Estabrook Park - Milwaukee, WI

Estabrook Park takes its name from the prominent Milwaukee County Park Commission secretary and Wisconsin General Attorney Charles E. Estabrook. While Milwaukee expanded outwards along the Milwaukee River in the late 19th and early 20th century, Estabrook Park attracted the city's business elite and wealthy for the abundant green space in the area. A population and development boom followed the building of the Estabrook Dam in 1937.

The Kilbourntown House on Estabrook Drive is open in the summer and takes visitors through a pristine journey of mid-19th-century home decoration and furniture. As a serene suburb, Estabrook Park does not have much for an arts scene, but you can reach the acclaimed Milwaukee Art Museum and the Pabst Theater in the downtown area.

Estabrook Park hosts the annual Barktoberfest in the Estabrook Park Beer Garden. Part of the citywide Milwaukee Oktoberfest, this festival features dogs first and beer second.

A variety of dining options near Estabrook Park cater to both home-grown Americana tastes and international culinary delights. Locals can quickly grab a hamburger or a slice of pizza from several chain restaurants when traveling down East Capitol Drive, while trendy sub shops and elegant, fine-dining eateries abound throughout the neighborhood.

Many consider Solly's Grille on North Port Washington Road the gastronomic star of the entire neighborhood. Since 1937, this rustic, family-owned restaurant has upheld its fame for its signature butter burgers, a Wisconsin classic. Featured on the Food Network, USA Today, Travel Channel and many others, Solly's Grille is bound to become your go-to lunch and dinner spot. Try the old-fashioned milkshakes presented in steel cans or dive into the acclaimed homemade cherry pies.

Serving breakfast all day, Benji's Deli & Restaurant transports families and groups back to the 1970s with its retro feel and hearty menu. Locals recommend the chicken matzo ball soup when on a quick lunch break, though the classic deli sandwiches serve as the ideal late-afternoon boost.

Nightlife in Estabrook Park revolves around the Estabrook Beer Garden. As the first truly public beer garden in America after Prohibition and inspired by Milwaukee’s brewing legacy, this beer garden features scenic views along the Milwaukee River. Bring your own beer stein when enjoying half-liters of imported beer from Munich's Hofbräuhaus. For a classic sports bar scene complete with chicken wings, beers and sports on the television, consider Aliota's Pub & Grill on East Hampton Road.

Estabrook Park locals typically rely on their cars to get around, especially when completing daily errands or commuting to work. East Capitol Drive to the south and Hampton Road to the north provide quick access to Interstate 43, which then connects residents to downtown Milwaukee as well as to the many outlying Milwaukee suburbs, including Whitefish Bay and Fox Point.

When driving through Estabrook Park, you can often find abundant public parking near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to the south, and free parking remains available on many of the smaller streets. Wide streets and moderate traffic encourage residents to travel by bicycle, while brightly lit paths along the Oak Creek Trail enable locals to cut through the neighborhood conveniently on foot. Hailing a cab in the downtown area is quite easy, but when traveling from Estabrook Park, you may need to arrange a pickup or use a ride-sharing service such as Uber.

The Milwaukee County Transit System services the Estabrook area, and you can easily catch several buses from East Capitol Drive and North Port Washington Road. The Route 10 bus travels to downtown Milwaukee.

The neighborhood's namesake park, Estabrook Park, stands as the center of the entire neighborhood. From family-oriented recreation throughout the park and along the Milwaukee River to comprehensive infrastructure, this park serves visitors of all ages.

Some of the more popular features of this park include its two separated off-leash dog parks for large and small dogs, a skate park and even a beer garden. The Oak Creek Trail within the park also pleases the joggers and bicyclists in the area, and its views of the Milwaukee River produce a stimulating atmosphere for a morning or evening run. Dog owners do need a daily or annual pass when using the Estabrook Park dog exercise areas.

Get active with friends at the well-cultivated, 18-hole disc golfing course in Estabrook Park, or head to West Hampton Avenue to the north for the par 33, 9-hole Lincoln Park Golf Course, both of which cost a fee.

Estabrook Park abounds with dogs throughout the year, but nowhere else can locals find a massive congregation of dogs and beer than at the Estabrook Park Barktoberfest. Held during the early days of Milwaukee Oktoberfest, this day-long party features dog costume contests, live music and even agility courses, all while the owners get to sit back and have a few beers with friends and family.

The cost of living in Estabrook Park runs higher than the Milwaukee average cost of living. Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs about $850 a month.

Traveling to downtown Milwaukee via public transportation costs $2.25 for a one-way ride. Gas prices typically settle around 8 percent lower than national averages. You should expect to pay about $5 for a pint of beer at local pubs.

Estabrook Park residents benefit from close proximity to a comprehensive shopping center as well as several high-value boutiques and varied franchises. The Capital Centre Shopping Center fosters a multifaceted, convenient shopping scene complete with an Office Depot, Rainbow and a Dollar Tree for economical gifts.

When outfitting a restaurant-quality kitchen, Milwaukee locals tend to stock their kitchens with world-class kitchen supplies from the Boelter Superstore. No matter if shoppers need a new set of knives or a comprehensive countertop arrangement, this massive kitchen supply store features over 10,000 items to you the design and utility you want in your kitchen.

Voted Best New Retail Store in 2012 and a runner up for Best Gift Shop in 2013 and 2014, The Waxwing stands as one of the most versatile artist consignment shops in Milwaukee. This shop upholds its mission to showcase the work of local artists, and nowhere else can shoppers truly discover the wealth of sculptures, furniture and paintings that Milwaukee artists produce. Always feel free to submit your art for sale as well.

Estabrook Park has several grocery stores for locals to stock up on common staples as well as organic fruits and vegetables. Most locals take advantage of the large inventory of standard foods at Piggly Wiggly and the Walmart Supercenter, while organic stores such as Outpost Natural Foods serve up a healthy fare of locally grown vegetables and sustainable meats and cheeses. Estabrook Park does not have its own farmers market, but you can travel for less than 10 minutes along North Humbolt Boulevard to find the Riverwest Gardeners Market. This renowned market draws visitors from all over the area in both the summer and winter for its assortment of locally grown produce and crafts.