the Northeast, let me know. I'll set you up.

[CUinaRidge]

SH here some links....

The Official Safe House Home Page
(click on the door)

Summerfest
Summerfest - The World's Largest Music Festival

Safe house would be great for lunch with the kids....
I think they would get a big kick out of the place...

Any preference in types of food??? Milwaukee has great ethnic foods...
Polish, German, Italian, Greek, Mexican, etc etc....

Have you had Custard Ice Cream?

[CUinaRidge]

Here's a link to what is playing at Summerfest on which days...

http://mobile.summerfest.com/index.cfm?EFA=Schedule

They have downtown shuttle buses that run continuously to the Summerfest grounds. The special Summerfest buses to the grounds should be OK to take.

[CUinaRidge]

Another link on things to do and see.....

Milwaukee County tourism: current events, museums, parks & recreation, festivals & links to travel maps & business directory for restaurants, motels, shopping, real estate.

any particular interests???

[VoicesInMyHead]

Originally Posted by CUinaRidge

Here's a link...

Originally Posted by CUinaRidge

Another link

Whoa... 2 posts outside the 2008 Count Down Thread?!?!?!?
I'm in the Twilight Zone, aren't I? Candid Camera?

[CUinaRidge]

Originally Posted by VoicesInMyHead

Whoa... 2 posts outside the 2008 Count Down Thread?!?!?!?
I'm in the Twilight Zone, aren't I? Candid Camera?

Voices the safe-house would be great for you and all your alias's!!