Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers Travel Guide: American Family Field

Getting to Milwaukee & The Ballpark

• Flying In: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is the primary hub, heavily serviced by Southwest and Delta. It is located about 12 miles from American Family Field.

• Airport Transit: Driving or taking a rideshare is the easiest option, but there is also a $3 bus that takes you into downtown in about 25 minutes, where you can easily connect to a stadium-bound bus.

• The Chicago Connection: A Brewers game is the perfect addition to a Chicago baseball road trip. Milwaukee is less than 100 miles north of Chicago. While you can drive it in about an hour and a half, taking the Amtrak Hiawatha train from Chicago's Union Station to the Milwaukee Intermodal Station is stress-free, takes the same amount of time, and costs only around $30-$35.

• The Neighborhood: American Family Field is surrounded by massive parking lots just west of downtown. Because it is somewhat isolated from the city center, walking to the stadium from a downtown hotel is not an option.

Where to Stay

Because the stadium is surrounded by a sea of parking lots designed for tailgating, hotel options immediately next to the ballpark are limited. You can either stay right by the stadium for pure baseball convenience or stay downtown to enjoy the city's restaurants and lakefront.

Budget Options

• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Milwaukee West: This is one of the only hotels within walking distance of the stadium. It features fresh, modern rooms, free parking, and a free daily hot breakfast. If your trip is purely focused on baseball and stadium convenience, this is your best option.

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown: Located right in the center of downtown, just a block from the Milwaukee River. This all-suite hotel features full kitchens, a free hot breakfast, and a unique mini indoor waterpark for kids. Housed in a historic red-brick building, it offers plenty of space for families and is only a 10-minute drive to the stadium.

Higher-End Options

• The Pfister Hotel: This is Milwaukee’s most prestigious and historic hotel. Built in 1893, this grand Victorian-style building features a luxurious full-service spa, a steakhouse, a 23rd-floor martini bar, and an indoor pool with panoramic views of Lake Michigan. It is about 4 miles from the ballpark and is the absolute best way to experience classic Milwaukee luxury.

• Hyatt Regency Milwaukee: Connected via skywalk to the Wisconsin Center downtown, this upscale hotel features a locally-sourced restaurant, an elegant lobby bar, and spacious, refined rooms. It is right off the highway, making the 4-mile drive to the stadium very quick. At just 8,000 World of Hyatt points per night, it is an incredible redemption value for luxury travelers.

Nearby Activities

• The Harley-Davidson Museum: Located near downtown, this massive, 20-acre museum complex celebrates the 100+ year history of the iconic motorcycle brand. It is a fantastic, uniquely Milwaukee way to spend the morning before a game.

• Milwaukee Public Market: Located in the Historic Third Ward, this bustling indoor market is packed with local artisan foods, fresh seafood, craft beer, and incredible cheese vendors. It is the perfect spot to grab lunch and explore the city's culinary scene.

Pregame Food and Drink

• The Legendary Tailgate: While tailgating is rare in Major League Baseball, it is an absolute way of life in Milwaukee. The massive stadium lots open 3 hours before first pitch and transform into a sea of grills, bratwursts, and cornhole. Even if you are an out-of-towner without a grill, grab a 12-pack of local beer, walk the lots, and trade drinks for grilled sausages with the incredibly friendly local crowds. You must experience a Milwaukee tailgate.

• Local Bars & Shuttles: If you prefer a bar setting, head north of the stadium to Kelly’s Bleachers, a classic sports bar famous for its pregame atmosphere. If you want a more upscale, modern American meal and a great wine list, visit Story Hill BKC.

• The Free Bar Shuttles: Milwaukee has a massive network of local bars and restaurants that run free, continuous shuttles directly to the stadium gates. This is a fantastic way to grab a pregame meal, utilize free bar parking, and avoid the stadium traffic entirely.

Getting to the Event

• Parking: Because the stadium was designed for tailgating, parking is abundant, easy to navigate, and rarely fills up. If you are driving a rental car, paying for a stadium lot is highly recommended to experience the atmosphere.

• Public Transit: The MCTS bus service operates a special Brewers Line on game days that drops you right at the stadium. It runs every 30 minutes, starting two hours before first pitch and running until 30 minutes after the final out.

Where to Sit at American Family Field

• The Best Views: Look for the Field Boxes in Sections 115-119 behind home plate. These sections are small, meaning you will feel incredibly close to the action no matter which row you are in.

• The Club Level: The 300-level Club seats (Sections 325-328) provide a fantastic elevated view of the field. You get access to climate-controlled lounges, shorter concession lines, and an incredible selection of Wisconsin craft beers.

• Away Fans: If you are cheering for the visiting team, look for Sections 121-123. These put you directly behind the visiting dugout on the third-base side with great sightlines down the line.

• Family-Friendly: The Brewers are one of the few MLB teams that offer strictly alcohol-free family sections (Sections 217, 309, and 417).

• The Budget Seats: Since most of the 200 and 300 levels are premium club seating, head to the 400 level for the best cheap tickets. For a better view on a budget, look at Sections 108 and 129; they are tucked into the field-level corners near the foul poles, angled perfectly toward the infield, and usually priced much lower than baseline seats.