The Fox Cities are Wisconsin's shopping place. Central to the Fox Cities’ experience is the Fox River Mall, Wisconsin’s second largest shopping mall with more than 180 retailers. Combined with adjacent retail development, the area represents the largest concentration of retail in Wisconsin. Beyond the mall, the galleries and specialty retailers in downtown Appleton and historic Neenah feature unique items and personalized service sure to please even the most discerning shopper.

Downtown Appleton is the cultural heart of the Fox Cities where, after a day of shopping, visitors enjoy a variety of dining, nightlife and entertainment options. The life and illusions of Appleton’s Harry Houdini are on display in “A.K.A. Houdini” at The History Museum at the Castle.

Two shining stars for the performing arts bookend downtown Appleton: the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (PAC) and Lawrence University. The PAC features the latest Broadway touring companies as well as the Fox Valley Symphony and other local performing arts groups. The PAC will host Wisconsin’s premier performance of Broadway’s The Lion King in 2007. Lawrence University is internationally known for its liberal arts program in music and drama. Students, faculty and numerous guest artists fill the on-campus performance calendar during the school year.

Glass paperweights, the largest collection in the world, are the focus at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum in Neenah. The paperweights have symbolic meaning in this historic “paper baron” town that is still home to many paper companies. The Bergstrom-Mahler Museum is the former home of local paper magnates the Bergstrom family and it is surrounded by several blocks of impeccably maintained turn of the last century mansions that housed the local paper aristocracy. The walk through this historic neighborhood along the shores of Lake Winnebago is one of the most beautiful in the Fox Cities.