Planning your trip to Milwaukee

THE BEST WAY

From LAX, Midwest Airlines and AirTran offer nonstop service to Milwaukee, and Midwest Airlines, United, Northwest, Frontier, Continental, American, US Airways and Delta offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $258.

WHERE TO STAY

County Clare Inn, 1234 N. Astor St.; (888) 942-5273, www.countyclare-inn.com. This Irish inn doubles as a pub, with live music on weekends and a complimentary bangers-and-mash breakfast on Sundays. Doubles from $110.

Hotel Metro, 411 E. Mason St.; (866) 638-7620, www.hotelmetro.com. A Zen presence and spa amenities are the calling cards of this chic downtown hotel. Pets welcome. Doubles from $219.

Iron Horse Hotel, 500 W. Florida St.; (888) 543-4766, www.theironhorsehotel.com. Opening Sept. 1 just across the canal from the new Harley-Davidson Museum. This boutique hotel is geared to business people and motorcycle enthusiasts alike. Rooms from $179.

WHERE TO EAT

Cubanitas, 728 N. Milwaukee St.; (414) 225-1760. This bustling downtown restaurant gives generous portions of its traditional Cuban fare -- including the rum in its mojitos. Entrees from $9.

Lake Park Bistro, 3133 E. Newberry Blvd.; (414) 962-6300. The French fare at this lakeside bistro won Adam Siegel this year’s James Beard Award for best Midwest chef. Entrees from $22.

MUSEUM FACT SHEET

Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 Canal St. Opening Saturday, the museum features hundreds of motorcycles from Harley’s 105 years in business. It’s interactive and should intrigue even non-enthusiasts. Admission, $16; children ages 5 to 17, $10.