West Allis is a city in Southeast Wisconsin.
Understand
[edit]West Allis is a western suburb of Milwaukee. While there is a South Milwaukee, a West Milwaukee, and there used to be a North Milwaukee, the west in West Allis refers to the western factory of the Edward P. Allis Company. Its successor, Allis-Chalmers, was a major employer in the area until the 1980s
Visitor information
[edit]- City of West Allis (official city website, use Visitors tab in the navigation)
Get in
[edit]
Information about getting in to Milwaukee generally applies to West Allis as well.
By car
[edit]It is south of I-94, straddling I-41/I-894/US-45.
While it easy to travel to West Allis by car for most of the year, it is more difficult during the Wisconsin State Fair. Throughways near the fairgrounds are frequently congested and street parking, usually abundant, is either prohibited or scarce. Gratis street parking is possible if you are willing to drive around for it and walk from farther away. Additional paid parking is available closer to the fairgrounds from businesses opening their parking lots and homeowners their lawns; look for flags, signs, and people waving.
By bicycle
[edit]- Hank Aaron State Trail: multi-use trail that passes through West Allis' northern edge and to the edge of Milwaukee's downtown.
- New Berlin Recreation Trail: seven mile multi-use trail to Waukesha with a trailhead at Greenfield Park.
- Oak Leaf Trail: trail system in Milwaukee County.
- The Root River Line goes through Greenfield Park and is either off-road, through low-traffic parkways or residential streets. It connects to Wauwatosa and Milwaukee's southwest suburbs.
- The Kinnickinnic Line, which passes by the State Fair Grounds, is almost entirely on-road with some high-traffic streets. It connects to Wauwatosa and downtown Milwaukee.
Get around
[edit]West Allis is integrated into the Milwaukee urban landscape, so most of the information there applies to West Allis as well, including bus, bicycle, and car transportation.
By bus
[edit]Several Milwaukee County Transit System routes serve West Allis. There are two high-frequency-routes:
- Route 18: east-west route on Greenfield-National, with service to downtown Milwaukee.
- Route 76: north-south route. Its southern terminus is the Southridge Shopping Center (an enclosed regional shopping mall) in the Glendale-Greenfield suburbs.
See
[edit]- 1 West Allis Historical Society Museum, 8405 W National Ave, ☏ +1 414-541-6970, [email protected]. Tu 7PM-9PM, Su 2PM-4PM. Built in 1887 using Cream City brick, a distinctive local material, this Richardson Romanesque building houses memorabilia showcasing the city's residential, agricultural and industrial history. Free.
Do
[edit]- 1 Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S 84th St.
- Wisconsin State Fair, ☏ +1 414-266-7000, toll-free: +1-800-884-FAIR (3247). State fair held annually over 11 days in August.
- Milwaukee Mile.
- 2 Pettit National Ice Center, 500 S 84th St, Milwaukee, ☏ +1 414-266-0100. Indoor ice facility. In addition to scheduled events, which included adult pickup hockey, has public skating and run/walk track.
- 3 Greenfield Park, 2028 S 124th St, ☏ +1 414-327-8906. 280 acre park with aquatic recreation areas and a golf course. Trailheads to the New Berlin Recreation Trail and the Oak Leaf Trail.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Downtown West Allis, 7231 W Greenfield Ave, ☏ +1 414-774-2676, [email protected]. “Main street” business district with a variety of stores, restaurants, and services.
- 2 West Allis Farmers Market, 6501 W National Ave, ☏ +1 414-302-3276, [email protected]. Tu-Th noon-5PM, Sa 1PM-5pm. Large open-air market. First Saturday in May through the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Double B's, 7412 W Greenfield Ave, ☏ +1 414-257-9150, [email protected]. Tu-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 10AM-10PM. “Milwaukee-style” barbecue, burgers, and sandwiches. $20.
- 2 Oscar’s Frozen Custard, 2362 S 108th St, ☏ +1 414-327-5220. Su-Th 10:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 10.30AM-midnight. Fast-food counter serving classic burgers. Frozen custard (a Milwaukee-area staple dessert) including flavor-of-the-day options and milkshakes. $10.
- 3 West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shop, 6832 W Becher St, ☏ +1 414-543-4230. M-F 7AM-5PM, Sa 7AM-4PM, Su 8AM-2PM. Cafe in addition to the shop. Serves sandwiches, salads, bloody marys, and other cocktails. Sandwich $14.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Days Inn, 1673 S 108th St, ☏ +1 414-778-2200, fax: +1 414-778-0199. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Free breakfast, free wireless internet.
- 2 Hampton Inn, 8201 W Greenfield Ave, ☏ +1 414-436-2300, fax: +1 414 436-2301. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Fitness center, indoor pool free breakfast, free wireless internet.
Connect
[edit]- 1 West Allis Public Library, 7421 W National Ave, ☏ +1 414-302-8503. M-Th 9:30AM-8:30PM, F-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Open Wi-Fi. Public access computers require a Milwaukee County library card.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through West Allis |
| Appleton ← Milwaukee ← | N  S
|
→ Racine → Chicago |
| Madison ← Brookfield ← | W  E
|
→ Milwaukee → Chicago |
| Oshkosh ← Milwaukee ← | N  S
|
→ Grayslake → Chicago |
| Edgerton ← Brookfield/New Berlin ← | W  E
|
→ Milwaukee → END |