Although you may think all streets in Milwaukee are created equal—each with an over representation of bars and under representation of, well, anything else—you may be surprised to know Brew City has its fair share of distinctly different neighborhoods, each with something unique to offer. Whether your great passion in life is theater or coffee, vintage shopping or sausage, each of these streets in our handy guide will show you a different side of the city. After all, there’s more to Milwaukee than Miller Park.
With its cobblestone crosswalks and old-world European looks, Old World Third Street may have you thinking you’ve somehow stumbled into 19th-century Milwaukee. If the city’s obsession with beer and brats didn’t convince you of its German heritage, look no further. Iconic Milwaukee businesses such as Usinger’s Sausage and Mader’s German Restaurant have called this street home for more than a century, while newcomers like The Spice House continually add to its charm.
Water Street is decidedly the center of downtown Milwaukee. This is definitely the place to come for nightlife: it has the largest concentration of bars in the city. Water Street is also home to a number of theater and concert venues including The Pabst Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. And if you happen to find yourself on Water Street during the winter, spend a few magical hours at Red Arrow Park’s outdoor skating rink—it’s free if you bring your own skates.
For a stunning view of Lake Michigan, take a stroll down Lincoln Memorial Drive. This street is also home to Santiago Calatrava’s iconic Milwaukee Art Museum and Alterra at the Lake, a popular local coffee house. On warm summer days, take a dip in Lake Michigan at Bradford Beach or rent a paddleboat on the Veterans Park Lagoon. And for all the custard fans out there, a stop at Northpoint is essential—nothing says Wisconsin like cow-print picnic tables.
Brady Street has had quite a varied history through the years. What was once a neighborhood filled with 19th-century European immigrants today bears the distinct markings of its hippie past via the annual Brady Street Festival. Here you’ll find a plethora of vintage shops such as the ever-popular Dragonfly and über-hip tea and coffee houses such as Rochambo. It’s the perfect eclectic mix of old and new. If you have time, stop at Peter Sciortino’s Bakery—it’s been a Brady Street staple since 1948.
An influx of Hispanic immigrants to Milwaukee during the last century has created a mecca of authentic Mexican cuisine on the city’s South Side. Clustered on Fifth Street you’ll find La Fuente and La Perla, both of which have an outdoor patio and more flavors of margarita than have appeared in your wildest dreams. La Perla’s claim to fame is its giant chili pepper, which customers can ride. For cheap eats, head just a block west to Conejito’s Place. A burrito for less than $2? How can you resist?
Central to the character of Downer Avenue is its Landmark Theatre. Built in 1915, the Downer is the oldest operating movie theater in Milwaukee and features both foreign and independent films. Before the show, grab dinner at Café Hollander a Benelux-style grand café that serves more than 40 different types of beer. And be sure to browse through the shelves of the Boswell Book Company, an old-fashioned bookstore that pays homage to Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops.