Transportation in Milwaukee?
 

HI we are planning to take the Lake Express ferry to Milwaukee for Summerfest and are staying at the Hyatt. I am assuming taxi is best way to get to hotel from ferry dock. Are there usually taxis there or do we need to call? Any idea what fare is?

Also, I saw something about river taxis from downtown to summerfest, but couldn't find more details on schedule or fares for that.

I live in Milwaukee, and I may have been hiding under a rock, but I've never heard of river taxis.

It's about five miles from the ferry dock to the Hyatt; I'd expect the cab fare to be under $15.

http://www.onmilwaukee.com/visitors/...rivertaxt.html

Here's a link to the article - however whenever I click on the link in the article, it takes me to Edelweiss river cruises - but does not give information on the taxi service

If you need to get to Summerfest from the Hyatt, consider taking a horse carriage; they are a lot of fun!

It is about 2 miles from the Hyatt to Summerfest grounds, a $10.00 dollar Cab or a very nice walk. I would walk there and cab back. There is no water taxi. Taxi's will be at both places.

I think water taxis are still in the wish list stage, maybe someday to improve tourism.

No buses per Milwaukee County transit:
"MCTS does NOT have any connections to Lake Express ferry service. Taxi suggested."
http://kiwinc.itgo.com/mwc/local.html

Walk to and from the places on the riverwalk. Have you heard of it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Riverwalk
http://www.mkedcd.org/Riverwalk/

Hi,
I live in Milwaukee and occasionally use public transportation. Once your ferry arrives if there are no taxi's call either 414-220-5000 (American United Taxicab) or 414-271-1800 (Yellow Taxicab). Also once you are at the Hyatt, which is one block west of Wisconsin Avenue, walk one block over to Wisconsin and catch a summerfest shuttle bus. It will take you directly to the main gate. If your not familiar with the area walking from the Hyatt to the summerfest grounds could be rather confusing. It is a nice walk, but it is more then a mile from the Hyatt. Do you really want to walk that far just to get there in addition to all the walking you will do around the summerfest grounds.
When you are leaving summerfest there will be taxi's outside of the grounds, or you could just take the shuttle back to Wisconsin Avenue and walk the one block back to the Hyatt.

Thanks for all the info. I am not familiar with Riverwalk - I think that is a newer development since I was last in MKE.

Does anyone know of an older German neighborhood that would be within biking distance of Marquette? I was thinking it was Northeast of city, but perhaps I am remembering the old 3rd ward from my college days.

Actually, the Hyatt is on Kilbourn, which is two blocks north of Wisconsin, not one block west.

I don't know of a German neighborhood. The Third Ward used to be known for the Italian produce businesses. Now, it's full of condos, restaurants, and interesting shops.

Hi,

Maybe I can help with that if you could tell me when the last time was that you were in Milwaukee. The area northeast of downtown was the area I grew up in. At that time it was divided by Brady Street. South of Brady Street was a very Italian neighborhood and north of Brady Street was a very Polish neighborhood. Some of the original Italian stores and restaurants are still in that area, but the people are mostly young college students. It has become a very eclectic area with a variety of different types of people. It is a fun area with lots of trendy stores and restaurants. There was a great German Restaurant in that neighborhood called John Ernst, but it closed more then 5 years ago. The German Restaurant Mader's still exists. It is at 1031 N Old World Third Street, which is very close the The Hyatt.

If there was a German neighborhood near Marquette, it is long gone. The neighborhood surrounding Marquette isn't as nice as it used to be. It's not an area to hang out in, especially at night, when there isn't a large student population in town.

If you remember the 3rd ward as it originally was, you are going to be surprised. Much of that neighborhood was torn down and deserted for many years. In recent years it has come back. Many condos were built and there are several great restaurants and art galleries in that area.

Kathy and Abram thanks for the replies. I went to Marquette my freshman year of college in 82-83. I am sure a lot has changed in 25 years! One day friends and I borrowed bikes from the dorm and rode along the lakeshore and through some really cute European-feeling neighborhood. Maybe it was the Brady Street area. I thought someone had told us it was German, but maybe it was the Polish area.

I don't know that we'll venture that way on this trip. I am excited about returning to MKE though - I think we'll have a lot of fun!