'Midwest nice: It's real': What RNC attendees think of visiting Milwaukee

Delegates from across the country are visiting Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention this week. While they’ve been busy attending scheduled events, some have made it out of the convention grounds to explore Milwaukee’s local restaurants and businesses.

“It’s cleaner and a lot more energetic (than Cleveland's RNC in 2016),” Mike Andrews, from Virginia, told the Journal Sentinel from inside the Saint Kate-The Arts Hotel, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave., on Wednesday.

Here’s what he and other attendees are saying about their visit here (hint: it’s mostly positive).

Attendees are 'shocked at how much beer Wisconsin consumes'

Steak, pasta and of course, beer and cheese. Attendees have been enjoying Milwaukee-area restaurants and bars during the convention, despite some local businesses reporting slower-than-expected traffic at the beginning of the week.

“We were at a nice place last night, Carnevor,” said Andrews. He also had a meal at Capital Grille and "loved Third Street Market (Hall).”

“I was shocked at how much beer Wisconsin consumes, and very proud of it,” Andrews said, which he learned about on the Miller Brewery tour. He unfortunately could not try Wisconsin brews, however, since he is gluten-intolerant.

Attendees also have enjoyed tried Wisconsin brews from Lakefront Brewery, Leinenkugel’s and New Glarus.

Jeramy Carnes, an Oklahoma delegate, plans to send a few cases of New Glarus Spotted Cow home with a friend who drove. He plans to bring the beer on an upcoming river float trip. “I want all my friends to try it,” he said outside the Baird Center on Wednesday.

Other Oklahoma delegates were less impressed by Wisconsin staples. One said she preferred a “real old fashioned” (usually made with just bourbon, bitters and muddled fruit) to a Wisconsin old fashioned, which adds soda to the mix and is often made with brandy instead of bourbon or whiskey.

Oklahoma delegate Pam Pollard said she’s still searching for a good cheese curd in Milwaukee. The ones she had at the RNC reminded her of Sonic cheese curds.

'It’s a bazillion degrees back home,' but Milwaukee's weather is 'beautiful'

Attendees traveled to Milwaukee from across the country. That includes cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix, where temperatures topped 110 degrees on Wednesday.

So even though it’s been warm in Milwaukee this week, it’s still been cooler than places where some delegates live.

“It’s so nice to be here where it’s cool,” Dan Montano of Las Vegas said inside the Saint Kate on Wednesday.

After a steamy start to the RNC on Monday, Wednesday’s weather forecast was cooler. Milwaukee was mostly sunny Wednesday with a high of 79 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The city can expect “pleasant weather” the rest of the week, the weather service said on X, with below-average temperatures and few chances for rain.

“It’s a bazillion degrees back home, but today’s beautiful,” said Kathleen Winn, who's running for Congress in Arizona.

With the nice weather, some folks made it out to explore Milwaukee attractions. Apollo Fuhriman, a delegate from Washington state, went to the Milwaukee Art Museum.

“Beautiful building,” he said. “I loved that. You don’t need the art, the building itself is awesome.”

Attendees surprised about how 'everyone is so happy and friendly'

Marc Lampkin of Virginia had dinner at fine dining establishment Lupi & Iris, 777 N. Van Buren St. “Oh my god, it was fantastic. The service was great, the food was excellent,” he said.

“I think that’s the one thing that is really remarkable, everybody is so happy and friendly and focused on service and focused on making everyone feel warm and comfortable,” Lampkin said.

He and Greta Joynes, also from Virginia, were both staying at Potawatomi Casino Hotel, 1721 W. Canal St.

“That’s a great facility and beautiful casino,” Lampkin said.

“The staff is just so nice across the board,” Joyner said. “Everybody is really welcoming.”

Johnny Shae of Memphis spoke with Journal Sentinel reporters at Copper on King, 1019 N. King Dr., where he was so impressed with the service that he had brunch there two days in a row.

“The staff are great. They’re extremely friendly,” he said.

"Everyone here has been really friendly, nice," Fuhriman said. "Midwest nice: It’s real.”

“Great food, great people. I almost understand them,” Montano said joking about the long-voweled Wisconsin accent. “I had a Miller again. It was as gorgeous as it was 50 years ago.”

Madeline Heim contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'Midwest nice: It's real': What RNC attendees think of Milwaukee