GREAT GOLF DESTINATIONS
GIRLFRIEND GETAWAYS
INSIDER’S GUIDE TO MKE AIRPORT
TO PARADISE NONSTOP
CONTENTS
2 LETTERS
Learn why supporting Mitchell Airport makes sense, from the Airport Director and the Milwaukee County Executive.
4 GIRLFRIEND GETAWAYS
Planning a bachelorette party? Celebrating a birthday? Just need an escape? Consider one of these four trendy destinations.
8 GOLF IN EVERY SEASON
These stunning courses, from Phoenix to Cape Cod, are all just an easy flight from Milwaukee.
14 WHY FLY MKE
Here are just a few ways you can save time, money and stress by flying from Mitchell. Plus, local notables share why they choose MKE.
19 THE GUIDE
Parking tips, nonstop destinations and other info you need.
Concourse C at MKE Airport
Welcome!
Thank you for reading Now Boarding. This magazine is dedicated to highlighting the best of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Inside these pages, you’ll find plenty of reasons to fly local. Our airport’s convenience and award-winning amenities are unmatched and save you time and money. Plus, by supporting your local airport, you’re bolstering Milwaukee’s economy and helping our community. Check out some of the amazing destinations we’ve featured here, along with tips for making the most of your trip. And then, when it comes time for your next flight, make MKE your starting point!
THE TEAM AT Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is always ready to provide travelers with the best possible experience. Everything we do is focused on you, the customer. Whether it’s new service from our airline partners, new concessions offerings, or new and improved parking technol-
ogy, we are always on the cutting edge of passenger-focused enhancements. We continue to receive national and international accolades for outstanding passenger satisfaction, recently earning top tier recognition from J.D. Power and Airports Council International.
Flying from MKE creates demand for more flights, creates additional jobs, and keeps more dollars in our local economy. The more we all choose Milwaukee’s airport for our air travel, the easier it is for airlines to add more flights here. The next time you fly from MKE, take pride in knowing that you are supporting our community’s airport. And, as always, thank you for flying from MKE!
Brian Dranzik, A.A.E. AIRPORT DIRECTOR
HELLO TRAVELERS!
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is owned and operated by Milwaukee County, through our Department of Transportation. Our world-class team makes sure our runways and terminals allow the airlines to operate safely and efficiently. And, because the Airport is self-supporting, no Milwaukee County tax dollars are used for the Airport’s operations or capital improvements. MKE is our gateway to the world. With service from all the major domestic airlines, and low fares on nonstops nationwide, we are fortunate to have the most convenient airport in the region. More than 30 destinations are available nonstop from Milwaukee, so there is nothing stopping you from exploring someplace new. And there is no easier way to get there than by flying from MKE.
David Crowley COUNTY EXECUTIVE
FIND AN ADVENTURE CUSTOMTAILORED TO YOUR GIRL POSSE’S DEFINITION OF FUN.
By Kristine Hansen
girlfriend getaways
What’s better than a few days off, exploring someplace new? Having your best friends with you! Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, planning a bachelorette party or just looking for a muchneeded vacation, here are four themed itineraries that begin with a nonstop flight from Milwaukee –allowing even more time in your destination.
IF YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS LOVE MUSIC, HEAD TO…
Nashville
NONSTOP CARRIER: SOUTHWEST
FLIGHT TIME: 1h 35m
FROM SINGER-SONGWRITER CAFES to decades-old venues that have hosted music greats like Johnny Cash, it’s easy to fill four or five days in Music City with live performances. Haven’t been to Nashville in years? It’s time to go back, because boutique hotels and trendy restaurants are as abundant as fried food and honky-tonk bars.
WHERE TO STAY
The Joseph folds in musically inspired design details, along with contemporary art, a rooftop pool, spa and an Italian restaurant (by former Kenosha chef Tony Mantuano) with an attached coffee bar for fueling up in the morning. Looking for live music without even leaving the hotel? Hutton Hotel’s Analog venue hosts intimate concerts in many genres. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the guest rooms frame city views as you’re getting ready for a night out. And, the next morning, enjoy a photo-worthy brunch at Evelyn’s on the first floor.
WHAT TO DO
In the heart of downtown, the 1892 Ryman Auditorium – the Grand Ole Opry’s home from 1943 to 1974 and a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture that’s uniquely designed for incomparable acoustics – hosts big-name acts like Dolly Parton and Post Malone. Spring for the VIP tour, which includes a photo of you onstage in your favorite rockstar pose.
GOOD NEWS FOR MUSIC LOVERS!
DAILY NONSTOP FLIGHTS TO AUSTIN, TX ON SOUTHWEST AIRLINES START IN MARCH 2025.
At the modern-day Grand Ole Opry (a 20-minute drive from downtown, at Opry Mills shopping center), no two shows are the same, and genres vary from bluegrass and folk to gospel and country. Book the backstage tour to learn more about its history – and come hungry during summer: Otis Redding’s former tour bus is now a food truck.
Drop by The Bluebird Cafe – a 90-seat venue tucked into a strip mall – for intimate singer-songwriter sessions. Garth Brooks and Keith Urban got their start here, and you might see the next big act –or recognize the space from the TV drama “Nashville.”
Founded in 2006, The Listening Room Cafe in SoBro has all the goods for a night out: Southern food (like sweet and spicy pickles and hot chicken and waffles), drinks and live music.
IF YOU’RE A BUNCH OF FOODIES, HEAD TO…
Seattle
NONSTOP CARRIER: ALASKA AIRLINES
FLIGHT TIME: 4h 20m
FRESH SEAFOOD, fine dining and global eclecticism anchor Seattle’s food scene, whose chefs consistently rack up James Beard Awards and appear on TV cooking competitions. Bonus: you can even build in a ferry ride to dine on a nearby island, and explore the 117-year-old, world-famous Pike Place Market.
WHERE TO STAY
When you wake up at Inn at the Market, you’re already inside Pike Place Market and that much closer to crumpets, French croissants, Norwegian pastries and Indian chai to start your day. Most rooms boast water views, and the rooftop deck’s a great spot to watch ferries.
Hotel Andra Seattle is another stylish stay located in the center of Seattle’s thriving downtown. It is home to the Hot Stove Society, a cooking school with chef-led classes – from homemade pasta making to cocktail building and every cuisine in between.
WHAT TO DO
Farmers and food artisans at Pike Place Market sell honey, berries, flowers, fish and more. The market is also home to the original Starbucks, open since 1971 and worth a stop to see where it all began while getting a caffeine infusion. Check out the pay-what-you-choose guided walking tours.
The Walrus and the Carpenter in the hip waterfront Ballard neighborhood is one of chef and cookbook author Renee Erickson’s Seattle eateries, this one famous for oysters. Next door is Barnacle, a sibling bar that’s perfect for pre-dinner drinks.
Open since 1950, Canlis is a family-owned, glass-walled restaurant with views of Seattle’s Lake Union. The midcentury vibe serves as a fabulous backdrop for fare that racks up James Beard Awards year after year. Try the tasting menu featuring selections like sablefish, Wagyu and smoked cacao.
Looking for an excuse to take a ferry ride? Hop over to Vashon Island for wine-paired Thai food from chef-owner May Chaleoy at May Kitchen + Bar. Imported decor that includes floor-to-ceiling Thai teak paneling makes the place feel as cozy as a good friend’s living room.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, HEAD TO…
Denver
NONSTOP CARRIERS: FRONTIER, SOUTHWEST, UNITED FLIGHT TIME: 2h 45m
THE MILE HIGH CITY provides the best of both worlds: mountain hikes and cosmopolitan culture. Rocky Mountain National Park is less than a two-hour drive, as are several other spectacular natural wonders.
WHERE TO STAY
Halcyon in Cherry Creek – a residential area in Denver – is made for outdoor adventurers, with a gear garage plus a rooftop pool to soothe sore muscles after a day of hiking. Before your trek, sample pastry chef Saura Kline’s treats at Local Jones, the hotel’s bistro. Check into a cabin at The Woolly Bugger Inn, 10 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, to cut down on the drive – and wake up in the forest with a hot tub and fire pit to keep you cozy.
WHAT TO DO
through the park’s center, and Longs Peak is the highest point, at 14,259 feet. An easy five-minute walk to Forest Canyon Overlook yields a killer view. Or work up a sweat on the challenging 3.6-mile Emerald Lake Trail, which showcases three different lakes.
Music fans flock to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Morrison for concerts, but during the day, it’s a hikers’ paradise, with five easy, short trails – also well suited for bicycle rides – that show off the park’s red peaks.
One of the Denver area’s most popular hikes, Green
Mountain in William Frederick Hayden Park, in the suburb of Lakewood, takes you to a 6,800-foot summit on Green Mountain Trail. You’ll be able to spot Denver’s skyline as well as mountain peaks all in one swoop.
The 110-year-old Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park offers a mix of day hikes as well as the option to take a self-guided drive through some of its 265,000 acres. The Continental Divide cuts
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is just over an hour’s drive. It is that destination you didn’t know was on your bucket list – but once you have visited it, you’ll never forget the 1,341-acre park’s unique red-rock formations.
Garden of the Gods
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A CAREFREE, ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE, VISIT…
Cancun
NONSTOP CARRIERS: SOUTHWEST, SUN COUNTRY FLIGHT TIME: 4h
RIVIERA MAYA’S tropical setting is the perfect spot to have it all – without leaving your all-inclusive resort where nearly everything’s included in one price, including golf carts to whisk you from here to there. Food typically dips into Mexican fare while also ratcheting up into high-end fine dining, and outdoor pools appear to stretch for miles. Here are four of the top resorts to consider.
GRAND FIESTA AMERICANA CORAL BEACH
This resort offers the best and doesn’t skimp on luxury, including Riviera Maya’s largest spa (Gem Spa), seven restaurants, a golf course and a nightly 11-piece mariachi band.
GRAND VELAS RIVIERA MAYA
As the second Grand Velas property in Mexico, the Riviera Maya resort may surprise you with the type of elevated amenities not often found at an all-inclusive, including a molecular-gastronomy, Michelin-starred restaurant (Cocina de Autor), and a multi-step “water journey” ritual in its spa.
UNICO 20°87°
If you want an adults-only all-inclusive, Unico 20°87° is just that, with modern Mexican design and cultural immersion whenever possible, including Cueva Siete (run by celebrity chef Lula Martin del Campo) and handmade straw hats to take home.
NIZUC RESORT & SPA
You’ll find a blend of villas and suites at this resort. Enjoy an adults-only pool at the spa, then choose between the resort’s six bars and restaurants, ranging from a buffet-breakfast spread to spicy Asian fusion and traditional Mexican food.
G LF IN EVERY SEASON
Hit the links all year round with these remarkable courses.
By KRISTINE HANSEN
SURE, WISCONSIN HAS ITS SHARE OF GORGEOUS LINKS, but every now and then a golfer has a hankering to experience something new. These destinations, all reachable via a nonstop flight from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, will satisfy your wanderlust. And they are optimized to take advantage of the best weather and dining options in every region. You can lunch on lobster rolls in Cape Cod or grab some post-round BBQ in Houston – and check into a hotel with its own golf course. Start packing now!
The Boulders Golf Club, located outside of Phoenix, allows you to enjoy a change in scenery while navigating the challenges of an unfamiliar course.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
NONSTOP CARRIERS: AMERICAN, SOUTHWEST, SUN COUNTRY
In lieu of shoveling snow and fighting the wind chill, be a snowbird and fly to Arizona’s largest city – where many of the hotels are sprawling resorts with their own golf courses. Daytime temps are perfect for playing 18 holes without breaking a sweat.
WHERE TO PLAY
Golfweek calls We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s Saguaro Course in Fort McDowell – a Sonoran Desert community about 30 miles northeast of Phoenix – the best public golf course in Arizona. With natural bunkering and a killer valley view from the 15th hole, the course is at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, also home to the Cholla Course. Each course features 18 holes.
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa ’s two 18-hole courses (Ambiente and Padre) rank high among the Phoenix and Scottsdale area’s private courses. One reason
WHERE TO STAY
is the view of Camelback Mountain’s foothills. There’s also a 36,000-squarefoot clubhouse where you can dine or drink on Tavern 37’s deck, to further enjoy the vista.
Considered a semi-private club –because it’s open to resort guests, members and daily-fee players – The Boulders Clubhouse’s landscape features granite boulder formations. Boulders’ North Course (framing views of Black Mountain) and South Course have 18 holes each and are considered challenging.
Get a jumpstart on baseball season at the Brewers’ Spring Training Camp (beginning in late February) at American Family Fields of Phoenix And it’s nearly a rite of passage to summit the 2,704-foot-elevation Camelback Mountain , although be warned that it’s no easy feat given the mountain’s extreme vertical climb. Easier hikes, like a one-mile loop, are at the 16,000acre South Mountain Park Taliesin West , the former winter home of Wisconsin’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, is open for guided tours year-round. Or take in the region’s desert topography from above, in a hot-air balloon ride, which sets off at sunrise or sunset from Phoenix or Scottsdale.
Book a room at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa for a luxury experience that includes everything you need. On the property are a spa, fitness center, outdoor pool and two buzzy upscale dining options by “Top Chef” alum Angelo Sosa. Tia Carmen offers a veritable tour through Southwestern street foods, while Kembara’s breakfast buffet is a farmer-driven feast. At its Wildfire Golf Club are two championship 18-hole courses: the Faldo Championship Course and the Palmer Signature Course.
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Cabot Citrus Farms, American Family Fields of Phoenix, The Boulders Golf Club, Columbia Restaurant
The Boulders Golf Club
TAMPA, FLORIDA
NONSTOP CARRIER: SOUTHWEST
The Tampa-St. Petersburg area flaunts around 100 public and private golf courses. Spring is the best season to visit, with temps hovering between the 60s and 80s.
WHERE TO PLAY
A half-hour drive north of downtown Tampa, Westchase Golf Club in Tampa ranks among the country’s top-10 public courses (and No. 1 in Florida) according to the National Golf Foundation and features wooden bridges and natural wetlands at its 18-hole course, plus a restaurant with a bar for socializing after.
TPC Tampa Bay is a public 18-hole course built by the PGA Tour in 1991. This widely known course has hosted 21 Champions Tour events and, with its natural
wetlands and lagoons, is one of two Tampa Bay-area courses designated as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Take a road trip an hour north of Tampa to Cabot Citrus Farms – from the same company as the Cabot Cape Breton course in Nova Scotia, considered to be among the world’s top courses – which opened in 2024 as Cabot’s first American property with two 18-hole courses, a 9-hole course and an 11-hole course, along with overnight cottages available to rent.
WHERE TO STAY
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club Autograph Collection in St. Petersburg hugs the waterfront and has an 18-hole golf course. Just look for the 100-yearold pink building that began as a snowbird destination for wealthy Northeasterners in the early 20th century.
SIGHTSEEING
As one of America’s fastest-growing cities, Tampa provides big-city vibes along with beaches and sprawling parks. You’ll fly into Tampa, but a rental car puts you within a 25-minute drive to St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Beach visits are a must while in the region but there are two waterfront activities that are also worth booking: kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. St. Petersburg’s five art museums – including the newest, M useum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement , which opened in 2021– are fun respites in between rounds of golf. Tampa’s historic Ybor City is where you can sample Cuban cuisine and culture. Cigar manufacturers emigrating from Cuba, Italy and Spain founded the neighborhood during the 1880s. Serving Spanish-Cuban cuisine since 1905, Columbia Restaurant is Florida’s oldest restaurant and also hosts a live flamenco show.
The Squeeze course at Cabot Citrus Farms
CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS
NONSTOP CARRIERS: DELTA, JETBLUE
Cape Cod’s beaches and courses are easily within reach via a 90-minute car trip from Boston Logan International Airport, and unlike Nantucket, a ferry or additional flight isn’t needed. Given Cape Cod’s narrow peninsula, most courses flaunt Atlantic Ocean views.
WHERE TO PLAY
Fresh off a transformation that includes widened fairways, enhanced sand bunkers (modeled after Augusta National) and reshaped putting greens, plus a renovated clubhouse and restaurant, The Cape Club in Falmouth is a public 18-hole course that Golf Advisor calls one of New England’s best public courses.
Two 18-hole public courses (Port and Starboard: both very playable as they lack water and deep woods) are at The Captains Golf Course, owned
WHERE TO STAY
SIGHTSEEING
Given that there are 15 towns on the Cape, there are lots of communities to explore. This includes Provincetown’s art galleries, Chatham’s charming downtown and Lighthouse Beach (home to the 19th-century Chatham Lighthouse) and Sandwich – Cape Cod’s oldest town, incorporated in 1639. In Sandwich is the 700acre Shawme-Crowell State Forest , with 15 miles of hiking trails to stretch your legs. The Cape is also home to craft breweries with outdoor seating, such as Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery in Falmouth and an outpost of the renowned Tree House Brewing in Sandwich. For a true vintage experience, The Brewster Store in Brewster dates to 1866 – although the building was built as a church in 1852.
Another must-do activity is a whalewatching cruise, hosted between mid-April and October by quite a few local companies. You can also go on a sportfishing charter ; fish commonly caught in the waters off Cape Cod include bluefin tuna, striped bass, cod and haddock. 2H 20M MKE - BOS
and managed by the town of Brewster. Freemans Grill features an outdoor patio and bowls of clam chowder, and at the 19th hole is the grill’s grab-and-go window serving sandwiches and hot dogs.
In North Truro, Highland Links is among Cape Cod’s oldest golf courses, dating to 1892 and having welcomed both pro and amateur golfers like Francis Ouimet, who in 1913 became the first non-pro to win the U.S. Open, and is considered the “Father of Amateur Golf.”
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster flaunts a private 18-hole course called Troon Privé designed by Nicklaus Design, plus a spa, numerous dining establishments (from a beach bar to Bayzo’s Pub, an English-style pub also serving food like lobster rolls, New England clam chowder, and fish and chips) and the famed Brewster Flats tidal area along its shoreline.
HOUSTON, TEXAS
NONSTOP CARRIER: UNITED
When summer’s heat has faded and temps have cooled, Houston is a great destination for golf aficionados. The region offers a mix of public and private courses: 57 of them within a 15-mile radius of Houston.
WHERE TO PLAY
Champions Golf Club’s 18-hole Cypress Creek in Houston debuted in 1957 and embarked on a redesign by Chet Williams (who designed Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas) in 2018. Then, it hosted the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open. Golf Digest dubs the fourth green among the country’s toughest par-3s.
As a public course, the 800-acre, 36hole Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring – a 30-minute drive north of downtown Houston — boasts two award-winning courses: Tradition, a perennial favorite
WHERE TO STAY
among local golfers; and Cypress, featuring many doglegs and rolling fairways. Both of the 18-hole courses are situated along heavily wooded terrain and two converging creeks.
In a city with a long golf tradition, it’s refreshing to visit a new course such as Highland Pines Golf Club , which opened in 2022 – the first opening here in a decade. It’s on the banks of the San Jacinto River in Porter, and the world’s only club to offer Lazer Zoysia greens, developed by Texas A&M and designed to deliver championship-quality green speeds.
Check into The Woodlands resort, a 350-acre complex with two championship golf courses (North Course, with 18 holes in a wildflower setting and an 18th hole named Houston’s best par-4; and West Course, where the 18th hole is along Lake Harrison) as well as The Woodlands Golf Academy. At the 402-room resort are five restaurants – including Harrison’s, with a hearty breakfast; and Back Table Kitchen & Bar, with local delicacies like fried green tomatoes, Texas corn chowder and blackened redfish.
SIGHTSEEING
For an out of this world experience, check out Space Center Houston at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate museum, including a NASA tram tour of the facilities where astronauts train. Looking for a true Southern sight? Visit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Center, with daily rodeos followed by live concerts.
Dinner out might mean barbecue at Luling City Market , where the same family has been serving brisket, ribs, pecan pie and more since 1981. It’s near Texas’ largest shopping mall ( The Galleria , all indoors), where you’ll find an assortment of different cuisines, including Japanese (Nobu Houston) and winepaired Indian (Musaafer), along with the requisite steakhouse.
Highland Pines Golf Club
Reasons to Fly MKE
MILWAUKEE’S HAVING A MOMENT. In recent years, we’ve boasted an NBA championship-winning team, a major political convention, and even been spotlighted on Bravo’s “Top Chef.” It’s amazing to see our city in the much-deserved spotlight – and one important way to support Milwaukee’s growth is to use our local airport.
Just a single business traveler flying in and out of Milwaukee one time creates an average economic impact of $400 in our community. That’s one piece of the $3 billion in total economic impact and the 18,000 jobs the airport generates.
Every ticket counts! Airlines operate on a use-it-or-loseit basis – if flights are booking up, airlines are much more likely to schedule new nonstops from MKE in the future.
The results are undeniable. Supporting our airport helps it get more flights, generates more jobs and creates an enormous economic impact – all of which help our city shine.
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“Quite simply, I don’t want to have to travel to travel. The ease of getting to and from Milwaukee’s airport is a luxury many airports, particularly O’Hare, don’t have. I can get from my vehicle, through security and to my gate in one-third the time.”
– DALE KOOYENGA, PRESIDENT, METROPOLITAN MILWAUKEE ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCE
DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR
MKE’s more affordable than O’Hare in many ways. Keep these costs in mind when booking your next flight.
DAILY PARKING
• MKE: $17/day
• O’Hare: $42/day
BUS TO O’HARE:
• $76 per adult, roundtrip INTERSTATE TOLLS
• MKE: $0
• O’Hare: $8.60 roundtrip
GAS AT $3.50/GALLON
• MKE: $2.50 roundtrip
• O’Hare: $20.60 roundtrip
2
MILLION
flights land and take off from Milwaukee every day.
vs. ORD – Counting the Real Costs
In a head-to-head comparison, flying out of Milwaukee can save you time and money over Chicago’s O’Hare airport, even with a layover. We chose two destinations – Los Angeles and London –over a seven-day trip to illustrate the point.
4,200
A Standard of Excellence
You can’t beat MKE’s customer service. Literally. In recent years, the airport received two Airports Council International Airport Service Quality awards, recognizing excellence in customer service – one of just 10 airports in the country to merit the honor. The awards recognized MKE for its speedy checkin time, efficient TSA checkpoints, cleanliness, amenities and more. And in 2023, the airport also won the Peggy G. Hereford Award – the highest industry honor for its customer experience, marketing and communications. So if you’re choosing which airport to fly from, it’s really no competition.
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“Whenever I can travel through Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, I do. It is just the right size for easy departures and arrivals. The staff is friendly and helpful. Amenities represent the right variety of choices, and parking prices are still reasonable. Comments from family and guests are always positive about our airport.”
– DR. EVE M. HALL, PRESIDENT & CEO, GREATER MILWAUKEE URBAN LEAGUE
HOW TO LOVE A LAYOVER
To some travelers, “layover” sounds like a curse word, but it can actually be a blessing. Here are a few tips to enjoy your next mid-trip stop:
GIVE THE KIDS A BREAK
All parents know hours and hours on a flight with children isn’t always fun. A layover is a great time for a break. Most airports have small play areas for younger kids to get the wiggles out – and they’ll probably appreciate a snack or two, as well.
MAKE SOME FOODIE FINDS
On your next layover, make a point to patronize a local restaurant at the airport, not just the chains. You might just find a delicious sampling of the city’s fare, like One Flew South in Atlanta International Airport
FIND THE AIRPORT ART
MKE’s not the only airport that’s been adding galleries to its space. Many around the country have added a space for art on display, including The Canyon at Salt Lake City International Airport. Take some time to peruse!
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“We are so lucky to have a low-stress airport that gets most people from their home to their airplane seat in about an hour. I believe we need to support local businesses, and that includes MKE airport.”
– HEATHER LADAGE, MARKET PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER, MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Fueling Up –Dining at MKE
Whether you just need a quick snack or a sit-down meal, here are some of the delicious options at Milwaukee’s airport.
MAIN TERMINAL
Miller Brewhouse: Feast on Wisconsin favorites like fried cheese curds and a butter bacon burger.
MKE Streetside Market: Order fresh-made salads and sandwiches, customize a personal pizza or check out the wide variety of grab-and-go options.
CONCOURSE C
Barons’ Beer Garden: Enjoy a brew, or grab a handheld breakfast or lunch like the maple brioche breakfast sammie or classic cheeseburger.
Pizzeria Piccola: Stop for a pizza baked in the wood-burning oven.
Vino Volo: This restaurant adds some European flair to its sandwiches. Consider the brie and prosciutto sandwich with fresh greens and fig jam.
CONCOURSE D
6
Farmer’s Fridge: Running a little late?
This vending machine stocks fresh salads, bowls and snacks.
Dunkin’: Fuel up for your flight with a signature coffee drink paired with a breakfast sandwich or delicious Dunkin’ donut.
Nonna Bartolotta’s: The Bartolotta Restaurants – Milwaukee’s most prominent fine dining group – brings its standard of excellence to this Italian restaurant.
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“All Milwaukeeans should be flying in and out of MKE. It can help us maintain the flight routes that we currently have, as well as create demand that results in new routes being added. This is our hometown airport, and we should be supporting it and the businesses within it whenever possible.”
– LESLIE JOHNSON, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND EVENT EXPERIENCE, VISIT MILWAUKEE
THE GUIDE
Where We Fly
WINED , DINED & PRE-RECLINED
GO BIG IN THE BIG FRONT SEAT® ON YOUR NEXT FLIGHT FROM MILWAUKEE M RE FLY
Park It!
It’s hard to find an airport with better (or more affordable) parking options than MKE. Here’s what’s on offer
– and why you might not need to pester your friend for a ride after all.
By ARCHER PARQUETTE
12,000 PARKING SPACES FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
Shuttle-accessible and uncovered
SAVER
$11/day
Free shuttle buses come every 5-10 minutes to pick you up at your vehicle and take you to the terminal, 24 hours a day.
Walkable and uncovered
SURFACE
$18/day
This uncovered lot is ideal for tall vehicles and is located right next to the terminal.
Covered and connected to the terminal
DAILY $18/day
Garage, all floors Park on any floor of the airport garage, and be at the security checkpoint in a matter of minutes.
Pick-up or drop-off
HOURLY $2/hour or $27/day
Garage, floors three and four
If you’re making a quick turnaround, hourly parking is completely free up to 30 minutes.
Convenient and fast
VALET $28/day
Reserve Valet Parking on the MKE SmartPark app. The fully insured staff will take care of parking your car in a secure, covered area. When you return, your car will be ready and waiting for you.
MKE Smart-Park App
The MKE SmartPark app is a must if you’re a frequent traveler. Create your account for easy entry and exit, parking reservations, and automatically emailed receipts for your expenses. Each time you park, you earn rewards toward free parking. Use those business trips to build up rewards for your next vacation!
Uber and Lyft With Ease
Ever been to an airport that makes you trek through terminals, up one elevator, down another, and across a parking garage just to get an Uber? Not MKE. Just head to baggage claim and step outside. Look for the Uber and Lyft logos at the passenger pickup zone and order your ride – easy as that!
Free Motorcycle Parking
Motorcycles and bikes park for free at MKE. (That should come as no surprise in the city of Harley-Davidson.)
Just pull up to the reserved, covered area across from baggage claim 4.
Jump Starts at No Charge
If you run into car trouble, the airport provides a complimentary jump start, flat-tire service and wayfinding assistance to help you out.
Electric Car Charging
Daily Parking and Saver Parking offer convenient electric car charging for $5 per charge.
Images: By Getty Images
Your Insider’s Guide
TO MILWAUKEE MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Whether you’re a regular globetrotter or a first-time flyer, MKE has what you need for an enjoyable travel experience.
By EVAN MUSIL
ART AT THE AIRPORT
Before taking off, take in some culture. A new exhibition space in Concourse D showcases local creatives from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design to the many passengers traveling through MKE.
LEND A HAND
The airport sees millions of travelers each year, some of whom need assistance. That’s where MKE’s trusty team of information desk volunteers come in. They greet travelers, provide directions, assist with lost-andfound and give guests the lowdown on restaurants, hotels and more. If you’d enjoy the opportunity to help travelers in need, you can sign up to become a volunteer by emailing info@mitchellairport.com
NURSING NECESSITY
The airport provides nursing moms with quiet, private places to pump and breastfeed. Each spot has seating for two, stroller space, a mirror and multiple outlets for charging devices.
PLAY AROUND
Flying with kids? Burn off some energy before boarding at two aviation-themed play areas. And the big windows have some cool airfield views! Help keep them occupied onboard with a book or two from Renaissance Books. Located in the main terminal, it offers a well stocked kids section.
COAT HANGAR
During the winter, you can’t go anywhere in Milwaukee, including the airport, without a hefty coat. Before heading to the beach, shed the
parka at MKE’s coat check located at the Summerfest Marketplace store from November to April. At $2 per day and a max charge of $10, you’ll save precious carry-on space without hurting your wallet.
PRECHECK THIS OUT
Want to avoid long security lines? Enroll in TSA PreCheck, the Trusted Traveler program that speeds up the screening process. Now, you don’t even need to wait for an appointment to sign up. MKE offers quick walk-in enrollments at the CLEAR kiosks in the main terminal seven days a week, from 6 a.m.6 p.m. And if you’re still looking to save some minutes, you can pre-enroll online.
ACCESSIBLE ANYWHERE
Everyone travels, so MKE Airport is designed to be inclusive. Along with wheelchair assistance, Braille signage and more, the airport also accommodates through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. Ask for a sunflower lanyard at an information desk (no questions asked!) – it lets employees at MKE and other airports know you might need extra assistance on your journey.
PEACEFUL PLACE
Traveling can be stressful. For those seeking respite, the MKE Meditation Room offers a silent spot for prayer, worship or simply a place to take a moment to breathe. Inspirational words like “Compassion” and “Joy” adorn the walls. You can find the room on the third floor of the parking structure near the entrance to the main airport terminal.
PHOTOS: By Getty Images (Girl with Suitcase)
PLAN YOUR WINTER ESCAPE
