Chicago / Milwaukee / Minneapolis Trip Report
Aug 21st, 2008, 01:46 AM
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Chicago / Milwaukee / Minneapolis Trip Report
Many thanks to all who helped me plan my trip for 4 of us to go to 4 games.
Original Thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35092252
All 4 of us got there on Thursday with limited schedule changes - minus 1 who got delayed by 4 hours. 2 of us ended up taking a cab from O'Hare to our hotel (Hard Rock Chicago). $50 cab ride but we didn't feel like carrying our luggage everywhere. 2 days before the trip I severely twisted my knee...
We ended up foregoing the Art Institute that night as the one delayed wanted to see it the most. Unfortunately we never made it to it.
We checked into our room and headed to Sears Tower where we met up with the 3rd person (had beat us to Chicago). Used City Pass to bypass the line (Thanks for the recommendation for getting it). Really enjoyed the view from up top. Once we left there, we were hungry and essentially agreed to stop at the first restaurant that we saw - Giordanos pizza was right in front of us. By now, the final person had arrived to the hotel and ended up meeting us for dinner. We split a large pizza and watched part of the Bears game on TV. The pizza was excellent and very filling. Walked back to the hotel and ended up going to the hotel bar for a few more drinks.
The next day, we got up early and headed to the Field Museum. Before heading to the Museum, had a quick breakfast at the Corner Bakery. Cheap breakfast but very good.
We really enjoyed the Field Museum and spent about 5 hours there. We did have an issue with the Bus Driver there as when we got on, we asked him if stopped right near the museum, which he told us he did. But after we went past it to the Planetarium, he stopped and told us it was the last stop. Not that it was very far but the previous stop was much closer.We covered most of the museum (minus the Underground Adventure as none of us were too excited about it).
We left the Field and took the bus to the Hancock Tower. As 1 of us missed the Sears, he wanted to do 1 of the Towers. We went to the observatory and then to the Signature room for a couple of cocktails. Pricy but a great view while enjoying the drinks. I enjoyed the viewpoint from the Hancock more than the Sears but both were great.
Back to the Hotel and then to US Cellular Field for the Red Sox @ White Sox game. Based on Write Ups that I had seen on the Internet and on games on TV, I was not expecting much from the Stadium. I was greatly mistaken. It is a great stadium and I really enjoyed the game. Fans were definitely rowdy (many fights in my section between White Sox fans) and into the game. Food was expensive but no more so than any other stadium and it was very good. I did have the RF foul pole in front of me but was able to move to the other end of the row to be able to see and really enjoyed it even though the Red Sox lost.
Original Thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35092252
All 4 of us got there on Thursday with limited schedule changes - minus 1 who got delayed by 4 hours. 2 of us ended up taking a cab from O'Hare to our hotel (Hard Rock Chicago). $50 cab ride but we didn't feel like carrying our luggage everywhere. 2 days before the trip I severely twisted my knee...
We ended up foregoing the Art Institute that night as the one delayed wanted to see it the most. Unfortunately we never made it to it.
We checked into our room and headed to Sears Tower where we met up with the 3rd person (had beat us to Chicago). Used City Pass to bypass the line (Thanks for the recommendation for getting it). Really enjoyed the view from up top. Once we left there, we were hungry and essentially agreed to stop at the first restaurant that we saw - Giordanos pizza was right in front of us. By now, the final person had arrived to the hotel and ended up meeting us for dinner. We split a large pizza and watched part of the Bears game on TV. The pizza was excellent and very filling. Walked back to the hotel and ended up going to the hotel bar for a few more drinks.
The next day, we got up early and headed to the Field Museum. Before heading to the Museum, had a quick breakfast at the Corner Bakery. Cheap breakfast but very good.
We really enjoyed the Field Museum and spent about 5 hours there. We did have an issue with the Bus Driver there as when we got on, we asked him if stopped right near the museum, which he told us he did. But after we went past it to the Planetarium, he stopped and told us it was the last stop. Not that it was very far but the previous stop was much closer.We covered most of the museum (minus the Underground Adventure as none of us were too excited about it).
We left the Field and took the bus to the Hancock Tower. As 1 of us missed the Sears, he wanted to do 1 of the Towers. We went to the observatory and then to the Signature room for a couple of cocktails. Pricy but a great view while enjoying the drinks. I enjoyed the viewpoint from the Hancock more than the Sears but both were great.
Back to the Hotel and then to US Cellular Field for the Red Sox @ White Sox game. Based on Write Ups that I had seen on the Internet and on games on TV, I was not expecting much from the Stadium. I was greatly mistaken. It is a great stadium and I really enjoyed the game. Fans were definitely rowdy (many fights in my section between White Sox fans) and into the game. Food was expensive but no more so than any other stadium and it was very good. I did have the RF foul pole in front of me but was able to move to the other end of the row to be able to see and really enjoyed it even though the Red Sox lost.
Aug 21st, 2008, 02:01 AM
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The next day we got up early and went to Wrigley Field for the Cardinals @ Cubs game. Got there at 10 to find the bars already starting to fill up for a 2:55 game...Absolutely fell in love with Wrigley. Its right behind Fenway in my book. Fans were all into the game. We ate and drank at Cubbie Bear before the game. Decent food and good beer at ok prices. Atmosphere was great and we were able to watch the Olympics then. Had seats in the grandstands right behind the Cubs dugout. It was a very ugly game with the Cardinals winning 12-3 but really enjoyed the atmosphere. The 4 people sitting next to us were actually doing all 30 stadiums in 1 trip. Wish I had the time...
Took the EL (many people on the EL were actually heading to US Cellular but they ended up missing the first few innings due to the overlap) to Mother Hubbards after the game on a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel as a great place to watch the Red Sox @ White Sox game with many other Red Sox fans. We split 2 orders of the Chicken Wings, which were excellent and then I had the Ostrich Burger, which was very good. There were lots of Red Sox fans there which made it fun to watch the game. We were hoping to go barhopping after this but due to my knee and the fact all 4 of us were coming down with colds we stayed here for the duration of the night then went back to the hotel bar. Would have liked to hit some more bars to see more of Chicago but there is always next time.
On Sunday, went to the Shedd Aquarium. Really enjoyed it. The building is absolutely gorgeous with it opening to Lake Michigan. The dolphin show was nothing great but we spent 4 hours walking around the aquarium. It is one of my favorite aquariums that I have been to.
This was the day that the 1/2 Marathon was run as well as a walk for Breast Cancer. Many people were out around Chicago. When we left the Aquarium, we walked up to Millenium Park and walked around for a while.
We also did the Architectural River Cruise which all 4 of us really enjoyed and would do it again.
We had absolutely perfect weather all 4 days in Chicago and could not have asked for a better stay.
The Hard Rock Hotel was a great place to stay as it was close to the EL and in a great location. Price range was OK but it is typical for this time of year.
We did struggle somewhat with what trains to get on but didn't get too screwed up.
Chicago is definitely one of my favorite cities and I will be back
TwoFatFeet, thanks for the recommendation for Devil in the White City. I brought it with me to read and really liked. The other 3 people are going out to buy it or will borrow my copy.
Took the EL (many people on the EL were actually heading to US Cellular but they ended up missing the first few innings due to the overlap) to Mother Hubbards after the game on a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel as a great place to watch the Red Sox @ White Sox game with many other Red Sox fans. We split 2 orders of the Chicken Wings, which were excellent and then I had the Ostrich Burger, which was very good. There were lots of Red Sox fans there which made it fun to watch the game. We were hoping to go barhopping after this but due to my knee and the fact all 4 of us were coming down with colds we stayed here for the duration of the night then went back to the hotel bar. Would have liked to hit some more bars to see more of Chicago but there is always next time.
On Sunday, went to the Shedd Aquarium. Really enjoyed it. The building is absolutely gorgeous with it opening to Lake Michigan. The dolphin show was nothing great but we spent 4 hours walking around the aquarium. It is one of my favorite aquariums that I have been to.
This was the day that the 1/2 Marathon was run as well as a walk for Breast Cancer. Many people were out around Chicago. When we left the Aquarium, we walked up to Millenium Park and walked around for a while.
We also did the Architectural River Cruise which all 4 of us really enjoyed and would do it again.
We had absolutely perfect weather all 4 days in Chicago and could not have asked for a better stay.
The Hard Rock Hotel was a great place to stay as it was close to the EL and in a great location. Price range was OK but it is typical for this time of year.
We did struggle somewhat with what trains to get on but didn't get too screwed up.
Chicago is definitely one of my favorite cities and I will be back
TwoFatFeet, thanks for the recommendation for Devil in the White City. I brought it with me to read and really liked. The other 3 people are going out to buy it or will borrow my copy.
Aug 21st, 2008, 02:23 AM
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On Sunday night, we took the Amtrak to Milwaukee and picked up the rental car without any issues.
We stayed at the Ramada City Center hotel which was a decent hotel in a central location. It is a downtown hotel so it is loud around it but its not overbearing
By now, all 4 of us were feeling really sick (coughing, sneezing) so we took a beeline to Walgreens and loaded up on Medicine.
Went to the Nationals @ Brewers game on Monday. It was another beautiful day so the roof was open. We stopped and got some beer / bratwursts / portable grill to be able to tailgate before the game and enjoyed it. Feels funny tailgating before a baseball game but it adds to the enjoyment. Really enjoyed Miller Park. 1 thing we noticed is how far away you end up parking with General Parking. Not very far but when you are sick and with a sore knee, not a good combination. Had great seats yet again. Ended up sitting near the same 4 from Wrigley as they neared their goal of all 30 stadiums. (I think they only had Cleveland to go as they were definitely zigzagging).
After the game, we went back to the hotel for a little while and then went to the Water Street Brewery in downtown. Got free parking. We tried all of their beer which was very good. I had the scotch egg which was a new thing for me but very good. Then I had the "Milwaukee Viena" which was bratwurst. It was an excellent choice for dinner. We then walked around for a while stopping at a couple of other bars near there.
Got up the next day and all 4 felt really crappy as the medicine didn't work too well. We skipped the Miller Brewery at this point due to how bad we felt and just went to the Milwaukee Zoo. It was a nice zoo but many animals were hidden due to trees or how distant the exhibits were. But it was a nice zoo. They do nickel and dime you for a lot of things rather than just include them with admission to the park.
Once we left the zoo, we stopped at a sandwich shop near the zoo and then drove to Eau Claire for the night. We stayed at the Holiday Inn. It was a good HI and had a very good restaurant part of it (Green Mill). We had 4 burgers and a beer then crashed for the night.
The next day, we drove to Minneapolis and went to the Yankees @ Twins game. The Metrodome is not anything special but the lower Bowl seats were decent and it was a great game. Yankees lost!!!Food / drink were average prices and nothing great. After the game, we checked into our hotel. Homewood Suites Mall of America. We had dinner at the hotel (Free grill that night) then walked to TGI Fridays to watch the Red Sox @ Rangers game on ESPN.
Got up Thursday morning and went to the mall for a little while but none of us really felt like walking around. Once we left the mall, we headed downtown to go to Brits Pub for lunch and then to the Mississippi Queen for the River Cruise. Food at Brit's Pub was ok and average price. We did enjoy the location though. We were slightly disappointed as the riverboat was privately chartered so we ended up on the motorized yacht but still had a lot of fun. Too much time was spent going thru the locks but we got a great overview of the city from the River.
On the way back to the hotel, we heard about a Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum.
2 friends flew back early Friday morning so the other 2 of us headed out to the Science Museum and really enjoyed the Star Wars exhibit. Once we left, we returned the rental car ($500 due to it being a 1 way rental - therefore having to pay $0.25 per mile on top of rental charges). Still not a bad price.
Didn't see much else in Minneapolis. It is not an easy city to get around in as it seems most streets run in circles but we got around. Would have liked to see more but we were pretty rundown the whole time there.
Had a great vacation and we are already laying out next years road trip - probably St Louis, Kansas City and Denver.
We stayed at the Ramada City Center hotel which was a decent hotel in a central location. It is a downtown hotel so it is loud around it but its not overbearing
By now, all 4 of us were feeling really sick (coughing, sneezing) so we took a beeline to Walgreens and loaded up on Medicine.
Went to the Nationals @ Brewers game on Monday. It was another beautiful day so the roof was open. We stopped and got some beer / bratwursts / portable grill to be able to tailgate before the game and enjoyed it. Feels funny tailgating before a baseball game but it adds to the enjoyment. Really enjoyed Miller Park. 1 thing we noticed is how far away you end up parking with General Parking. Not very far but when you are sick and with a sore knee, not a good combination. Had great seats yet again. Ended up sitting near the same 4 from Wrigley as they neared their goal of all 30 stadiums. (I think they only had Cleveland to go as they were definitely zigzagging).
After the game, we went back to the hotel for a little while and then went to the Water Street Brewery in downtown. Got free parking. We tried all of their beer which was very good. I had the scotch egg which was a new thing for me but very good. Then I had the "Milwaukee Viena" which was bratwurst. It was an excellent choice for dinner. We then walked around for a while stopping at a couple of other bars near there.
Got up the next day and all 4 felt really crappy as the medicine didn't work too well. We skipped the Miller Brewery at this point due to how bad we felt and just went to the Milwaukee Zoo. It was a nice zoo but many animals were hidden due to trees or how distant the exhibits were. But it was a nice zoo. They do nickel and dime you for a lot of things rather than just include them with admission to the park.
Once we left the zoo, we stopped at a sandwich shop near the zoo and then drove to Eau Claire for the night. We stayed at the Holiday Inn. It was a good HI and had a very good restaurant part of it (Green Mill). We had 4 burgers and a beer then crashed for the night.
The next day, we drove to Minneapolis and went to the Yankees @ Twins game. The Metrodome is not anything special but the lower Bowl seats were decent and it was a great game. Yankees lost!!!Food / drink were average prices and nothing great. After the game, we checked into our hotel. Homewood Suites Mall of America. We had dinner at the hotel (Free grill that night) then walked to TGI Fridays to watch the Red Sox @ Rangers game on ESPN.
Got up Thursday morning and went to the mall for a little while but none of us really felt like walking around. Once we left the mall, we headed downtown to go to Brits Pub for lunch and then to the Mississippi Queen for the River Cruise. Food at Brit's Pub was ok and average price. We did enjoy the location though. We were slightly disappointed as the riverboat was privately chartered so we ended up on the motorized yacht but still had a lot of fun. Too much time was spent going thru the locks but we got a great overview of the city from the River.
On the way back to the hotel, we heard about a Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum.
2 friends flew back early Friday morning so the other 2 of us headed out to the Science Museum and really enjoyed the Star Wars exhibit. Once we left, we returned the rental car ($500 due to it being a 1 way rental - therefore having to pay $0.25 per mile on top of rental charges). Still not a bad price.
Didn't see much else in Minneapolis. It is not an easy city to get around in as it seems most streets run in circles but we got around. Would have liked to see more but we were pretty rundown the whole time there.
Had a great vacation and we are already laying out next years road trip - probably St Louis, Kansas City and Denver.
Aug 21st, 2008, 03:22 AM
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Glad you enjoyed the trip here and reading the Devil in the White City. I'm a Northeasterner too (orig. from NY, moved here in '06), but I love living in Chicago and don't envision moving anywhere anytime soon.
Too bad about the Art Institute, though -- if you're interested in art, it's a must, one of the great museums. And of course you could make a separate trip just to eat + drink!
Too bad about the Art Institute, though -- if you're interested in art, it's a must, one of the great museums. And of course you could make a separate trip just to eat + drink!
Aug 21st, 2008, 08:14 AM
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Sounds like a pretty awesome trip! I'm currently reading The Devil in the White City, it was recommended to me by a lady I work with. Very interesting...I have a degree in Criminal Justice and I am kind of disappointed in myself for not knowing who H.H. Holmes was.
Aug 21st, 2008, 08:58 AM
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Too bad you weren't in Milwaukee when one of the ethnic festivals was on - every weekend in the summer. Irishfest may have been on when you were here. It is all right on the shores of Lake Michigan.
A free walk into the Milwaukee Art Museum would have been something for you to see. Designed by Calatrava. The giant wings open and close in the front of the museum on a daily schedule. It is beautiful on the shores of Lake Michigan.
You missed 3rd Street and the restaurants there although the Water Street Brewery is great. Many good German restaurants in Milwaukee also.
So come back to Milwaukee - there is still a lot for you to see.
Sorry you weren't feeling well - lots of allergies in the Midwest and especially Milwaukee and Chicago or was it the good Milwaukee beer??
A free walk into the Milwaukee Art Museum would have been something for you to see. Designed by Calatrava. The giant wings open and close in the front of the museum on a daily schedule. It is beautiful on the shores of Lake Michigan.
You missed 3rd Street and the restaurants there although the Water Street Brewery is great. Many good German restaurants in Milwaukee also.
So come back to Milwaukee - there is still a lot for you to see.
Sorry you weren't feeling well - lots of allergies in the Midwest and especially Milwaukee and Chicago or was it the good Milwaukee beer??
Aug 21st, 2008, 09:10 AM
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We knew coming in Milwaukee was getting the short end of our time due to the game times.
I think it was more of an issue of 1 person being sick coming and then the rest of us getting it being too close to him. We made the most of it and managed to do most of what we wanted.
I think it was more of an issue of 1 person being sick coming and then the rest of us getting it being too close to him. We made the most of it and managed to do most of what we wanted.
Aug 26th, 2008, 09:52 AM
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Glad I followed up to see how your trip was! We've been to all of these and definitely like Wrigley the best. Chicago is a great city and it sounds like you got to see quite a bit. If you can make it to Denver next year, you will love Coors Field!
Aug 26th, 2008, 04:42 PM
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Thanks for the t.r. Glad the Citypass worked! Please give Mpls another try sometime, the downtown streets are confusing, but the rest of the city is straight and alphabetic! Glad you had a good time overall!
Aug 26th, 2008, 07:33 PM
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The 4 of us agreed that we really didn't give Minneapolis a fair shake due to how bad we were feeling. Definitely would like to get back there. Probably once the new stadium opens. Metrodome definitely wasn't as bad as we expected but was not anything special. Definitely a stadium to get as close as possible.
