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CONTENTS
In 2026, Milwaukee’s Airport celebrates 100 years of welcoming travelers.
2 LETTERS
Learn why supporting Mitchell Airport makes sense, from the Airport Director and the Milwaukee County Executive.
4
100 YEARS OF FLIGHT
Milwaukee’s Airport started as not much more than a patch of land in 1926. Find out how it grew into what it is today.
10 WEEKEND GETAWAYS
You’re just an easy nonstop flight away from an amazing weekend at one of these destinations.
16
NATIONAL PARKS
Explore some of our country’s most scenic parks, from Florida to the Southwest.
20 THE GUIDE
Parking tips, accessibility options, airport amenities and other info you need.
Welcome!
Welcome to the 2026 edition of Now Boarding. This year, we celebrate Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport’s 100th anniversary. While we look back on our fascinating history, we also look ahead, offering inspiration for a variety of trips, all of which begin with nonstop flights from right here in Milwaukee. 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. So turn the page and learn more about your hometown airport. And when it comes time to book your next flight, make MKE your starting point!
MKE is your connection to the world. Our airlines offer nonstop service to more than 30 places across North America. We also have easy one-stop connections to hundreds of great destinations around the world. We appreciate the more than 6 million travelers who choose MKE each year, and our airlines have responded by adding more service to more places, including our recent additions to Austin and San Diego. We are continuously improving your travel experience with new amenities and food/ beverage options, including locally owned Central Standard Distillery! Thank you for choosing to fly through our hometown MKE Airport. Smooth travels!
Brian Dranzik, A.A.E. AIRPORT DIRECTOR
When you fly from MKE, you are doubling down on our hometown. You are keeping more dollars in our community. You are supporting local jobs. And you are making it easier for airlines to add service here. That’s right –you play an active role in helping to create demand for more flights. And, when you choose MKE, you know you’re going to have an outstanding experience. Convenient parking, great amenities and lots of nonstop flights make it easy to get to your destination. And it’s even easier to get back home when you return. So, the next time you travel by air, I invite you to fly from MKE. That’s exactly what I do every time. Thank you for choosing MKE.
Digital Editions are available at mitchellairport.com/nowboarding
Time off, well spent.
Time off, well spent.
A second coffee. An evening swim. A day that unfolds instead of unravels.
A second coffee. An evening swim. A day that unfolds instead of unravels.
With low fares and nonstop flights from Milwaukee to beach towns, desert air, and bright-city nights, it’s never been easier to trade routine for something worth remembering. Plan your winter getaway at suncountry.com .
With low fares and nonstop flights from Milwaukee to beach towns, desert air, and bright-city nights, it’s never been easier to trade routine for something worth remembering. Plan your winter getaway at suncountry.com .
A TIMELINE OF MILWAUKEE’S AIRPORT 100 YEARS of FLIGHT
5,
. 20,
BY TEA KRULOS
1929-38: Despite the Great Depression, commercial aviation grows quickly. The number of passengers nationwide rose from 6,000 in 1929 to 1.2 million in 1938. To accommodate demand, a new hangar that served as an operating base for Northwest Airlines is built in 1931. In 1937, Pennsylvania Central Airlines (later Capital Airlines) begins offering flights from Mitchell to Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Oct .
1926 : Milwaukee County purchases Hamilton Airport, a private airfield owned by local entrepreneur and aviator Thomas F. Hamilton, and renames it Milwaukee County Airport.
Jan. 5, 1928: Northwest Airways begins air service from Milwaukee to Chicago, and to the Twin Cities in July.
Aug
1927: The Airport gets a visit from famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, who was traveling the country to celebrate his completion of the first transatlantic flight.
July
March 17,
Aug.
Jan. 4, 1945: The
Department leases part of the airport to hold over 3,000 German prisoners of war monitored by 250 enlisted personnel at what was called Camp
The
remains until the last 12 prisoners are transferred on April 1,
1, 1940: A new two-story passenger terminal building opens on Layton Avenue.
U.S. War
Billy Mitchell.
camp
1946.
1941: The airport is renamed General Mitchell Field after Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell (1879-1936), an Army officer with Milwaukee roots who led air divisions in World War I and had a major role in the creation of the United States Air Force.
2, 1946: The 128th Air Refueling Wing is allocated to the Wisconsin Air National Guard, establishing a base at the Airport, where the unit remains today.
A CENTURY AGO, WHAT IS NOW MILWAUKEE MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MKE) BECAME PART OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF FLIGHT.
THIS PIONEERING PERIOD of aviation history lasted from the end of World War I, when surplus military airplanes were repurposed for commercial flights, to the beginning of World War II and saw massive growth in an industry that revolutionized transportation. The Air Mail Act of 1925 helped establish routes for delivery planes, and the following year, the Air Commerce Act established safety rules and regulations for commercial flights. These protocols led to rapid change and expansion in air travel, and Milwaukee was an important part of those early, turbulent days. In 1919, Milwaukee County established its first airfield, named Butler Airport, where Currie Park in Wauwatosa is today.
“At that time, air travel was just beginning to be known in the consciousness of the public, and Milwaukee wanted to get in on the ground floor of that,” explains Bill Streicher, former longtime president of the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, the 24-hour museum inside the main terminal at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Alfred Lawson – a former professional baseball player for the Boston Beaneaters – operated South Milwaukee’s Lawson Airplane Co. He manufactured the Lawson Airliner, and in 1919 launched his new plane at Butler Airport, marking Milwaukee’s first commercial flight. The two-pilot biplane stopped in Washington, D.C., and New York, carrying 16 passengers.
County officials quickly realized that their new airport was too small – and boxed in by the Menomonee River and train tracks. After considering several expansion sites, the county bought a private airfield south of Downtown owned by another innovative aviator, Thomas Hamilton, proprietor of the Hamilton Metalplane Co. Butler Airport was shut down and Hamilton Airport
Hamilton Airport, the future home of Milwaukee Mitchell International, 1926.
Right: Charles Lindbergh’s “Spirit of St. Louis” visiting Milwaukee’s Airport, 1927.
was renamed Milwaukee County Airport on Oct. 6, 1926.
This was the birth of what is now Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. A century ago, the airport was little more than a single grass runway surrounded by fields with an old farmhouse that acted as a terminal, but there was plenty of space to grow.
Across the country, only about 6,000 people traveled by air in 1929, but as planes improved and ticket prices dropped, over 1.2 million were flying less than a decade later in 1938. “Early aviation in the Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin area closely paralleled and influenced the rapid advances in aviation and air travel nationally,” Streicher explains.
In 1927, with the industry expanding, the city of Milwaukee built its own separate airport – Maitland Field (named after Milwaukeean Lester Maitland, who flew the first transpacific flight from California to Hawaii) on the shore of Lake Michigan. But it was short-lived. Strong lake winds often made flights difficult, and Maitland closed in the mid-1950s. It was repurposed as a Nike missile site before becoming grounds for the Summerfest music festival in the ’70s.
Northwest Airlines, headquartered near Minneapolis, began to operate the first regularly scheduled commercial flights at Mil-
Above:
A Mitchell B-25 bomber is restored and donated by the Wisconsin Air National Guard and the Mitchell Field Rotary Club. The plane, named after Gen. Milwaukee enters the jet age with Northwest’s Boeing 720B aircraft.
July 22, 1955: The passenger terminal moves to Howell Avenue with the completion of a three-concourse, two-level structure with 23 gates. The $3.2 million project forms the core of the Airport’s present terminal complex.
(Note the shape of the roadway – a beer bottle, perfect for MKE.)
waukee County Airport in 1927, connecting Milwaukee to Chicago and the Twin Cities. Those early flights brought air travel to more Milwaukeeans, but they were bumpy rides. Northwest flew Hamilton Metalplane’s H-45 and H-47 single-propeller crafts, some of the first metal airliners. They looked like corrugated tin boxes with wings and seated just six passengers. Pressurized cabins wouldn’t come along until the late 1930s, so these planes flew low and often hit intense turbulence.
Technology developed rapidly and by the late 1930s, passengers were flying in planes like the Douglas DC-3, which could fly about 20-30 passengers faster and in comfort.
To accommodate this growth, the Works Progress Administration helped fund construction of a new two-story brick passenger
Mitchell, an innovator of military aviation. “General Mitchell is not only considered to be the father of the modern U.S. Air Force but was also a tireless advocate of civilian aviation,” Streicher says. “He’s certainly a fitting namesake for Milwaukee’s major airport.” In addition to Mitchell, Streicher adds that Southeastern Wisconsin has “been associated with a cross section of people who are notable aviation pioneers, trailblazers, leaders, pilots, astronauts and visionaries.”
By the 1950s, passengers were able to fly further on planes like the Boeing 707, which held around 150-200 passengers. Growth only accelerated in the commercial airline industry as it entered the jet age and looked to fill demand to travel to newly accessible destinations – and Milwaukee’s airport began to look a little more like what we know today. It expanded its footprint from 163 to 1,500 acres, and a new three-concourse, twolevel terminal along Howell Avenue with 23 gates was completed at a cost of $3.2 million in 1955.
Another wave of renovation and expansion happened in the mid-1980s, when the Airport was renamed General Mitchell International Airport, reflecting the expanded reach of its flights. Larger ticketing, baggage and terminal storefront areas were added, along with a new air traffic control tower completed in 1986. And in the 1990s, Concourse D, with 16 additional gates, and a new 2,250-space parking structure addition were built.
In the subsequent decades, the Airport has continued to expand and evolve. An Amtrak station was added in 2005, and in 2008, the Airport installed what might be its most beloved feature – the “Recombobulation Area” signs after security checkpoints.
The Airport was rechristened Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in 2019 and was recognized as one of the best airports in the world by Airports Council International in both 2021 and 2022.
“A hundred years ago, MKE was just a 165-acre property with sod turf runways along Layton Avenue,” Streicher says. Today, the Airport’s steady expansion has grown it to more than 2,300 acres, accommodating over 6 million passengers and 100,000 flights every year. Streicher adds that the Airport continues to develop today, with a new air cargo facility being built at the south end of the airfield near College Avenue and a renovated E Concourse. “There’s a lot of activity with renovation and new construction, and I can only foresee that continuing on into the future.”
Sept. 7, 1985: An expanded and renovated main terminal opens, and the Airport is renamed General Mitchell International Airport. A new FAA Air Traffic Control tower opens in 1986.
Above: Milwaukee’s new passen ger terminal on Layton Avenue, 1940. The Airport’s new parking structure includes new skywalks, 1980s.
1970s: A forerunner to the Milwaukee Air & Water Show, the Berndt Buick Milwaukee Air Show, organized by car dealership owner Lee Berndt, takes place at Mitchell for several years. Berndt also founded the International Council of Air Shows.
Sept. 4, 1964: The Beatles touch down at Mitchell for their only Wisconsin appearance. Hundreds of fans arrive to catch a glimpse of them, but the police aren’t in the mood to deal with Beatlemania, so they arrange to have the plane land away from the disappointed crowd and shuttle the Fab Four out a back exit. Paul McCartney calls it “a dirty trick” at a press conference.
1966: Mitchell accommodates nearly 1.1 million travelers, the first time it serves over a million passengers in a year.
SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN’S AVIATION HISTORY IS ON DISPLAY AT MITCHELL GALLERY OF FLIGHT
ONE OF MKE’S UNIQUE FEATURES is the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, a museum in the main terminal that is free and open to the public 24/7. The museum was a vision of local aviation historian George Hardie Jr., who spoke to the county about showcasing the aviation history of Southeastern Wisconsin. After a couple of years of fundraising, the Friends of the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, a volunteer organization, opened the museum doors in 1988. In 2020, the terminal was remodeled and the museum moved to its current location.
Bill Streicher from the Mitchell Gallery of Flight helps oversee the museum displays of local aviation pioneers, dating back to John G. Kaminski, who became Wisconsin’s first licensed pilot in 1912. Paintings show the progression of the
airport from 1926 into the ’50s, with new buildings and runways, populated by increasingly large, aerodynamic airplanes.
There are also artifacts related to airport namesake Brig. Gen. William Mitchell, who lived in West Allis, and late pilot and astronaut James Lovell, who grew up in Milwaukee, as well as dozens of other aviators and companies from the region who have had an impact on the flight industry.
Streicher says the museum is “always looking for new things and different areas to dig into,” and cites as an example a more recent addition to the museum: a display honoring Lt. Alfred Gorham, Wisconsin’s only member of World War II’s Tuskegee Airmen, that was added in 2020.
As we head into Milwaukee Airport’s 100th year, here are a few highlights from the Mitchell Gallery of Flight’s collection:
Dec. 12, 1990: The “hammerhead” section of Concourse D with 16 additional gates is added, along with a 2,250-space parking structure addition.
A SCRAP OF SWEETHEART
Framed here is a piece of rudder fabric from Sweetheart, a 1912 Curtiss Pusher plane owned and flown by John G. Kaminski (18931960), who became Wisconsin’s first licensed pilot when he was just 18. He earned the qualification, in part, by flying two sets of figure eights. Just down the hall from the museum is a replica of a similar Curtiss Pusher, hanging from the ceiling above the information desk.
Jan. 18, 2005: The Airport’s Amtrak passenger rail station opens, making MKE one of just four airports in the country to have Amtrak service.
1988: The Mitchell Gallery of Flight opens.
July 30, 1999: The U.S. Post Office commemorates Gen. Mitchell with a postage stamp.
June-July 1988: Cleveland-set baseball comedy Major League is filmed in Milwaukee, including a scene at the Airport, when the players arrive for spring training.
PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM MITCHELL
“I can remember this painting being on display in the terminal building when I was growing up. It was in the ticketing area,” Bill Streicher says of this portrait of airport namesake Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell (1879-1936), completed in 1958. “Luckily it survived all this time.”
Mitchell was the son of a Wisconsin senator. He was born in France but grew up in West Allis and went on to serve in the Army Signal Corps in Alaska and the Philippines in the early 1900s.
“He actually paid for his own flying lessons and became one of the first military aviators in the Army,” Streicher says. During World War I, Mitchell led the Joint Aviation Military Forces in Europe. An advocate of military air power, he promoted the idea that airplanes alone could sink a battleship, a theory that was later put to the test and conclusively proven in World War II.
“Milwaukee was very proud of the fact that he was from here,” Streicher says. “That’s why the County Board decided in 1941 that they would name the Milwaukee County Airport after him.”
Other items related to Mitchell on display include his ceremonial sword, his musette bag (and a hand-scrawled grocery list found inside it), a model of his DH-4 Osprey aircraft, and photos.
2008: The Airport’s famous “Recombobulation Area” signs are installed to help travelers reassemble themselves after passing through the security checkpoint.
SPACE FLASHLIGHT
Born in Cleveland, James A. Lovell moved to Milwaukee with his family, graduating from Juneau High School before attending UW-Madison and joining the Navy as a pilot in the 1950s. He was later selected as an astronaut for NASA’s Gemini and Apollo programs. Lovell was one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the moon on Apollo 8 in 1968. He commanded the Apollo 13 mission two years later.
Streicher says Lovell, who recently
2021-22: The Airport is twice recognized as one of the best airports in the world by Airports Council International.
LT. ALFRED M. GORHAM DISPLAY
Lt. Alfred M. Gorham (1920-2009) was the only Wisconsinite who was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black fighter pilots serving with the famed “Red Tails” 332nd Fighter Group in World War II. Gorham, who was raised in Waukesha, flew 61 combat missions.
“He had some mechanical trouble over southern Germany in February of 1945, crash-landed and was one of 34 Tuskegee Airmen who became German prisoners of war,” Streicher says. “After the war, he was repatriated and came back to Wisconsin.”
When he returned home, he worked at AC Spark Plug in Oak Creek for 40 years. Gorham passed away in 2009 and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery. His family was at the Mitchell Gallery of Flight for the unveiling of the exhibit honoring his service when the museum reopened in 2020.
passed away at age 97 and lived in a suburb of Chicago, was “very supportive” of the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, advising them on details of a model they made of the Apollo 13 mission, and loaning the museum several items, including this flashlight that was on board the Apollo 8 mission, which launched Dec. 21, 1968.
“In one of the movies they took in the spacecraft’s cabin, floating weightless, they flip this flashlight at the camera,” Streicher says. “It was either that flashlight or one like it that was carried on the mission.”
Sept. 16, 2025: MKE kicks off redevelopment of Concourse E, which will include two flexible-use gates capable of handling both domestic and international arrivals and departures.
Feb. 27, 2025: Ground is broken on a new 337,000-square-foot air cargo facility.
6,
February 2019: The airport is renamed Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Oct.
2026: MKE Airport celebrates 100 years of connecting Milwaukee to the world.
WEEKEND Getaways
Take a nonstop flight from MKE to one of these vibrant destinations for a quick vacation filled with things to do.
Solo: Join in on a food tour with Bites of Boston, a local company that offers three-hour guided tours of various neighborhoods.
Couples: Cruise the Charles River at sunset, cocktail in hand, via the Charles River Boat Co.
Families: The Boston Children’s Museum is the second-oldest children’s museum in the country, and is open Wednesday through Sunday in the winter and daily in the summer.
HIGHLY REGARDED FOR ITS walkability, Boston is equally lauded for its rich history and charming neighborhoods. Check into The Liberty Hotel, a Beacon Hill property that once housed the Charles Street Jail. Or splurge and reserve a room with sweeping views of Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S., at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston (Downtown)
After check-in, venture to the city’s Fort Point neighborhood, home to one of New England’s largest artist communities. Pop into a gallery or two, and then unwind with a world-class IPA or handcrafted cocktail at Trillium Brewing on Thomson Place. For dinner, the ever-posh Row 34 is just two blocks away and offers a seafood-heavy menu. (This is Boston, after all.) Start with a plat-
ter of local oysters, and then order a lobster roll, which is served one of two ways – either “creamy” or doused in warm butter. Top off your day with a nightcap at Alibi, a trendy bar and lounge located on the first floor of The Liberty Hotel.
The best way to properly tour the city, one could argue, is via the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile walking trail that connects 16 historic sites. You’ll need to fuel up for the day, though, so first head to Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, located on Charles Street, for breakfast in the cafe’s quaint – and utterly charming – outdoor garden. The Freedom Trail begins nearby, in Boston Common. Sidewalk markers and a red brick trail connect each historic site to the next – from the Old State House to Paul Revere’s home to the Old North Church – weaving through downtown Boston, The North End and Charlestown. You’ll pass Boston Public Market and the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, so take advantage of their proximity and shop goods by local makers or enjoy tasty fare. Those hoping for deeper art immersion should cross town to the Fenway neighborhood and visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a manageable yet remarkably impressive museum that houses European, Asian and American art. Return to The North
End, aka Boston’s Little Italy, for dinner at Mamma Maria, which serves refined Italian cuisine in a 19th-century rowhouse.
Begin your final day early and grab a quick bite at one of Tatte Bakery & Cafe’s locations. No trip to Boston is complete without a visit to Fenway Park , baseball’s oldest active big league ballpark, which offers tours year-round. Or pop in to Bleacher Bar, a sports bar inside the famed Green Monster wall. End your trip with a stroll along the Charles River Esplanade, and during the warmer months, take in the views (and a meal) at one of the park’s popup beer gardens, which often feature a local food truck or two.
Row 34
Kansas City (MCI)
A SHORT FLIGHT FROM MKE, Kansas City is perhaps best known for its worldclass barbecue and sports teams, but its Midwestern hospitality makes it a desirable destination, too. The city is rather spread out, but the Crossroads Hotel offers a chic, centrally located respite in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, a creative enclave. For a more affordable stay, reserve a room at The Truitt, a boutique hotel nestled within the Historic Country Club Plaza District. Ease into your weekend getaway by exploring the surrounding neighborhoods. The Crossroads Arts District hosts First Friday in the Crossroads, a community-wide event that showcases artists of all mediums on the first Friday of the month, and The Truitt is just steps away from the NelsonAtkins Museum of Art , known for its large collection of Asian art. Reserve a table at Lidia’s, a
KC institution, for dinner and indulge in a heaping bowl of house-made pasta. Cap off your evening with a seasonal cocktail at nearby Tom’s Town Distilling , or visit the distillery’s new speakeasy, The Vault , which debuted in 2025.
Skip breakfast and instead graze your way through City Market, an open-air market filled with produce stands, import grocers and local merchants. Snack on Italian pastries and fresh fruit, and pop into nearby Dutch Flowers for gifts galore. For a dash of history, visit The National WWI Museum and Memorial, and take the elevator to Liberty Memorial Tower’s open-air observation deck, which boasts views of the Kansas City skyline. You’d be remiss not to delight in KCstyle barbecue. Both Arthur Bryant’s and Gate’s BBQ are highly
regarded spots; or consider booking a proper food tour. If barbecue isn’t your thing, dine at The Antler Room, a cozy small-plates eatery and foodie favorite. A nod to the city’s rich jazz music history, The Phoenix hosts a jazzy brunch every Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fill up on eggs Florentine or country-fried steak while listening to live music, and then round out your getaway with a self-guided tour of the American Jazz Museum Solo: Enjoy live music at Knuckleheads, an open-air venue in Northeast Kansas City that welcomes both local acts and bigname gigs.
Couples: Take in a symphony show at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Families: The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is home to more than 10,000 animals.
NONSTOP CARRIER: Southwest FLIGHT TIME: 1h 30min
RENT A CAR: Necessary
National WWI Museum
The Truitt
The Antler Room
PHOTOS: BY ANNA PETROW (THE TRUITT), JIN LEE (9/11 MUSEUM); COURTESY OF DESTINATIONS
Solo: Browse art galleries – and converse with both art aficionados and novices alike – in the Chelsea or Dumbo neighborhoods.
Couples: Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset and enjoy views of the Manhattan skyline and East River.
Families: See dinosaur skeletons and a 94-foot-long blue whale model at the American Museum of Natural History.
New York City (JFK, LGA, EWR)
NONSTOP CARRIER: Delta (to JFK and La Guardia), United (to Newark )
FLIGHT TIME: 2h 10min
RENT A CAR: Not Necessary
IT’S NO SECRET THAT New York City is an epicenter of art, culture and cuisine, and although a weekend’s stay is nowhere near enough time to see all of the city’s sights, it is possible to sufficiently capture the undeniable magic of New York City in two days’ time. For a quintessentially New York stay, book a Central Park-facing room at The Plaza Hotel, or reserve a room downtown at the decidedly chic Public Hotel, an Ian Schrager property.
Your Friday afternoon and evening itinerary is reserved for a taste of Old New York. Begin at the Metropolitan Museum of Art – better known as The Met – and visit the newly reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, which
houses the museum’s collections of the arts of Africa, the ancient Americas and Oceania. After your visit, head to midtown and sip a well-deserved cocktail at the storied King Cole Bar, located within The St. Regis New York, before dining nearby at The Polo Bar, a restaurant by Ralph Lauren. The vibe is classic New York. Begin your day downtown with brunch at Tartine, a cozy French
bistro in the heart of the city’s West Village. Stroll a few blocks west to Bleecker Street and engage in retail therapy at both well-established brands and up-and-coming boutiques, or pop into the long-beloved Murray’s Cheese and chat with a resident cheesemonger. Continue further downtown and visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Next, take the J train to Williamsburg, and snack on local bites and flavors at Smorgasburg, an open-air food market every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., April through October, in Marsha P. Johnson State Park. (The views of the Manhattan skyline from the park can’t be beat.) Return to your hotel to refresh and recharge, as the evening brings a trendy night out. Reserve a table at Corner Bar, a celeb favorite, in the Lower East Side, and nosh on beef tartare and grilled branzino. Hop on the F train and end your evening with laughter at Greenwich Village’s Comedy Cellar, where noted comedians are known to drop in for an impromptu set. Saturday night shows are $25.
Grab a to-go bagel and schmear from Ess-aBagel in Midtown, then venture north to must-visit Central Park . Rent bikes to maximize sightseeing efficiency, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll. Dine on lighter fare – in this case, Japanese sushi – at Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill near Columbus Circle before your departure, knowing you’ll no doubt be back.
The Plaza Hotel
Comedy Cellar
9/11 Museum
Charlotte (CLT)
NONSTOP CARRIER: American FLIGHT TIME: 2h 5min RENT A CAR: Necessary
BEST KNOWN AS the Queen City, Charlotte is North Carolina’s most populous urban center, pairing Southern charm with a thriving arts and culture scene and a host of outdoor experiences.
Check into the JW Marriott Charlotte, a newish – and very posh – property that boasts a rooftop bar, or stay at The Ivey’s Hotel, a swanky boutique hotel in Uptown. Head to Camp North End, a former car factory and
military depot that is now home to food stalls, public art installations and shops. Beer is big in Charlotte, so imbibe on a craft brew as you browse, and then return to Uptown for dinner at Church & Union, a trendy eatery by “Top Chef” alum Jamie Lynch. Sophia’s Lounge, a moody cocktail lounge, is just next door, so end your night there, craft libation in hand. Kick off your Saturday one of two ways: with cars or modern art. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is packed with interactive exhibits, while the Bechtler
Solo: Book a cooking class at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen, and learn how to serve up Southern classics.
Couples: Rent kayaks and paddle Lake Norman, North Carolina’s largest manmade lake.
Families: Discovery Place and its four museums provide immersive experiences – in nature, science and design –for all ages.
Museum of Modern Art features works from the Bechtler family’s personal collection, which they began amassing in the 1950s. Fill up on local fare at Optimist Hall, which boasts more than 20 food stalls, before whitewater rafting at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, home to the world’s largest manmade whitewater river. In the winter months, the frozen upper pond of the river is converted into a skating rink. Forgo a traditional sit-down dinner and instead reserve a spot on the Charlotte Original Brew Tour
The tour starts at 5:30 p.m., and includes four craft brewery stops, a beer-pairing meal and roundtrip transportation.
For an unfussy yet still undeniably tasty breakfast, head to Uptown Yolk , where the menu pairs Southern favorites like fried chicken and shrimp and grits with more classic fare. Then, drive about 20 miles west of downtown, to the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. The property’s Garden Pavilion promises 90 acres of plant life, and The Farmhouse Garden Center, which just debuted this year and is filled with plants, gardening tools and gifts, is a destination, too.
Discovery Place Science
Fort Myers (RSW)
NONSTOP CARRIERS: Southwest, Sun Country FLIGHT TIME: 2h 50min
RENT A CAR: Necessary
A PERENNIAL SNOWBIRD FAVORITE, Fort Myers is a golfer’s and beach-lover’s paradise, and the gateway to nearby Sanibel and Captiva islands. The city was struck hard by Hurricane Ian in 2022, but community members and local businesses have worked diligently to repair and rebuild the beloved coastal town. Beachfront lodging is the obvious – and most desirable – choice, and the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina is located directly on Fort Myers Beach. Just north, in Punta Rassa, the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa offers waterfront views and spa amenities.
Begin your getaway with a brief trip inland – to the Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. A 1.2-mile boardwalk weaves throughout the 3,500-plus-acre preserve.
Return to the coast for a seafood-packed dinner at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, a local favorite on San Carlos Island. (There’s a location on Sanibel Island, too.)
Wake early on Saturday and enjoy all that coastal life has to offer. Drive to Lovers Key State Park , once only reachable by boat, and unwind on sugar-sand beaches, or rent bicycles on Sanibel Island and take advantage of the 25 miles of paved bike paths. Keep lunch light, and then head to the Fort Myers River District, a hub of activity. Tour the
Solo: Learn about the history and hauntings of Fort Myers via a True Tours historical walking tour.
Couples: Book an evening tiki cruise with Gulf Coast Tiki Tours and Yacht Charters and enjoy a signature Gulf Coast sunset.
Families: From December through March, when the gulf’s temperature dips, view endangered Florida manatees at Manatee Park.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates, the historic homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, or visit the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and peruse the galleries. For some refined dinner fare, reserve a table at The Veranda, and order the Southern Sampler – a mixed grill of fresh fish, Gulf shrimp and sea scallops. End your evening with a nightcap at Beacon Social Drinkery, a rooftop lounge. You’d be remiss not to experience the area’s waterways up close, and Kayak Excursions offers a 3-hour Guided Eco Tour, departing from Pelican Bay. Spot wildlife as you paddle through mangrove tunnels.
On your way back to the airport, stop by Southern Fresh Farms , an agro-tourism farm, for farm-to-table snacks and an IPA or lager from Crazy Dingo Brewing , an on-site local brewery. Plus, kiddos can feed the farm animals for just $1 per cup of food.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Imagine boarding a plane at Mitchell International Airport in the morning and falling asleep under the stars at a national park that evening. Thanks to convenient nonstop flights from Milwaukee, a vacation to these scenic spots is easier than you think. Less travel time means more hours spent immersed in nature, making some of these trips doable for just a jaunt or a longer exploration.
BY KRISTINE HANSEN
NATIONAL PARKS
FLORIDA
FLY TO MIAMI
(American: 3h 30min)
THREE DESTINATIONS: Biscayne, Dry Tortugas and Everglades national parks
IF YOU LIKE A TROPICAL ISLAND VIBE and dig snorkeling, then Florida’s national parks are your ideal vacation destinations. At two parks – Biscayne and Dry Tortugas, both only accessible by boat – layer a bathing suit or swim trunks underneath your clothes, so you’re ready to take a dip at a moment’s notice. Bicyclists love the five paved trails at Everglades National Park, the country’s largest tropical wilderness.
Biscayne National Park
From Miami’s airport, you’re only a 45-minute drive from Biscayne’s shoreline visitor center – your launch point to explore the park’s 42 islands. The largest, Elliott Key, is open to campers and hikers. Boca Chita Key is the most visited island, marked by an iconic lighthouse built nearly a century ago. Want an expert to show you the best of the park? Book a guided day trip with the Biscayne National Park Institute. They depart daily from the visitor center – you can paddle your way through mangroves, snorkel by the coral reefs, sail or fish. You can also dive or snorkel among six shipwrecks along the Maritime Heritage Trail. And history buffs may want to pay a visit to Stiltsville, a community of 1930s homes perched above the water on, as the name suggests, stilts.
Dry Tortugas National Park
If you want the experience of a remote island, Dry Tortugas National Park is the place. Seventy miles from Key West and 98% water, this is one of the most secluded national parks – and as a result, one of the least crowded. An archipelago of seven islands with coral reefs, Dry Tortugas is about a four-hour drive from Miami International Airport, then a 2-hour-15-minute ride aboard the Yankee Freedom passenger-only ferry ($235 roundtrip) or a quick connecting flight to Key West Airport. Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular activities, especially with the high concentration of sea turtles to observe. If you time your trip for April or May, birdwatching is plentiful, with over 200 species on view. And if you’d like to camp, you can set up near Fort Jefferson, a Civil War prison now open for tours.
Everglades National Park
This 1.5-million-acre park is an easy day trip (or even a half-day) for lovers of aquatic animals. You can drive yourself, or take a narrated tram and learn about wildlife, including alligators, as you go. Another option is a guided airboat ride through the mangroves or a boat tour. (Dolphin sightings are common.) The visitor center – an entry point into the vast park – is about an hour’s drive southwest of Miami International Airport. Lodging options are unique and plentiful. Flamingo Lodge, within the park, is a recently opened hotel crafted from shipping containers. You can reserve a houseboat or glamping tent, and if you’re particularly outdoorsy, you have many miles of backcountry open to camp. Bicyclists of all skill levels can find a scenic route along one of the five paved trails, from the popular 15-mile Shark Valley Tram Road to the shortest, a 3.2mile jaunt on Snake Bight Trail well-known for birdwatching.
BISCAYNE
DRY TORTUGAS
EVERGLADES
THE SOUTHWEST
FLY TO LAS VEGAS (Southwest,SunCountry:3h50min)
OR FLY TO SALT LAKE CITY (Delta: 3h 30min)
THREE DESTINATIONS: Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks
FOR THOSE WHO APPRECIATE NATURAL BEAUTY, the wild openness of mountainous Utah delivers. You’ll find stunning colored rock formations and abundant trails to hike and mountain bike. From Las Vegas, Zion is the closest park, just over a two-hour drive. If you start in Salt Lake City, Capitol Reef is closest, about three-and-a-half hours south.
Bryce Canyon National Park
The reddish, spire-shaped rock formations called hoodoos are icons of the American Southwest, and this 97-year-old national park is home to the world’s greatest concentration of them. So many hoodoos can be found in the group called Bryce Amphitheater, in fact, that it almost feels more like Mars than southern Utah. Bryce Canyon is an ideal park for those with mobility issues, as there are overlooks that are easily accessible along the 18-mile scenic drive. If you want to leave the driving to someone else, catch a ride on the free park shuttle; its hop-on-hop-off service reaches trailheads and can also accommodate bicycles (which are available to rent). Many visitors bike or walk a section of the two-lane shared-use path, which spans 18 miles, includes multiple lookout points and is closed to vehicles. Mossy Cave Trail offers the lowest-elevation hike in the park (and, you guessed it, a mossy cave), and Queen’s Garden Trail leads 1.8 miles to the Queen Victoria hoodoo.
Capitol Reef National Park
This hidden gem is a designated Dark Sky Park due to its minimal light pollution, making it perfect for stargazing (especially during a new moon, or between March and November, when the Milky Way core can be seen). It has three designated campgrounds: Fruita Area, South (Waterpocket) District and North (Cathedral) District. For a fun lodging option, stay at the park’s Capitol Reef Resort, which features glamping in teepees and covered wagons. A 7.9-mile paved road takes about 30 minutes to slowly cruise, and the Gifford Homestead, a mile from the visitor center, is a must-see stop. This 1908 renovated farmhouse shows what life was like during early Mormon settlement of the area –and also serves pie. Visitors can go hiking, horseback riding and rock climbing.
BRYCE CANYON
Zion National Park
About four times the size of Bryce Canyon, this park is a hiker’s paradise for all skill levels. And because it’s farthest south, it’s almost always warm. It’s a half-hour from St. George, where there are many hotels, or you can stay inside the park: at the Zion Lodge or by pitching a tent at one of three campgrounds. Geology geeks will want to visit the Zion Human History Museum, which includes indoor exhibits and boasts a striking view of the park’s West Temple. The Narrows is a popular hike, so named for its narrow path that gets you close to the rock formations in a slot canyon. For an easier but equally memorable trail, take the mile-long Canyon Overlook, featuring a metal handrail and a view of the famed sandstone Towers of the Virgin.
NATIONAL PARK TIPS
The secret’s out: National parks are popular. In 2024, the National Park Service reported a record 331.9 million visitors. This is not a trip to “wing it” – it’s important to know a few things before you go. First, check the weather to ensure you’re not rained out. Reserving an entry time at some parks is key, and parking lots can quickly fill up (avoid this by arriving early). If you’re lucky enough to be 62 years of age or older, apply for a Senior Lifetime Pass ($80 for life or $20 per year). Save money through free days at national parks, and if you’re going to more than three, spring for an annual pass ($80).
THE GRAND CANYON
FLY TO LAS VEGAS (Southwest,SunCountry:3h50min) OR FLY TO PHOENIX (American,Southwest,SunCountry,3h,40min)
ONE OF THE WORLD’S SEVEN NATURAL WONDERS for its sheer size (1.2 million acres) and awe-inspiring beauty, the Grand Canyon is a bucket-list national park. There are three entrances: South Rim, North Rim and West Rim. South Rim, 232 miles from Phoenix and 280 miles from Las Vegas, is the most developed and frequently used, with a visitor center and historic hotels (including the 120-year-old El Tovar Hotel), plus guided half-day tours in open-air Jeeps and complimentary shuttles.
A 24-hour South Rim itinerary could include the Yavapai Geology Museum, Desert View Watchtower and the Tusayan Pueblo Site and trail, while a three-day trip leaves room for a rafting trip on the Colorado River or a hike along the paved 13-mile Rim Trail or the steep South Kaibab Trail. If you’re a thrill seeker, check out the Skywalk at the West Rim: The 10-foot-wide glass bridge juts 70 feet over the canyon’s rim. Or charter a 45-minute helicopter tour.
The park’s North Rim suffered severe damage in the wildfires of July 2025, which destroyed both the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Rim Visitor Center.
CAPITOL REEF
THE GRAND CANYON
Fly Right
Take advantage of Milwaukee Airport’s easy parking, dining and more.
By ARCHER PARQUETTE
Parking Made Easy
MKE Airport makes parking, dropping off and picking up a ride a breeze. In fact, parking in any of these lots is completely free for less than 30 minutes. Here are just a few of your options:
Shuttle-accessible and uncovered SAVER
$11/DAY
Every 5-10 minutes, 24 hours a day, free shuttle buses bring folks from this lot to the terminal.
Walkable and uncovered
SURFACE
$18/DAY
Next to the terminal, this lot is best for large vehicles.
Covered and connected to the terminal
DAILY
$18/DAY
Park on any floor of the garage and you’re just a short walk from the terminal via two connected skywalks.
EASY RIDER
Parking perks are abundant at MKE. Here are a few to take advantage of on your next trip.
Free Motorcycle Parking
Just swing into the reserved covered lot across from baggage claim #4, and you can park your ride at no charge.
Zero-Cost Jump Starts and Flat-Tire Service
There’s nothing worse than coming back from a trip to find a dead battery or a flat tire. But at MKE, they’ll fix both for free! Just call 414-747-4561.
Electric Car Charging
For $5 per charge, MKE’s Daily and Saver parking lots offer an easy way to juice up your electric vehicle.
Pickup or drop-off
HOURLY
$2/HOUR OR $27/DAY
On floors three and four of the garage, you’ll find these spaces for a quick turnaround.
Convenient and fast
VALET
$28/DAY
Use the MKE SmartPark app to reserve valet service. The staff will park your car in a secure, covered area. When you return, it will be ready and waiting for you.
Convenient Uber and Lyft Pickup
There’s no winding and wandering to find your driver at MKE. Just head to baggage claim #2 and follow the signs. – the Uber and Lyft pickup zone is right there.
If you park at MKE often, you’ll want to download the MKE SmartPark app. You can reserve a parking spot, scan in and out of lots easily, and you’ll have receipts emailed to you automatically (which is especially useful for expense reports). But it’s the rewards that really make the app worthwhile – every time you park, you earn points toward free parking. Pro tip: Use parking rewards from business trips to park free on your next vacation! bit.ly/mkesmartpark
Accessibility at MKE
The Airport wants every passenger to have the best experience possible. Here are some of the ways MKE is making flying accessible to all.
Pick a Sunflower
The Airport is a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. Anyone who may need extra assistance – such as folks with mental health conditions, autism, dementia, visual or hearing impairments, etc. – can pick up a sunflower lanyard at the Airport Information Desk. It lets airport employees know that you might need some extra time or assistance, and other airports across the country use it, too!
Wheelchair Accessibility
If you need wheelchair transport at MKE, you have options. GO Riteway provides wheelchair-ready shuttles from the airport to local hotels. And Milwaukee County’s Transit Plus program offers drivers trained to transport passengers in wheelchairs. The program also contracts with Taxi MKE and American United Taxicab to transport people with disabilities.
Airline Employees
Friendly airline employees are available at arrival gates to provide accessibility assistance, including pushing wheelchairs and carrying your luggage.
AIRA Access
The airport offers free access to AIRA, an app that connects people who are blind or low-vision with live professional interpreters to help navigate the travel process.
Lactation Room
The main terminal and every concourse at the Airport include private spaces for breastfeeding mothers.
NEW DINING DESTINATIONS
MKE Airport recently opened new concessions on Concourse D, including the first combined Auntie Anne’s/ Cinnabon location in Wisconsin! This dual location allows you to mix and match ingredients from both brands. The concourse atrium sports a new European-style café, Bonne Terre, which translates to “Good Land” in French. The new Mitchell Market + Bar offers unique grab and go options and a sit-down bar. And stay tuned for the new Central Standard Distillery on Concourse C!
Images: By Getty Images
PARK SMARTER, NOT HARDER
Enjoy easy, fast, and convenient parking, rewards, and so much more. Find your happy spot with the MKE SmartPark app.
VALET
Drive straight to ticketing and check in. We’ll take care of parking your vehicle.
REWARDS
Earn frequent parking points and redeem for free parking.
RESERVATIONS
Reserve your space online or in the app.
EXPRESS PARKING
Touchless entry and exit using your smartphone.
SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE MKE SMARTPARK APP!
The Hidden Cost of Flying Chicago
Do you ever check out a travel website and see that a Chicago flight is advertised as costing less than a Milwaukee one? (E.g., “Fly O’Hare for $48 less!”) Well, that’s missing the fuller picture. Sure, you might find some flights at lower prices in Chicago – but that doesn’t include the significant extra costs of an O’Hare or Midway airport trip in both money and time. That’s hours of your life and potentially hundreds of dollars you can save by flying Milwaukee instead. So next time you’re booking a flight, consider these costs of a trip to Chicago.
Gas
O’Hare is about 156 miles roundtrip from Downtown Milwaukee, and Midway is 212 miles. Why burn a tank of gas when Milwaukee’s Airport is right here?
Time on the Road
Whatever time you think you’re making up for with a Chicago nonstop might just be eaten up sitting in traffic. O’Hare is a three-hour roundtrip from Milwaukee, while Midway is over four hours – and you better hope you don’t hit a bumper-tobumper backup.
Tolls
A roundtrip drive to O’Hare from Milwaukee will cost you $8.60 in tolls, and Midway will run you $12.80. A ride to Milwaukee’s Airport? Not a cent.
Parking
While MKE Airport’s parking is both convenient and affordable (see page 20), O’Hare and Midway’s are … not quite so affordable. Parking at either Chicago airport costs $43 a day. Take a weeklong vacation, and you’re out $301 – possibly the cost of another flight.
Bus or Uber
You can avoid parking fees with a ride, but a Coach USA bus to O’Hare will cost you $76 roundtrip, and an Uber to and from Chicago will run you around $300 – at least.
Early Morning Hotel
Trying to catch a cheap early flight out of O’Hare? Well, you might want to factor in at least $150 to spend the night beforehand in order to make your boarding time.
Longer Wait at the Terminal
One of the great things about Milwaukee is fast security checks and a quick trip from the parking lot to the gate. The same can’t be said for our neighbors to the south. For an O’Hare trip, you’ll want to be at the airport at least two hours early (three, if you’re flying international).
That Painful Drive Home
After the highs and lows of a big trip and a long flight back, there’s something particularly painful about facing a drive through Chicago traffic to get home. Spare yourself that irritation by flying from MKE –when the plane lands, you’re already home.
PHOTOS: By Getty Images
STATUS MATCH CHALLENGE .
Medallion Members receive industry–leading benefits including complimentary upgrades, free checked bags, priority boarding and preferred seating. Earn the required amount of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) during the 90-day complimentary period to extend your Medallion Status through January 31, 2027 (end of 2026 Medallion Year).
