What does each have to offer the Summer Vacationer?

The opportunity to visit Chicago

As a Chicagoan I appreciate the last message. Milwaukee is a great summer city with the huge Summerfest festival along with numerous ethnic festivals by the lake. Speaking of the lake, the lakefront is beautiful. I consider Milwaukee to be one of the US's best kept secrets. If only they spoke normally! Madison is nice too. The area would offer more hiking opportunities. Close to the Frank Lloyd Wright area too. Really depends on what you want to do.

Milwaukee is a good place to visit during one of the numerous lakefront festivals (Summerfest is the big one! Tons of music, food, beer). There seems to be a fest almost every week (German Fest, Italian Fest, etc). The zoo in Milwaukee is one the best in the country and you could go to a Brewer Game at the new Miller Park. Milwaukee is a pretty sleepy town, though. There is some action on Water Street (right downtown). It is a lot easier to drive compared to Chicago, though.

If you go to Madison (I have a predjudice), make sure you're there over the weekend so you can visit the Farmers Market on the Capital Square on Saturday. It is the best I've ever seen, and even if you don't think you're "into" farmers markets, you'll enjoy the fresh baked goods and the people watching.

Check the calendar for festivals like Art Fair on the Square of Taste of Madison. You'll also want to spend some time at the Student Union on the lake. Grab a beer (or an ice cream) and pull up a seat for the free outdoor concerts.

Have fun!

Well, since I love hiking, people watching and the festival atmosphere, both sound like places I'd like to see! Any recommendations on where to stay, that are affordable ($100+/-)and have good views, access to activities? thanks

ttt - In smaller towns like Mad/Mil, P'line can be a pretty good option....

In Milwaukee, very near the lake front I suggest either the Plaza (art deco, very cool), the Knickerbocker or the Pfister. All are very historic and should be walking distance to summerfest grounds. The Pfister is also on the main drag for Bastille days and the great circus parade which is a not miss event.
I don't know about rates at any of these places and some may already be booked for big events but anyone of them would be a really neat place to stay.

I took a trip specifically to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Tallieson East Home and Studio. It was excellent, and quite frankly, my favorite residence of his creation that I have seen, and I have visited several.

Downtown Madison is great - loved staying on the water near the capitol at the Edgewater Hotel. An hour south near Frank's place, is a great motel in Spring Green called, The Spring Valley Inn.

Hope this helps!

Happy Trails,
Paul

Dan: Just curious about what you meant by speaking "normally." LOL! Is it because we're like the only ones in the world that call a water fountain a bubbler?