Midwest - Milwaukee Advice - Miller Park and Madison

I am going to a Brewers game in Milwaukee (one of the 3 ballparks I haven't been to a game at yet) in May. From what I can tell via google maps, it doesn't look like there is a lot nearby.

I will rent a car. I'm flying in the night before the game (which is at 3 in the afternoon, but I want to be there early for several compulsive reasons). I'm thinking about doing a 10 kilometer walk in Madison either that morning or the next morning, but the next morning is probably dicier timewise as my flight home is at 2:30 in the afternoon.


1) How long would it reasonably take to get from Madison (around Capital Square) to the ballpark? Factor in my unfamiliarity with the area and a lousy sense of direction.

2) I have a number of options for other walks I could do on Sunday morning, but I don't have a good sense of how far any are from the Milwaukee airport. The places involved are Cedarburg (allegedly 15 miles north of Milwaukee), Fond du Lac, Janesville, La Crosse, Lake Geneva (probably the most appealing from the route description, but more or less in the wrong direction), downtown Milwaukee, Neenah, or Oshkosh. Which of these would be within, say, an hour and a half drive of the Milwaukee airport?

3) Based on the options in question 2, where would you stay? It doesn't look like there are hotels worth staying at near the ballpark itself, but somewhere along a good road in the direction of whatever I was going to do in the morning would make sense. (I will probably just do an airport hotel Friday night, unless somebody suggests a good reason not to.)

You are correct that there is not a lot in the immediate vicinity of Miller Park. In fact, it's surrounded by parking lots which are filled with tailgating fans.

Staying in Madison is not a problem. It's a straight shot on the interstate from Madison to the ballpark -- 1 1/2 hours or less. Unfamiliarity with the area also is not a problem. The ballpark is right off the Interstate. You can't miss it.

La Crosse is much farther from MKE than Madison is. Some of the other options are closer but, if you're really concerned about time, there is plenty to see walking along the lakefront in Milwaukee or Madison IMO.

You are correct that there is not a lot in the immediate vicinity of Miller Park. In fact, it's surrounded by parking lots which are filled with tailgating fans.

Staying in Madison is not a problem. It's a straight shot on the interstate from Madison to the ballpark -- 1 1/2 hours or less. Unfamiliarity with the area also is not a problem. The ballpark is right off the Interstate. You can't miss it.

La Crosse is much farther from MKE than Madison is. Some of the other options are closer but, if you're really concerned about time, there is plenty to see walking along the lakefront in Milwaukee or Madison IMO.

This is a pretty good information.

Parking at Miller Park is probably among the easiest in baseball.

The Airport is located south of the city of Milwaukee itself.

Cedarburg would be about 30 min to the airport, Lake Geneva an hour, Janesville 1 hr 30-40 min. La Crosse probably 4 at least. Fond Du Lac 1 hr 15 min, Neenah and Oshkosh are at least another 15 min north of that.

Thanks - the info on driving times is very useful and gives me a starting point on thinking about hotel locations.

I should explain that it isn't just walking around that I'm looking at. I'm working on specific Volksmarch special event programs, including state capitals and cemetery strolls. You can find out what I'm talking about at:
(http://ava.org)

One more question. It looks like there's a fair concentration of hotels in Brookfield, which looks convenient as far as location (western side of Milwaukee, just of I-94). Is there any reason not to stay in that area?

One more question. It looks like there's a fair concentration of hotels in Brookfield, which looks convenient as far as location (western side of Milwaukee, just of I-94). Is there any reason not to stay in that area?

If you are just coming in for the game, Brookfield would be fine. The main hotels are right off the interstate and you have an easy shot to the park (20 minute drive).

There are some restaurants along Moorland Rd. near a group of hotels, although it has been awhile since I lived there and the names of probably changed some. Brookfield Square Mall is also within 5 minutes drive.

The other hotels cluster off of Bluemound Rd, which is full of strip malls and chain restaurants.

There is not much to do in Brookfield as it is between Madison and Milwaukee. As you noted, it is more of a convenient point to stop if nothing else. But you will find a decent choice of hotels and restaurants.

One more question. It looks like there's a fair concentration of hotels in Brookfield, which looks convenient as far as location (western side of Milwaukee, just of I-94). Is there any reason not to stay in that area?

Brookfield is a great alternative to staying within the Milwaukee city limits, especially if you are budget conscious.

To follow up, I did end up staying in Brookfield. (Specifically at the Hampton Inn.) It was about what one expects of such things. There's a decent Indian restaurant a ways up Bluemount Road, as an alternative to every chain in the known universe.

Madison was very nice to walk around, except for the crowdedness of the farmer's market around the capitol building. The lakefront path from downtown to the university was an especially nice walk.

Miller Park felt surprisingly intimate. (I'm not sure why I was expecting otherwise.) But they need somebody selling hot cocoa as it was bloody cold Saturday afternoon!

Finally, I ended up going to Cedarburg for my Sunday morning walk. The historic area is interesting, with unique limestone buildings. (Not what one sees architecturally on the coasts.) I'm not sure I'd recommend the excursion for normal tourists, but it did satisfy some of the volksmarch programs I'm working on.

To follow up, I did end up staying in Brookfield. (Specifically at the Hampton Inn.) It was about what one expects of such things. There's a decent Indian restaurant a ways up Bluemount Road, as an alternative to every chain in the known universe.

Madison was very nice to walk around, except for the crowdedness of the farmer's market around the capitol building. The lakefront path from downtown to the university was an especially nice walk.

Miller Park felt surprisingly intimate. (I'm not sure why I was expecting otherwise.) But they need somebody selling hot cocoa as it was bloody cold Saturday afternoon!

Finally, I ended up going to Cedarburg for my Sunday morning walk. The historic area is interesting, with unique limestone buildings. (Not what one sees architecturally on the coasts.) I'm not sure I'd recommend the excursion for normal tourists, but it did satisfy some of the volksmarch programs I'm working on.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like you had an eventful trip.

My take on Miller Park is about the same...and it sure beats the old County Stadium IMO. I guess they had the roof open for the game, otherwise it should not have been too cold. I guess the locals are used to pounding down cold Miller Lights regardless of the weather:D. Then again, the mascot is Bernie Brewer...who was famous for sliding into a giant beer glass. Normally that should sound embarrassing...until you consider the giant sausage/hotdog race:p. By the way, never bet on the brat to win.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mil/fan_forum/racing_sausages.jsp

I hope you enjoyed your walk in Madison, and I am glad to hear you found the lake shore path. Brings back memories to when I studied there.

Too bad the farmers market was crowded, but in truth it usually is until around closing time. I hope you managed to grab a fresh veggie bagel while there^.