Chicago has a lot of shopping going on- but you know what it also has? Crowds and high taxes- which usually make me feel rushed when I try to shop downtown and I’m trying to find the right gift for the right person.
Milwaukee and downtown Wauwatosa offers an array of shopping options- from the Mayfair Collection in Wauwatosa to an array of charming antique stores and delish places to nosh along the way.
Downtown Wauwatosa is right outside of Milwaukee proper and is filled with quaint bookshops, clothing boutiques & little shops that have delightful and heartwarming gifts. Two of my favorite finds were from Salamander (the dress to the left) and Luci, who had that gorgeous necklace on the right.
During our shopping trip to Walker’s Point for antiquing, we found some awesome spots for vintage gifts and fashions. One thing that would make a great gift would be vintage holiday decor or an antique brooch (which are totally in fashion right now!)
Vintage pieces like this always remind me of my Gram, it was a trip down memory lane to see all of these vintage holiday pieces from Christmas.
The Third Ward is home to Anthropologie, Broadway Paper, and a variety of shops surrounding the Milwaukee Public Market– which itself is full of local goodies like cheeses, beers, wine and homemade gifts you’ll want to snag before heading home.
Local boutiques like Lizzibeth, Hot Pop & Inspired also offer gifts and housewares for the people on your list. Of course, all the shopping means you will work up an appetite, and you can either grab a bite in the Milwaukee Public Market, or stop in to Cafe Benelux for a huge sampling of beers and delicious skillets of yummy. We loaded up on breakfast, and it never disappoints!
Coffee is never in short supply in Milwaukee, you will always be well caffeinated and well fed. The Milwaukee Public Market also has a wine bar and a fresh juice bar where you can get something on the healthy side if you’ve been eating too many scones like I have. Ha!
The Mayfair Mall is home to the Container Store, LUSH, Vera Bradley, Sephora, Barnes & Noble and Michael Kors…among others. I spent wayyyy too much time in LUSH and picked up some goodies for myself and my friends, and it has been making my apartment smell fabulouso ever since.
If you head over to the Mayfair Collection– you can snag some great deals at TJMaxx, Saks Off Fifth and Ulta- plus a JC Mercantile is on the way, so there is a lot of fun stuff and a big discount to enjoy as well!
While you’re there, be sure to stop at my favorite spot- the newest Pizza Man!
If you’d like to check out the theater while you’re town (we saw Wicked, it was wicked!), you can stop in for a nosh at The Rumpus Room, the charcuterie board and desserts were outstanding, so you can grab a light bite if you need it.
Another fabulous trip to Milwaukee and I already have my Christmas shopping pretty much done. (So friends who read this blog, I hope I didn’t spoil the surprises!)
If you’d like to snag some deals and exclusive offers for holiday shopping, dinner, hotels and entertainment in the Milwaukee and Wauwatosa areas, check out the Visit Milwaukee’s Holiday Shopping Guide.
Thanks to the Visit Milwaukee team for hosting myself and some other wonderful bloggers for this trip, we had a blast!
Being from Milwaukee, I approve! Happy travels!