Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Those options listed here are non-chain lodgings inside the western suburbs. Follow the in-
terstates in any direction for most chain options.
$100-150
Resurrected from the doldrums (and helping the neighborhood do the same) is the
Ambas-
sador Hotel
(2308 W. Wisconsin Ave., 414/342-8400,
www.ambassadormilwaukee.com
,
$129), just outside the western fringes of downtown. Inside a remodeled 1927 art deco
structure ($12 million and counting sunk into upgrades, right down to the terra cotta ex-
terior), this place is historic meets state-of-the-art. I just love to sip a martini in its Envoy
Lounge.Itsonlydrawback:location—thatis,notreallydowntownenoughtowalkformost.
The best public camping is a half-hour to the west via I-94 and south on WIS 67 in
Kettle Moraine State Forest
(262/646-3025, reservations at 888/947-2757 or
www.wisconsinstateparks.reserveamerica.com
, $10; sites cost from $14 for non-residents;
open year-round); it's very popular and is often booked, so arrive/reserve early. The nearest
private campground is southwest of Milwaukee along I-43 in Mukwonago at
Country
View Campground
(S110 W26400 Craig Ave., 414/662-3654, mid-Apr.-mid-Oct., $25).
Country View offers a pool, playground, hot showers, and supplies. RVs can camp at the
Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
, west along I-94 in West Allis, but it's crowded and caco-
phonic with freeway traffic.
Gastronomically,you'llbesurprisedbyMilwaukee. It'sapan-ethnic foodheavenspanning
thegamutfromfishfriesincozy120-year-oldneighborhoodtaproomstofour-starprixfixe
repasts instate-of-the-art gourmet restaurants. That is,nocasseroles andmeat-and-potatoes
monotony here!
Fish Fries
In Milwaukee, you'll find a fish fry everywhere, even at the chain fast-food drive-through
and Miller Park during Friday-night Brewers games. Dozens of neighborhood taverns and
