Juneau Town - Milwaukee, WI Area Guide

Juneau Town was one of Milwaukee's first settled sections, where Canadian-born Solomon Juneau built the first log cabin in the area in 1822. Solomon soon organized an industrious settlement, and the city of Milwaukee incorporated the area in 1846. A building frenzy characterized the area throughout the 19th century, and Milwaukee area railroad ventures and industry transformed this neighborhood into one of the wealthier spots in the metro area.

Arts and culture thrive in this metropolitan neighborhood. Catch the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra or the Milwaukee Ballet at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, or discover more than 35,000 works of art from high-profile artists at the Milwaukee Art Museum, including the largest collection of Georgia O'Keeffe.

Bastille Days celebrates Milwaukee's French heritage every July in Cathedral Square Park. This free festival introduces more than 200,000 visitors annually to French and Cajun cuisine, roaming buskers, chef and wine demos and live music.

Juneau Town presents some of the most characteristic restaurants and foodie joints in Milwaukee, and from the abundance of food trucks to hearty international fares throughout the entire neighborhood, you can always discover something new to eat.

Bacchus on East Wells knows how to provide its patrons with a special night out, with an elegant setting ideal for romantic or business-centric occasions. Executive Chef Nick Wirth uses cultivated skill and creativity for the restaurant's sophisticated menu that includes a diverse selection of small plates, soups and entrees. Start dinner off with Sicilian arancini, and then dive into the hearty oven-roasted Maine lobster or the Porterhouse for Two, a local favorite. The six-course Chef's tasting menu with optional wine pairing serves larger groups, and the vegetarian menu keeps the non-meat eaters satisfied.

If you're looking to engage your carnivorous side, Carnevor carries the proud role of being Milwaukee's premier steakhouse. Located on North Milwaukee Street, this modern-style restaurant introduces its visitors to wet and dry-aged USDA prime beef and the coveted Kobe beef imported from Japan. Carnevor features acclaim from Hospitality Design magazine and even received an award of excellence from Wine Spectator magazine for its more than 400 selections on the wine list. New York strip, Kobe beef filet mignon and Alaskan king crab legs are just a few of the selections on the comprehensive menu.

Juneau Town has grown into the central hub for Milwaukee's nightlife, with a range of trendy nightclubs and upscale lounges catering to both quiet evenings with friends and high-octane nights out. Victor's Cocktail Lounge and Restaurant on Van Buren Street blends a high-class lounge setting within a dance-encouraged disco. Come for the iconic fish fry or pizza by the slice, and stay to dance to classics hits from the 1960s to today. The 42 Lounge on East Mason Street may be unlike any bar you've ever been to. Gamer-themed cocktails and drinks augment the large televisions hooked up with Xbox consoles, and you can play your favorite games, drink and watch a Brewers game all at the same time. Watch for special events, such as RPG board game nights and live comedians.

The intersection of the North-South Freeway and the East-West Freeway in Juneau Town connects locals to convenient and direct access to Chicago in the south and Madison to the west. During rush hour, however, this major intersection can produce traffic jams. When putting your frequent flier miles to use at the General Mitchell International Airport, take the scenic Lake Freeway along the Lake Michigan shoreline to reach the airport in about 20 to 30 minutes. You can often find metered roadside parking and several parking ramps located throughout the area.

Despite Juneau Town's advantageous position nestled within two of Wisconsin's most prominent interstates and several lakeside drives, this neighborhood endures as the most walkable and bicycle-friendly area in Milwaukee. Flat streets and abundant parks with pedestrian-only paths make getting around by bike more convenient than by car, but a lack of bike-only lanes means that bikers have to be wary of traffic.

Most locals choose to walk when running quick errands or getting around the neighborhood, where enticing boutiques and hidden gems around any corner can make for a pleasant stroll. You should not have trouble hailing a cab from the curb in many parts of the area, though you can find most cabs along West Wells Street and Kilbourn Avenue. Use Uber's convenient app on your smartphone for a reliable and affordable ride within minutes.

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) provides comprehensive service throughout the Juneau Town neighborhood, as well as to the airport, Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. North-south routes run along Water Street, Milwaukee Street and a few others, while the east-west routes run along Kilbourne Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue. All Milwaukee buses feature easy-to-use bike racks.

Milwaukee County has over 140 parks to keep locals in touch with nature and outdoor recreation. Within the Juneau Town neighborhood, residents can find a blend of expansive and exciting parks, as well as the splendor of Lake Michigan. Juneau Park and Veterans Park both form a stark transition from the urban skyline to the expansive beaches of Lake Michigan.

Juneau Park evokes an atmosphere of a serene neighborhood park, where ornamental trees and 14 acres of green space encourage endless activity. A collection of paved walking paths, such as the Oak Leaf Trail, remain ideal for bikers and joggers, and an abundance of park benches provide a peaceful refuge. Kids enjoy running free, and the entire family can get exercise. Dogs are allowed in Juneau Park, but make sure to keep them on leashes.

The nearby Veterans Park Lagoon is well-known for its paddle boat rentals, but for comprehensive water-based activity that does not cost a fee, take the Oak Leaf Trail along the Veterans Park shoreline for miles of beautiful beaches. Enjoy beach volleyball and swimming in the cool Lake Michigan waters to stay in shape while having fun. When the winter snow comes, bring your ice skates to Slice of Ice in Red Arrow Park where you can skate for free as long as you have your own skates.

Enjoy free Wi-Fi and shaded picnic benches in Cathedral Square, and throughout the summer, you can discover some of Milwaukee's most revered events. Every Thursday between June and September, Cathedral Square features the Jazz in the Park live music series. This park also hosts Bastille Days, which transforms this park into one of the biggest French culture events in the nation.

The cost of living in Juneau Town is quite higher than the Milwaukee average, though its variety of shops and restaurants do cater to frugal lifestyles. A typical one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood rents for about $1,085 per month.

One-way trips throughout the downtown area with MCTS cost $2.25, but you do have the possibility to save on bus fare with the MCTS M-Card. Gas prices generally settle around 11 percent lower than the national average, while a pint of beer at local pubs costs approximately $5 to $7.

Since Juneau Town rests right in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, this neighborhood keeps locals up-to-date with trendy fashions from popular boutiques while offering a variety of convenient chains and mom-and-pop shops.

The Shops of Grand Ave shopping center stands as the local favorite for one-stop shopping, as this multi-level, skywalk-connected shopping hub includes everything from Boston Store and TJ Maxx to smaller boutiques, like Ayzha Fine Arts Gallery & Boutique. If you get hungry while shopping, this shopping center features the largest food court in Milwaukee.

For a quieter scene, head to Boutique B'Lou to discover sophisticated apparel with a modernist flair. This quaint shop on East Wisconsin Avenue features sportswear and evening wear that captures a true couture style. When getting ready for the big party or a professional interview, this shop's courteous staff is eager to help you look your very best.

Juneau Town presents much more than high-class clothing boutiques, as several used book stores and music shops indulge the neighborhood's artistic and intellectual yearnings. Musical Memories on East Kilbourn Avenue caters to the vinyl enthusiasts through its massive showcase of rare and vintage pieces that you can't find anywhere else. Downtown Books - Bought & Sold introduces visitors to all of the books, VHS tapes and comic books they would ever need.

Juneau Town residents typically get their groceries at the Whole Foods market adjacent to Columbia St. Mary’s. The Metro Market has also become a local favorite for its delicacies and specialty groceries, including over 900 wines and artisan Wisconsin cheeses.

The East Town Market in Cathedral Square Park occurs every Saturday from June to October, connecting locals to over 100 Wisconsin farmers, crafters and chefs. Stop by in the morning for group yoga, and then stock your fridge with seasonal and unique produce.