Good eats, live music and historic builds in Downtown Appleton
College Avenue breathes life into Downtown Appleton, where foodies gather at locally-owned haunts, and everyone else follows suit for the strip’s annual festivities. “It feels like a small community, but it has big city amenities,” says Vanessa Cebulski, a resident and Realtor with CENTURY 21 Ace Realty. “Aside from the affordability, you can actually get to know people really well here while still having access to places like the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.” Thanks to the arts-focused Lawrence University next door, residents of Downtown Appleton are offered an array of vibrant festivals and even music-themed restaurants. Pockets of historic homes are within walking distance of all the action, as well as community parks hosting their own lively events just north of the Fox River.
Mile of Music artists fly in to Downtown Appleton from all over the country.
Downtown Appleton is a walkable and drivable neighborhood.
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19th-century homes within walking distance of the action
Single-family homes and duplexes are situated in walkable pockets surrounding the hub of Downtown Appleton. “Our oldest homes are in the heart of the city,” Cebulski says. “Everything started in that area and grew outward. If you look at a map of the highways, you’ll see it.” Victorian and Queen Anne homes dating back to the late 19th century line residential streets, where prices vary between $150,000 and $500,000. No two builds are quite identical, their historic attributes ranging from high-pitched roofs to rounded, cottage-style doors. Shared qualities are only found in the tangling ivy out front and detached garages out back, while each manicured lawn is met with a sidewalk heading downtown. Homebuyers should note that the greenery is a façade when it comes to quiet hours. The swaying of leaves on mature trees is usually paired with some street noise.
Historic builds are commonly found throughout Downtown Appleton.
Downtown Appleton has plenty of traditional farmhouse style homes.
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Year-round recreation at Appleton’s community parks
Parents rejoice that the YMCA of the Fox Cities provides ample opportunities for youth recreation. Along with a pool and fitness center, the Y’s youth programs center around art, music and even environmental studies. Preschool and daycare pair with a summer camp for working guardians. Shaded walking paths are strolled at City Park, which offers a playground and a scenic central fountain. Over the holidays, a towering Christmas tree twinkles at the park’s heart, where guests gathered for the annual Fox Cities Butterfly Festival just a few months prior. City Park is also home to Appleton’s “Art in the Park,” a two-day festival inviting 200 artists to show their work beside local food vendors and a lineup of live musicians. Jones Park shares a similar reputation, as guests flock with lawn chairs for the annual summer concert series. Beyond live music, the park features a lighted basketball court and walkway, as well as an ice skating and hockey rink in the wintertime. The Fox River is accessible at Lutz Park’s boat and kayak launches. The shoreline and bridge are ideal for fishing and sightseeing.
Pickleball courts are one of the many amenities Telulah Park in Appleton.
Telulah Park in Appleton is a popular spot for crappie and bass fishing.
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Public and private education in the Appleton Area School District
Students are zoned for the Appleton Area School District, where two elementary schools serve the greater downtown area. Dunlap Elementary earns a B-minus on Niche, while Jefferson Elementary earns a C-plus. Both primary schools feed into Wilson Middle, which also earns a C-plus. Locally known as just “Wilson,” the school provides an array of intramural sports to supplement the school’s established leagues. Alternatively, St. Paul Lutheran School is a private K-8 institution for those seeking spiritual options in the area. Appleton West High School earns a B on Niche, home of the Appleton West Terrors. The high school has a full winter and spring sports roster alongside an athletic boosters club that raises funds for the program. Students who are more artistically inclined can expect theater productions in the fall and spring with Appleton West Theatre.
Wilson Middle School in Appleton serves grades 7-8.
Jefferson Elementary School in Appleton has a playground on its campus.
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Summer smells like baked goods and spilled beer
On College Avenue, summer smells like baked goods in the morning and spilled beer in the evening. Every Saturday at dawn, The Downtown Appleton Farm Market packs more than 100 vendors onto the thoroughfare’s already bustling sidewalks, selling everything from locally-grown produce to handcrafted items, fried food, coffee and pastries. Running June through October, the market overlaps with Appleton’s annual Mile of Music, which takes place the first week of August. Guests can grab a croissant in the morning and return in the evening for free access to 40 unique venues hosting 200 up-and-coming musicians. “We’re in our eleventh year now, and it’s still extremely popular,” Cebulski says. “The nightlife for adults is great, but the daytime is way more family-friendly. I bring my kids every year for the little drum classes that Lawrence University hosts.” When summer ends, Octoberfest begins. Held in September, the drinking festivities kick off with a ceremonial toast to the Spaten keg beer tapping at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. “It’s a textbook adult drinking situation,” Cebulski jokes.
There are over 100 restaurants and stores in Downtown Appleton.
Stop in to Appleton Beer Factory for a pint or a Bloody Mary.
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Valley Transit stops on every block
Valley Transit provides Downtown Appleton with walkable bus stops on virtually every corner. The Valley Transit Station itself is located on Oneida Street, blocks away from many homes. Bike lanes are additionally provided on Franklin Street and Appleton Street. The closest emergency room is located at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, less than 2 miles north on Meade Street. Appleton International Airport is 6 miles west via College Avenue. The airport is not accessible by bus, so many opt for ridesharing or overnight parking. Green Bay commuters can expect a 30-mile trip north on Interstate 41, while Oshkosh is 20 miles south.
You can catch a ride at the Valley Transit Station in Downtown Appleton.
The Fox River runs along the southern edge of Downtown Appleton.
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Bloody marys and BBQ plates on College Avenue
Foodies unite on College Avenue, where restaurants abound, and weekend sidewalk traffic is marginally manageable. When the owners of the Appleton Beer Factory refurbished the Schreiter Auto building in 2013, they repurposed materials found onsite to craft the entire bar, along with extra tables and windows. Today, the rustic brewery is a hot spot for beery bloody marys and American fare, though most Appleton residents would agree that Home Burger Bar is a go-to for greasy cheeseburgers. Blues music and colorful murals curate the ambiance at The Cozzy Corner, a soul food joint well-loved for BBQ plates and fried chicken. Farther east, Bowl Ninety-One was named for the year the owner arrived in the United States. The Asian eatery is known for its family recipes and authentic ingredients. Boutiques, music shops and vintage finds fill in the gaps, and those traveling far enough west will find an ALDI. But Interstate 41 is where big box stores like Sam’s Club neighbor Target, Home Depot and Woodman’s Market.
Home Burger Bar is known for its unique and savory cheeseburgers.
Downtown Appleton's College Avenue is its retail hub.
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Lawrence University and its arts-focused footprint
Downtown Appleton is packed with arts-focused attractions, a unique quality appreciated by residents. “It’s lively all year round,” Cebulski says. “There’s been a lot of investment and money put into downtown, so we have stuff that we shouldn’t have for the size of our city. Places like the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center aren’t usually in small areas like ours.” The $45 million Fox Cities Performing Arts Center was entirely funded by local residents and businesses, now a hub for Off-Broadway performances and black-box theater presentations. Meanwhile, the Trout Museum of Art hosts summer camps, workshops and even an artist-in-residence program. In 2025, the museum will open a brand new, state-of-the-art facility closer to Lawrence University. A liberal arts college and conservatory of music, Lawrence is home to about 1,500 students living in residence halls and apartment-style units. Fox Commons is a brand-new student housing option opening in Fall 2024, right on College Avenue. Homebuyers can note that the university requires on-campus living, meaning students rarely dwell in residential neighborhoods.
Downtown Appleton is also home to Lawrence University.
There are also outdoor performances during Mile of Music in Downtown Appleton.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Peabody Park
Lutz Park
City Park
Telulah Park
Jones Park
Transit
Airport
Appleton International
15 min drive
Bus
431 E Eagle Flats
Bus
N Drew & E Atlantic
Bus
N Richmond & W Packard
Bus
Transit Center
Bus
E College & N Morrison
Bus
W Lawrence & S Walnut
Bus
W College & N Bennett
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Appleton
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
8
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Appleton Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Appleton, Appleton sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Appleton, Appleton over the last 12 months is $220,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Experience urban living like never before. With upscale finishes, an abundance of amenities and incredible views, our new community at 320 East College Ave. offers the sanctuary of a luxury dwelling on the doorstep of urban living. Residents at 320 East have an all-access pass to their favorite downtown activities- like concerts, farmers’ markets, dining, cafes, arts, and shopping. 1-3 bedroom
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jodi Young,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,505
Median Age
32
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$42,029
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$63,335
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.8%
College Graduates
30.4%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.4%
% Population in Labor Force
60.3%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
31''
Average Winter Low Temperature
10°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
70''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
60/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
82/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
