Visiting Appleton this summer--suggestions on what to check out? (Oshkosh: 2009, apartments)

[BadgerGrl]

We are considering the Appleton/Neenah area for a move in the next few years. The size of the area, culture & proximity to shopping & restaurants make it look like a good option for us. I would like to visit the area for a weekend this summer, and was hoping for some input on what to see & do. The best 2 weekends for us are during the EAA fly in--will that be a big problem as far as crowds & hotels?
I'm not looking for touristy things to do, but things that will give us a sense of what it's like to actually live there. If you could give any suggestions on residential areas to check out, that would be very helpful as well. We would be most interested in an historic area, but not overly crowded or run-down. The Doty island neighborhood looks interesting from what I can tell. Thank you!!

[crazyme4878]

For residential areas, I love the City Park area in Appleton, although it can be pricey. I don't know if it is officially historic, but it has the beautiful, old houses and it is all residential, but close to the university and downtown. When I lived there, they just opened the condos and apartments in the old mill building. My friend had an apartment there and it was beautiful and very neat--again, really close to the university and downtown.

I like to just walk up and down College Avenue looking in shops, especially Conkey's Bookstore. There is (or was) another children's bookstore just down from there, but they aren't always open. My favorite restuarant is the Indian one by the Frame Workshop on Northland Avenue. If you have dogs, there were always a lot of friendly people (and dogs) at the dog park north of town.

Enjoy your visit! If I think of anything more, I will post again. I haven't been there for a little over a year now, though. Are you coming with kids? Do like to imbibe once in awhile?

[BadgerGrl]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

Are you coming with kids? Do like to imbibe once in awhile?

No kids or dogs, just the two of us. And yes we enjoy a drink every now & then Are there any good bars to check out? Something with a good beer selection, and not too much of a college crowd would be ideal. Thanks for the info!

[jjacobeclark]

Originally Posted by BadgerGrl

We are considering the Appleton/Neenah area for a move in the next few years. The size of the area, culture & proximity to shopping & restaurants make it look like a good option for us. I would like to visit the area for a weekend this summer, and was hoping for some input on what to see & do. The best 2 weekends for us are during the EAA fly in--will that be a big problem as far as crowds & hotels?
I'm not looking for touristy things to do, but things that will give us a sense of what it's like to actually live there. If you could give any suggestions on residential areas to check out, that would be very helpful as well. We would be most interested in an historic area, but not overly crowded or run-down. The Doty island neighborhood looks interesting from what I can tell. Thank you!!

I think if you booked your hotel early and stayed in Appleton or Kimberly, further away from Oshkosh, you should be able to find a room no problem. The EAA Fly-In is actually really cool and I would recommend checking it out if you get the chance. High Cliff State Park is fairly close to the Fox Cities as well and offers some good hiking as well as a beach. As far as neighborhoods go, if you're looking for historic homes then Doty Island in Neenah and the area near Lawrence University in Appleton are good places to start. I know people always talk a lot of sh*t about Oshkosh, but down near UW-Oshkosh are some awesome historic homes as well.

I would definitely hit up some of the numerous great restaurants found in the area. I avoid restaurant chains like the plague, so I won't be recommending any of those to you. Lord knows there are more than enough of them in Grand Chute near the Fox River Mall. The Starlite Club in Kaukauna, Dick & Joan's in Appleton, George's Steakhouse in Menasha, and the Red Ox also in Appleton are all old school supper clubs that offer great steaks and seafood. Club Tavern in Downtown Menasha is home to the best Friday night fish fry around. The Menasha Grill also in Downtown Menasha is the only authentic Cajun restaurant left in the entire Fox Valley. Taste of Thai in Downtown Appleton, best Thai food I've ever had. Confucius, also in Appleton, so good it makes P.F. Chang's look like crap. Frank's Pizza Palace in Downtown Appleton has my favorite pizza in the entire world, nice and thin and crispy. Niko's near UW-Oshkosh and Apollon in Downtown Appleton both have excellent Greek food. Zacatecas in Downtown Neenah is the best Mexican restaurant in the Fox Valley, which says a lot because there are a ton of them. Katsu-Ya in Downtown Appleton has awesome Japanese food. Flanagan's Wine Review in Downtown Appleton is arguably the best restaurant in all of Northeastern Wisconsin, very upscale menu choices like escargot, fresh mussels, and beef carpaccio. Fratello's on the Water in Downtown Apppleton allows you to look out on the Fox River while you dine. Leon's Frozen Custard in Oshkosh should not be missed either.

Wow. I never realized how much of a food town the Fox Cities were until I started listing all of my favorite restaurants. Who'd have thunk it?

[crazyme4878]

Oh yes, my husband and I spent way too much of our paycheck eating out when we lived there! Bar recommendations coming soon--if my husband didn't fall asleep putting the little one down (which I think he did).

[BadgerGrl]

Wow, I think we need more than a weekend just to check out all the restaurants! Any good barbecue places? And is Oktoberfest worth a trip? Thanks!!

[jjacobeclark]

Originally Posted by BadgerGrl

Wow, I think we need more than a weekend just to check out all the restaurants! Any good barbecue places? And is Oktoberfest worth a trip? Thanks!!

Bates City BBQ in Appleton is probably your best bet for BBQ. As far as Oktoberfest goes, Downtown Appleton's celebration is pretty impressive but La Crosse is supposed to have the largest Oktoberfest in the whole US. You should check out Appleton's Downtown Farmer's market, it runs Saturdays, June 20 - Oct 31, 2009 8am - 12:30pm.

[crazyme4878]

My husband's immediate reply was Cleo's. It has been awhile since we have been out to the bars and they do tend to have a turn over--except for the "classics." We like to go to the Clubhouse to play trivia on a Saturday afternoon. Bazils can be good, too, but the Firefly (below Bazils) is crazy on weekend nights. Well, they all are on weekend nights! There were some new bars--wine and martini bars--last time we were town, but we haven't been to them, nor know anything about them.

Appleton has a lively weekend bar scene--enjoy!

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

Bates City BBQ in Appleton is probably your best bet for BBQ. As far as Oktoberfest goes, Downtown Appleton's celebration is pretty impressive but La Crosse is supposed to have the largest Oktoberfest in the whole US. You should check out Appleton's Downtown Farmer's market, it runs Saturdays, June 20 - Oct 31, 2009 8am - 12:30pm.

I forgot about the farmers' market--it is pretty good. Also check out the PAC. A nice dinner out, a show at the PAC and then hitting a few bars seems like a fun night out! Hmmm...if we ever get back to visit the MIL, I think that is what we are going to do!

[yo vanilla]

there's alot of good bars/pubs/clubs on college ave. i dont know how old you are or what your preference is, but i like mill creek blues because they (sometimes, but not always) play rock music or have bands play. other restaraunts to try downtown are sciroccos, the appolon, il angolo, taste of thai, fratello's, pullmans, tapas, dong po. get some gelato and coffee from brewed awakenings. or others mentioned above... actually just look at Appleton Downtown, Inc. > Home and see more. see if there's a show at the performing arts center. walk the trail in the back of peabody park, down by the river.