Cleveland/Chicago/Milwaukee July 9-14, 2014

Finally getting around to posting a quick summary of my 2014 trip. Two nights in Cleveland. Stayed at the Hilton Garden right across the street from the stadium. Was able to catch the rail from the airport to Tower City Center station downtown. Was able to see 2 night games vs The Yanks during the stay. With the free time on day 2 I visited the Rock n Roll HOF that morning and rented a car and drove down to Canton and visited the Pro Football HOF that afternoon. Spent about 2 1/2 hours at each Hall. Took the Mega Bus to Chicago on day 3. Got there just in time to check in at the Days Inn Lincoln Park before game. I walked to Wrigley (1 mile) for the 3:00 game vs the Braves. Was seated just in time for the National Anthem. Great seat about 11 rows behind the plate. Used the red line (about 4 blocks from hotel) for the rest of the Wrigley commutes. Had a ticket for the rooftops on day 4 in Chicago. I was at 1038 Waveland. It was somewhere around $150 all-inclusive. Had a good time. Kicked around downtown during my free time. Sox were away. Took Amtrak Union Station to Milwaukee for a 1 night stay there and got there in time for the 1:00 Sunday game with Cardinals. Was able to do early check-in at the Ambassador Hotel before the game. Not a good place for walking the neighborhood but it was a nice hotel with bar and restaurant and they had a great shuttle service that would take you anywhere you wanted to go. Had time for Harley Davidson Museum after game. Took the Miller Brewery Tour right before the Monday flight home. Had originally planned the trip to conclude at the all star game in Minnesota but deleted that leg for various reasons right before finalizing bookings for the trip. Trying to put together 6 night trip to LA/SF for 2015.

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Comment by Tom MacDonald on January 22, 2015 at 8:46am: Buddy, sounds like a great trip. Those are all great parks. If you go back to Milwaukee and want to do another brewery tour, try Lakefront Brewery. Easily the best brewery tour I've ever experienced. Lots of fun. I've also stayed at that Days Inn in chitown. Super convenient for seeing a game at Wrigley. You are lucky you got to experience the park this summer as they are spending 500 mil on renovations this off season and the park will certainly look different come 2015 season. Good on you. Enjoy your trips this upcoming season.

Comment by Buddy on January 19, 2015 at 7:34pm: I really enjoyed Chicago. Wrigley is up there with Fenway as my fav park experience so far. I liked Miller as far as new parks go. Got to see the game with roof closed and open. Good concessions. Yes I think it's good to do the all star game full experience when it's in your home park. Will cost a little but it's a once a lifetime event. I'm going to follow the Braves to LA, SF and AZ late May early June. Will finish it up at the Grand Canyon. A little earlier in the summer than what I would prefer but that's what I came up with. Been googling up plans for about 4 weeks now. Thanks for your comments Lisa!

Comment by Lisa (21) on January 19, 2015 at 6:37am: Sounds like a pretty good trip! We were in the same neck of the woods for 2014, but the week after the all star game. July 18th drove to Chicago for the day, went to Millennium park, Lincoln park zoo, Lincoln beach, and white sox game that night vs Astros. Chicago was beautiful and had so much to offer. Cubbies were out of town. We could've stayed another day or two but the next day drove to Minneapolis, went to MOA for a couple of hours, wasn't much in the mood to shop, so went back to hotel to lounge before taking in the Twins vs Rays that night. The next day we packed up and drove to Milwaukee. Along the way we stopped at the Leinenkugals Lodge and sampled some beer. It was the first time we ever tried their beer and we were both instantly hooked! It's now a regular in our fridge at home. Once in Milwaukee we ate the Safe House Restaurant, which was a great experience. Next day was Monday we did the jelly belly tour, and the Reds vs Brewers that night. I found great seats on stubhub back in Jan already, $50 per ticket to sit 9 rows behind home plate. Probably the closest I've ever sat behind home. They make a great bloody mary that comes with a whole beef stick in it! Food and drink! Next day we drove back home.
For 2015, not sure if we'll hit a new park or not. Our home park is Cincy, and with the All Star game being there this year we are hoping to score some tickets and experience that for the first time. I have a feeling that's going to be as pricy. Thanks for sharing your experience. It's great to hear what others are experiencing.