When Milwaukee was the Machine Shop of the World, the Menomonee River Valley was its engine. The Valley was a prime location for industry because of its easy access to the railway and canal network. With more than 20 historic industrial buildings on the street, W St. Paul Ave has a rich collection of historic industrial buildings that haven't changed much over time, but their uses have.
When Sobelman’s Pub & Grill opened in 2000, there wasn’t a lot of action on the street apart from cars showing up on a quiet corridor for drag racing. Today there are a dozen locally-owned businesses that are part of the growing St. Paul Avenue Design District. Businesses are renovating historic buildings and repurposing them to showcase furniture, lighting, decorative stone, antiques, and more. This didn’t happen overnight and was made possible by people coming together. Join Menomonee Valley Partners, the lead agency in the redevelopment of the Valley, on a stroll through the street’s history, visit a couple of the businesses, and hear how this street transformed over the last 100 years or so.
This is a one-way walk. We’ll begin at Brass Light Gallery (1101 W St. Paul Ave) and walk seven blocks west to Riverview Antique Market. You can stop by some of the shops on your way back to Brass Light Gallery at the end of the walk. Grab lunch at Sobelman’s and then a beer at Third Space Brewing to add some local flavor to your walk!
This 7-block walk is accessible for all, using city streets. The walk will occur rain or shine.
Buses 12, 14, 30, 31, 57, 81, and BLU have stops near Brass Light Gallery. Or you can take The Hop to the Amtrak Intermodal Station. Street parking is available.
Learn more about the Design District on St. Paul Avenue.
REGISTRATION
10:30AM - Noon (SOLD OUT)
This walk is led by Menomonee Valley Partners as part of 2022 Doors Open Milwaukee.
Noon - 1:30PM
This session is led by Menomonee Valley Partners. Tickets are on sale now. Call or text 414-308-2706 to register.
Add event to calendar
This event is part of 2022 Valley Week, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Valley Week is an annual event that invites you to explore and experience Milwaukee's Menomonee River Valley!
You are invited to explore and experience the Valley at more than a dozen events in just one week. Including a happy hour river cruise, hard-hat tour, outdoor movie, kayak tour, and so much more, Valley Week showcases some must-do unique Valley experiences!
Proceeds from the events support Menomonee Valley Partners, a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 to revitalize the Menomonee River Valley.
