Getting around in Milwaukee is easy. Block numbers are consistent across the city, including most of the suburbs, starting roughly where the Milwaukee and Menominee rivers meet. All numbered streets run north-south, increasing in number as you head west from 1st Street. Most named streets go east-west, with the notable exception of streets east of 1st St. Standard blocks are 1/8th of a mile long north to south, and 1/12th of a mile east to west.
By taxi
While there are plenty of taxis to meet demand, do not expect to simply flag one down. With the notable exceptions of queues at larger hotels, the airport, train- and bus stations, largely attended events and most of the downtown area, you should call for one. Even going from the Upper East Side to Downtown can cost $20. The number one company is Yellow Cab +1 414 271-1800, with phone numbers of other taxi companies available here: (http://milwaukee.about.co...).
In the warmer and occasionally the colder months there are alternative ways of getting point to point.
Horse-drawn carriages
(http://www.milwaukeecarri...) are available downtown and sometimes on the East Side, and often outside public events.Cream City Rickshaw
(http://www.creamcityricks...) available for private events, bike-taxi services.Water Taxi
(http://www.watertaximilwa...) service may be suspended.
By car
While it is possible to use the bus to go to many suburbs, some tourists prefer driving. Parking outside the Downtown/East Side is overall a non-issue. Traffic conditions vary.
Parking Downtown and in some business districts on the East Side, in some suburbs costs money. Keep an eye out for electronic meters: there will be a number on a post at each space, and you need it to pay at a machine down the block cards accepted. Visitors parking overnight on city streets should call the City at +1 414 286-8300 by 1AM to request parking permission. Overnight parking can also be registered for free up to 3 nights online at the DPW's night parking site.
By bike
Milwaukee was awarded bronze status from the League of American Bicyclists in 2004 and again in 2009. A bike map is available from the city (http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/m...) or for sale at local shops. Weather permitting, Milwaukee is a very pleasant place to bicycle. There are several separated bike lanes and network of leisurely trails called the Oak Leaf Trail. Some are even limited access paths think: bike freeway as well as 65 mi 105 km of on-street bike lanes and 75 mi 121 km of signed bike routes the city aims to raise that number to several hundred miles of on-street bike lanes as streets are re-paved.
Bicycle Rentals and Tours
Milwaukee Bike and Skate Rental (http://www.milwbikeskater...) a kiosk in Veterans Park on the Lake Michigan shore, just north of the art museum.
Brew City Bike Tours (http://www.brewcitybiketo...) offer rental as well as tours including Pub Spin, Bite 'n Bike and History 101.
POWWOW (http://www.wisconsinbicyc...) offer tours across the state.
Cream City Rickshaw (http://www.creamcityricks...) will take you anywhere.
Bicycle Shops are also often willing to do rentals, and also sell high-quality products that are often locally made:
Ben's Cycle / Milwaukee Bicycle Company (http://www.benscycle.net/) sells top-notch locally made bicycles and has the best selection of track and fixed gear equipment in the Midwest.
Milwaukee Bicycle Collective (http://bikecollective.org/) is useful if you need a space and some tools to fix your bike while traveling, they have assorted hours and suggested donation rates.
It is fairly easy to find a used bike in good working condition at local thrift stores, which is much cheaper than renting if you are going to be staying in the city for any length of time.
All MCTS buses have bicycle racks which are free to use with bus fare, so if you get tired, lost, the weather turns bad or whatever you can hop on the bus.