Milwaukee Travel Guide

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Planning a Trip

by Frommers Travel Guides

Getting There

By Plane -- The General Mitchell International Airport (tel. 414/747-5300; www.mitchellairport.com) is 10 miles south of downtown, a 15-minute drive on I-94 West to I-794 East. One-way transportation to downtown costs $11 via Airport Connection shuttle service (tel. 800/236-5450; reservations recommended); $1.75 via the local Transit System (Rte. 80 serves the airport); $6 via Amtrak to its station at 433 W. St. Paul Ave.; and $25 via taxi.

By Train -- Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com) provides service from Chicago (trip time: 1 1/2 hr.) and Minneapolis/St. Paul (6 1/4 hr.) to its station at 433 W. St. Paul Ave.

By Car -- Milwaukee is 90 miles from Chicago, a 1 1/2-hour drive; and 80 miles from Madison, also a 1 1/2-hour drive. Both cities are reached via I-94.

By Ferry -- The Lake Express Ferry (tel. 866/914-1010; www.lake-express.com) offers high-speed car and passenger service from Muskegon, Michigan (trip time: 2 1/2 hr.). One-way fares are $55 for adults, $30 for children, $65 for autos.

Visitor Information

Contact the Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203 (tel. 800/554-1448 or 414/273-7222; www.officialmilwaukee.com).

Getting Around

The Milwaukee County Transit System (tel. 414/344-6711; www.ridemcts.com) offers service downtown and into the suburbs for $1.75. Downtown tourist attractions, restaurants, and hotels can be reached via the city's free Trolley system, which operates from May 31 to September 3. If you plan to venture outside the immediate downtown, it's best to drive; Milwaukee is easily navigated by car.

Special Events & Festivals

There are literally dozens of festivals held throughout the year in Milwaukee, sometimes called "The City of Festivals." The biggest and best include Summerfest (tel. 800/273-FEST; www.summerfest.com), with world-class entertainment on a dozen waterfront stages throughout late June and early July; and Irish Fest (tel. 414/476-3378; www.irishfest.com) in mid-August, the world's largest Irish culture festival. In early August, the Wisconsin State Fair (tel. 414/266-7000; www.wistatefair.com) features entertainment, auto races, exhibits, fireworks, and more.