Oshkosh–Neenah
Around Oshkosh–Neenah
Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Wisconsin · 173k people
Oshkosh–Neenah
Locals say Fox Valley
Oshkosh · Neenah
Where the river runs and the skies are alive
Titans GoldRiver & Lake Blue
Welcome to the Fox Valley! Whether you're here for the planes, the lake, or the friendly folks, you'll find plenty to love. Grab a cheese curd and settle in.
Clubs for Oshkosh–Neenah
No clubs for Oshkosh–Neenah yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Oshkosh–Neenah. 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
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Oshkosh–Neenah. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- EAA Aviation Museum Home of the world's largest fly-in, with historic aircraft.
- Lake Winnebago Wisconsin's largest inland lake, perfect for boating and fishing.
- Fox River Runs through the heart of the Fox Valley, with scenic riverfront trails.
- Menominee Park Lakeside park with a zoo, beach, and picnic areas.
- Paine Art Center and Gardens Historic estate with art collections and formal gardens.
- Oshkosh Public Museum Local history and culture housed in a historic mansion.
- Outdoors Boating and fishing on Lake Winnebago
- Outdoors Hiking or biking the Fox River Trail
- With kids Visit the Menominee Park Zoo
- With kids Splash pads and water parks
- Evenings Catch a show at the Grand Opera House
- Evenings Attend a concert at the Leach Amphitheater
- Locals love Lakefront parks
- Locals love Supper clubs
Through the year
- EAA AirVenture July/August World's largest aviation fly-in and airshow.
- Waterfest Summer (June-August) Outdoor concert series on the Fox River in Oshkosh.
- Paperfest July Neenah's community festival with music, food, and fireworks.
- Winnebago County Fair August Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and exhibits.
- Oshkosh Farmers Market May-October Weekly market with local produce and crafts.
The Fox Valley has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring through early fall
Talk like a local
- “Fox Cities”
- The metro area covering Oshkosh, Neenah, and Menasha.
- “The lake”
- Lake Winnebago.
- “The river”
- The Fox River.
- “AirVenture”
- The EAA fly-in event.
Getaways
- Appleton Visit the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and downtown shops.
- Fond du Lac Lakeside Park and the Children's Museum.
- Green Bay Lambeau Field and the Packers Hall of Fame.
- Manitowoc Maritime Museum and the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast.
Local flavour
Teams
- UW-Oshkosh Titans NCAA Division III
Also rooting for Green Bay Packers (NFL), Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Cheese curds Often served squeaky fresh, especially at summer festivals
- Bratwurst Grilled and served with sauerkraut or on a bun, a Wisconsin staple
- Friday fish fry A weekly tradition at supper clubs and taverns, often with perch or cod
Where people go
- EAA AirVenture grounds World's largest fly-in and aviation celebration
- Fox River waterfront Scenic riverwalk and historic downtowns
- Lake Winnebago Large inland lake for boating, fishing, and ice fishing
- Historic paper mill districts Legacy of the region's paper industry, now repurposed
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its aviation heritage, with the EAA AirVenture drawing the world's largest fly-in, and its deep roots in the paper industry along the Fox River, all set against the recreational gem of Lake Winnebago.
This time of year in Oshkosh–Neenah
- Fall colors October Scenic drives and hikes along the river and bluffs.
Say it like a local: “You betcha” — A friendly affirmation, meaning 'yes, indeed'.
Festivals
- Sawdust City Days June Celebrates Oshkosh's lumber history with parades, music, and historical reenactments.
- Winneconne Water Ski Days July A community festival with water ski shows, a parade, and carnival rides.
- Berlin German Fest June German food, music, and dancing in the town of Berlin.
Landmarks with a story
- The Grand Opera House A beautifully restored 1883 theater hosting performances and events.
- Menasha Lock A working lock on the Fox River, part of the historic canal system.
- Oshkosh City Hall A historic building with distinctive architecture, still in use.
Food traditions
- Sturgeon spearing and fish dinner In February, locals head to Lake Winnebago to spear sturgeon through the ice, then enjoy the fish at a family feast.
- Supper club fish fry Friday fish fry is a staple at local supper clubs, often with relish trays and old-fashioneds.
- Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky cheese curds are a favorite snack, often from local creameries.
- Bratwurst at tailgates German-style brats are grilled for game days and community gatherings.
Music and arts
- Polka music German heritage keeps polka bands playing at festivals and events.
- The Grand Opera House A historic venue for theater, music, and dance performances.
- Glass art at Bergstrom-Mahler Museum The museum showcases a renowned collection of glass paperweights and art.
- Community theater Local groups like the Oshkosh Community Players produce plays and musicals.
A little history
- 1800s Lumber era boom
- Late 1800s Paper industry growth
- 1953 EAA founded
- 1850s Fox River locks built
- 1895 Oshkosh B'Gosh founded
Rivalries
- Neenah vs. Menasha high school football Cross-town rivalry with deep roots.
- Oshkosh North vs. Oshkosh West high school sports City rivalry in all major sports.
- UW-Oshkosh vs. UW-Whitewater (WIAC football) Conference rivalry with playoff implications.
- Game day UW-Oshkosh Titans games
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Ice fishing on Lake Winnebago
- Outdoors Boating and fishing
- With kids The Grand Opera House
- With kids Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
People here speak with a typical Wisconsin accent, featuring a flat 'a' and a tendency to end sentences with 'eh' or 'ya know.' They often use 'ope' as a polite interjection and refer to soda as 'pop.'
Only here
- EAA AirVenture is the world's largest fly-in, drawing thousands of aircraft and visitors each July.
- Sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago is a unique ice-fishing tradition with a lottery system.
- The Fox River lock system lets boats travel from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay.
- Oshkosh B'Gosh overalls were invented here in 1895.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for cold, snowy winters—invest in a good coat and learn to love ice fishing.
- Try a Friday fish fry at a local supper club; it's a beloved tradition.
- Even if you're not into aviation, visit the EAA AirVenture Museum—it's world-class.
- Know that 'pop' means soda, and 'bubbler' means drinking fountain.
- Learn about the paper industry; it's the backbone of the local economy.
Make this page better
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Part of Appleton area
Nearby
Every areaAppletonWisconsinWhere the Fox River winds through friendly neighbourhoodsFond du LacWisconsinA lakeside town with a big Wisconsin heart.Green LakeWisconsinDeep lakes, deep rootsWaupacaWisconsinWhere the lakes meet the cranberry bogsBeaver DamWisconsinWhere the marsh meets the lakeGreen BayWisconsinWhere the bay meets the frozen tundra, and the cheese is always fresh.ManitowocWisconsinHome of the sundae and the submarineSheboyganWisconsinWhere the lake meets the brat.
Oshkosh-Neenah, 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.