German Heritage Tour

Milwaukee, once known as the German Athens, is the most German among major US cities. Walking down Old World Third Street today you are not likely to see many German shops advertising “English Spoken Here” as a special or unique service, but as early as 1848 it would not have been uncommon. Germans represented 1/3 of the entire population in Milwaukee and this section of the city was integral to German immigrant’s daily life.

Today, much of the landscape today reflects that influence including a number of stops on the tour such as Turner Hall (1882), the Germania Building (1896) and Old St. Mary’s Church (1846). Woven between the cream city bricks, hear stories about the notable German biermeisters, tanners, merchants and artists who helped to shape Milwaukee.

After the tour, stop by Mader’s (1902; 1920s) for an authentic Bavarian meal or stop into Usinger’s Sausage (1880) or the Wisconsin Cheese Mart (1938) for a snack or souvenir.