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Play ball!
Continuing our tour of Major League Baseball Stadiums, #7 took us to the land of the Cheeseheads – Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Yes, I know, talk of cheeseheads brings to mind the hearty fans of the Green Bay Packers, but while in Wisconsin, it seems to fit, even if we are talking baseball.
While the catalyst for this trip was to catch a game at American Family Field and cheer on the Milwaukee Brewers in their hometown, we got out and explored this northern Midwest town, too.
Where to stay
We stayed at the Tru by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown location and it proved to be a great location for exploring on foot.
- Just a few blocks from the Milwaukee Public Market
- A short walk to the Riverwalk Trail
- And less than 10 minutes driving to the ballpark
If you prefer something more homey, check out a VRBO for something close to the river.
American Family Field | Milwaukee Brewers
[Click on images to enlarge]
Both of us grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, so our teams will always be the Giants and the A’s (even after the Athletics move to Las Vegas). But now that we live in the Midwest, we’ve been exploring the different stadiums and cheering for the home team (unless they happen to be playing “our team”).
To show my fan support, I’ve been collecting baseball hats along the way.
For the games, I often buy our tickets through StubHub and, since we find joy in just being at the game, I look for the best seat at the best deal. That usually means we’re sitting somewhere in the upper decks – the penthouse as I like to call it – or the outfield.
This particular night, what we thought were “penthouse” seats actually turned out to be “Club Level” tickets which – at American Family Field – meant we were in a section with padded seats and exclusive access to the carpeted, air-conditioned corridor with NO LINES in the fancy bathrooms and concession stands. So cool!
Of course, we enjoyed a ballpark hot dog, beer and peanuts (a classic stadium meal) while we cheered for the Brewers. It was a great way to spend a summer night!
Our top pick in Milwaukee
A lazy day on the Milwaukee River
A hot Midwest summer day is the perfect day for getting out on the water. So, our top pick for exploring the city when you visit Milwaukee is to go kayaking on the Milwaukee River.
There are several places to rent kayaks, including Brew City Kayak on S. Water Street. They offer several tours to choose from, including:
- The Best of Milwaukee
- Kayak and Curd Tour
- Milwaukee Skyline Tour
- and sunset tours
As great as those sounded though, we opted for a half-day rental that let us go our own way.
Before starting out, we were warned that one wrong turn and we would end up out on Lake Michigan. Thankfully, we stayed the course (a safety rule you must agree to before heading out on the river).
The 4-hour span was the perfect amount of time to paddle up and down the Milwaukee River (yep – the current is gentle enough to kayak both ways), plus stop for lunch along the way. We floated under 14 bridges (each way!) and marveled as they raised in different ways to let the big boats pass.
There are several docks you can stop at along the river. We paddled all the way to dock #7 at the turnaround point and stopped for lunch at the Bel Air Cantina. The outdoor, covered patio was the perfect spot to enjoy some tacos, queso and margaritas. And bonus, they didn’t mind that we were a little wet from our river adventure.
Also worth a visit
The Riverwalk Trail
Half the fun of heading to a new stadium is getting the chance to explore the surrounding city. Along the Milwaukee River is the Riverwalk Trail, a 3-mile paved path that lets you walk through the heart of the city.
Our walk took us to Lakefront Brewing at the northern end of the trail where it happened to be open mic comedy night. So, we grabbed a local beer and enjoyed a good laugh.
Heading back along the trail to our hotel, we found some random things unique to Milwaukee with the help of the Roadside America app:
- A bronze statue of Arthur Fonzarelli (“The Fonz”) from the classic American sitcom, Happy Days
- Some really cool murals – including one at Schlitz Park (site of the historic Schlitz Brewing Company)
- And, of course, the Three Stooges Fermenting Tanks at Lakefront Brewing
Milwaukee Public Market
The Milwaukee Public Market is a food lover’s dream. Located in downtown Milwaukee, the Public Market is housed in a two-story warehouse, filled with local food and beverage vendors.
Wandering through the ground floor, it’s hard to decide what to buy. There are options for fresh food to enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner; as well as unique food options to purchase and take home.
The second story Palm Garden is open seating where visitors can enjoy their freshly-prepared meal from the market below. During the summer, you can sit and enjoy a craft beer or cocktail on the outside Draft Patio.
If you have time, consider taking a tour of the Market or participating in one of their unique cooking classes, led by local chefs.