American Family Field is the home of the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Classic Ballpark Tour is the simplest way to see the parts of a major league stadium that fans never reach on game day. It is a walk-up public tour of the behind-the-scenes areas: the Selig Experience, the playing field, the bullpen, the press box and the broadcast booth. A second public option, the Ballpark and Brews Tour, adds two Leinenkugel's beers, a souvenir glass and a discount on food and drink at the Barrel Yard for guests aged 21 and over. Private group tours, including a technical tour that looks at the building's architecture and mechanical systems, can be arranged separately. The ballpark sits west of downtown beside the Menomonee Valley, with a fan-shaped retractable roof that lets the Brewers play through Wisconsin's unpredictable spring and autumn weather. Tours are walking-only and the route is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, though mobility devices are not provided. The tour is a good fit for baseball fans, for families with children who like to see the dugout and the field, and for anyone who wants a glimpse of how a stadium runs. It is a worthwhile half-day for baseball fans, and a useful rainy-day option when the weather rules out outdoor sights.
How it works
Public tours run only on the dates the Brewers publish, and there are none on day-game dates or on blackout dates when concerts or large events use the stadium. Tickets are bought online, by phone through the ticket office or at the ticket windows near Home Plate East, and they are delivered through the MLB Ballpark app.
Arrive at the Tour and Information desk inside the left field gate at least ten minutes early. Parking in the Brewers 2 lot is free for the tour, which is one of the small pleasures of visiting a ballpark outside game time.
What you see
The Selig Experience is a display that tells the story of the franchise and its long-time commissioner, and from there the tour moves to the field level, the bullpen, the press box and the broadcast booth. Some areas, including the visitors clubhouse and the media interview room, are closed on home-game days and the day before a home series, so the exact route can change with the schedule. Technical tours, which are for groups of ten to twenty-five, are also unavailable on those days.
Tips
Wear comfortable walking shoes, because the tour is on foot throughout, and bring a layer if you visit in spring or autumn. If you want to combine the tour with a game, check the home schedule first, because the public tour calendar is built around it. Beer lovers should consider the Ballpark and Brews version, which pairs well with a Milwaukee trip built around breweries.
Because tour dates are limited, treat the stadium as something to fit around the calendar rather than a stop you can add on a whim, and confirm the schedule before you plan the rest of the day.
Is it worth it? For baseball fans, yes, especially if your trip does not coincide with a home game. The tour is a different experience from a game night: you can see the stadium without a crowd, take your time on the field level and ask questions of the guide.
The drawback is the limited calendar, since dates are posted rather than daily and day games remove tour slots. If you can attend a game as well, treat the tour as the quiet companion to the noisy evening, and if you cannot, it still gives a good feel for the place that anchors summer in Milwaukee.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walk through behind-the-scenes areas of the ballpark, including the field, bullpen, press box and broadcast booth.
Best time
Whenever a public tour date falls in your trip, as dates are posted rather than daily.
How long
About 90 minutes is typical for private tours; the public tour length is not posted.
Tips
Arrive early at the left field gate desk, wear walking shoes and check the calendar before you travel.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Baseball fans and families who want to see behind the scenes.
- Families
- Children like the field and dugout views; the route is stroller friendly.
- Couples
- A relaxed activity, especially with the beer version for guests aged 21 and over.
- Pair with
- The Harley-Davidson Museum, the Hank Aaron State Trail and a brewery tour.
- Time needed
- Allow a morning or afternoon including parking and arrival.
Good questions
Are ballpark tours offered every day?+
No. Public tours run only on the dates the Brewers publish and are not held on day-game dates or blackout dates, so check the calendar before you plan.
Is there a tour that includes beer?+
Yes. The Ballpark and Brews Tour adds two Leinenkugel's beers, a souvenir glass and a food and drink discount for guests aged 21 and over.
Is parking free?+
Parking in the Brewers 2 lot is free for the tour.
Is the tour accessible?+
Tour locations are described as accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, although the ballpark does not provide mobility devices.
Can I see the clubhouse?+
The visitors clubhouse and the media interview room are unavailable on home-game days and the day before a home series.
