What other areas beside downtown MKE is good for hobbying???  Any suggestions would be appreciated....

I wouldn't go further west than Brookfield or north past Germantown, but sure know it would be nice to get out of the airport area and downtown for a change.  

I've done well in Madison, Racine/Kenosha Areas, Hartford and Lake Geneva.  I do excellent in Gurnee, right on the other side of the boarder  (Stay out of Waukegan)

The airport and downtown areas are good as well however, it's nice and better for your safety to move around

Good Luck!!

I would suggest Brookfield/Waukesha.   That is the non downtown center for business and business travelers.