West Appleton is a historic neighborhood located less than a mile from downtown, featuring gridded residential streets lined with early to mid-20th century homes. Architectural styles include bungalows, Cape Cods, ranch-style homes, and Tudor Revivals, each with unique characteristics such as cottage-style rounded doors and exposed wood beams. The area is family-friendly with walkable schools, parks, and Valley Transit bus stops. Local amenities include the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, community events, and a variety of dining options like Mill City Public House and Carmella’s. Shopping is convenient with ALDI, Target, Sam’s Club, and the Fox River Mall nearby. Residents enjoy numerous things to do, including the Downtown Appleton Farm Market, Mile of Music, and Octoberfest. Parks like Lutz Park, City Park, and Jones Park offer recreational opportunities, from boating and fishing to art festivals and summer concerts. West Appleton is well-connected with bike lanes and bus stops, and is close to Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital and Appleton International Airport. The neighborhood is also near Lawrence University, which is home to about 1,500 students and requires on-campus living, meaning students rarely dwell in residential neighborhoods. The Trout Museum of Art, another local attraction, hosts summer camps, workshops, and an artist-in-residence program, with plans to open a new facility closer to the university in 2025.
