Bronze Fonz

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27821

8 months ago

A life-size bronze sculpture of the happy days legend Henry Winkler. I was curious why he's here since he's from New York City and understand. I read the "Bronze Fonz" statue is in Milwaukee because the popular TV sitcom Happy Days, which starred Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli, was set in 1950s Milwaukee. The statue, located on the city's RiverWalk, was erected in 2008 by Visit Milwaukee to honor the iconic character and boost tourism, becoming a popular landmark and selfie spot. However, we walked and walked and walked, and I never found him. We saw another strange set of Riverwalk statues. I'm glad we came back in the morning and found the Fonz. He was surrounded by tourist and sad people talking to them themselves passed out on the bench. My GPS said there's a safe house around the corner. read more

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May A.

656

4031

67216

10 months ago

The Fonz: "AYYY!" [Milwaukee WI] It was a bit challenging finding parking here since there was construction going on at E Wells Street. We circled the area for a while trying to find a spot and couldn't find one nearby. We eventually found street parking at the Milwaukee City Hall and walked across towards the Pabst Theater on E Wells Street and there by the Milwaukee River... is the Bronze Fonz! "Whoa" LoL! Flashback!! there he was, a life-size statue of Fonzie doing the double thumbs up while saying his iconic catchphrase "AYYYYYY!" ahhh! These Days Are Ours... Happy Days! For the younger generation, Happy Days was one of the most iconic TV shows of all time, featuring Ron Howard as Richie, Anson Williams as Potsie, and Donnie Most as Ralph Malph, but the star of the show was Henry Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli. The show aired from January 15, 1974 to July 19, 1984 "Ayyyyyy!" Review #3835 read more

Bronze Fonz - 07.05.25 me and The Fonz "Ayyy" - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bronze Fonz - 07.05.25 the iconic leather jacket, the perfect hair, and of course, the trademark "Ayyyyyy!" - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Brian D.

7

109

111

8 months ago

I mean, it's The Fonze and he's made of Bronze. What more do you need to know? Childhood hero moment achieved. If you are downtown in Milwaukee you pretty have to get a pic with Arthur Fonzerelli. read more

Bronze Fonz - Bronze Fonz - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Cindy L.

218

1470

15851

3 years ago

This place was so fun. The history behind the TV shows are great. I love the Fonz, view was spectacular. I WOULD RECOMMEND read more

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Courtney G.

107

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2 years ago

This was so fun to see! There was no one around, so we could take pictures and take all the time we wanted. read more

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Keith A.

2104

997

55889

4 years ago

If you are in downtown Milwaukee there are several things to see but how could you pass up an opportunity to look at, photograph, and / or take a selfie with the Fonz? I grew up watching Happy Days and Arthur Fonzarelli so I definitely wanted to check it out. The river walk area was fun and a good photo opportunity for me to capture some things that we don't have in CA. read more

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Maronda H.

111

1146

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3 years ago

This was one of the reasons, that I wanted to come and visit Milwaukee. I wanted to stop and take a picture with the Bronze Fonz on the Riverwalk. I grew up watching "Happy Days", so it was only right to stop and take pics with The One and Only Fonz. I was just a bit disappointed with all the liter around the statue. We had to clean the scattered popcorn from around it before we took pictures. But Eyyyyy thumbs up to The Fonz. read more

Bronze Fonz - Hey Me & The Fonz - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bronze Fonz - Hey - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Kathy V.

585

2312

10933

4 years ago

Weird local flavor. A life-sized bronze statue of Arthur Fonzarelli, of the show Happy Days, stands proudly near a street crossing of the Riverwalk in downtown Milwaukee. It is but a silly photo opportunity. But...why does it need to be more than that? Do your best "Eyyyyyyy!" and have someone snap a picture. Ta daaa! You have successfully interacted with the Bronze Fonz. read more

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Ankita S.

40

228

882

2 years ago

The riverwalk is a wonderful activity for us to do with our pups on a nice day! The length is whatever you want to make it - you can do the whole thing or cut it short anywhere. Plus on a day when there's ducks or birds, the pups get super excited. There's some really cool art and sculptures along the way including the Bronze Fonz plus the views are nice too all along the river. read more

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Jeremy J.

1819

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2 years ago

Hey here I was with the Fonz hanging out, taking photos with him being best friends he was on the frozen pond, Riverwalk in downtown Milwaukee as I was walking around I saw him took a few pics read more

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Eli T.

25

360

460

2 years ago

Fun statue to visit while in MKE. Took a brewery tour and learned this was here. Definitely worth a spot!

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Phil Y.

206

1541

6965

5 years ago

Family vacation 2021...bringing the California variant of COVID-19 to your city. I found Fonzie while walking the streets of Milwaukee. Yeah he was the Bronze Fonz. Where was Richie, Potsie, Ralph, Joanie, and Mr. & Mrs. C? What about Pinky Tuscadero and Jenny Piccolo? Who could forget Arnold? 4 stars for having the Bronz Fonz. Give me the rest of the Happy Days cast, and I'll bump it up to 5 stars. read more

Bronze Fonz - The Bronze Fonz - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Rob W.

94

85

44

3 years ago

It was great to finally see the Bronze Fonzie Statue. May 2023 * Business I was on a layover with my airline. I've been to Milwaukee many times but had never been to the Bronze Fonzie Statue. I wanted to see it because I have the same last name as Henry Winkler. read more

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Erica R.

3639

623

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8 years ago

Honestly, I don't know much about Happy Days beyond the basics learned from watching some episodes on Nick at Nite while I was growing up. That said, finding the Bronze Fonz seemed like a necessity while I was in Milwaukee for a couple days and staying at a hotel located just a couple blocks from this little landmark. I can't really say if the Bronze Fonz is all that hard to find, as I was checking out the RiverWalk with a local who knew exactly how to get there. Once along the RiverWalk and checking out the space, I do know there is a nice little seating location nearby. The spot along the RiverWalk is enjoyable... but folks come to see the Fonz in his bronze-y awesomeness and snap a selfie with a sculpture that adds some bonus, local flavor to the RiverWalk. Besides, it's Fonzie. He's an icon... so why not check it off the 'ol bucket list. read more

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Jennifer F.

28

686

59

3 years ago

It's the Bronze Fonz! Nothing more to say than that. It's a happy bronze statue (not life-sized) along the Riverwalk. Nothing offensive, just a silly tribute to an old sitcom that took place in Milwaukee. read more

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Jason V.

157

845

505

8 years ago

Things I learned about the city of Milwaukee: they've had more than its share of visitors including traders in the 1600s, it is actually pronounced "Milly-wau-kay" (translates to the "Good Land") and it is the only major US city to ever elect three Socialist mayors. That was coming from Alice Cooper from a movie. Now, from experiencing Milwaukee in person, I discovered they have cool retro architecture, they love huge clocks on buildings and they pay tribute to their historical heroes (fiction and non-fiction) in statue form. It's understandable that there is a mixed reaction from the locals about the Fonz statue. Hey, pop culture reign supreme in Milwaukee! The Fonz and the city go hand-in-hand for all Happy Days fans. My only disappointment about the statue is that it is quite short. Having met Henry Winkler in real life, he's about the size of me. Unless it was intentional, then no problem at all. It's a great photo op for anyone who loves the show and pop culture in general. read more

Bronze Fonz - Ayyyy - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Vic C.

149

3959

17865

8 years ago

"Aayyyyy" On August 19, 2008, the Bronze Fonz was unveiled to the city of Milwaukee, found along the riverwalk. My husband, our little girl dog and I walked the riverwalk in downtown on a Tuesday afternoon, around 2:15 pm. It was nice that no one was there waiting in line to take a photo with Henry Winkler's Arthor Fonzarelli (aka Fonzie or The Fonz) from the 1970's show, Happy Days (which took place in Milwaukee). The bronze statue has Fonzie in his trademark attire of a leather jacket and jeans. And of course with 2 thumbs up, as his famous gesture in the show. Even if you never watched the show or was a fan, the statue is just one of those things that you should check out if you are in downtown Milwaukee (why not just walk the riverwalk? Bring a hat though because there isn't shade). Then reward yourself with a round or 2 at one of the many local breweries in downtown (you know Fonzie would thumbs up that idea). read more

Bronze Fonz - To see cute photos of this dog: IG @Adventureswithmuffin - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Dawn V.

222

1170

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8 years ago

You're entire RiverWalk experience should have 2 destinations: 1. Gertie the Duck 2. The Bronze Fonz Get those two pics and head to the nearest brewery! Your tour is complete! Somehow I was expecting crowds so no worries.. you can be alone with the Fonz read more

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Sarah S.

5000

4259

35695

12 years ago

My friend and I were having a gay ol' time chilling out in the way comfy cushioned outdoor seating by the Bronze Fonz. The sun was blazing down on us, we were laughing at people taking pictures with the statue, and of course waiting for own chance to take silly pix with the statue. While relaxing and basking in the sunlight, I saw one of the most strange things my tiny eyeballs have ever laid their gaze upon. A gentleman walked up with a bag full of mostly donuts with some trash thrown in. My guess is they were scrapings of the day from some local bakery or a DD. He then proceeded to dump out the entire bag which must have had at least 100 donuts and various other trash onto the pavement next to Bronze Fonz. He threw a bunch of donuts into the river - which made me cringe thinking about how horrible that was going to be for the seagulls and ducks. He spread them all around the pavement so they weren't in one concentrated pile. As he went through this ritual, everyone just stared in disbelief. He then took a few donuts, walked right up to Fonzie while a family was posing taking pictures, and stuck one donut on each of his upward pointing thumbs. For his final hurrah, he took one donut, placed it on a bench and stuck a feather in it as if it were some artistic creation. Donuts were everywhere. My friend and I sat incredulously as did everyone else standing around. No one said a word to protest the actions and the entire area was now littered with actual litter & donuts. The man then walked away in silence. read more

Bronze Fonz - Donuts on his thumbs...poor Fonz - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bronze Fonz - Donut feather artwork on the bench next to Bronze Fonz - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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LaShonda H.

95

287

393

7 years ago

If you are on a local tour of all things MKE, it's important to add taking a selfie or a few group pics with the Bronze Fonz! He was very willing to take tons of pictures with us! The great things is he's close to places to grab a bite or a cocktail. MKE must to check off your tourist list. Locals dig him too! read more

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Kyle H.

1426

2106

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15 years ago

OMG, debating the value and likeness of a bronzed TV show character statue is kind of laughable, and missing the point. Happy Days was kind of a kitschy, corny, humorous send up of the 1950's, remember? We're not talking a statue of a World dignitary, here! We're talking about a Shakespeare-trained actor (Racine native, Henry Winkler) who happened to luck out (for better and worse) and become an American TV icon, known around the world. Wait, I guess I am debating the value of the Bronze Fonz. It's totally kitschy, corny, and fun! And you have to get a pic doing the thumbs and saying "Ayyyyyyyy" (or at least thinking it). I mean, are you too Cool for School to be Uncool? Well, that's just not cool. I heard Ron Howard was in town, recently, and took a pic with the Bronze Fonz and sent it to Henry Winkler. Are you gonna tell me Opie isn't cool?!? Oh, and dialing the statue up on my phone using the Yelp Android app, I never noticed that Yelp tells you the distance from your destination, and changes that distance as you approach! Love it! And love this statue because it makes people happy. And uncool. Ayyyyyyyyyy... read more

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Bruce K.

2404

25743

75003

13 years ago

DO NOT DISS THE FONZ. This is the Fonz, the coolest Dude in all of Dudeness. Show respect, dammit! In case you didn't know (I had to look it up), the TV show Happy Days which followed the adventures of the Cunningham family and their friend Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli was set here in Milwaukee. read more

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Pamela M.

880

1115

7459

11 years ago

It's kinda cheesy. Nice location. Yelp wants me to write more but this is a rare case where I don't need a lotta words to make my point. read more

Bronze Fonz - Messing around with the little Fonzie before a show at the Marcus ;b - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Jamie L.

49

540

1016

10 years ago

It's a statue and it's cheesy but that's what makes it awesome. When we went there it was covered in poop (and I question if some of it wasn't animal...) and surrounded with broken glass and cigarette butts. That being said we still took our photo with it. I loved Happy Days when I was a kid so I had to come see it. (plus when I asked EVERYONE said I had to visit it) read more

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Ben B.

278

1039

3759

12 years ago

SOMEONE HAS VANDALIZED THE FONZ! We showed up on October 7, 2014 and there was red marker or paint on his white shirt. This was very upsetting. Was it the work of an embittered Leather Tuscadero? Anyway, it's a statue. Of Fonzie. Show up, snap your picture and move along... read more

Bronze Fonz - Graffiti isn't cool. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Aimee M.

Elite 22

530

1347

247

7 years ago

My favorite Happy Days Episode is the dance contest at Arnold's. Perfectamundo! Ayyyyyy! read more

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Melinda R.

Elite 23

244

545

550

8 years ago

Heeeeeey! Who doesn't love Fonzie? Stop your stroll along the river walk just long enough to snap a selfie, and then carry on with your business because that's really all there is to do here. It's located on the actual river walk, so it's hard to miss if you're walking along anyways. This is the small, silly local things that I love seeing when in a new city. read more

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Lisa M.

Elite 18

90

473

220

9 years ago

Didn't even know I could review it! A group of us were in from out of town and we were all driving in about 4 separate cars, so our Milwaukee hosts said lets go early and take turns checking it out. I'm not sure why, but we all loved this thing. I guess it's cuz it's a statue of the Fonz on the street and it makes for a great picture and talking points. Next time I'm in town I'm going again. read more

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Jeff H.

0

316

767

5 years ago

An entertaining curiosity if you're a fan of "Happy Days." Right near the Riverwalk so that is nice too. read more

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Nancy G.

315

821

3371

11 years ago

Is it cheesy? Yes. But you know what? I LOVE cheesy! It's what makes life fun! If you're gonna be a tourist, BE A TOURIST! Go see all the stuff that a city is known for even though the locals are "so over it, already"! I live here and I HAD to see this thing when it was first erected. I take out-of-towners to see it and I direct people who are new in town to check it out. When I asked friends and family who have never been here, "What comes to mind when I say Milwaukee?", the top responses were beer, the Brewers and Happy Days/Fonzie/Laverne and Shirley, so you know this thing is something the people will come to see; and if it brings more business downtown, that's a good thing, right? So, raise your glass or, rather, your thumbs to the Bronze Fonz and celebrate him in all his cheesy glory. And to the haters? Sit on it! 84/2015 read more

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Michael S.

Elite 23

504

1428

3259

8 years ago

A cute way to remember the tv character, The Fonz! Located on the walkway that lines the river in downtown Milwaukee, the statue is a bit hard to find, but there are a few indiscreet signs that will help you find your way. Certainly for anyone who grew up watching Happy Days, finding Fonz for that photo op is a fun stop! read more

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Tiffany N.

436

2610

5225

11 years ago

Who doesn't love Arthur Fonazarelli? When I told a coworker I was going to Milwaukee he told me that I had to go visit the bronze fonz. So my friends and I made our way down to the Riverwalk and finally found him after remembering he was across the river from Rockbottom. It was a little disheartening knowing that none of the locals knew where he was, which made us question if he really did exist. We wen, we took our picture and then we left, he's really more like a zombie Fonz than anything. Hey, when you're a tourist you're always looking for something fun to do. read more

Bronze Fonz - I love the Fonz but it's more like zombie Fonz! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Forrest W.

62

21

2

7 years ago

What an awesome experience and so happy that the city of Milwaukee honored The Fronz. Thank you for all the fun!!!! read more

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Virginia L.

265

700

266

17 years ago

It's a pretty silly thing to have a statue of and, in my humble opinion, it's not very well placed, but it's there so go check it out. read more

Bronze Fonz - Me and THE FONZ! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Eric T.

Elite 16

61

110

95

11 years ago

Didn't watch Happy Days, but this statue just screams fun. Took so many photos with it, and had some overall good fun. Most people don't know about the bronze font, but they should! read more

Bronze Fonz - Ayeee - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Shonda T.

9

15

5

5 years ago

Beautiful riverwalk area. Great photo opportunity. Other art work nearby. Lots of restaurants close by. Free parking.

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Heather G.

131

197

956

8 years ago

Love the River Walk!! So many hidden treasures along the route. Anytime of year you can take a lovely walk and Remember to stop in and visit The FONZSunday Monday HAPPY Days... read more

Bronze Fonz - BLINGED OUT "The Bronze Fonz" for PRIDE FEST!! HEEEEEY - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Eric E.

1.8 mi•East Side, Lower East Side

135

852

403

12 years ago

We've been to Milwaukee countless times but somehow this statue eluded us. Not today. I put this one on our path between the Pabst Mansion tour and North Old World 3rd Street. Since it was raining and cold we illegally parked on the side street and I rushed over for one quick shot. Glad to finally scratch this one off my list. read more

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Alex K.

4

19

3

6 years ago

For the Gen X and older crowds, they would definitely appreciate visiting the Bronze Fonz. I mean who in their life has not seen or heard of the show the Happy Days, right? Eeeyyyyy! And I didn't realize the Fonz was that short in person. It was cool and he was cool nonetheless. read more

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Rachel F.

Elite 16

1577

1066

2397

15 years ago

This thing is re-damn-diculous. There's a part of me that hates it, truly... but I also love the kitsch and the cliché. It's a Bronzed Arthur Fonzarelli statue, for Pete's sake. Feel free to take as many inappropriate photos with this statue as you wish. You wouldn't be the first. Also, Henry Winkler is real short, as noted by other Yelpers. I feel fantastically tall standing next to the Fonz. As far as public art installations go, it could be worse. read more

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More info about Bronze Fonz

100 E Wells St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Downtown, East Town
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Review Highlights - Bronze Fonz

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3.3(148 reviews)

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Landmark is a slice oif my childhood. I went for bowling. Nice meeting place. Prices. Drink…read morespecials. Fast service. Lames were full

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That's the friendly bartender making my Bloody Mary

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4.3(9 reviews)

Some may say this is the bridge to nowhere, but I personally think this is the bridge that connects…read morethe Eastside to Riverwest or vice versa. It does all that in style as it was built right below the Holton Street Bridge making it a part of that structure. Not only is this spans' eye appealing but it allows you to see the area in a way you normally could not. Perched well above, or below take your pick, the Milwaukee River and running next to the Mighty Lakefront Brewery this bridge makes pedestrian traffic across the river a breeze. We walk from our Riverwest home down and across the Viaduct regularly. It connects the two sides and are known to some as part of the Oak Leaf Trail or by others as the Marsupial Bridge or to even those as simply the bike path under Holton. Either way this project helped connect two dissociated neighborhoods into an accessible thoroughfare that is used by so many. This is the essence of taking full advantage of the urban landscape and turning it into something so useful.

All I know is Lake Front Brewery is on one side and I felt very animal like as I took the short cut…read moreand scampered up the side of the bridge landing versus taking the long way down east and back up to cross the bridge. If i were more into fitness I would have enjoyed the cardiac value of being chased by street thugs. Be careful at night I don't talk to strangers, so sorry if I seem curt and impolite. As I make my way back home. I have bad memories of billy goats gruff and trolls under the bridge. Not internet trolls the real living breathing diseased, TB flea infested trolls that carry all kinds of hepatitis, STD's and whatnots. I recommend lawful carry for personal safety.

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At south end of the bridge and approaching the swing park and Water Street.

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From the top of booth street

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0.3 mi•Westown

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0.2 mi•Downtown, East Town

Left of screen

Even the radiator cover/grill (?? Not from the Midwest so ‍) are lovely!

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Lobby viewed from second floor

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Wisconsin Gas Company

4.5(2 reviews)

This beautiful Art Deco building was constructed by the Milwaukee Gas Light Company in late 1929…read moreand opened in 1930. It was constructed in a remarkable nine months! The building designed by a premier Milwaukee architectural firm, Eschweiler & Eschweiler. The design of the Milwaukee Gas Light Company building includes different materials to enhance the appearance. The first two floors are clad with Coldstone granite from Minnesota, starting with the third floor, bricks are progressively lighter in color toward the top of the building. The cornices of the setbacks and the upper floors use Milwaukee's famous Cream City brick to make the Art Deco styled building seem taller and sunnier. Beautiful copper sculptured panels adorned the spandrels and large bronze doors served the main entrance. All the artful works proclaimed the building to be the headquarters of the Milwaukee Gas Light Company. In 1966, with the era of gas lights lost for decades, the company changed its name to Wisconsin Gas Company. All the identifying marks of the Milwaukee Gas Light Company were removed at that time, and sadly, were lost. In 2001, the Wisconsin Gas Company was acquired by WICOR, the holding company that also owned Wisconsin Electric Company. The two firms that had been bitter rivals for so many decades were now under the same ownership. Employees of the old gas company, today known as WE Energies, were moved out of the building and merged into the WE Energies facilities. The Wisconsin Gas Company building was sold to a private developer, who found and restored the copper sculptures as well as the bronze entrance doors. The building is partially occupied and space is available for lease. In 1956, a large sign was added to the peak of the roof top. The sign is in the shape of a gas flame and was added primarily to promote the use of gas for cooking and heating. It was also lit at night to make weather forecasts. The flame is lit with neon and will show red, blue or gold, either solid or flashing. Several mnemonics were published over the years to help viewers remember the key to interpreting the forecast, such as this one: When the flame is red, it's warm weather ahead! When the flame is gold, watch out for cold! When the flame is blue, there's no change in view! When there's a flickering flame, expect snow or rain! For many years, Wisconsin Gas Company sponsored weather forecasts on a local television station. At the end of the forecast, a slide of the lit flame was shown on screen with the personality stating the flame on top of the Gas Company Building was blue, red or gold and explain what that meant. Since it was a slide, with no animation, if the flame was flashing to indicate precipitation in the forecast, the station simply flashed the entire slide off and on, so the entire building went dark, too! The flame was visible for miles and was even used as a navigational aid by ships on Lake Michigan. As taller buildings began to surround the Wisconsin Gas Company Building and weather forecasts became readily available from radio and television, the flame lost its significance as a weather forecasting tool. In 1973, at the peak of the energy crisis, the light was extinguished. It returned to use in 1985. The current owner of the building maintains the tradition, and the gas flame shines from sundown to midnight every night. (Author's note, a similar sign predicts weather on the roof of the American Trust and Savings Bank in Dubuque, Iowa. It is a tower, not a gas flame!) http://www.yelp.com/review_share/_7gSgdhiP7RfGNrmRHR04w/review/zNnPhqVfmefdFMFKTdokyA?fsid=NOOmFnQ1N3iUWwhdtsFpyg

The Wisconsin Gas Building is under new management and they are working hard to spruce things up…read more The exterior planters have fresh and beautiful flowers. New security cameras are being installed. Some new seating and flowers have been placed in the lobby. The coolest thing however has been the polishing of all the brass trimmings and fixtures. This always beautiful building is really shining with all the face lifting!

0.1 mi•Downtown, East Town

Lobby entrance to the elevator lobby.

When the flame is red, there's warm weather ahead!

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When the flame is gold, Watch out for cold!

SafeHouse

3.7(1.2k reviews)

•$$

Agent wags and agent 47 held it down. Friday night busy bar and they killed it. Great service, good…read moreconversation.

The experience is identical to being a spy. They have just about 1 million real spy signatures all…read moreover the walls. I ordered a turkey sub (no bacon), and to be honest, pretty mid sandwich. There wasn't anything special, but it didn't taste bad. So it doesn't loose a star. Just to get the negative stuff out the way, it was kinda small for how much stuff was everywhere. It was cool stuff, but A LOT of cool stuff, y'know? Besides that, the staff and games were amazing. The entrance and exit were also pretty good

1.5 mi•Lower East Side, Riverwest

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Tomato Romp!

5.0(5 reviews)

Won a ticket from good ole Yelp! First thing wife says "we aren't doing the tomato fight are we?"…read moreWell as a matter of fact, hell no we aren't. I'm a bit to old to get in a caged ring with a bunch of youngsters chucking rotten tomatoes at each other. It does make for a good watch though and that we did. First this 2017 11th Eastside Annual Tomato Romp couldn't have dreamt up better weather. It was sunny and crisp out and so it began, the jaunt around to hit up 8 different pubs and enjoy a 5 oz. sample at each location. That's 40 oz of the goods! If you didn't walk away full or buzzed... well that's your problem. As expected some bloodies weren't nearly as good a s others and thus why they call it a contest. Still trying to figure out who won the damn event. Voting was as easy as 1, 2, 3 so that was a plus. All the places to try the juice were centrally located except Buddha Lounge which was a little further walk away. No matter I crowned one of favorite local spots Vintage as the Bloody Mary Champ. We'll see if it holds true. After that Vitucci's, Hooligan's and Landmark Lanes all had tasty bloodies, in that order. Fun event, good weather and lot's of people roaming around MKE make for a great day!

The Eastside Tomato Romp enters it's 7th year as an awesome fundraiser for the North Avenue BID…read more And it's a pretty cool one at that! For years my friends and I have been marking this September event date on our calendars when it's announced in early spring. And as with any annual event, it's great to see improvements made each year. The two largest draws are the Tomato Fight and the Bloody Mary Crawl. The Tomato Fight takes place at 4pm($10 entry fee goes to a local food pantry). A chain link cage (less the roof) is assembled in the parking lot between Farwell and Murray just north of North Avenue. The cage is filled with donated tomatoes and eagerly awaits the throngs of most costumed tomato fighters. Even spectators getting unwittingly pulled into the act when errant tomatoes fly past the 15 foot sidewalls. As fun as watching this spectacle is the many rookie fighters that are ill-prepared for life after the fight. Tomatoes are juicy, and therefore wet. And wet means cold, especially when the high temp this year barely crossed 64 degrees. But these gladiators of produce are unfazed. Some set out to the nearby sponsoring credit union that offers a "hose off" station. And some begin what is likely to be a very long walk home, no matter how close they live. New in 2012 and every since it the Tomato Plate Crawl. For $2-$8 for a tasting plate the 12 participating restaurants will regale your tastebuds with all things tomato. The other major draw is the Bloody Mary Tasting Crawl. Pay $20, get a wristband and scorecard, and embark on a self guided tour of some of the divey-est, hipster-esque, popular, and trendy places on and around North Ave. The participating bars must follow three rules: Use the sponsor vodka (SKYY in 2014), use the sponsor chaser beer (Milwaukee Brewing Company Outboard in 2014) and garnish with only a lemon and or lime wedge if at all. From the start there seem to be issues with the chaser beer and we estimate we received the official beer at about half of the 14 stops. But this was about the bloodies and they ranged from solid (Divino, embracing basil) to over-spiced (Rascals) to culinary (Hooligans cumin based bloody tasted like a great chili starter), to one dimensional and overdone (BBC- black pepper, Replay - teriyaki) to downright undrinkable (note to School Yard, please balance your overly infused with pickle juice bloody with a little tomato flavor next year). Yield Bar took home the double crown as the Choice of both the People and the Judges even though no one in our group would choose to order it again. Go figure. But the point was fun and the Tomato Romp packs that year after year. So mark your calendar early and get it on it.

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Burns Commons

4.0(3 reviews)

0.9 mi•Lower East Side

Indulge me for a min while I talk Milwaukee history: Once…read moreupon a time, maybe 10+ plus years back, the Park East freeway ran from the west exit of the East point parking lot to I-43. Myself and many others got our coffee and were scooped up and whisked on to our morning commute by a huge double decker freeway that rose up over what is now the Aloft and that one lonely Ace hardware. (C'mon, MKE, its been over a decade.) What even I didn't know until recently was that for 20+ years before, from 1970 to 1990 the land from east point to the lake, between lyon and ogden was completely razed of homes/buildings and sat vacant for 2 decades. (This is why if you walk down lyon st. one side is cute Victorian houses and the other side is all new apartments.) The plan was to continue the freeway right through the lower east side, to the lake where it would cut through veterans park and meet the hoan bridge & 794. (This may also explain the one oddly placed shell gas station at the end of farwell.) All I can say to all this is how *^/@ed up would the lower east side, the lakefront, (& quite frankly, my home) be if this monstrous freeway had been constructed? Instead of the lagoon at veterans park and the stairs at ogden it would have been all concrete pillars and exhaust fumes. So, in closing there's nothing particularly special to me about this little park/square/green space. But its nice and I'm very glad history was written the way it was and this park is therefore actually able to exist.

I love my "park across the street". I'm not sure what crawled up Stephen's pant leg, but this park…read moreis nice for taking my puppy out to do his business, sitting and people watching, and whatever else you like to do in a park. It is really like a little oasis on the busy eastside. AND, as Sam C points out, what a great history and tradition!