Neighborhood in Milwaukee · Milwaukee County

Historic Third Ward

The Historic Third Ward brings former warehouse blocks, galleries and restaurants together south of Downtown.

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Milwaukee Public Market beside St. Paul Avenue’s streetcar tracks, photographed June 2, 2024. — Milwaukee Public Market and St. Paul Avenue — June 2024

Public Market, warehouse-era streets and the Third Ward RiverWalk

About Historic Third Ward

The Historic Third Ward brings former warehouse blocks, galleries and restaurants together south of Downtown. Milwaukee Public Market anchors the Water Street and St. Paul Avenue corner, while the RiverWalk follows the neighborhood’s residential and commercial riverfront.

Food merchants and gathering space at the Public Market

Milwaukee Public Market is at 400 N. Water Street, near St. Paul Avenue. Independent merchants sell prepared meals, specialty foods and other products inside the market. The second-floor Palm Garden provides seating above the stalls, while a demonstration kitchen hosts cooking classes.

The operator lists general opening hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, with some vendors following earlier or later schedules. The market is operated by Business Improvement District No. 2, the organization responsible for maintaining and promoting the Historic Third Ward.

Milwaukee Public Market — visitor information

A boardwalk beside the neighborhood’s river-facing buildings

The Third Ward RiverWalk follows the Milwaukee River from the I-794 area toward the harbor. Residential and commercial buildings line this part of the waterfront.

The city records the opening of a nearly mile-long neighborhood boardwalk in 2004, followed by a connection to Downtown’s RiverWalk in 2005. Later segments completed the system. Its hardwood walkways form a public route through the district, with river views distinct from the street-level shops and galleries farther inland.

City of Milwaukee — Third Ward RiverWalk

Broadway’s commercial buildings and streetcar access

Former wholesale buildings are part of the Third Ward’s streetscape. The neighborhood association identifies The Broadway as an 1893 Henry C. Koch building originally designed for grocers Wellauer & Hoffmann. Galleries, restaurants and shops now give the surrounding district a mix of arts, food and retail destinations.

The Hop serves the Third Ward along St. Paul Avenue and connects with central Milwaukee destinations including the Intermodal Station. Rides are free. The operator’s interactive map identifies its lines, individual stations and live arrivals, while the RiverWalk provides a separate route along the water.

Check these on a visit

Try these in person before you commit to an address in Historic Third Ward.

Start at Milwaukee Public Market on Water Street and see how its food stalls connect with the surrounding commercial blocks.
Follow a public RiverWalk entrance toward the harbor to see the river-facing buildings and outdoor spaces.
Continue along St. Paul Avenue and Broadway for the historic storefronts and Third Ward streetcar stops.

Neighborhoods and districts near Historic Third Ward

The closest neighborhoods and districts in Milwaukee, measured center to center.

1.0 miWalker's PointWalker’s Point combines older commercial streets and warehouse buildings with residential blocks, restaurants and independent shops.

All Milwaukee neighborhoods and districts

Guides about Historic Third Ward

Schools near Historic Third Ward

The 6 closest schools within 5 miles, including any outside the city. Being nearby does not mean a home is zoned for a school: confirm attendance zones with the school or district.

All schools in Milwaukee

Bradley Technology HighHigh
about 0.7 mi · Public · Grades 9–12 · 1,048 students
Vieau ElementaryK–8
about 0.8 mi · Public · Grades Pre-K–8 · 713 students
Tenor HighHigh
about 0.9 mi · Public · Charter · Grades 9–12 · 651 students
Project STAY-Supporting Teachers and YouthHigh
about 1.0 mi · Public · Grades 9–12 · 114 students
United Community Center Acosta Middle SchoolMiddle
about 1.0 mi · Public · Charter · Grades 6–8 · 188 students
Lincoln MiddleMiddle
about 1.1 mi · Public · Grades 6–8 · 309 students

Distances are approximate. They are straight lines from the centre of Historic Third Ward, not travel distances, and a home at the edge of the area can be noticeably closer to or farther from a school.

Sources & data notesReferences, reporting periods, and how to use this information

Information on this page is compiled from multiple sources and provided for general information. It may be incomplete or out of date, and we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Independently verify important details with the original source, relevant authority, or a qualified professional before making decisions.

Statistics keep their reporting periods. Survey estimates are not current asking prices or quotes for an individual property. Displayed values are rounded.

Food merchants, Palm Garden, classes, address and opening hours
Milwaukee Public Market — visitor informationSource checked 2026-10-18
Riverfront setting, residential and commercial frontage and 2004 opening
City of Milwaukee — Third Ward RiverWalkSource checked 2026-10-18
The Broadway building, former wholesale commerce and current arts district
Historic Third Ward Association — neighborhood and building historySource checked 2026-10-18
Galleries, dining, shopping and lakefront context
VISIT Milwaukee — Historic Third WardSource checked 2026-10-18
Streetcar stations, lines and live arrivals
The Hop — route map and scheduleSource checked 2026-10-18
Current free fare
The Hop — fares and rider informationSource checked 2026-10-18

Photo credits

Image credits and license
Milwaukee Public Market and St. Paul Avenue — June 2024
Creator: SecretName101
Original source
License: CC BY 4.0
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; card previews may crop the photo. Guide gallery preserves the full frame.
Milwaukee Public Market and St. Paul Avenue — June 2024