The city of Oshkosh found its footing on the western shores of Lake Winnebago in 1838. Named after the reigning chief of the Menominee Tribe, the city was officially incorporated in 1853. Within a few decades, the Fox River corridor was packed with mills and factories, earning Oshkosh the nickname “Sawdust City.”
Today, a monument dedicated to Chief Oshkosh overlooks Menominee Park, a sprawling lakefront green space representative of the city’s year-round lake life culture. “Lake Winnebago freezes over completely in the winter,” says Stephanie Brehmer, a longtime resident of Millers Bay and Realtor with First Weber Realtors. “There are so many ice fishing tournaments that February in Oshkosh is like the Super Bowl! Between the Polar Plunge, sturgeon spearing and Battle on Bago, there’s always something going on at the lakefront—even in the winter.”
Midtown residents can spend an afternoon shopping in the local downtown area.
Colorful murals and The Grand Opra House are found in Downtown Oshkosh.
Ice fishing is very popular for Oshosh Residents.
Watch the sunset over Lake Winnebago with a friend in Menominee South.
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Boat launches, marinas & Millers Bay
Outdoor recreation is a big deal in Oshkosh. The city sits within a 20-mile radius of Lake Poygan, Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Winneconne and Lake Winnebago. Each body of water is connected by the Fox River, meaning local boaters can easily spend an entire day sailing from one lake to the next. “Everyone owns a boat in Oshkosh,” says Wendy Hielsberg, a local real estate agent with First Weber Realtors. She notes that fishing piers, boat launches and marinas are common among the city’s waterfront parks, including William A. Steiger Park and the Oshkosh Sports Complex. But the most popular is Menominee Park, a 109-acre gathering space with a zoo, a beach and waterfront walking paths. To the north, Millers Bay is known to host annual fishing tournaments.
“It’s the weather that can be an issue here,” Hielsberg says. “In the summer, you can walk the downtown area or head to the farmer’s market. But the wind howls in the winter. It’s absolutely freezing. So, walking? Probably not.”
Lumber River offers a taste of almost everything Oshkosh has to offer.
Fin N Feather is located in Winneconne and offers scening views of Wolf River.
Menominee Park Zoo in Menominee South is open in the summer with new animal exhibits each year.
Midtown residents are always a short walk from the water.
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EAA AirVenture draws hundreds of thousands to Wisconsin
Most annual events in Oshkosh revolve around the city’s vast natural landscape. The iconic ice fishing tournament, Battle on Bago, draws hundreds of fishermen to Millers Bay each February. Onlooking residents admire the boat traffic in the days leading up as those from surrounding communities make their way to the bay. By the summertime, Ames Point is a popular lookout spot for Independence Day fireworks. “They set them off from this little spot between the bay and Winnebago called Monkey Island,” Brehmer says. “For the record, no monkeys have ever lived there.”
Back on land, Downtown Oshkosh hosts various music and arts festivals, including Art in the Park and Oshkosh Beer Week, a 10-day celebration of the city’s most popular breweries. But the grandest event of the year takes place in July at Wittman Regional Airport. “EAA AirVenture is the largest aviation event in the world. In 2023, we had 750,000 attendees,” Brehmer says. From flight demonstrations to drone shows and exhibits, the weeklong festival is even known to attract celebrities like Tom Cruise. “I’ve met people from Australia, New Zealand, even Bulgaria. And they all come to tiny little Oshkosh for this one event every year.”
Each year at the EAA you will see historic aircraft in Oshkosh.
Live at the Leach Amphitheater is a free summer concert series in River East.
Music on Main concert series in Downtown Oshkosh takes place at the Opera House Square.
Marina District
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Main Street is walkable in Downtown Oshkosh
Interstate 41 borders Oshkosh to the east. The thoroughfare is compact with grocers and retailers, including Walmart Supercenter, Target, Menards and Lowe’s. The strip is also home to The Outlet Shoppes at Oshkosh, with name-brand stores like Nike and The North Face. Closer to the city center, Murdock Avenue offers regional grocers from Jewel-Osco to Pick ‘n Save.
Downtown Oshkosh outlines a walkable stretch of Main Street. Guests can shop everything from comics to vinyl records and vintage clothes before heading to one of the area’s many cafés or bars. Wagner Market, in particular, is a popular spot for local produce and handmade brats. “It’s prime for university students who can walk there from school,” Hielsberg says. Over by the iconic Sun Dial monument in Opera House Square, the Oshkosh Saturday Farmer’s Market sells produce, baked goods and handmade crafts over the summer.
Less than 2 miles away, Woodland Park residents can easily enjoy life in downtown Oshkosh.
Visitors can choose from a variety of beautiful flower bouquets at Oshkosh Farmers Market.
Wagner Market in Menominee North has a great meat selection and unique craft beers.
Come to The Outlet Shoppes at Oshkosh for great deals from many brands.
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Waterfront homes on Lake Winnebago & the Fox River
Oshkosh offers a vast inventory of historic homes and districts throughout the city. Properties constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries often neighbor midcentury ranch-style homes, split levels and other variations of traditional architecture. Brehmer notes that waterfront homes in neighborhoods like Stevens Park or the Marina District tend to be generational, while those farther inland are more frequently on the market. “The water is very attractive,” Hielsberg adds. “You either have a cottage on the lake or come visit in the summer. If you’re living on the lake, that’s your whole life.” Regardless of proximity to the water, many residents park boats in their driveways or front lawns—a nod to the city’s culture of water recreation. As of 2024, the median home price rests around $235,000, lower than nearby Appleton and similar to Fond Du Lac.
Menominee North is a neighborhood bordering Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh, WI.
Northshore's lakeside homes feature private docks for residents to enjoy.
Some homes in Menominee North showcase ruminant colors.
Large custom homes can be found throughout Northshore.
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From Oshkosh Area Schools to UW Oshkosh
Students citywide attend the Oshkosh Area School District, which earns a B-minus on Niche. In 2022, the city voted to fund the construction of two brand-new facilities: Menominee Elementary School and Vel Phillips Middle School. As of 2024, both schools are operational. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh sits just west of the downtown area. The public college enrolls more than 10,000 students each year and is known for its research, nursing school and school of business—all three of which rank nationally.
River East residents can start their education at Menominee Elementary School.
Vel Phillips Middle School educates grades 6-8 in Menominee North.
Oshkosh North High School in River East scores a B on their Overall Niche Grade.
The University of Oshkosh sits just west of Downtown Oshkosh.
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Navigating Lake Winnebago on Interstate 41
Though Oshkosh is known for its titular clothing brand, OshKosh B’Gosh, the century-old company is founded locally is now headquartered in Atlanta. According to the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, the largest employer in the city is the Oshkosh Corporation, an industrial company specializing in making heavy-duty vehicles for emergency services, the military, towing companies and other industries. Aurora Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh closely follow.
The city’s industrial corridor is located south of 20th Avenue. Though most residents are car-dependent, Oshkosh provides Go Transit bus service, bikeable streets and designated biking lanes closer to the university. I-41 is a prominent thoroughfare for commuters. The route heads north to Appleton and Green Bay and south to Fond Du Lac and Milwaukee. Wittman International Airport may be popular for annual events, but the county-owned public-use airport does not offer commercial flights. Residents are more likely to fly out of Appleton International Airport, 20 miles north.
Crime statistics in Oshkosh
The CAP Index identifies pockets along I-41 and Downtown Oshkosh that experience a slightly higher crime risk. Overall, violent and property crime rates sit below the national average.
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