Appleton
Around Appleton
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Metro area · Wisconsin · 248k people
Appleton
Locals say Fox Cities · “The Paper City”
Where the Fox River winds through friendly neighbourhoods
Navy blueGold
Welcome to the Fox Cities! Whether you're here for a Timber Rattlers game, a stroll along the Fox River, or a classic Friday fish fry, you'll find friendly faces and a strong sense of community. Get ready to enjoy all four seasons and the simple pleasures of Wisconsin living.
Clubs for Appleton
No clubs for Appleton yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Appleton. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Appleton. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Fox Cities Stadium Home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, minor league baseball.
- Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Hosts Broadway tours, concerts, and local productions.
- High Cliff State Park Cliffs overlooking Lake Winnebago with trails and a lighthouse.
- History Museum at the Castle Local history housed in a 19th-century castle-like building.
- Paper Discovery Center Explores the Fox River Valley's papermaking heritage.
- Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve Wooded trails and wildlife viewing on the edge of Appleton.
- Outdoors Hike the bluffs at High Cliff State Park
- Outdoors Bike the Fox River Trail
- With kids Visit the Building for Kids Children's Museum
- With kids Cheer on the Timber Rattlers at Fox Cities Stadium
- Evenings Bar hop along College Avenue in downtown Appleton
- Evenings Catch a concert at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
- Locals love Supper clubs
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Octoberfest October Appleton's big German-style fall festival with music, food, and a parade.
- Mile of Music August A four-day music festival featuring hundreds of live performances across downtown Appleton.
- Fox Cities Marathon September A scenic marathon and half-marathon along the Fox River.
- Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival June A cheese-themed festival in Little Chute with tastings, contests, and a parade.
- Outagamie County Fair July Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and fair food in Seymour.
Four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring through early fall
Talk like a local
- “Bubbler”
- Drinking fountain
- “Up north”
- Northern Wisconsin, where many locals vacation
- “Supper club”
- A traditional Wisconsin restaurant serving steak, fish fry, and old-fashioneds
- “Cheesehead”
- A Wisconsinite, often with a foam cheese wedge hat
Getaways
- Oshkosh Home of the EAA Aviation Museum and a lively downtown.
- Green Bay Lambeau Field and the Packers Hall of Fame.
- Fond du Lac Lake Winnebago's southern shore and Lakeside Park.
- Shawano Outdoor recreation on the Wolf River.
Local flavour
Teams
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers MiLB
Eat and drink
- Booyah Belgian‑American stew, a Fox Cities staple
- Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky curds from local dairies
- Bratwurst Grilled brats with beer and onions
- Friday fish fry Traditional Wisconsin fish fry at supper clubs
Where people go
- Supper clubs Classic Wisconsin dining spots with old‑fashioned drinks and fish fries
- Riverfront trails Walking and biking paths along the Fox River
- Historic downtowns Charming main streets in Appleton, Kaukauna, and Little Chute
Heritage and traditions
The Fox Cities are proud of their paper-making heritage, the 'Paper Valley' along the Fox River, and a welcoming mix of Dutch, German, and Hmong cultures that show up in festivals, food, and faith.
This time of year in Appleton
- Apple picking at local orchards September-October A fall family activity.
Say it like a local: “Bubbler” — Drinking fountain
Festivals
- Hmong New Year November Celebrated in November with traditional dress, music, dance, and food.
- Little Chute Dutch Kermis September A September festival celebrating Dutch heritage with food, music, and a working windmill.
- Paperfest July A summer festival in Kimberly that honors the paper industry with food, music, and a parade.
- Appleton Jazz Festival June A weekend of jazz performances at venues across the city.
- Fox Cities Festival of Lights December A drive-through holiday light display at the fairgrounds in December.
Landmarks with a story
- Hearthstone Historic House Museum The first home in the world powered by a hydroelectric power plant (1882).
- St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church A historic church in Little Chute reflecting the area's Czech and Dutch Catholic heritage.
- Little Chute Windmill An authentic working Dutch windmill, one of the few in the US.
- Fox River Locks A 19th-century lock system along the Fox River, now a recreational and historical landmark.
- Outagamie County Courthouse A grand 19th-century courthouse in Appleton with a distinctive clock tower.
- Hmong Cultural Center of the Fox Cities Dedicated to preserving and sharing Hmong heritage and history.
Food traditions
- Dutch letters S-shaped pastries filled with almond paste, a specialty of Little Chute bakeries.
- Hmong egg rolls and pho The large Hmong community brings fresh, flavorful dishes to local markets and restaurants.
- Booyah A thick, hearty stew often made for community gatherings and fundraisers.
- Friday fish fry A Wisconsin tradition, often at supper clubs, featuring beer-battered cod or perch.
- Cheese curds Squeaky fresh curds from local dairies, served fried or straight up.
Music and arts
- Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra A professional symphony performing classical and pops concerts.
- Trout Museum of Art A contemporary art museum in downtown Appleton with rotating exhibitions.
- Attic Theatre A community theater group known for intimate productions.
- Mile of Music An annual music festival featuring original music across multiple venues (already listed, but a key part of the arts scene).
A little history
- 1882 Appleton became the first city in the world to have a hydroelectric power plant.
- Late 1800s The Fox River valley boomed as a center for paper manufacturing, earning the nickname 'Paper Valley'.
- 1874 Harry Houdini's family moved to Appleton when he was a child.
- Late 1800s Dutch immigrants settled in Little Chute and Kaukauna, shaping local culture.
- 1970s Hmong refugees began resettling in the Fox Cities, creating a vibrant community.
Rivalries
- Appleton vs. Oshkosh Friendly rivalry over which is the true heart of the Fox Cities.
- Appleton North vs. Appleton East High school football rivalry that divides the city.
- Game day Timber Rattlers baseball
- Game day Fox Cities Marathon
- Outdoors Hike the bluffs at High Cliff State Park
- Outdoors Bike the Fox River Trail
- With kids Visiting the Hearthstone Historic House Museum
- With kids Exploring the Houdini exhibit at the History Museum at the Castle
Locals speak with a classic Wisconsin accent, featuring a flat 'a' and a friendly, drawn-out tone. Common phrases include 'ope' for 'oops', 'bubbler' for water fountain, and 'you betcha' for 'yes'.
Only here
- The world's first hydroelectric power plant operated in Appleton.
- The 'Paper Valley' nickname for the Fox River valley.
- The Little Chute Windmill is one of the few authentic Dutch windmills in the US.
- The Fox River Locks system is a historic engineering marvel.
New here? A few tips
- Dress in layers, especially from November to March – winters are cold and snowy.
- Try a Friday fish fry at a local supper club for a true Wisconsin experience.
- Learn to say 'bubbler' instead of 'water fountain' – locals will appreciate it.
- Attend a Hmong New Year celebration to experience a key part of the community's culture.
- Take a walk along the Fox River trails to understand the region's connection to the water.
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Part of Appleton area
Nearby
Every areaOshkosh–NeenahWisconsinWhere the river runs and the skies are aliveWaupacaWisconsinWhere the lakes meet the cranberry bogsGreen BayWisconsinWhere the bay meets the frozen tundra, and the cheese is always fresh.Green LakeWisconsinDeep lakes, deep rootsFond du LacWisconsinA lakeside town with a big Wisconsin heart.ShawanoWisconsinWhere the river runs through the pines.ManitowocWisconsinHome of the sundae and the submarineSheboyganWisconsinWhere the lake meets the brat.
Appleton, WI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.