Located just four miles north of Milwaukee, Glendale is a thriving suburban community that might be best known as the home for Wisconsin’s Sprecher Brewing Company, but which offers both residents and visitors a wealth of options for recreation, exploration and entertainment.
Glendale’s Origins
In 1838, the land which is now Glendale was part of the Town of Milwaukee, an area created by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature that initially comprised the northern half of Milwaukee County. Over the span of 112 years, as settlers moved into the area, it was divided into villages and towns, including Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, River Hills and Brown Deer. The Town of Milwaukee was officially dissolved in 1950 when the last of the remaining land was incorporated as Glendale.
The original Town of Milwaukee Hall, which was built in 1872, still exists. You’ll find it right behind the Glendale Municipal Office complex on the Milwaukee River Parkway. And, if its walls could talk, they would surely tell stories that spanned over two centuries of local history.
Today, the Town of Milwaukee Hall is just one of the many fascinating places that makes Glendale a unique place to live, work and visit.
Glendale events
There’s always something brewing in Glendale, where community events attract visitors from throughout the state. Here are some of the signature events held throughout the year.
October
Boogie Bash & Costume Contest at BAYSHORE (Oct. 27, 2023)
November
Autumn Artisan Fair at Nicolet High School (Nov. 4, 2023)
December
Chanukah Festival & Gelt Drop at BAYSHORE
Soda with Santa at Sprecher Brewery
February
Fred Usinger Day: Enjoy free brats and keg tapping at The Bavarian Bierhaus
April
North Shore Chamber of Commerce Community Expo
Halfway to Oktoberfest event at The Bavarian Bierhaus
May
BAYSHORE's Annual Art Festival
June
Wisconsin's Beer Lovers Festival (June 1, 2024)
Lager & Friends Lager Beer Festival at The Bavarian Bierhaus
August
Annual Sprecher Root Beer Bash (first Saturday in August)
September
Oktoberfest at Old Heidelberg Park (First weekend in Sept. through first weekend in Oct.)
Fashion Fest MKE at BAYSHORE
BAYSHORE
This longtime open-air shopping destination features world class shops including ATHLETA, Aversa for Her, Evereve, Champs Sports, H&M, Target, Kohl’s, ULTA and more. But it's also a hub for local entertainment, including events held all year round at The Yard, a community hub and green space.
Popular events include the Boogie Bash, Chanukah Festival, Fashion Fest MKE and The Sounds of Summer, a live music series on Friday nights throughout the summer.
The BAYSHORE Art Walk
thebayshorelife.com/bayshore-art-walk
Download a map and head out on a colorful walking tour of BAYSHORE's outdoor collection of over 20 original artwork pieces created by some of Milwaukee’s most talented artists. Download the Artiviv App and use it to experience the art in 3D!
ACX Cinemas Entertainment Center
5750 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale, (262) 457-6202
acxcinemas.com/bayshore
Catch the latest flicks on six big screens while reclining in luxury heated seating and premium concessions. Head to the arcade to try your hand at 40 different games, or challenge your friends to a game at the 11-lane bowling alley.
Kids Empire (coming soon)
5794 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale
kidsempire.com
Give your kids a place to be themselves as they explore the multi-level playground featuring mazes, slides, rides, creative building games, climbing, bouncing, and ball pits. A smaller playground will cater to infants and toddlers with scaled-down opportunities for crawling, sliding, bouncing and dancing. The Kids Empire will also be available for signature birthday parties.
Sur La Table
480 W. Northshore Dr., Glendale, (920) 745-8767
surlatable.com
Not just a destination for kitchen supplies, Sur La Table also offers hands-on cooking classes that assist home cooks with learning new techniques, honing cooking and baking skills and creating delicious dishes. Perfect for date nights or gatherings with friends.
Vibez Creative Art Space
5706 N. Centerpark Way, Glendale,
vibezcreativeartsspace.com
Head to this creative space to explore and enjoy art through various media. Offerings include paint & sip experiences, workshops, birthday parties and events.
Where to eat
Whether you’re dining solo or with friends or family, you're sure to find a place that fits your appetite.
Backlot Pizza + Kitchen
5750 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale, (262) 457-6202
backlotpizzaandkitchen.com/bayshore
Serving: Detroit style pizza, entrees
Bavarian Bierhaus
700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, (414) 236-7000
thebavarianbierhaus.com
Serving: German fare
Bistro on the Glen
6823 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale, (414) 352-1940
bistroontheglen.com
Serving: Bistro-style fare (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
The Brick Pub
6343 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale, (414) 797-0710
thebrickpubandgrill.com
Serving: Pub fare, fish fry
Buchanan’s (coming soon)
5750 N. Bayshore Dr.
Serving: UK-inspired pub fare
Culver’s Frozen Custard
300 W. Bayside Dr., Glendale, (414) 471-2222
culvers.com
Serving: Frozen custard, burgers
Royal Garden Chinese and Everest Cafe
206 W. Silver Spring Dr, Glendale, (414) 906-0998
everestcafetogo.com
Serving: Chinese, Nepalese fare
Kilwins
5756 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale, (414) 967-4803
kilwins.com/bayshore
Serving: Chocolates, ice cream, fudge, caramel apples and more!
The King Crab Shack
5265 N. Port Washington Rd., Glendale, (414) 635-0094
thekingcrabshackbayshore.com
Serving: Cajun seafood, seafood boils
Kopp’s Frozen Custard
5373 N Port Washington Rd, Glendale, (414) 961-3288
kopps.com
Serving: Frozen custard, burgers
Be sure to get a selfie along Cow Row, an art installation by Arizona artist Bill Tonnesen in the Kopp's parking lot!
Mochinut
5735 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale,
mochinut.com
Serving: Mochi doughnuts, Korean hot dogs, boba tea
Solly’s Grill
4629 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 332-8808
Sollysbutterburgers.com
Serving: Famous butter burgers, plus a menu of casual American fare
Breweries & Beer Gardens
For a community of its size, Glendale has more than its share of beer thanks to two breweries and multiple beer gardens. We think it suffices to say that these spots put the “ale” in Greendale.
The Bavarian Bierhaus
700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, (414) 236-7000
thebavarianbierhaus.com
Bavarian-style brewpub and beer hall featuring craft beer and German-inspired fare. Home of the Old Heidelberg Park Biergarten.
Sprecher Brewery
701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, (414) 964-2739
sprecherbrewery.com
Long-time local brewery featuring tastings, brewery tours, a gift shop and a beer garden-style taproom.
Old Heidelberg Park Biergarten
The Bavarian Bierhaus
700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, (414) 236-7000
thebavarianbierhaus.com
This longtime beer garden features Bavarian Bierhaus Haus beer, plus a variety of German dishes. Open seasonally.
Sprecher Brewing Outdoor Oasis
Richard E. Maslowski Community Park
2200 W. Bender Rd.
glendale-wi.org/Sprecher-Brewing-Outdoor-Oasis
This family-friendly beer garden offers beer, soda and food. A state-of-the-art playground and indoor restrooms are available to the public. Open seasonally
Estabrook Beer Garden
4600 Estabrook Pkwy.
estabrookbeergarden.com
This family-friendly beer garden offers beer, soda and food in a picturesque park setting. Playground and picnic areas available. Open seasonally.
Outdoor Activities
Located just two miles from Lake Michigan with access to the Milwaukee River and two Milwaukee County Parks, Glendale is the ideal place for those who wish to spend time out of doors.
Estabrook Park
4400 N. Estabrook Dr., Glendale, (414) 257-PARK (7275)
[view the park map]
Located along the east bank of the Milwaukee River, Estabrook Park provides plenty of green space, picnic areas, a children’s play area, a local beer garden and a dog park. Guests will also find disc golf courses, a sand volleyball court, a skate park, a softball diamond and a soccer field. It’s also home to the Benjamin Church House (also known as the Kilbourntown House), a Temple-style Greek Revival home built in the 1840s.
Kletsch Park
6560 N. Milwaukee River Pkwy, Glendale, (414) 257-PARK (7275)
[View the park map]
This County Park is home to a portion of the Oak Leaft Trail, picturesque riverside scenery, an impressive array of native plants, plus a softball diamond, play areas, a soccer field, archery, disc golf courses and sand volleyball court and a great sledding hill.
The park is also home to one of five waterfalls in Milwaukee County. Located along the Oak Leaf Trail, the Kletsch Park falls (officially a dam) is a popular rest spot for hikers, a great site for photo ops and among the best spots to take advantage of salmon fishing on the river.
Lincoln Park Golf Course
1000 W Hampton Ave, Glendale, (414) 962-2400
mke.golf/lincoln
Located on 312 wooded acres along the Milwaukee River, Lincoln Park is home to the Milwaukee County Parks’ most challenging nine-hold course.
The Oak Leaf Trailhead
Richard E. Maslowski Park
2200 W. Bender Rd.
Take the Oak Leaf Trail to nearby landmarks including the famous Bavarian Bierhaus, Sprecher Oasis or Kletzsch Park Waterfalls.
Richard E. Maslowski Glendale Community Park
2200 W. Bender Rd., Glendale
glendale-wi.org/Glendale-Community-Park
Among the gems in Glendale, this park offers a mult-generational gathering place for picnics, outdoor exploration and more. It's home to the Sprecher Outdoor Oasis beer garden, the area's area’s largest accessibility playground for all-inclusive play and the MSOE and Nicolet Baseball Field. Thanks to the Johnson Controls Outdoor Amphitheater, the park is a destination for outdoor concerts and festivals all summer long.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. Brown Deer Rd., Bayside, (414) 352-2880
schlitzaudubon.org
Located just minutes away in nearby Bayside, this comprehensive nature center offers six miles of trails that take visitors through 185 acres of forests, wetlands, restored prairies, ravines, bluffs, and Lake Michigan shoreline. Regular educational programming and events make the center a great spot for nature lovers of all ages.
Places to stay
Glendale boasts seven local hotels with amenities like free parking and wifi. Check out the Glendale Hotel Guide to find your perfect overnight oasis.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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