In the 19th century, Oshkosh housed a series of lumber mills along the Fox River, earning it the nickname the “Sawdust Capital of the World.” Today, scenic walkways, docks, parks and small businesses take their place, comprising what locals know as Downtown Oshkosh. “My favorite thing about the area is all the little niche shops,” says Wendy Hielsberg, a lifetime local and real estate agent with First Weber Realtors. “Almost every shop downtown is a unique boutique or a family owned restaurant. We also have a riverwalk where people bike and rollerblade in the summer, and it’s all right on the Fox River.” Historic homes surrounding the Main Street hub are often within walking distance of annual events and markets, making Downtown Oshkosh a year-round destination.
Colorful murals and The Grand Opra House are found in Downtown Oshkosh.
Stage crew is hard at work to make sure that the show goes on without any issues.
Downtown Oshkosh's Main street is the center of the city.
Wagner Market in Menominee North has a great meat selection and unique craft beers.
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Main Street is compact with grocers, eateries & small businesses
Locally owned small businesses line Main Street, attracting patrons throughout the city. From comics and candy to vintage clothes, art supplies and records, many of these businesses operate inside century-old buildings dating back to the city's founding. "It's all these little neighborhood spots that people outside of town have never been to," Hielsberg says. "If you see the name of a restaurant or shop, and you've never heard of it, you can assume it's family owned and local."
Wagner Market is one such spot, a grocer and butcher shop known for its regionally sourced products. Wisconsin cheeses pair with more than 30 flavors of handmade brats and sausages, while employees tend to hydroponic lettuce grown below the store. Beck's Meats is another go-to butcher shop supplying fresh deli items to the Ruby Owl Taproom, an American eatery serving sirloin burgers and steak sandwiches. Down by the Oshkosh Riverwalk, Becket's overlooks the Fox River. Owned by the Wagner Market crew, the restaurant serves American dishes made from scratch with fresh ingredients from the market. As for big-box shopping, residents will find Target, Pick' n Save and Aldi 3 miles south on WI Trunk 44.
The Wagner Market is a great stop for groceries in Downtown Oshkosh.
Winnebago Cycle in Downtown Oshkosh is a full service bike shop.
Meet friends for linch at Becket's in Downtown Oshkosh.
Larger shopping centers are close by Downtown Oshkosh.
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Historic homes surround Main Street
Main Street’s restaurants and shops are the beating heart of Downtown Oshkosh, surrounded by historic homes dating back more than 100 years. “The water, the shopping, the restaurants: It’s all pretty close,” Hielsberg says. Colonial Revivals, bungalows and Queen Annes constructed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries all sit within walking distance. While some are recently renovated, others may need repairs before moving in. The sidewalks out front are similarly worn from time and exposure. But many locals maintain their lawns and road verges to keep the area manicured. Street parking is common, along with paved driveways leading to detached garages and parking pads. Altogether, prices range between $130,000 and $280,000, about average in Oshkosh.
“We also have the third largest university in Wisconsin,” she continues, regarding the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO). “A lot of those students feed the downtown area.” With about two-thirds of students living off campus, according to the university, many choose to live downtown, particularly in rental units between Elmwood Avenue and Jackson Street.
A brightly painted Queen Anne home in Downtown Oshkosh.
A Dutch Colonial home one of Downtown Oshkosh queit streets.
Downtown Oshkosh has many beautiful homes to choose from.
The University of Oshkosh sits just west of Downtown Oshkosh.
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The Oshkosh Riverwalk stretches 3.5 miles along the Fox River
Established in 1909, Roe Park once housed the city’s first public playground. Though the original structure has since been replaced, the park still sits on Northwestern Avenue and shares amenities with the Oshkosh Community YMCA. From youth sports leagues to cooking classes, childcare and even wellness initiatives for seniors, the YMCA focuses on programming and outreach for all ages.
The Oshkosh Riverwalk stretches from Marion Road to Broad Street, closer to the Fox River. “I was the director of the tourism bureau for 20 years, and the number one attraction that brought people to our city was the water,” Hielsberg says. Docks line the riverwalk for local boaters to park their watercraft, and there are docks at almost every restaurant, she says. Residents can take in riverfront views, and anglers can cast a line on the 3.5-mile walkway before finishing at Riverside Park, where the Leech Amphitheater hosts live music throughout the summer.
Grab your picnic blanket and chairs to enjoy live music at the Opera House Square.
Roe Park is a great place to get away from it all.
Enjoy an afternoon walking along the river at Riverside Park in River East.
The YMCA gives Downtown Oshkosh residents a place to gather and workout.
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Waterfest brings thousands to Riverside Park in the summertime
The Oshkosh Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center is a hub for pop-up events, accessible from both Main Street and the Oshkosh Riverwalk. Held biannually, the Fox Valley Vintage Fest is just one example, where over 50 vintage collectors and local artists come together to sell curated clothing, unique items and home décor. Right next door, Riverside Park hosts Waterfest every Thursday evening in the summertime. “Thursday nights are vibrant because thousands flood the downtown area. Some even come by boat,” Hielsberg says. “And the organizer is such a community guy. He lets you buy your ticket, go get dinner on Main and then come back for the show.” The Oshkosh Farmer’s Market overlaps with Waterfest during the warmer months, held behind Wagner Market on Saturday afternoons. “It’s all 100 percent local,” Hielsberg continues. “Flowers, crafts, food, and then, of course, the restaurants and boutiques are also open. Saturdays are a big day in Downtown Oshkosh.”
In the summer, Oshkosh Farmers Market features approx. 120 vendors every Saturday.
Grab your picnic blanket and chairs to enjoy live music at the Opera House Square.
The Alley Art Market gives local artists a chance to showcase their work to locals.
River East is vibrant and is a great place explore what Oshkosh has to offer.
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The Oshkosh Area School District opens two brand-new schools
Students in Downtown Oshkosh attend the Oshkosh Area School District, which recently secured $107 million in funding to construct brand-new schools in the downtown sector. Menominee Elementary School broke ground in 2023, built in place of Washington Elementary as part of the district’s consolidation plan. With a B on Niche, Menominee officially opened its doors for the 2024-2025 school year. Similarly, Vel Phillips Middle School replaced Merrill and Webster-Stanley Middle Schools and is not yet rated by Niche. “Both of these new institutions are state-of-the-art,” Hielsberg says. “In the beginning, people gave the project some resistance. Change isn’t always accepted, and there was also a tax dollar to consider. But aesthetically, the schools are beautiful. It’s a great addition; It was well-needed, but it depends on who you talk to.” Students finish out at Oshkosh North High School, which is rated a B-minus by Niche.
Oshkosh North HS 1
Vel Phillips Middle School
Menominee South is building a new elementary school called Menominee Elementary.
Students can take advantage of numerous sports opportunities at Webster Stanley Elementary.
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Regional employers surround City Center
Downtown Oshkosh is home base for many of the city’s departments and industries. City Center, once a shopping mall, is now a Class A office space hosting businesses in marketing, childcare and social security. Public Works Engineering and the Oshkosh recreation and police departments occupy surrounding streets, all within a mile of most homes. Commuters typically walk or drive, but Oshkosh still offers GO Transit bus stops throughout the area. Those opting to bike will find many accommodating streets, particularly when taking Washington Avenue to Menominee Park. Aurora Medical Center Oshkosh is located 4 miles west, both the nearest emergency room and one of the city’s largest employers, according to Greater Oshkosh. Wittman Regional Airport sits 3 miles south, a county-owned public-use facility hosting the annual EAA AirVenture—The largest gathering of aviation enthusiasts in the country. Out-of-state travelers are more likely to fly out of Appleton International Airport, 18 miles north on State Road 76.
The Aurora Medical Center Oshkosh is one of the cities larger employers.
GO Transit bus stops are found throughout Menominee South.
Each year at the EAA you will see historic aircraft in Oshkosh.
Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh is busy with students pilots.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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The flagship building of downtown Oshkosh, The Webster Building is a 16,000' historical property built in 1895. Fully restored and renovated in 2003, the property now features 5500' of retail/commercial space on the first floor and 5 apartments on each of the second and third floors. The retail commercial space is newly renovated (Q1 2023) and the apartments feature large, open concept floor
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
400
Median Age
29
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,536
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$66,786
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.2%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.9%
Advanced Degrees
18.8%
% Population in Labor Force
77.7%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
31''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
52''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
67/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
90/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
41/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
