I've stayed at the Courtyard downtown and it was nice. Have also stayed at the Country Inn and Suites and the Embassy Suites in Brookfield. There is also a Hilton downtown with a water park if you want to entertain children. I prefer downtown to the burbs in most cities. Grand Ave. mall is nice, along with many good eating places that aren't your typical chains. Check out fodors reviews for hotels and restaurants. I have never received bad info from their reviews.

brookfield is a very good choice.

Thank you both. Your input was very helpful.
I look forward to Milwaukee!

Sylvia

The downtown Marriott Courtyard has parking in an adjacent lot - it's about $11/day - don't remember whether they have in/out privileges, but I think so. There is a large parking lot directly across from the art museum - just handy to know. I recall it being very reasonably priced.

Try the Astor Hotel just about one block from the lake. It's an older historic establishment, clean and comfortable. They have in/out parking and also a hotel van that will take you anywhere within a two mile radius. The East side of Milwaukee is very charming and you can also walk to the Art Museum or along the lake and soak up the atmosphere. Try The Knick for a great outdoor cafe just one half block away from the Astor.

We are coming to Milwaukee and interested in just seeing the sights.
Where is Brookfield in relationship
to downtown?

Brookfield is about 20 mins west (but 30-40 mis at rush hour) of the downtown area on I-94. At the Brookfield Moorland Rd exit there is a Country Inn and Suites, Embassy Suites, Midway Motor Lodge and Sheraton within 2 blocks of the exit to the south. This is the nearest exit west of downtown with convenient lodging. There is also a number of places near the airport on I-94 east (which is actually directly south of downtown). Going north on I-43 you'll find convenient lodging up in the Bayshore mall area, I believe.

In downtown, there are a number of boutique hotels/ B&B's and as well as a Hilton, Courtyard, Wyndham, Hyatt, and The Pfister. (The Pfister is the nicest.)

bns1021,
I would skip Brookfield then. Try the Wyndham or even the HoJo (recently remodeled) downtown. Skip the Hilton-- the rooms are TINY!

Be aware that if you are trying to find a place to stay in the Milwaukee area now, that the Wisconsin State Fair is going on in West Allis 5AUG thru 15AUG. This is an excellent state fair & well worth visiting for everything, especially the food & Clydesdale judging. But mention this because even if there are rooms available, they may be a bit more expensive during this time.

Stayed at the Astor last year. It is old and it is historic but it is worse than Motel 6 IMO. It is a residence home for many people and the hotel rooms leave a lot to be desired especially fro the price they charge. However, I loved Milwaukee. Great City, try and visit the art museum that sites right on the water. The design is amazing. The water front is wonderful, you can rent bikes, there are concerts in the summer on the water front as well. I took a walking tour of the city and was introduced to some great old buildings and their history.

Has anyone stayed at the Residence Inn?
It got some good reviews at tripadvisor.com.

The Res Inn downtown is right by my office. A coworker in from another office stayed there and had no complaints. It's relatively new cuz it used to be a Marshall Fields. They converted it to the hotel, offices, and shops several years ago. It's connected to the Grand Ave. Mall by skywalks by the way.

That sounds like a very nice hotel and convenient to everything. I think we will stay there. Thanks for the info.

If you have business downtown then it would make sence to stay there. If you do not then I would NOT stay there.

Downtown milwaukee is not nearly as pleasent as the areas around the astor hotel, hotel knickerbocker, hotel metro, and the county clare B&B (lower east side) which are all located near the lake and across from the art museum. Parking in this area is much easier then downtown parking.

Downtown milwaukee is just not where it is at. The first year I lived here I only ventured into downtown once or twice. Everything closes early and after work hours the area becomes a little seedy in my opinion.

The lower east side is only a few minutes away from downtown by car. Check out the hotel metro, it is the hotel most similiar the Residence Inn of the hotels is the area. The county clare is a charming and romantic Irish themed Inn with a great albeit sometimes noisy pub which features great Irish music on weekends.

I work in downtown Milwaukee and go there quite often in the evenings for dinner, theater, etc, and would disagree with cheriann.

The Pabst Theater, Marcus Performing Arts Center, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater complex are all near each other, only a few blocks from the Residence Inn, and there are a number of restaurants in the area. I have never felt the least bit unsafe walking around.

I used to work for one of the theaters mentioned and am quit familiar with the area as well. I agree that the area along wells & water where the theater complex is located is not in the least bit threatening after dark.

I would say, however, that the area around Grand avenue at the far end of the mall where the hotel is located is a somewhat different story. It's not the danger factor so much as the seedy in bad taste factor.

While there are a number of performing arts theatres downtown (4) I do not really see them as a big draw since it would cost around 20.00 to 30.00 dollars to see a show that would probably require forethought and advanced reservation and might be touring your hometown soon anyhow.

The Pabst is the only historic/architecturally interesting theater in the area and you can only tour the building at one scheduled time on Saturday morning otherwise you are not allowed in without a ticket.

When I first moved here and didn't know any better I booked my family at a hotel downtown and they hated it. They loved the County Clare/lower east side and are staying there again this fall.

The dining options downtown are really not that great either. The better ones are all very pricey and still not that great in my opinion. You will have to walk quite a ways from the hotel to find an eatery or most likely drive.

I guess it depends on what you are looking for and your reasons for being in town. I think that the lower east side is much more charming, enjoyable and laid back. The buildings are large and majestic and the area still gives me a sense of awe for this underrated city. The view of the lake in that area is incredible and you can easily walk along it or view the lake from the platform of the art museum. If you are here on an ethnic festival weekend then you can walk down and across the street and view the fireworks from the art museum.

I am obsessed with wanting people to have good trips so if you have any other question I will be happy to answer at length. As far as avoiding the parking charge there is absolutely no way to do so. Parking here sucks. You need a permit just to park on the street or will be ticketed unless you phone the city and relay your visitor status. Also downtown is mostly metered or one hour parking anyway and the parking checkers are relentless.

Cheriann:

I really appreciate your comments, and we will check on some of the hotels you suggested. We are visiting primarily for pleasure --- and want to keep it as hassle-free as possible. We will be there Sept. 22-24. We enjoy theaters and might check on what is offered at some that you mentioned.
We appreciate any suggestions you might have.

The Milwaukee Rep has three stages: on the main stage (Quadracci Powerhouse) will be The Crucible; on the small stage (Stiemke) will be Cyrano, and on the cabaret stage (Stackner) will be The Magic Banjo.