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Wauwatosa, often called Tosa, is a city of about 48,000 people directly west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Settled in the 1830s around a mill on the Menomonee River, it grew into a streetcar suburb with tree-lined streets of early 20th-century homes, and it is now one of the most popular places to live in the Milwaukee area.
The heart of the city is the Village, a walkable historic district on the river with independent shops, cafes and restaurants around Harwood Avenue. The Menomonee River Parkway winds through Tosa past Hoyt Park, with its restored pool and riverside beer garden, and Hart Park, home to summer concerts. The Milwaukee County Grounds hold a large park where thousands of monarch butterflies gather each fall.
History lovers can visit the Kneeland-Walker House and the 1840s Lowell Damon House. Mayfair Mall is a major shopping draw, and the Milwaukee County Zoo, American Family Field and downtown Milwaukee are just minutes away.
The historic center of Wauwatosa along the Menomonee River, with brick storefronts, independent boutiques, coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants around Harwood Avenue and State Street. It hosts seasonal street events and holiday celebrations. Park in the public lots and walk across the river footbridge.
A wooded park on the Menomonee River Parkway with a community-run swimming pool restored by local volunteers, open in summer, and The Landing, a seasonal beer garden in a historic stone building. Walking and biking trails follow the river. Go on a summer evening for drinks and live music.
Wauwatosa's main community park along the Menomonee River, with sports fields, a playground, a stadium and a bandshell that hosts the free Tosa Tonight summer concert series. Paved paths connect to the Village and the river trail. Bring a blanket and arrive early for concerts on Wednesday evenings.
A small green park beside the Menomonee River in the Village, with lawns, benches and river views next to the historic downtown footbridge. It is a pleasant place to rest with a coffee or ice cream from a nearby shop. It also serves as a gathering spot for community events in the warmer months.
A large Milwaukee County park on the historic County Grounds with trails, prairie, a dog exercise area and a retention basin wetland. Each September thousands of monarch butterflies rest here on their migration to Mexico, and volunteers lead tagging events. Visit on a calm late-summer afternoon.
A winding parkway road and trail along the Menomonee River through Wauwatosa, lined with old trees, stone bridges and parks. It is popular for walking, cycling and quiet drives, especially when the leaves turn in October. Use the parkway to link Hoyt Park, the Village and Hart Park on a bike ride.
An 1890 Queen Anne style home with a carriage house and Victorian gardens, now the headquarters of the Wauwatosa Historical Society. Rooms show period furniture and local history exhibits, and the gardens are lovely in summer. Tours are offered on limited days, so check the society's schedule before visiting.
A colonial-style frame house built in the 1840s and one of the oldest homes in Milwaukee County, furnished with period pieces to show pioneer life in early Wauwatosa. It is run by the Milwaukee County Historical Society and open only on select days or by appointment. Check ahead before you go.
A large enclosed shopping mall in Wauwatosa with department stores, national chains, restaurants and a movie theater, plus more dining in the surrounding Mayfair Collection. It is one of the main shopping destinations in the Milwaukee area. Weekday mornings are quietest, and parking is free.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: The original uploader was Freekee at English Wikipedia., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Freekee, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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