Day 7: Kenosha – Milwaukee
After failing big time in getting to see Lake Michigan when I went out for something to eat the night before I had big plans for today. It was Sunday and there is always a different atmosphere in the air. The traffic is lighter and everything seems more sedate. I guess you don’t have to be up for commuting and getting the kids ready for school everything can just be more leisurely. Also parking in downtown Millwaukee is free!
The new NFL season was also starting and the big ‘local’ derby between Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears was being played later that day in Chicago’s Soldier Field. I thought I expected a lot of southbound traffic later that morning so heading north against the run of traffic was a great idea.
Kenosha is less than 40 miles from Milwaukee so it seemed a no-brainer to make the drive. I set the GPS for the harbour and in less than an hour I parked outside of a venue called ‘Summer Fest’. A short walk around the perimeter and I could see the harbour walls and the very modern structure of Discovery World Milwaukee.
I was in Lakeshore State Park and followed the paths along the shore line and Lake Michigan. I can’t emphasise enough that it is like looking at the sea but a lot calmer. The only car ferry across Lake Michigan is from Milwaukee to Muskegon – Michigan and is called the Lake Express Ferry. A crossing takes 2 and half hours. I had considered going as a foot passenger but it was over $200 even without a car. I didn’t consider it for long mind you.
The further around I walked the skyline of Milwaukee became grander. There were dog walkers, joggers, cyclists and porter loos, thankfully. Being by the water was so relaxing and I did a complete circuit of the park before returning to the car.
Now, Milwaukee is famous for it’s breweries and most famously Miller and Schlitz. A district has been dedicated to the history and influence of the many breweries of Milwaukee called The Brewery. I found street parking near the convention centre and tried to get entry just to get out of the unexpected rain. I didn’t realise that there was an event in progress and was turned away but walking around the outside of the centre was covered so that was convenient.
I walked down W Wisconsin Avenue past the imposing Hilton Hotel towards the Milwaukee River Walk very much in the same style as the Chicago River Walk. There was an open venue called 3rd Street Market Hall that was a place to eat, drink and play. There was a varied collection of food stalls inside with a soft play area for children and a golf experience. It was just opening up and the stall holders were setting up. I imagine it is a happening place later on the in day and into the evening.
The streets were clean and attractively bordered with flower beds each in the same design but there was so much road construction around the centre that many streets were closed and had diversions in place. Very confusing for an out of towner especially driving on the wrong side of the road!
Harley Davidson – Museum
Now I am not a motor cyclist but even I know that Harley Davidson is from Milwaukee and not stopping on the campus wasn’t an option. Only a half mile across the Menomonee River is where Harley Davidson’s were made and it was already getting busy mostly with the four wheeled variety of transport. The campus is set on a 20 acre park-like facility. It is free to park and looks like a large crossroads with the Museum, two Harley Davidson stores, places to eat as well as plenty of bike parking. Tickets have to be purchased to enter the museum. There is a self guided walking tour around the campus available online.
I then headed back to Kenosha and an attraction that celebrates Wisconsin and what the state is famous for. Cheese! Mars Cheese Castle Kenosha was difficult to find. I drove past it on the way to Milwaukee and tried to come off at the same junction on the way back, which I did but couldn’t find the access to the approach road.
I didn’t have the luxury of connecting my phone to the car because I didn’t have any data so after stopping for food and looking at my phone to memorise the route headed off again.
The castle is set in its own grounds and the parking was rammed full. It certainly is a local attraction and must catch the traffic between Milwaukee and Chicago. Now coming from a country that has ancient castles this obviously was a mock up but it was cleverly presented. There are different departments including cheese, wine, bakery and souvenirs. One of the things you should not miss are fried cheese curds apparently. So I lined up and ordered some and they were good, I would describe them as like small mozzarella sticks. The cheese area was massive and had an unbelievable selection of different cheeses. There were some free samples to try of course.
Afterwards, I headed towards Lake Michigan in Kenosha and parked at the Naval Memorial by the harbour. There was an olde worlde feel to Kenosha, probably because there wasn’t the dominating skyline of a city. The walk along the sides of the harbour towards the open lake was dotted with patient fishermen waiting for a catch, but it was the two lovely lighthouses that delighted me. It was a peaceful and enjoyable stroll by the shores of Lake Michigan and well worth the wait.
This had been a busy day and the last thing on my list was a visit to the outlets. Nothing outstanding here except it was the first time that I had experienced a busy outlet mall in all the times I had visited America. Cars were cruising around looking for spaces and crowds were queuing outside some brands and spilling out onto the roads. I guess it attracts customers from both Milwaukee and Chicago and it was a Sunday after all.
Day 8: Kenosha WI – Chicago IL
I wasn’t in a hurry and as I had covered everything I wanted to do on Day 7 I spent the morning looking for more bargains. A trip to the States isn’t complete with some great bargains and this trip didn’t disappoint. Jeans for $4.44 and t-shirts for $5 who can resist.
I arrived back in Chicago near O’Hare mid afternoon and before checking into my hotel had to drop off my suitcase where I had booked it in for storage at a nearby UPS store. After a discussion explaining the booking to the store they accepted the bag and I was now travelling light. I did wonder though if I had done the right thing and would my bag be there when I returned from State 47 North Dakota in two days time.
States 46 & 47 (Chicago IL – Kenosha WI) – Day 6
States 46 & 47 (Deerfield IL – Waukegan IL) – Day 5
States 46 & 47 (Altoona IA – Deerfield IL) – Day 4
States 46 & 47 (Council Bluffs IA – Altoona IA) – Day 3
USA Road Trips by Max 
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