Your Guide to Being a Hokie in Milwaukee

For anyone heading this Friday to Milwaukee, or MKE as it's locally known, in the great state of Wisconsin, here's your guide from a former Wisconsinite and future Chicagoan. Wish I could join you, but my Chicago move got delayed.

The Cream City, nicknamed for its cream colored buildings, is an extremely underrated city (and WI an underrated state). As an urban planner & geographer, I see both really good things and bad things there, but there's also this unlimited potential there that gets me nerding out. When people describe MKE to you, they will often say it's like a "little Chicago" and I hope you'll see why when you're there. And don't forget to order cheese curds wherever you can, everyone makes them a little differently (marinara with curds is a faux pas btw).

Neighborhoods: the three main neighborhoods to visit

• Fiserv/3rd & Water

The downtown neighborhood around Fiserv is growing and should be lively this weekend. This is MKE's party neighborhood. The Deer District right next to the stadium contains multiple restaurants including the Drink Wisconsibly Pub by Leinenkugel (get a shirt), the Mecca Sports Bar, and a brewery. If you're looking for something more classic, 3rd St. is just a block over and contains a series of bars and restaurants open til 2 am. Who's on Third, Brathouse, and Buck Bradley's are the most popular. If you're really getting after it, cross the river and visit the real party bars on Water St. like The Harp, which has a deck overlooking the river, and Trinity. Once you leave the bars head to Ian's, Madison's answer to Benny's, the MKE location is across from Trinity next to the strip club. Their most famous pizza is the macaroni & cheese.
Looking for something more chill? Head in the other direction up the hill to the Historic Pabst Brewery where there are bars, breweries, restaurants, and tours. And if it's not too rainy, take the riverwalk along the Milwaukee River.

• Historic Third Ward

The most poppin place in MKE is the Third Ward. Historic brick buildings, apartments overlooking the water, bougie restaurants, and Instagramable locations. Take the river walk and you'll see why I won't shut up about how the Bucks should have had their parade on boats down the Milwaukee River. Of course a trip to MKE isn't acceptable without a visit to the Milwaukee Public Market full of food vendors and other crap (it's ok but you really are supposed to go). One of my favorite places is just across the river called The Explorium Brewpub which was built into an old Sears building and their outdoor dining area is in the old train loading dock.

• Brady Street

A local bar street filled with dives and restaurants, this is a good alternative if 3rd & Water are a little overwhelming or you're looking for a change of pace. Brady is where all the cool kids go, and if you're willing to walk from Fiserv, it is possible because I've done it and I have knee problems.

Hotels
The Brewhouse Inn & Suites is build into the Historic Pabst Brewery. Walking distance from Fiserv, the lobby, hallways, and rooms still contain some of the brewing apparatus such as the giant copper brewing kettles.
If you want to be walking distance from the stadium, there are a number of hotels some of which are right on the river. If you are staying farther out, finding a parking space should not be too difficult.

Breweries

• Lakefront Brewery

Just across the Milwaukee River from Brady St. Large indoor taproom, and when the weather is nice, bar style seating right on the river. Excellent curds.

• MKE Brewing Company

I watched Game 6 of the NBA Finals here and had the best amber lager I've ever had in my life (and I work at a craft beer bar). Located in the old Pabst Brewery complex walking distance from Fiserv.

• Third Space Brewing

Popular Southern Wisconsin brewery.

• Good City Brewing

In the Deer District.

There are other local breweries scattered around the city, but none I know well enough to recommend. I think I heard Broken Bat is good.

If you are so inclined, Madison is only an hour and 20 minutes away and is a beautiful city. You can rent a place on any of Wisconsin's 12,000+ lakes (more than Minnesota!). My parents rave about Kenosha. It might be cold, but Door County is the vacation spot of the upper Midwest.

It is currently Black Ice Season in Southern Wisconsin. It will likely rain Thursday/Friday, and combined with snowmelt...it's everywhere when the sun goes down. Wear tights/light long underwear under your pants and boots and watch your step. Have fun and be careful!