Celebrating 50 Years! Historic Third Ward Tour

Join Historic Milwaukee for a guided tour of the Historic Third Ward as the Historic Third Ward Association celebrates 50 years of leadership and impact.

Explore how this former warehouse district transformed into one of the Midwest’s most vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods. Since 1976, the Association has helped preserve the district’s historic character while guiding its evolution into a hub for arts, culture, dining, and urban living.

On this tour, discover the people, projects, and pivotal moments behind that transformation—from adaptive reuse and the Riverwalk to beloved destinations like the Milwaukee Public Market. You’ll also learn about the neighborhood’s layered cultural history, including the influence of Irish and Italian immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. Stops include the Milwaukee Public Market, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), and Commission Row.

Your tour will be led by Historic Milwaukee tour guide Chris Rute, a licensed Wisconsin architect whose career spans traditional design firms, design-build practice, and corporate architecture.

This tour will cover the same path as Historic Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward Tour, but the emphasis will be on the last 50 years of history.

After the tour, explore great local vendors at the Milwaukee Public Market or grab a meal or drink at one of the Third Ward's many amazing restaurants. View a guide to local businesses