Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association

Patient Travel Planning Guide

Advocate Aurora St Luke’s Adult

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the “Great Place on a Great Lake,” sits along the western shores of Lake Michigan, 90 miles north of Chicago, Illinois. Three rivers meet in Milwaukee: the Milwaukee, the Menomonee, and the Kinnickinnic. German immigrants were among the earliest European settlers to this region, making the local breweries the most popular culinary attraction, alongside cheese curds. Downtown Milwaukee features a popular RiverWalk, with shops, restaurants, art installations, and even a bronze statue of “The Fonz” (Henry Winkler from “Happy Days,” which was set in MKE). The city hosts more than 100 festivals each year and is home to the NBA’s Bucks and the MLB’s Brewers.

Milwaukee winters are cold and snowy, while the summers are hot and humid. The weather is strongly influenced by proximity to Lake Michigan. July is typically the warmest month, while January is the coldest. Don’t forget to check the weather a few days before you visit.

To learn the basics for the Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, click here . For a deep dive into all of your travel and housing options, expand each of the categories provided on this page. To dig into local lodging, including hotels and short-term rentals, scroll down, and click on the tab of your choice.

Travel Assistance

General tips

Use points from credit cards or other loyalty programs to cover some or all of your travel costs.

Sign up for loyalty programs with credit cards, airlines, and hotels in order to earn points for your travel. This is particularly useful if you know you will be visiting your COE multiple times and can continue to accrue those points.

Considering joining AAA. Members receive excellent discounts, especially at hotels.

Lori Fund

The HCMA Lori Fund provides micro travel grants to HCM patients traveling to an HCMA-recognized Center of Excellence for care or HCM patients traveling to a facility for heart transplant care. Awards up to $600.00 are available per calendar year.

Getting Here

Air Travel

International Airports within 100 miles

General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee, WI is 5 miles from the HCMA-recognized Center of Excellence (COE).

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, IL is 75 miles from Milwauakee, WI.

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) in Chicago, IL is 100 miles from Milwauakee, WI.

Domestic Airports within 100 miles

Milwaukee County Timmerman Airport (MWC) is 10 miles from the COE and serves commercial and private aircraft.

Waukesha County Airport (UES) in Pewaukee, WI is 20 miles from the COE and serves commercial and private aircraft.

Batten Field Airport (RAC) in Racine, WI is 23 miles from the COE and serves commercial and private aircraft.

Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, WI is 75 miles from Milwauakee, WI and offers flights to domestic destinations on American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Sun Country, and United Airlines.

Angel Flight East (215-358-1900) provides free air transportation to qualified patients and their families by arranging flights to distant medical facilities. Mention that you are affiliated with HCMA.

MiracleFlights (800-359-1711) provides free flights to those in need of life-changing medical care not available in their local communities.

Car

East-West highway routes: Interstates 43 and 94, Route 18

North-South highway routes: Interstates 41, 94, and 794, Route 241

Approximate driving times to Milwaukee, WI are:

  • 1 hour 20 minutes to Madison, WI
  • 1 hour 45 minutes to Chicago, IL
  • 2 hours to Green Bay, WI
  • 4 hours to Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 5 hours to Minneapolis, MN

Rental car

Train

Amtrak

The Hiawatha and Empire Builder lines stop at:

Milwaukee Intermodal Station at 433 West St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203

Click here to navigate to the HCM Center of Excellence via public transportation.

The Hiawatha line also stops at:

Milwaukee Airport-Trains, Wisconsin Station at 5601 South 6th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221

This station is along the western edge of the General Mitchell International Airport. A free shuttle bus provides easy connections for rail passengers to the airport. The shuttle picks up passengers at the Train Station’s main entrance and outside Baggage Claim Door 4 at the airport.

Click here to navigate to the HCM Center of Excellence via public transportation.

Bus

Amtrak Thruway I-41 Bus Service

Amtrak Thruway bus service provides two daily round-trip buses between Green Bay, WI and Milwaukee, WI at:

Milwaukee Intermodal Station at 433 West St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203

Click here to navigate to the HCM Center of Excellence via public transportation.

Milwaukee Mitchell Airport at Baggage Claim Door 1. Walk across lanes to the median/island. Look for signs.

Click here to navigate to the HCM Center of Excellence via public transportation.

Greyhound Bus and FlixBus stop at:

Milwaukee Intermodal Station at 433 West St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203

Click here to navigate to the HCM Center of Excellence via public transportation.

Milwaukee Mitchell Airport at Arrivals/Baggage Claim

Click here to navigate to the HCM Center of Excellence via public transportation.

Getting Around

The Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center is located on the 5th Floor of Medical Office Building 3 (MOB 3), at 2801 West Kinnickinnic River Parkway, Suite 530, Milwaukee, WI 53215. Start here for an overview of getting to the COE.

Below are more specifics:

Rental car

Car service, taxi, or rideshare

  • Taxi in Milwaukee, WI
  • Uber or Lyft

Download these rideshare apps to your phone to see local rates and services

  • ZipCar is widely available in Milwaukee

Public Transportation

Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) provides bus rapid transit in southeast Wisconsin.

MCTS Accessibility

System Maps

Route 51: Oklahoma Avenue stops at Oklahoma & S. 27th

A 5-minute walk to the COE

PurpleLine: 27th Street stops at 27th & Oklahoma

A 4-minute walk to the COE

Bicycle share/bike lanes or paths

Navigating the COE

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center

Aurora Cardiac Specialty Center

Medical Office Building 3

2801 West Kinnickinnic River Parkway

Ste 530

Milwaukee, WI 53215

Phone: 414-385-2400

The Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center is one of several specialty heart centers that are part of the Advocate Aurora Health Care System. The Center of Excellence is located on the 5th Floor of Medical Office Building 3 (MOB 3), at 2801 West Kinnickinnic River Parkway, Suite 530, Milwaukee, WI 53215. Patients should park either in the surface lot in front of MOB 3 or in the Main Parking Structure. Upon entering the building, take the elevator to the 5th Floor and go down the hall to Suite 530. Some imaging is also done at this location.

Testing and procedures are done next door at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in the main hospital building, located at 2900 West Oklahoma Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215.

Maps:

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center Wayfinding Map (pdf)

See page 2 for map, look for Main Office Building 3

Parking:

  • At Main Office Building 3 (HCM Center of Excellence):
  • Use the surface lot next to the MOB 3 entrance, or park in the Main Parking Structure.
  • At Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center Hospital:
  • Use the Main Parking Structure.
  • Handicap accessible spaces are located in all parking structures and surface lots.

Places to Eat

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center

  • Cafeteria

Located in the lower level of the North Building

Daily Hours: 6:30 am-9:45 am; 10:45 am-4:00 pm; 4:30-7:30 pm; 12:30 am-3:30 am

Restaurants

Grocery Stores

  • ALDI at 1325 W Cleveland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215
  • Walmart at 3355 S 27th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215

Delivery Services

Download these food delivery apps to your phone to see local rates and services:

  • Grub Hub
  • Doordash
  • Postmates
  • Uber Eats
  • EatStreet

Amenities

Pharmacy

US Post Office

5114 S 27th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Shopping areas:

Accessibility

Language Assistance Services

An interpreter is available to assist you during your visit.

  • Greeter Services are available Monday-Friday at the hospital main entrance, Medical Office Building (MOB) 1 and MOB 3. Assistance includes directions, providing a wheelchair, and help into and out of the vehicle.

Tourist/Recreational Destinations

Visitor Information

Visit Milwaukee

Sports

Milwaukee Brewers baseball

Milwaukee Bucks basketball

Milwaukee Admirals hockey

Green Bay Packers football

Milwaukee Wave soccer

Outdoor Activities/Scenic hiking/trails

Veterans Park

Lakeshore State Park

Grant Park

Parks and Playgrounds

Jackson Park

Manitoba Park

Zablocki Park

Museums and Galleries

Milwaukee Public Museum

Milwaukee Art Museum

Discovery World

National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

Grohmann Museum

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

Jewish Museum Milwaukee

Harley-Davidson Museum

Performing Arts

Marcus Performing Arts Center

South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center

Milwaukee Rep

Milwaukee Ballet

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Florentine Opera

Pabst Theater Group

Music

Cactus Club

Miramar Theatre

Mad Planet

Attractions

Milwaukee Riverwalk

North Point Lighthouse

Milwaukee County Zoo

Pabst Mansion

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block

Mitchell Park Domes

Brewery Tours

Historic Mitchell Street

Where to Stay

Lodging

There are plenty of lodging options in the Milwaukee, WI area. The Center of Excellence is located on the 5th Floor of Medical Office Building 3 (MOB 3), at 2801 West Kinnickinnic River Parkway, Suite 530, Milwaukee, WI 53215 . It is next to Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center (the main hospital), which is located at 2900 West Oklahoma Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215 . The medical complex is situated between the Layton Park and Polonia neighborhoods, southwest of downtown Milwaukee. Click on the tabs above for our specific recommendations.

Specialized Accommodations:

  • None available.

A few items of note:

Hotels

The annual average nightly hotel room rate in the Milwaukee, WI area (excluding taxes) area in 2025 is $140. To find the best deals on hotels that don’t offer a COE discount, check the Offers or Specials page of the hotel website.

Many lodging options that do not include a kitchenette do have refrigerators and/or microwaves available to guests. You may need to request them in advance.

We’ve researched some HCM patient-friendly amenities you may wish to take advantage of, including patient pricing discounts, connecting rooms, kitchenettes, and courtesy shuttles. Our list of hotel recommendations is below:

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We hope you’ll use the list below to assist in your hotel search:

Quality Suites Milwaukee Airport (414-282-8800)

2-star hotel; There is an Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center patient rate of 15% off the nightly rate, which varies. Every room has a mini fridge, microwave, and pull-out sofa. There is a hotel courtesy shuttle that transports guests to Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center daily, 5:00 am-11:30 pm; you can schedule in advance via the front desk. Free self-parking is available on site.

  • COE Discount Available
  • Handicap Accessible
  • Courtesy Hotel Shuttle Available
  • Self-Parking Available On Site (free)

Fairfield Inn & Suites Milwaukee West (414-645-2800)

4-star hotel; There is a patient rate, which varies nightly and applies to all room types. Connecting rooms are available (Double Queen to King) and can be guaranteed if you call the hotel directly. Every room has a mini fridge and a microwave, and Executive Suites have pull-out sofas. Free self-parking is available on site.

  • COE Discount Available
  • Connecting Rooms Available
  • Handicap Accessible
  • Self-Parking Available On Site (free)

Kinn Guesthouse Bay View (855-546-6653)

3-star hotel; There is no official patient rate, but a 15% discount can be arranged by calling the hotel directly to book, or you can use the code DIRECTBOOK when making your reservation online. This is an 8-room guesthouse. Rooms 1-7 share a communal kitchen. Room 8 is handicap accessible, with a ramp from the parking lot in the back, and it has its own kitchen. Rooms 3 and 5 connect to each other (Double Queen to King). Free self-parking is available on site behind the hotel.

  • Connecting Rooms Available
  • Kitchenette
  • Handicap Accessible (one room)
  • Self-Parking Available On Site (free)
  • Google Top 10 Reviews

Home2 Suites by Hilton Milwaukee West (414-635-2300)

3-star hotel; There is a 15% discount for patients or family members of patients going to any of the local hospitals; to book, call the hotel or make your reservation online with rate code 0560057085. Connecting rooms are available, and they can be guaranteed if you call the front desk (but not if you book online). Every room is a suite with a kitchenette and a full-size pull-out sofa. One-pot induction burners are available for free upon request. Free self-parking is available on site.

  • COE Discount Available
  • Connecting Rooms Available
  • Kitchenette
  • Handicap Accessible
  • Self-Parking Available On Site (free)

Courtyard Milwaukee Airport (414-747-4405)

3-star hotel; There is a St. Luke’s flat rate of $119/night plus tax for either a King Room or Double Queen Room. Connecting rooms are available (King to Double Queen) but cannot be guaranteed in advance. There is a mini fridge in every room, and there is a communal microwave available in the lobby. King Rooms have a pull-out sofa. Free self-parking is available on site.

  • COE Discount Available
  • Connecting Rooms Available
  • Handicap Accessible
  • Self-Parking Available On Site (free)

Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals are available in the Milwaukee, WI area, and the list below includes sole occupancy/single unit properties, some of which have one or more accessibility features. Review each individual listing for specifics.

Beverly’s Guest Suite – An Accessible Family Space

Average review (1-5): 4.97

  • Apartment/Condo
  • Self check-in
  • Onsite laundry
  • Kitchen
  • On site parking
  • Pets allowed

Roomy two bedroom near Bay View

Average review (1-5): 5

  • Apartment/Condo
  • Onsite laundry
  • Kitchen
  • On site parking

207- Luxury 3rd Ward Condo – w/ parking / exec/ family

Average review (1-10): 9.8

Apartment/Condo

Onsite laundry

Kitchen

On site parking

325- Big Corner condo w/2 king bedrooms/Free parking

Average review (1-10): 9.6

  • Apartment/Condo
  • Onsite laundry
  • Kitchen
  • On site parking

Travel information is provided through a collaboration between The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association and Reasonable Accommodations LLC.

The HCMA and Reasonable Accommodations will make their best effort to keep the Patient Travel Planning Guide as current as possible. The HCMA cannot give any guarantees with regard to the prices, opening times, and availability of any specified facilities. Additionally, just because facilities are mentioned does not necessarily mean that these will always be available. Changes may also have been made to the specified prices, opening times, and availability.