Beyond Brady Street

This key commercial corridor on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side was settled by Polish immigrants who built St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church (1886) as the center of their community. Their residences, seen mostly north of Brady, became the ubiquitous Milwaukee Polish Flat. Later the neighborhood became home to a number of Italian families, who transformed many commercial buildings into businesses that are still on Brady today like Glorioso’s Italian Market (1946) or Peter Sciortino’s Bakery (1947).

On this tour, you’ll also hear more about the counterculture era from the 1960s and 1970s and learn how Brady Street has reinvented itself in recent year. The tour blends local history and cultural insight with the sights and atmosphere of one of Milwaukee’s most engaging urban corridors.

After the tour, stop by Thai-namite for great thai food or sushi or check out Dorsia for great Italian.

Duration: 120 minutes

1.2-mile, moderate pace

$8-$16

Great For:

  • Residential
  • Social History
  • Italian & Polish
  • Commercial District

Thoughts from other tour attendees

"The 2-hour tour was the perfect amount of time to get a broad overview of Brady Street." - Tour Attendee, October 16, 2025

Starting Location

Meet your guide at St. Hedwig Three Holy Women Catholic Church on N. Humboldt St.

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