Without knowing what to expect except for the fact that this has been a popular, big event in…read moreChicago, hubby and I went to Fiserv Forum Plaza to check out the Christkindlmarket Milwaukee on their first Sunday. We picked the evening to go hoping to see the beautiful yellow lights (and I recommend you to go in the evening too - same food same drinks same shops but the view is more beautiful). The ornaments and lights indeed made it festive, but there were surprisingly not many tents and people. And there was no music. The market felt kind of tiny, empty and quiet on the huge, open Fiserv Forum Plaza ground. Maybe as the holiday season approaches, the vibe will get better. Here are the things that we did and enjoyed: 1. Got the warm, creamy, rich Belgian hot chocolate in the super cute Milwaukee souvenir mug. It's $11 with the mug which is pricey for such a small size of drink. But I liked the mug a lot and thought sharing a mug of hot chocolate with someone you love on a cold winter evening is kind of sweet. 2. Different handmade crafts from Germany, blankets from Peru, outwear, tea, coffee cakes, chocolates, pies, candies, cookies, cream cheese, soap... We walked around the outdoor area to check out all the vendors. It took us less than 30 mins but it was fun. 3. Checked out the indoor Christmas décor and gift shop before getting food. The staff were super nice. 4. Got the Raclette cheese sandwiches! Watching the melty raclette got scraped into the bread was delightful. With $1 extra, you could add a brat to the sandwich with a similar amount of cheese (we thought, as I got one with just raclette and hubby got one with a brat). * My suggestions are: 1) eat the sandwich as soon as possible when it is still warm and moist. Don't spend too much time looking for seats or taking photos lol. 2) Your hands may smell stinky later if you touch the cheese, which is highly likely to happen as there is so much cheese! 5. Found the warming house and sat down and enjoyed some simple, traditional live Christmas music performed by a band.

Absolutely a fan of Christkindlmarket Milwaukee or CK/MKE, and have many thoughts after having…read morelived in Chicago for 20 years, with their market being one of my absolute favorite things about the Holidays in Chicago. A Christkindlmarket is a traditional European or German "Christ Child Market". Say "Kindle Fire". Now say "Krist Novoselic of Nirvana." Now say "Krist Novoselic has a Kindle." Then say "Krist Kindle Market". You've got the pronunciation! Love: - Gluwein in the heart-shaped souvenir mug! So tasty and festive! - Pierogi, sausages, sauerkraut - Raclette is so hot right now, and they've got it! (Tastes better than it smells, trust me.) - Hot chocolate in a souvenir mug - The warming house is huge, and sometimes has carolers - Bathrooms are the indoor kind by the Fiserv Beer Garden - It's.not.that.crowded (Seriously, just walk slowly, wait your turn at the stands, and practice patience). - Especially not crowded on a weeknight - Handmade crafts from Germany, and small businesses like Taylor Street Soaps from Little Italy in Chicago - Kaethe Wohlfahrt ornament and handcrafted nativities - Fiserv Forum Plaza/Herb Kohl Way makes a perfect location Improve: - More, more, more, make it bigger! - More crafts from Germany, please. Like those wooden handcrafted moose, dragons, animals, and those goofy toys like the squirrel whistles - More local businesses, and perhaps add Makers (from Milwaukee) that do Holiday signs 'n' stuff. This doesn't have to be just like Chicago's. - Add some high tops outside so people can post up to eat/drink - Can we get some Kinder Uberraschungs up in here? We won't choke on the prize, promise! - Commemorative art print really needs improving. Big missed opportunity to make a good art print into $ for charity, including cards, magnets, and an annual ornament. A good first year for Christkindlmarket Milwaukee!

Small, cramped little gift shop with good prices for very healthy plants. Better plants than you…read morewould find in a supermarket, or even a greenhouse nursery though less variety. Helpful, friendly staff. I can't think of a more appropriate souvenir for a visit to the Domes than a plant grown in their greenhouse. And they have postcards! I suppose most of you don't know what a postcard is or is used for, and this makes me sad. Doesn't matter, get a plant. You don't have to pay admission to visit the gift shop and parking is free so this is a good stop for a quick gift.

This is a very small gift shop With that being said it's very crowded during peak times…read more Personally I'm disappointed in merchandise to choose from. Nothing would remind me of The Domes. Just your everyday run of the mill gift shop. Only thing worth buying is a post card to send back home or to friends.

Makers market with great gifts for everyone! Art, jewelry, home goods, tea, Wisconsin themed…read moregoodies. Great local shop that supports local artisans. Have bought beautiful gifts here for others and myself many times and would highly recommend to those looking to spend their money to support their community.

There was a good selection of toys and the staff was fun. I purchased a cool puzzle at a reasonable…read moreprice.

I love this place so much, even as a teen i admit, i go there quite a bit to pick up some candy and…read moremaybe a trinket after i get payed, the owners are amazing, and the rest of the staff is also very nice! If you're looking for a good local toy shop I would highly recommend this place.

Staff is always great and they have an awesome selection. I miss when the event area was in the…read morestore, but it is nice to have the tables in the atrium and be able to bring food and such.

I went to their store and was going to buy a board game when I noticed that the price seemed a bit…read morehigh. I have no problem paying MSRP for a product at a local store, but they were charging ABOVE MSRP! I thought it may have been an error, so I checked a few more games and ALL were above MSRP! I asked the clerk behind the register about it and there was no real explanation given - he simply said he'd call the 'owner' and see why. Of course, there was no answer and no explanation. And, there was no sale! I like supporting local game stores, but charging above MSRP is a non-starter for me. No way I'll ever set foot in their stores again.

This shop has been open for about a year now and is full of cute, unique, homemade, and locally…read moresourced items. For everyone! I stopped in here to find some Easter gifts for my adult children and was not disappointed. I found the perfect items for them, and easily could have spent a lot more time (and money) here! The shop looks, smells, and feels amazing. Stopping in here totally made my day, and I definitely plan to go back! The woman who helped me (I believe she was the owner) was so nice and helpful. She answered all my questions and was rightfully proud of the amazing shop she decided to add to our community. Check out the Mixed Bag's website to explore all the items this place has to offer. You can even place an order online! If you're looking for someplace new to find a thoughtful, creative, and one-of-a-kind gift while also supporting Wisconsin and Midwest artisans, pay this place some attention!

Amazing shop and owner! Such a fun assortment of product, great for gifts of all ages. My go to…read morespot in our super sweet and welcoming neighborhood!

Good store for Boomers looking to find a nostalgic past time with grandchildren as it is well…read morestocked with old favorites. Also might be of interest for younger shoppers interested in low tech gaming. I'm not really a fan of the location, this is not a comfortable mall, it is over run with overactive teenagers but is much better during school hours. Workers take kind of a hands off approach here, so good for browsing or if you know what you're looking for, but not as good as their other location if you need help or advice.

Very friendly staff the availability of many games make this place a worthwhile place for anyone…read morewho loves games.

Art Smart's is a Brady Street institution! I remember my bro coming here in his wild bachelor days…read morefor his kite and darts obsession in the '90s, and I bet the place hasn't changed much since then! Come to think of it, this place kind of screams bachelor guys with bachelor guy hobbies! Whether its pub darts, kites, bean bags, or disc golf, Art Smart's has you covered! The owner had me in stiches with his ribbing and off the wall asides, while I paid for a glow in the dark rubber chicken and rubber chicken air freshener. (Yes, I'm a Svengoolie fan!) There's lots of goofy gag gifts here and old timey gag gifts, too. So it's also a shop to come to for those White Elephant gifts and stocking stuffers.

We love going up to Art Smart's Dart Mart (or as my kid's call it: The Prank Store)! They have a…read morekiller selection of prank toys, Innova frisbee discs, kites and more. We love that it's a unique old shop that isn't fancy or flashy.... just a straight forward cool shop!