Milwaukee for a half- day... what do do?
 

Hi everyone,

I'll be in Milwaukee for some business meetings on November 9 and 10. I've never been to Milwaukee and it looks like I'll have 3-4 hours on the (weekday) afternoon I arrive to do a little sight seeing, and another 4-6 hours on the Saturday before I depart.

Any suggestions on some sights to see, restaurants to go to, etc.?

Someone recommended the Comedy Sportz Improv, but I know nothing about it. Does anyone have any feedback on this place?

Also, how about the weather? I live in San Diego so I don't have a lot of cool weather clothes. At home I wear skirts and sandals (no pantyhose) to work all year... mostly capris on the weekends. Can I get away with wearing the same type of clothes, switching the capris for pants, and adding a coat?

Thanks for your input!

Carole

You will not see women hoseless or in sandals in November, but boots will be common. The average high temperature for those dates is around 50; the average low about 35.

Things to do: Milwaukee Art Museum, Public Museum, Pier Wisconsin, Public Market, Zoo, stroll the Third Ward, tour Miller Brewery.

I believe that Comedy Sportz originated in Milwaukee, and it can be a fun, if somewhat goofy, evening.

Milwaukee has lots of good theater: An excellent production of "Doubt" will be playing at the Milwaukee Rep while you're here.

What kind of food do you like and what price range did you have in mind? My favorite special restaurant is Sanford's.

Thanks abram - I figured as much re: the clothing... just had to ask! I didn't realize the temps would be down quite that low in early November.

I'll plan to wear a nice pair of pants and sweater for my meetings. I better go shopping for a new pair of closed toe shoes, which I pretty much stopped buying in recent years!!

I did read something about Sanford's on another post. I like all kinds of food... Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Japanese, American, etc. I'm sure I'll get reimbursed for "reasonable and customary" expenses, but I'm not worried if I go over either.

Also, I have a rental car lined up so I can get around town easily.

Milwaukee's art museum is really impressive architecturally. I don't tend to love modern architecture but that's one of the prettiest buildings I've seen. Looks like a ship, sailing out into the harbor.

For Thai, I like Singha Thai on Hwy 100.

There are several decent Mexican places around 6th St & National Ave.

The owner of Sanford's also has a good, but more moderately priced place called Coquette Cafe.

Since you have a car, a nice drive is north on Lake Drive to Pandl's in Bayside. They're known for whitefish, and the lamb chops are delicious.

For Italian, Osteria del Mondo is lovely.

Where is your meeting and where are you staying?

sundown - I did have my eye on the art museum... so that's a definite possibility.

abram - Staying at the InterContinental... meetings are on N. Plankinton and W. Michigan (from what I've read, the old Marshall Field's building).

I work in the building where the InterContinental is located, and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater is in the same building. Yesterday, I had lunch in the hotel restaurant, which was quite good.

Water St has lots of restaurants and bars, and the joint is jumping on Friday evenings.

Eagans is just up the street and is a good place for fish.

Great!

I'll have a few other business associates with me, so I'll share the list with them, as well.

A good place for Italian is Joey Buenos. It is downtown.

Oakland Gyros is good, but it is very casual and not near downtown.

A good place for frozen custard is Kopp's.

Check www.jsonline.com
for some more reviews from Dennis Getto the dining critic.

Brewery tours are fun. I haven't been to the Miller brewery for years, but I've been to Sprecher in the past few years and that was pretty decent. It wasn't very long and you got some tickets to sample their beers and sodas.

Also, the weather can be beautiful one day and then windy, rainy or snowing the next, especially in November. I would definitely pack your warmest clothes since you're used to warm weather. I would guess that the temps would be in the 40's or 50's.

Thanks lildaisy - you know, I ran across the jsonline website just last night!! I found it when looking for reviews on Sanfords.

OK... 40s and 50s for temps... got it.

Thanks.

If it's not too late, check out www.onmilwaukee.com. I just referred to this in another post. It lists restaurant reviews and events going on that week. (Note: Singha Thai has a downtown location, on N. Jefferson St.) It's a staple for Milwaukeeans, plus gives a fun flavor of Milwaukee.

Do you know where you'll be staying? I live downtown & can give recommendations if interested. Check out the weather for the upcoming weekend. Milwaukeeans are pulling out their winter coats & scarves! Brrrr! But it's so cozy in our corner taps! :-)

The OP said she's staying at the InterContinental.

Oops, missed your hotel location.

If you want to dine while enjoying one of the best views of downtown Milwaukee, you can't do better than Roots (either the more expensive, upstairs Roots Restaurant or the more casual, downstairs Roots Celler). Both have incredible views, especially at night! Roots is located in one of Milwaukee's historic neighborhoods, Brewers Hill. Roots is about 3/4 mile north of the InterContinental. The food is delicious, made more magical, of course, by the view. It's also about 1/4 mile west of Sanford's, another incredible (albeit $$$) restaurant already recommended. Your concierge can give you directions.

Thanks... I'm printing out this list.

I'm really worried about the cold now! I see that it is ~26° at 7 a.m. I found some short boots that are about 10 years old from when I lived in the (San Francisco) Bay Area... that's the coldest place I've ever lived! I'll bring pants and sweaters and skip the skirts. I'll bring the warmest coat I have, and try to find a scarf too!

Both Roots and Sanford's sound great so hopefully we will get to one of those two restaurants! The view at Roots sounds marvelous.

Thanks everyone!

Carole

OK... back from Milwaukee... brrrrr!!!!

Well, due to airplane maintenance issues I was late getting into Milwaukee so I lost that 1/2 day. Then I thought I'd have a 1/2 day today as well, but the conference was in full swing until I had to leave for the airport.

I ended up eating 2 meals at Kilawat in the Intercontinental Hotel. I really enjoyed both meals. For breakfast I had vanilla brioche french toast w/ candied pecans and maple syrup. For dinner I had ahi (rare/seared) with tropical fruit salsa and blue cheese and chive mashed potatoes. Yummy. Topped with some nice red wine.

http://www.kilawatcuisine.com/

I also went with a large group of people to the King and I for Thai food which was very good, as well.

By the way, the Intercontinental Hotel is very nice. I guess it's the old Wyndham Hotel but it's been completely remodeled?

The one funny (well, I guess it was funny) event was when, on the first night, someone pulled the fire alarm on one of the floors around 1 a.m.. The entire hotel was evacuated so we all got to get out of bed and walk to the street and stand there in our jammies and underwear until the fire department cleared the building. Of course, some of the people we were standing out there with, we met at the conference the following day... a great first impression for sure!