Your Guide to Spending the Holidays In Wauwatosa

Discover Wauwatosa

This year especially, the true magic of the holidays is bringing loved ones together.

Whether you’re traveling to Wauwatosa to visit friends and family or hosting loved ones in our charming city, take the stress out of the holiday season for all parties involved when you book a stay at Tosa-area hotels. Guests can enjoy exclusive holiday rates and packages just in time to celebrate some holiday fun.

Plus, we’ve come up with a full list of places to go and activities to check off your list to keep the good times rolling.

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year Wauwatosa-style with these must-visit stops.

Holiday Shopping Down Harwood Ave

The small, local shops of Harwood Ave and the surrounding area bring their own unique offerings to Tosa Village.

Perfect for holiday gift shopping (or simply treating yourself!), each small business offers countless gems to sort through, including one-of-a-kind jewelry, authentic leather goods, antiques, apparel, and accessories.

We truly celebrate our small businesses all year here in Tosa, but Harwood Ave is a great stretch of shops to stroll down on Small Business Saturday. Plus, you can almost guarantee some incredible window displays that will surely draw you in!

Ruckus & Glee

If you’re looking for other small businesses to help get holiday shopping done, a visit to Ruckus & Glee is a must.

Located in 68th & Wells, this family-owned toy store offers products that are chosen for their ability to engage the imagination (and for their quality, of course!).

Stop in their store for a chance to learn a new game, send a wind-up toy on its way, or build a new marble run — it also happens to be the perfect way to get the kids out of the house and allow their imagination to run wild.

Milwaukee County Zoo

Speaking of kid-friendly activities, the Milwaukee County Zoo is another great option for all ages.

Open every day of the year (except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day), stop in on a sunny Wisconsin afternoon to admire 2,200+ animals and 348 species on 190 acres of land.

Stroll Through Tosa’s Parks

We’re always looking for an excuse to get outdoors in Tosa all year round. With so many open-air parks nestled into our city, the hardest decision is not choosing between going for a run, bike ride, or walk, it’s deciding which stunning trail to check out first!

A few of our favorites include Hart Park, Oak Leaf Trail, Hartung Park, County Grounds Park, and Menomonee River Parkway. Each park features different outdoor amenities, including playgrounds, athletic fields, trails, and more.

Find the perfect spot for friends and family to enjoy based on what you’re looking to do in our blog, Hike, Eat and Tour Your Way Through Tosa This Winter.

Cozy-Up at Camp Bar

Besides being a perfect place to grab a beer in Tosa (especially, if you’re not from the midwest), this Northwoods-themed bar is one of the coziest spots to enjoy quality time with your loved ones.

Complete with an outdoor stone fireplace and endless holiday decor, Camp Bar is perfect for getting into the spirit of the season.

As an added bonus, they offer shuttle service to the Milwaukee Bucks games at nearby Fiserv Forum, so you can enjoy a beverage in Tosa and easy transportation to the game.

Kneeland-Walker House

Feel the magic of Tosa’s roots at the Kneeland-Walker House. Stroll by the stunning exterior or stop in for a tour on Wednesdays for a Wauwatosa history lesson.

Built in 1890, the Queen Anne house sits on 1.5 acres of land and is the largest remaining residential lot in Tosa. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated landmark of Wauwatosa and Milwaukee County.

Tosa’s Locally-Made Holiday Pop-Up Event

Planning your holiday gathering in Tosa over the weekend of December 3? We have a treat for you!

That Saturday, head to The Landing at Hoyt Park for Tosa’s Locally-Made Holiday Pop-Up from 10AM-3PM.

This holiday shopping extravaganza is the perfect activity to enjoy a day outdoors and shop from local artists and makers. Visitors can also enjoy food and beverages from the beer garden, as well as Heirloom MKE, a farm-to-table food truck.

Discover Wauwatosa wants to ensure you have a safe and healthy travel experience. Learn more about where to stay, where to eat, and things to do while you’re here in Wauwatosa.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, please check the local hotel and travel restrictions and retail and restaurant hours/menus before you go.

Header image by @natguerrerophotography