Post by peppermint on May 23, 2014 14:29:47 GMT -5
My family reunion is being held at Lake Lawn Lodge next summer in Delavan, WI. I've never been to Wisconsin so this is exciting for me! The resort looks like it's about midway between Madison and Milwaukee, so while I'm there I was thinking about checking out Milwaukee. I love lakes, nature, and hiking. Does any one have any recommendations for Milwaukee, or other things to do that might be within 4-5 hours driving distance of Delavan? TIA!
I really like Madison. If you will be there over a weekend, try to go during the Farmer's Market. We usually start at the Capitol, walk down State St, and then finish with a drink on the Union Terrace. Makes for a fun afternoon.
If you like to ride bikes, there is a fun bike trail about an hour from where you will be. It connects several towns, so you can stop along the way. Here is more info:
If you like to be outdoors - absolutely head west to Madison and Devil's lake. Madison has three lakes and you could rent standup paddleboards or whatever. The town is super laid back (summer is the best - when students aren't around!) and the farmers market is one of the largest in the country. Devil's lake has great hiking. All of the other posts above re: Madison/Devil's lake have great ideas.
Sorry to threadjack, but my husband will be going to Milwaukee for an interview next week - just got the call tonight. Looks like the job would be in Greenfield for the most part (medical field, would alternate clinics/hospitals at times) Anyone from there? Lived there? Anything you can tell me about the city, good or bad? I'm from Ohio, living in Idaho now.
Post by sillygoosegirl on Jun 3, 2014 21:10:05 GMT -5
How long do you have for doing other stuff? It's a long drive from Madison/Milwaukee and I don't think you can see it in just a day or two, but one of my favorite trips ever was a 4-day guided "sea" kayaking trip in the Apostle Islands. livingadventure.com/
How long do you have for doing other stuff? It's a long drive from Madison/Milwaukee and I don't think you can see it in just a day or two, but one of my favorite trips ever was a 4-day guided "sea" kayaking trip in the Apostle Islands. livingadventure.com/
Oh wow that looks amazing!! I've been wanting to go to the Bayfield area for awhile. If I don't have time to do the kayak tour this trip, I've definitely bookmarked it for the future. Thanks so much for the suggestion!!
Post by lasagnasshole on Jun 4, 2014 9:10:37 GMT -5
'Sup?
How timely! Someone on my local board asked for Milwaukee suggestions, and this is what I wrote. Keep in mind that I wrote this on the assumption that one would be staying downtown and not have a rental car, so adjust accordingly:
1) LAKEFRONT BREWERY TOUR. It is easy to get to from downtown - either a short cab ride, or you can take a bus (I forget if you want the Green Line or the 15...they changed the routes). You do not want to drive to this, TRUST. You get 4 beer samples, plus you can buy more beers for $3. Buy tickets in advance on the website because it's very popular. It's much better than the Miller tour and closer to downtown. (Full disclosure: my wedding reception was here, and I have about 18 of their pint glasses. I love it.)
2) The art museum is small but nice and has great views of Lake Michigan. You can also walk north up the lakefront because it's all undeveloped park land. A bit north along the lakefront is Northpoint Custard, which is a custard and burger stand. Mmm, custard. Lakeshore State Park, which is south of the art museum, is really nice to walk. I believe they also have a bikeshare station down there now.
3) Close to downtown, the best area to walk around are the Third Ward (south of 794, bounded by Water Street to the west, St. Paul Ave to the north, and Erie Street to the south). Lots of boutiques and restaurants in this area The Third Ward has the Milwaukee Public Market, which is kind of like MKE's version of Eastern Market or Union Market. North of downtown is Brady Street, which is a funky neighborhood. The 15 and 30 buses would take you there, or on a nice day, you could just walk up Water Street until it curves to the right to become Brady. Stop and get some Italian cookies at Peter Sciortino's Bakery.
4) If you go farther afield, Bayview (south of downtown...follow Water Street until it becomes 1st Street and then becomes Kinnickinnick Ave [KK]) is very cute, with hipstery boutiques and restaurants. East of Bayview is South Shore Park, which has the BEST farmer's market on Saturday mornings. Start at the north end for a breakfast taco and churro from Lopez Bakery and then eat your way south. NOM NOM NOM.
5) If Summerfest is happening, it's worth going just for the people watching. If you like any of the music, that's just a bonus for a first-timer. Get the combo platter from Saz's - so much fried goodness. Use restrooms farther away from the entrances for a less disastrous experience.
6) If the Brewers are playing, Miller Park is absolutely awesome. I have taken a cab there (easy to catch from a hotel), and you can actually take the bus (I think it's the Route 90). Also, if you don't mind bro-ing it up a little, lots of bars downtown run shuttles to Miller Park if you buy a drink (same for Summerfest although from downtown, I usually just walk to Summerfest).
Now, on to the important part: ANGRY HARPY'S RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS. DOWNTWON AJ Bomber's on Water Street - get peanut butter on your bacon cheeseburger. You can thank me later. Rumpus Room on Water Street - great food and excellent cocktails (mmm, pork chop topped with arugula and fried egg) Cubanitas on Milwaukee Street - Cuban food, great mojitos Ouzo on Milwaukee Street - Greek food, don't be spooked if it's dead at dinner (very busy for lunch and late night) Ian's Pizza at Juneau and Water - great for a late night slice. Get the macaroni and cheese pizza. JUST DO IT. Karl Ratzch's or Mader's for German food - I've never actually eaten at either, but they have great reputations.
THIRD WARD Swig - small plates Water Buffalo - basic American fare, great patio on the river Milwaukee Ale House - food is not as good as it once was, but it has a great patio overlooking the river. They have Milwaukee Brewing Co. beer on tap (the brewery and restaurant were once all in one place, but they have actually split as the brewery has taken off). It is the best happy hour in the city, IMO. $3 imperial (20-ounce) pints). It's my go-to pre-Summerfest spot because you can get really drunk for really cheap and then just walk down Chicago Street to the middle entrance of the summerfest grounds. Hinterland - upscale gastropub that, of course, brews its own beer. Great deals to be had in the bar/lounge area.
BAYVIEW If you find yourself down there, GO TO HONEYPIE. So good. Save room for pie (or get it to go).
NORTH OF DOWNTOWN Comet Cafe - sister restaurant to Honeypie, so good, free basket of bacon on Sunday evenings.
BRUNCH There is a group of restaurants - Trocadero, Cafe Hollander, Cafe Centraal, and Cafe Benelux - that are all owned by the same group. They are probably the most popular places for brunch. I think the food is OK. I think their lunch options tend to be better than their breakfast options, and they generally have really good burgers. The service can be slow, but the patios (rooftop deck at Benelux) are great. Trocadero is right where Water Street curves to Brady. Benelux is right down town. I think the food at Comet and Honeypie is better, but if you like Bloody Marys, these are THE places to go. Amazing bloodies, and get ready for an appetizer in your glass with all the garnish.
DIVE BARS My Office on Milwaukee Street - we had to stop going here because my friends played "What's New Pussycat" 9 times in a row on the jukebox, ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WERE THE ONES WHO DID IT, and left. Jackasses. Points East Pub - Knapp and Juneau I believe. Some of the best wings I've ever had. Monica's on Astor - great little basement bar with a good jukebox
Post by lasagnasshole on Jun 4, 2014 9:18:04 GMT -5
ALSO:
I can't address specific things to do in Madison besides walking down State Street and going through the Capitol building, but it's a cool little city that is definitely worth your while.
I have never actually been to Lake Geneva, but it's a very popular spot for FIBs and I think is supposed to have a cute little town, so it might be worth some Googling around.
Oh, and here were my two follow-up posts from yesterday:
Also, BEERS TO DRINK:
Lakefront Brewery's Riverwest Stein, and New Glarus's Spotted Cow are ABSOLUTE MUSTS in my opinion.
Milwaukee Brewing Co.'s Louie's Demise is also worth checking out - easiest place to get this is at Milwaukee Ale House although some other restaurants may have it, and it is available both at Miller Park and in stores.
If you go to Milwaukee Ale House, see if they have the orange blossom cream ale on tap. It is a summer seasonal, and it is SO GOOD. They usually have a good hefeweizen on tap, too.
Big Bay Brewing Company was just getting started when I left, but I heard it's really good so check for that on tap, too.
Oh, one last thing (OK, I don't promise it's the LAST): Milwaukee Brewing Company does tours, and it is supposed to be good: mkebrewing.com/tours/
I only went back when their brewing operations were still at the restaurant, and it was lame because you just stood in front of glass where the tanks are while they talked to you. But now that they have better brewing facilities, it's supposed to be good. And like Lakefront, you get to drink during the tour (my guess is they're trying to compete with Lakefront). It's on 2nd Street and would also be a quick cab or bus ride downtown (or a nice long walk if the weather is nice). This is another thing I wouldn't drive to.
Sorry to threadjack, but my husband will be going to Milwaukee for an interview next week - just got the call tonight. Looks like the job would be in Greenfield for the most part (medical field, would alternate clinics/hospitals at times) Anyone from there? Lived there? Anything you can tell me about the city, good or bad? I'm from Ohio, living in Idaho now.
Greenfield is kind of a typical, boring suburb, but it's a perfectly fine place. Milwaukee is the tits.
Sorry to threadjack, but my husband will be going to Milwaukee for an interview next week - just got the call tonight. Looks like the job would be in Greenfield for the most part (medical field, would alternate clinics/hospitals at times) Anyone from there? Lived there? Anything you can tell me about the city, good or bad? I'm from Ohio, living in Idaho now.
Greenfield is kind of a typical, boring suburb, but it's a perfectly fine place. Milwaukee is the tits.
Can you give me some suggestions on places to look for a house that would be not too far from Greenfield but also are close to Milwaukee's fun stuff? We're having to mostly base where we live on school districts, my daughter is 3 and we're hoping this is a 5-10 year home for us when we move.
Greenfield is kind of a typical, boring suburb, but it's a perfectly fine place. Milwaukee is the tits.
Can you give me some suggestions on places to look for a house that would be not too far from Greenfield but also are close to Milwaukee's fun stuff? We're having to mostly base where we live on school districts, my daughter is 3 and we're hoping this is a 5-10 year home for us when we move.
My aunt and uncle live in Greendale which is the next suburb over. They've been really happy there. Very walkable community, a cute "villege" area, and a decent number of trails around them. I'm not super knowledgeable on the schools but all 3 of their girls when to the public schools and they've never complained about them.
I lived with them when I worked downtown for a summer and it was a pretty good location for getting to the fun stuff. Maybe 15-20 minutes to downtown, Miller Park, or the beach.
Greenfield is kind of a typical, boring suburb, but it's a perfectly fine place. Milwaukee is the tits.
Can you give me some suggestions on places to look for a house that would be not too far from Greenfield but also are close to Milwaukee's fun stuff? We're having to mostly base where we live on school districts, my daughter is 3 and we're hoping this is a 5-10 year home for us when we move.
I think you'll find that unless you start getting really far afield from Milwaukee, it's easy to get to the "fun stuff" from most of the suburbs. Traffic is a piece of cake compared to most major cities. I'd go ahead and look at Greenfield, and I second the Greendale suggestion. I honestly don't know much about schools, but I have never heard that either of those are horrible or anything. Wauwatosa is a bit northwest of Greenfield and is known for having pretty good schools. It also has a cute little downtown. Brookfield is my idea of hell with the western suburban sprawl, but I know lots of people like it so don't base your decision on me. I personally prefer the north shore suburbs (particularly Shorewood), but that might be kind of a sucky commute to Greenfield. I also have a lot of love for the largely working class south shore suburbs of St. Francis, Cudahy, and South Milwaukee although a lot of people turn their noses up at them. I don't think their schools are as good as some of the wealthier suburbs although one report found that Cudahy has the best schools when you control for household income.
Milwaukee Public Schools are not known for being good (hey, they're better than Detroit!), but that doesn't mean there are no good options in the city. I know several amazingly bright girls who went to the language immersion schools for elementary and middle school. Rufus King is the best high school, I believe (but I think it's application only). Basically, there are good schools in MPS, but it's much more complicated to deal with the lottery system than just packing the kids off to the neighborhood school.
The Catholic school system is also hugely popular. I'm pretty sure half the men holding public office went to Marquette High School.
thanks for your replies! looks like my husband is going out next wednesday-thursday. right now this job is 2 or 3 on his list, so i'm going to send him all of this and have him try to drive a bit and see what he thinks.
we've been living just outside downtown boise for the past year (after living in the suburbs of jacksonville, FL for 4 years) and I LOVE 'city life' so moving to the suburbs does not appeal to me. but i also know boise is a smaller city than milwaukee so hopefully we can find a happy median.