Avenues West - Milwaukee, WI

Settlers came to Spring Street, now known as Wisconsin Avenue, as early as the 1840s. The 1870s and 1880s saw the Avenues West area as the premier residential neighborhood of the growing city of Milwaukee. Spring Street became Grand Street, and the area was touted as one of America's best neighborhoods, with over 60 mansions and elite residences by the peak era of the 1890s. The early 20th century saw many Grand Street mansions torn down and replaced by apartments; many of the remaining mansions became rooming houses. The famous Pabst Mansion remains - the only one of its kind to survive with its original 1890s architecture.

Avenues West contains several museums, including the Haggerty Museum of Art, the Pabst Mansion and the Englander Dental Museum. The nearby Third Ward district hosts the annual Gallery Night and Day event, showcasing local artists.

Avenues West has a good selection of food choices, primarily aimed at college-aged palates. There are several eateries posted up along Wisconsin Avenue, and other restaurants sprinkled throughout the neighborhood.

Real Chili represents a somewhat polarizing no-frills Milwaukee institution with a very limited but popular menu. Real Chili's "chili" consists of spaghetti noodles, beans and homemade beef chili with optional sides of onions, cheese and sour cream. The food is rich and filling, perfect for the blistering cold winters or after a few beers at the local pub. The local chain has been around since 1931, and stays true to these simpler times by retaining a low-key Wisconsin feel that remains unswayed by culinary trends.

Wisconsin supper clubs attract the locals in search of tasty food and great atmosphere, and Five O'clock Steakhouse is a standout. Since 1948, this upscale supper club and steakhouse has served up non-pretentious and hearty meals, not to mention a mean martini. Those looking for the ultimate in decadence will find it in the bacon wrapped steak fillets with bleu cheese topping and Parmesan cream. You'll love kicking back in the relaxing low lighting as you enjoy a real taste of Wisconsin's finest regional fare.

For a quick bite to eat on the go, stop in to Ruby G's Espresso Bar. This busy joint offers almost a dozen sandwiches, breakfast items, soups and more at affordable prices. Those with a substantial appetite should try the Paul Bunyan breakfast bowl, a heaping portion of potatoes, bacon, ham sausage, cheddar cheese, two eggs, green pepper, red onions and tomato. Ruby's G also serves up Alterra brand coffee, a Milwaukee roaster that's a favorite among the locals.

National touring bands and local heroes can be heard at one of Milwaukee's most famous clubs, the Rave/Eagles Club. The historic 1920s building has 6 separate stages and frequent shows. Murphy's Irish Pub brings in Marquette students with great beer and pool tables. Caffrey's Pub also offers students a place to grab a pint - it's conveniently located right on campus for much-needed study breaks.

Avenues West sits just east of downtown, bordered by Interstate 43 and Interstate 94. The main artery, West Wisconsin Avenue, cuts through the neighborhood and over the Milwaukee River into downtown, providing residents with a straight route. Parking can be hard to find near Marquette, but other areas in the neighborhood contain more readily available parking spaces. Walking and biking are popular options here with students and residents of all ages, and bike lanes are available on some major streets. Public transit is abundant and frequent, an easy ride across the river to downtown. Hailing a cab is possible, but not especially convenient. Try calling one of the many local taxi providers or Uber for a pick up in the area.

The Avenues West neighborhood remains very urban and concentrated, leaving little room for public parks. There are a few small neighborhood parks in the immediate area, providing residents with a break from the city energy. Dogs are welcome on a leash, but there aren't any dog parks in the neighborhood. No prominent annual events occur in the neighborhood parks.

King Park, named after Doctor Martin Luther King Jr, is a tree-filled neighborhood park with a community center, a multi-gym, basketball and football courts. The community center provides boxing lessons, youth groups and team sports for kids and young adults. The center also provides lessons in karate and self-development for youth. Tiefenthaler park presents a great option for kids in the summertime, with interactive water features including ground water jets, spray posts and water-spray spirals. Both parks contain trails for hiking, biking or running and have play structures for kids.

Cost of living in Avenues West sits at about 4% less than the Milwaukee average and 12% less than the national average. Public transit to downtown Milwaukee costs $2.25. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages $589.56 per month. The typical price of a beer at a local pub costs around $3-5, less for cans of PBR and equivalent. Gas prices sit about 5% lower than the national average.

Avenues West hosts pharmacies, convenience stores and other service-oriented businesses in the area. There are also plenty of specialty stores such as Sunshine Wig Shop and John the Muffler Man near the West Wisconsin Avenue.

The Shops of Grand Avenue provide locals access to chain retail stores. Find cute accessories at Sassy 2 Classy to match with the designer clothing that you bought from T.J. Maxx and then finish off your shopping adventure with a chicken Caesar wrap combo from La Delicatesse. Head to ReThreads Clothing to buy, or even sell, some clothing. Locals love to come here to get rid of old garments while picking up new fashions for cheap. Grocery options range from Outpost Natural Foods to Sav-On Foods and smaller neighborhood groceries. Westown Farmer's Market is available nearby to the east of Avenues West.