Small but well-stocked little downtown store for ALL your Milwaukee needs. I got a hat, two…read morecoasters, and a Peoples' Flag from here.

We went to this gift shop in pursuit of two things - gifts for our kids to bring back from our trip…read moreto Milwaukee and an ornament (we have a tradition where we purchase a location specific ornament from any place we travel to). There was a good selection of ornaments, so we did find one we liked. There was also a great selection of Milwaukee gear (shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, puzzles, etc.). We did strike out on gifts for our kids, as there wasn't anything age appropriate for them. Very cute, nonetheless!

The a gem of a store. Its what I would describe as an urban housewares stores. It has lots of…read moreinteresting home decor items, but usually in scaled down versions. For example, lot of small/miniature plants to fit into a smaller apartment or condo. They also offer other knick knack like items to help accent your home. I like the nice selection of birthday/greeting cards. The staff are friendly and available for assistance.

I just did all my holiday shopping in one stop. Mod Gen is a perfect little shop that has unique…read moreitems (cards, holiday decor, kitchen and home items, books, etc) and fantastic planters and plants for all tastes. And the opportunity to have your chosen plants planted in your choice of planters on the spot makes it so special, especially for someone like me who can't seem to pot a plant to save my life. The store is heavily stocked but not overwhelming; it takes a while to see it all and decide what all I wanted to get. It is a lot of fun to shop here. Park at the Public Market for the easiest way to find a spot or wait for a spot on the street. I am not sure about accessibility as it is a few steps to get in the front door. I didn't see another option but I also didn't look for one. I hope they have access somewhere but call ahead to be sure.

Swoon is a great mix of nick backs, baby clothes, kids toys, jewelry, candles and more. It's a…read moregreat place to stop for a gift for friends or families. They have the cutest onesies for kids and the largest selection of fern and needle I've ever seen. They also have a few other candle brands as well. They also have some small local artists work sold here. Overall a really cool artsy nick nack store that has a huge range of inventory.

I'm glad that this shop was close to the children's bookstore, because I may not have stumbled upon…read moreit otherwise. It looks small from the outside but like the Tardis it's bigger on the inside and packed full of variety of things. You'll find some really cool t-shirts here. I bought a couple for myself and if they'd had one in my nephew's size he'd have gotten one with The Fonz. They had a nice children's section with toys, clothes, and even diapers. I thought they were swim diapers at first but they are cloth ones, not swim. The kids items range from a few months old to a few years old (I bought a size 4 t-shirt for my kiddo). There are lots of gifts items here of various types, and they also have some cards which was helpful since I'm not sure I'll be able to get another one for my mom before Mother's Day. There's no parking here, but copious amounts of street parking is available so that shouldn't be an issue.

This is one of the cutest variety stores in town and it's one of those places where you want to be…read morethere to shop in person. They have all kinds of candy, puzzles, knitting materials, and it's very likely you'll find something unique for you/and or loved ones.

A cute hidden gem! I've been looking for blind boxes (specifically sonny angels and smiskis) and so…read morefar this is the only place that has them in Milwaukee. They have a ton of other cute items as well (stickers, snacks, plushies, etc). The owner is super sweet and kind and will put items on hold for you if you ask. I'll definitely be back to check out their new miffy items (and other blind boxes of course!).

A great stop on our Milwaukee trip. Definitely worth a visit if you have a group of people with…read moredifferent tastes or wants. They have everything from Mexican food, fresh seafood, desserts, ice cream, and fresh vegetables. There is parking right next to the market, so walking is minimal. It's also walking distance from other shops and restaurants.

Took a nice stroll around Milwaukee Public Market after dinner and this place did not disappoint…read more Smaller version than most food halls I've been to but the choices we're great. Great stop for cool souvenirs, ice cream, drinks, food, wine, olive oils, and the best part... cold cuts and cheese! I did not leave empty handed. As a cheese enthusiast... I could help but grab a few that made their way home to California. The cheese curds are also perfectly salty and chewy. I loved the selection of summer sausages and appreciated them sourcing locally.

GoodLand Home & Goods is such a wonderful store. It's actually more than a store and is truly a gem…read morein the growing Downer Ave. shopping scene. I love that they offer such a diverse selection of unique items that can't be found at big box stores. From beautiful art pieces to cozy robes, delightful candles, and even sweet treats, there's something special waiting to be discovered at GoodLand. Our visit felt like a treasure hunt, and we found some perfect gifts for friends, family and for ourselves during our jaunt through the store. GoodLand has curated a fantastic collection of one-of-a-kind items. Their commitment to providing a personalized shopping experience is evident, and it makes a significant difference in the community having such a unique shopping experience at everyones fingertips.

Stopped in here before a movie at the Downer and I'm so glad I did! This place is adorable and I…read morelove everything they have to offer. This place is going to be on my list for shopping local for the holidays and just gift-giving, in general. At the moment, I didn't have anything specific in mind, but I did need a birthday card, so I bought a really cute one with a cupcake on it. The owner was super friendly and was there to help, if we needed it. Definitely check this place out for gifts and treats for yourself.

Love this shop! All items chosen with love, and creativity- I can never decide when visiting her…read morepop up locations, which item to choose! Such a gift to Milwaukee!

From the owner: The She Shed is a Latina-owned and operated business, established in 2019. While we are located in…read moreMilwaukee, WI we operate online and participate in markets (mercados) throughout the year. We provide domestic shipping within the US. We carry small-batch items made by me and many others and strive to bring fun, vibrant, and unique gifts to you from us. When you shop with us, please know that you are buying from women, people of color and other small businesses. We really do a happy dance with each purchase! Thank you for shopping with us! Abrazos, Marissa

This shop has been open for about a year now and is full of cute, unique, homemade, and locally…read moresourced items. For everyone! I stopped in here to find some Easter gifts for my adult children and was not disappointed. I found the perfect items for them, and easily could have spent a lot more time (and money) here! The shop looks, smells, and feels amazing. Stopping in here totally made my day, and I definitely plan to go back! The woman who helped me (I believe she was the owner) was so nice and helpful. She answered all my questions and was rightfully proud of the amazing shop she decided to add to our community. Check out the Mixed Bag's website to explore all the items this place has to offer. You can even place an order online! If you're looking for someplace new to find a thoughtful, creative, and one-of-a-kind gift while also supporting Wisconsin and Midwest artisans, pay this place some attention!

I have always been a big fan of small shops that sell things that you don't need yet somehow can't…read morelive without. A pen with a raccoon on a swing? Count me in!

Simply adorable! Orange and Blue is connected to restaurant Uncle Wolfie's which complements very…read morewell considering you can browse the boutique while awaiting your table when dining in or shop afterwards. The intimacy, pricing and cleanliness of the shop drew me in. Carrying products such as jewelry, hand-bags, cards, puzzles, perfume, lotions and more you can't go wrong. I purchased the gold licorice hoop earrings and will forever treasure this item I got traveling to MKE. To the shop owners: thank you for selling so many gold jewelry items - my favorite!!

Stumbled upon this adorable boutique when we were waiting to be seated at Uncle Wolfie's. This gem…read moreof a store has so many cute goodies to browse through in such an aesthetically-pleasing space. Lots of candles, jewelry, home decor, bags, perfume, and even Baggu items!! It's honestly every girl's dream.

Without knowing what to expect except for the fact that this has been a popular, big event in…read moreChicago, hubby and I went to Fiserv Forum Plaza to check out the Christkindlmarket Milwaukee on their first Sunday. We picked the evening to go hoping to see the beautiful yellow lights (and I recommend you to go in the evening too - same food same drinks same shops but the view is more beautiful). The ornaments and lights indeed made it festive, but there were surprisingly not many tents and people. And there was no music. The market felt kind of tiny, empty and quiet on the huge, open Fiserv Forum Plaza ground. Maybe as the holiday season approaches, the vibe will get better. Here are the things that we did and enjoyed: 1. Got the warm, creamy, rich Belgian hot chocolate in the super cute Milwaukee souvenir mug. It's $11 with the mug which is pricey for such a small size of drink. But I liked the mug a lot and thought sharing a mug of hot chocolate with someone you love on a cold winter evening is kind of sweet. 2. Different handmade crafts from Germany, blankets from Peru, outwear, tea, coffee cakes, chocolates, pies, candies, cookies, cream cheese, soap... We walked around the outdoor area to check out all the vendors. It took us less than 30 mins but it was fun. 3. Checked out the indoor Christmas décor and gift shop before getting food. The staff were super nice. 4. Got the Raclette cheese sandwiches! Watching the melty raclette got scraped into the bread was delightful. With $1 extra, you could add a brat to the sandwich with a similar amount of cheese (we thought, as I got one with just raclette and hubby got one with a brat). * My suggestions are: 1) eat the sandwich as soon as possible when it is still warm and moist. Don't spend too much time looking for seats or taking photos lol. 2) Your hands may smell stinky later if you touch the cheese, which is highly likely to happen as there is so much cheese! 5. Found the warming house and sat down and enjoyed some simple, traditional live Christmas music performed by a band.

Absolutely a fan of Christkindlmarket Milwaukee or CK/MKE, and have many thoughts after having…read morelived in Chicago for 20 years, with their market being one of my absolute favorite things about the Holidays in Chicago. A Christkindlmarket is a traditional European or German "Christ Child Market". Say "Kindle Fire". Now say "Krist Novoselic of Nirvana." Now say "Krist Novoselic has a Kindle." Then say "Krist Kindle Market". You've got the pronunciation! Love: - Gluwein in the heart-shaped souvenir mug! So tasty and festive! - Pierogi, sausages, sauerkraut - Raclette is so hot right now, and they've got it! (Tastes better than it smells, trust me.) - Hot chocolate in a souvenir mug - The warming house is huge, and sometimes has carolers - Bathrooms are the indoor kind by the Fiserv Beer Garden - It's.not.that.crowded (Seriously, just walk slowly, wait your turn at the stands, and practice patience). - Especially not crowded on a weeknight - Handmade crafts from Germany, and small businesses like Taylor Street Soaps from Little Italy in Chicago - Kaethe Wohlfahrt ornament and handcrafted nativities - Fiserv Forum Plaza/Herb Kohl Way makes a perfect location Improve: - More, more, more, make it bigger! - More crafts from Germany, please. Like those wooden handcrafted moose, dragons, animals, and those goofy toys like the squirrel whistles - More local businesses, and perhaps add Makers (from Milwaukee) that do Holiday signs 'n' stuff. This doesn't have to be just like Chicago's. - Add some high tops outside so people can post up to eat/drink - Can we get some Kinder Uberraschungs up in here? We won't choke on the prize, promise! - Commemorative art print really needs improving. Big missed opportunity to make a good art print into $ for charity, including cards, magnets, and an annual ornament. A good first year for Christkindlmarket Milwaukee!