Germantown was settled in the 1840s by German and Irish immigrants, a legacy still felt in the area today. With historic sites, an annual Oktoberfest and strong community ties, the village of Germantown offers quaint, quiet living in the suburbs of Milwaukee. "The Germantown community is really supportive, with strong ties to service organizations," says Cara Reimer, the community outreach specialist with the Germantown Library. "Like with the library — from its conception 60 years ago, it has always been a community effort." Or look at the local pub, Bub's, which invites the community every year to a soup cook-off to benefit the non-profit organization Guardians for Children.
German immigrants, settled in the area, which led to it being named "Germantown."
Old Germantown interior
Germantown library
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American architecture with space to spread out
Despite the name, Germantown's housing styles are classically American. Ranch-style and colonial-inspired builds are common and range in price from $400,000 to $500,000. New construction in recent years offers contemporary four-bedroom homes ranging from $600,000 to $700,000. And condos and townhomes start at around $200,000. At the center of the village, uniform suburban lots have spacious driveways, attached garages and half-acre yards. There aren't many sidewalks, and the streets are quiet and residential. Farther out, homes come with acres of rural land that give homeowners plenty of room to spread out.
Germantown, WI is in Washington County and is one of the best places to live in Wisconsin.
Germantown home
Rural homes
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Rustic restaurants and Irish pub
The town's German and Irish history influences the dining scene in the area. Out in the country, Old Germantown offers a café, sausage shop and brewery in a rustic wood barn setting on their farmstead from 1842. For name brands, residents pick up groceries at the centrally located Sendik's Food Market and can head to the village's southern edge for a Target, Walmart and Costco. At night, Bub's Irish Pub is the place to go for drinks, darts and live shows. "We host all types of events from fundraisers to birthdays to comedy shows, but we're best known for our live music," says Scott Pecor, the co-owner. "There's not many places to go out here, so when it comes to local late-night entertainment, people head to Bub's."
The Stillery offers one of the best Old-Fashioned in the Germantown, WI community.
When in Germantown, WI you have to stop and get some Bavarian Pretzel Sticks at Ivee's On Main.
Old Germantown barn
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Top-ranking schools
Students are part of the Germantown School District, which is ranked second best in Washington County and provides every student with a Chromebook. Many students start at County Line Elementary School before moving on to Kennedy Middle and Germantown High School. All three schools get an A-minus rating from Niche, and the high school is known for its commitment to getting every student involved in at least one club or sport. And there's a lot to choose from, with over 50 clubs and sports teams that range from football to ice fishing. The high school also offers a career pathways program that hooks students up with work-study opportunities.
County Line Elementary school in Germantown, WI.
The entry of Kennedy Middle School in Germantown.
The entry of Germantown High School.
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Fish and ice skate in local parks
Several parks with playgrounds and sports courts are scattered throughout Germantown's winding streets. Residents particularly enjoy Schoen Laufen Park, which lives up to its translation "beautiful walk" by offering a trail winding alongside the Menomonee River. The largest park, Homestead Hollow Country Park, charges a small entry fee but includes a dog park, rentable structures and a fishing pond that, in winter, is used as an ice skating rink. When ready to head inside, locals can enjoy amenities and events at the Germantown Library. "Our most popular programs are the kids storytime, the youth-run Teen Advisory Board, and adult crafting nights," Reimar says. "The library serves as a real community hub."
An aerial view of Homestead Hollow County Park in Germantown, WI.
Germantown neighborhood pond
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Oktoberfest and local farmers markets
The Dheinsville Historic Park is the site of Germantown's biggest annual event — Oktoberfest. The free event has live music, dancing, authentic food and the beloved Dheinsville Dachshund Dash for quick-footed pups. Gehl's Performing Arts Pavilion at Firemen's Park also offers Wednesday evening concerts. And Germantown's acres of rural land mean that the stalls at the weekly farmers market are filled with local vegetables, fruits, eggs and more. The market is held on Saturdays between May and October at the Germantown Village Hall.
Old Germantown barn in the summer month is packed with local residents.
What's around Germantown
Many residents of Germantown commute into downtown Milwaukee, which is 20 miles away. The trip ideally takes 25 minutes, but during rush hours, it can be more like 50 minutes. And for airport access, residents have to go past downtown, a 30-mile trip. To the north, the land gets rural, and there are places to hunt or go camping. There is also a landfill in Germantown's southeast corner. It is monitored regularly for groundwater contamination and is far enough away from residential areas that most properties are unaffected.
Big box shopping is located on the outskirts of the Germantown, WI neighborhood.
Germantown, WI is the oldest settlement in Washington County.
Germantown, WI locals have a huge verity of shopping in the area.
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