Midwest - Green Bay (Lambeau Field)-Milwaukee advice needed

OK, so I'm thinking of going to Green Bay for the Pats-Packers game in November. Because there are no hotel rooms in Green Bay available, and because my preferred carrier (AA) most easily gets me into Milwaukee at my preferred times, I was thinking of staying in Milwaukee.

Mapquest tells me it's about a 2 hour drive from Milwaukee to Lambeau Field - how traffic-y does this get on game days? Is staying in Milwaukee the most feasible option, or are there other cities/airports that would make more sense (bear in mind, I have never in my life been to Wisconsin)?

Are there any particular hotels people would recommend in this area (I like to stay at places with great service and a decent workout facility either in the hotel or nearby)? I don't mind driving 2 hours to the Field if it means I don't have to stay in a hole in the wall roach motel (I generally prefer to stay in *** or **** properties, but can suck it up if need be).

Additionally, with a 12pm game time on Sunday, how bad is the traffic getting out of Lambeau? The latest flight I can find out of Milwaukee on AA is 6:55pm - would I need to leave the game early to make that flight or should I be fine if the game ends after ~3 hours?

Any and all help/advice would be greatly appreciated. . . :)

OK, so I'm thinking of going to Green Bay for the Pats-Packers game in November. Because there are no hotel rooms in Green Bay available, and because my preferred carrier (AA) most easily gets me into Milwaukee at my preferred times, I was thinking of staying in Milwaukee.

Mapquest tells me it's about a 2 hour drive from Milwaukee to Lambeau Field - how traffic-y does this get on game days? Is staying in Milwaukee the most feasible option, or are there other cities/airports that would make more sense (bear in mind, I have never in my life been to Wisconsin)?

Are there any particular hotels people would recommend in this area (I like to stay at places with great service and a decent workout facility either in the hotel or nearby)? I don't mind driving 2 hours to the Field if it means I don't have to stay in a hole in the wall roach motel (I generally prefer to stay in *** or **** properties, but can suck it up if need be).

Additionally, with a 12pm game time on Sunday, how bad is the traffic getting out of Lambeau? The latest flight I can find out of Milwaukee on AA is 6:55pm - would I need to leave the game early to make that flight or should I be fine if the game ends after ~3 hours?

Any and all help/advice would be greatly appreciated. . . :)
Appleton, some 30 miles south has 3 star prop's w/exercise facilities: HGI, HIS/Holiday Inn, Radisson,Hampton Inn. As far as Lambeau to/fro, I went to the Seahawks game last Jan 1st and got in/out real quick, in fact back in Appleton 45 mins after leaving stadium, but only because with somebody that knew the area well and had parking pass for the stadium. Try to get one on e-bay/stub-hub that will put you in the lot closest to your seat. I'm not sure of their web-site if it's www.packers.com Too bad u weren't flying Ua/NW- they are showing 228 RT BOS-ATW for wkend of Nov 11-12(don't know game date and didn't ck exact flight times) as the Appleton a/port is lots closer than MKE and a hell of a lot easier to fly out of.

Appleton, some 30 miles south has 3 star prop's w/exercise facilities: HGI, HIS/Holiday Inn, Radisson,Hampton Inn. As far as Lambeau to/fro, I went to the Seahawks game last Jan 1st and got in/out real quick, in fact back in Appleton 45 mins after leaving stadium, but only because with somebody that knew the area well and had parking pass for the stadium. Try to get one on e-bay/stub-hub that will put you in the lot closest to your seat. I'm not sure of their web-site if it's www.packers.com Too bad u weren't flying Ua/NW- they are showing 228 RT BOS-ATW for wkend of Nov 11-12(don't know game date and didn't ck exact flight times) as the Appleton a/port is lots closer than MKE and a hell of a lot easier to fly out of.

Thanks - just checked Appleton, and their hotels are all booked for the weekend of the game (11/18-19 - as are (obviously) all the hotels in Green Bay). Looking again at flights, I noticed its just a 3 hr, 21 min drive from ORD to Lambeau - and I can fly out of ORD at 9:30 pm on Sunday night. How is traffic going south from Green Bay to Chicago on late Sunday afternoon/evening? Would the time this later flight would save me be negated by horrific traffic on I-43 South and I-94 East (or are there better alternate routes)? One thing I've noticed in my visits to Chicago is that the traffic has always been awful on the highways surrounding the city and if I'm going to spend the extra time in traffic, I'd rather fly out of MKE at 6:55.

I agree with rustyr that Appleton would be a great station to fly into and base from.

If you do go with MKE, regarding hotels, another city to check near GB is Manitowoc. You may be able to find a 3* property there. If you can't find a property to your satisfaction there, the drive from Milwaukee to GB is not bad, though there is a big interchange in downtown Milwaukee that's been under construction all summer and fall. You'll want to find a property on the north side of town. If you really want to do it up right, stay at the American Club in Kohler (near Sheboygan, WI), but you won't want to get out of bed on game day. Sounds like you're committed to AA, but you should also consider Midwest (YX) for BOS-MKE, great product.

If you go the ORD route, don't expect a bad drive back after the game. 3.5 hours tops, barring some unforeseeable externality. You'll hit some traffic coming out of the stadium, and the highway will be crowded but not congested as you head back toward Milwaukee. It is not bad, I've done it several times as a Chicago area resident.

Regarding Lambeau parking, you don't need a parking pass if you're willing to walk a short way. There is a large strip mall NW of the stadium (K-mart) that sells parking and it's fairly easy in/out. Note: Print a good local map. If traffic is backed up on 41 to exit at Lombardi, go to the next exit north and then backtrack on Military Ave.

Final point. Before you book all this, you may want to do some digging to see if there's ANY chance that NBC will be able to snag this game and move it to the evening. This new TV structure is going to play hell with just-in-time football fans with plans like yours.

Don't feel too badly about all the hotel rooms in Appleton being full. AA doesn't fly into that town anyway.

Drove Madison/Green Bay last Nov through the worst rain storm I'd seen in my life. We barely made right at kick-off for the noon game, which wasn't the plan. I'd try to stay as close to Green Bay as you can & hopefully, your weather will be much better!

Go Packers!!!!!!!

BTW, I'm going to be selling my father in law's 50 Yd Line / 14 row seats for the Packers/Patriots game on EBay in early Nov. PM me if you want to know when they're listed. Wish we could make it!

Thanks - just checked Appleton, and their hotels are all booked for the weekend of the game.

Have you checked other cities -- Oshkosh, Font du Lac etc.?

I wouldn't worry about traffic to/from Green Bay -- the stadium there isn't that big, compared to one where the team that will beat Ohio State in a few weeks plays, though if any of these stadiums had a million seats, they could fill them.

Bob H

If you are still looking for a hotel room, the Baymont Inn in Grafton (about 30 miles north of Milwaukee on I-43 is the route you would take to Green Bay. It should be about one hour and 20 minute drive to Lambeau field from Grafton. The hotel is fairly new and clean and inexpensive. My suggestion for parking at Lambeau would be to use one of the hundreds of private lots on Ridge Road near the stadium as you approach it from coming off of I-43. This will be cheaper than the stadium lots and also much easier to get out of when the game is over. The variable on traffic back to Milwaukee (or onward to Chicago) is if the game is a "Milwaukee" game (for season ticket holders) or a "Green Bay" game. If it is a Milwaukee game, the traffic back to Milwaukee will be significantly greater than if it is a Green Bay game. I would suggest leaving a few minutes before the game ends to make the AA flight from Milwaukee.

Good point - it's definitely a MKE game. My husband just suggested looking into hotels in Waupaca - there's a couple, you'd only be an hour away & not in the direction of MKE.

Final point. Before you book all this, you may want to do some digging to see if there's ANY chance that NBC will be able to snag this game and move it to the evening. This new TV structure is going to play hell with just-in-time football fans with plans like yours.

That thought had briefly crossed my mind, but looking at the schedule, there are a couple of games I'd consider more palatable from a network perspective (though one can never underestimate the marketability of "Favre! Brady! from Lambeau Field". . .) NBC has to determine which game will be the night game 12 days in advance, so I'm going to make car rental/hotel accommodations cancelable with no penalty and hold off on the airfare (and cross my fingers that the really low fare bucket remains available - which I'll monitor on EF).

The variable on traffic back to Milwaukee (or onward to Chicago) is if the game is a "Milwaukee" game (for season ticket holders) or a "Green Bay" game. If it is a Milwaukee game, the traffic back to Milwaukee will be significantly greater than if it is a Green Bay game. I would suggest leaving a few minutes before the game ends to make the AA flight from Milwaukee.

This confuses me - "Green Bay" vs. "Milwaukee"? Do the Packers split up their season tickets to different cities (i.e. if you live in Green Bay, you get Game A, C, E and if you live in Milwaukee you get Game B, D, F?)

BTW, I'm going to be selling my father in law's 50 Yd Line / 14 row seats for the Packers/Patriots game on EBay in early Nov. PM me if you want to know when they're listed. Wish we could make it!

Would definitely be interested, however, if you're putting them on eBay I imagine that you are looking for a price that is a lot more than the reasonable increase over face I'd be willing to pay! :) However, it should be noted that my friend and I (two very well behaved and non-antagonistic football fans) would not engage in any behavior that could cause forfeiture of season tickets (which may not be the case with an eBay buyer - not sure if the Packers are as strict as the Patriots and other teams with regards to taking away season tickets for the slightest infractions).

This confuses me - "Green Bay" vs. "Milwaukee"? Do the Packers split up their season tickets to different cities (i.e. if you live in Green Bay, you get Game A, C, E and if you live in Milwaukee you get Game B, D, F?)

Until 1994 the Packers played part of their home schedule in Milwaukee. In 1995 they began playing all games at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The Milwaukee fans who had season tickets for the Milwaukee home games were given home games 2 and 5 while the Green Bay ticket holders have home games 1,3,4,6,7 and 8.

I can help you with a room in Green Bay.I have an extra room for the Packers Pats weekend.Please call me at 414-350-5525 or 262-642-9300.You only will pay the amount I paid.This hotel is the best place to stay for any Packer game.Walk to the game....just 2 blocks..All the fun bars are across the street.

I can help you with a room in Green Bay.I have an extra room for the Packers Pats weekend.Please call me at 414-350-5525 or 262-642-9300.You only will pay the amount I paid.This hotel is the best place to stay for any Packer game.Walk to the game....just 2 blocks..All the fun bars are across the street.

OP, call this guy PRONTO! This is quite an offer.

I can help you with a room in Green Bay.I have an extra room for the Packers Pats weekend.Please call me at XXX-XXX-XXXX or XXX-XXX-XXXX.You only will pay the amount I paid.This hotel is the best place to stay for any Packer game.Walk to the game....just 2 blocks..All the fun bars are across the street.

Welcome to Flyertalk!

You may want to edit your post, removing the phone numbers.

I've sent you PM in case you're not addicted to this board like some. ;)

I can help you with a room in Green Bay.I have an extra room for the Packers Pats weekend.Please call me at 414-350-5525 or 262-642-9300.You only will pay the amount I paid.This hotel is the best place to stay for any Packer game.Walk to the game....just 2 blocks..All the fun bars are across the street.

Thank you so much for the generous offer. . .however, due to my inability to confirm a ticket (without paying through the nose to the scalpers on eBay or scumbag ticket brokers) for this game in enough advance for reasonable airfare, I will not be making the trek (this year). However, this thread will be very helpful for when I do eventually get to Lambeau (it's on my short list of sporting events/sites I need to visit in my lifetime).