Milwaukee's Cozy Suburb Is A Park-Filled Hideaway With Corner Cafés And A Walkable Downtown

Milwaukee is a popular Midwest travel spot, touted as the most affordable lake destination in the country. While Milwaukee has lots to offer, its suburbs are just as charming and special as the city itself. Tucked between Brookfield (a small Wisconsin city bursting with boutiques and tasty dining) and Milwaukee is Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. This Milwaukee suburb's unique parks, snug cafes, and walkable downtown make it a must-visit for folks who want a retreat from the big city while still being close enough to easily access Milwaukee's amenities.

It's super easy to get to Wauwatosa. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is just 20 minutes away. From the airport, you can rent a car and head straight over to Wauwatosa. Or, if you'd rather use public transportation, Milwaukee has an excellent bus system that you can ride from the airport to Wauwatosa. Once you get here, you'll find plenty of convenient places to stay, from comfortable vacation rentals to established hotel chains. Many lodging options put you within minutes of Wauwatosa's parks, cafes, and walkable downtown streets, making it simple to start exploring after you unpack.

Wauwatosa boasts numerous distinctive parks, which makes it easy to find one you like. The city's newest park, Firefly Grove Park, is an artsy oasis in the middle of the city. This green space is home to Wisconsin's first Thomas Dambo troll sculpture (named Mama Rosa), five unique park benches designed by different artists, and a shady woven hut sculpted with live willow branches. All these elements come together to make this park a magical addition to Wauwatosa. 

Hoyt Park is another great place in Wauwatosa for both kids and adults to stay entertained. While it has traditional park elements like nature trails, a play area, and sports fields, it also has a beer garden called The Landing that's open year-round. The Landing often hosts events like live music, game nights, and trivia. This park is the perfect place to take the kids for a day of play or to kick back and enjoy a beer with friends.

Another unique Wauwatosa park is Hartung Park. This park is perfect for keeping your brain and body active. You can puzzle out the solution to the stone labyrinth, admire bronze sculptures based on fossils of creatures that lived in Wisconsin millions of years ago, or explore a picturesque nature trail. The trail in this park also connects to the 4.5-mile Menomonee River Parkway Loop and the 3.8-mile Menomonee River Mountain Bike Loop so you can enjoy even more of this town's lush scenery. If you're up for a more ambitious walk than the trails in Wauwatosa can provide, the 14-mile Hank Aaron State Trail passes along the southern edge of Wauwatosa and goes directly to the Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee's most stylish district.

Wauwatosa's charming downtown is lovingly known as The Village. This walkable part of the city has an old-timey, European vibe and is full of cozy cafes like Vendetta Coffee Bar and cute boutiques. You can spend the day meandering along the beautiful streets of The Village, perusing shops or grabbing a cup of joe at one of the coffeeshops. To learn some of the history of the area, try out one of the city's walking tours. The Wauwatosa Historical Society has put together maps for five self-led walking tours of different parts of the city, two of which focus on The Village. Get a feel for the history of the area while admiring the beautiful architecture and friendly atmosphere of Wauwatosa's downtown.

While The Village has several cute cafes, the rest of the city is full of cozy corner cafes and artisan bakeries as well. Colectivo Coffee has an indoor and outdoor fire pit, and they serve breakfast all day long. Their coffee beans are roasted fresh every day at a roastery in Milwaukee, so you're sure to get a fresh cup of coffee here. Or, head over to Fiddleheads Coffee. This two-story coffeeshop offers tons of seating so customers can relax and enjoy their brews. The shop also features a stunning mural that spans both stories and adds an artsy feel to the cafe. For a sweet treat, try Rocket Baby Bakery. This is one of the best bakeries in Wauwatosa per Yelp, and the shop serves up coffee and other drinks alongside their delicious fresh pastries and bread.