When visiting athletes, musicians, and dignitaries come to Milwaukee, they stay at the Pfister. When Milwaukeeans celebrate their most important milestones, they celebrate at the Pfister. For 130 years, this magnificent Victorian hotel has been the crown jewel of Milwaukee hospitality — and one of the most storied buildings in the city.
Built to Be the Best
Guido Pfister and his son Charles built the hotel that bears their name with a simple goal: to create the finest hotel in the American Midwest. When it opened in 1893, the Pfister delivered on that promise. The building’s Romanesque Revival exterior, ornate lobby, and lavish guest rooms set a standard that Milwaukee had never seen before.
The Victorian Art Collection
The Pfister houses one of the largest collections of Victorian art of any hotel in the world. Over 200 paintings and sculptures from the 19th century are displayed throughout the hotel’s public spaces — you can walk through the lobby and experience a world-class art collection without paying a penny.
The Haunted Hotel
The Pfister has a reputation as one of the most haunted hotels in America. Visiting MLB players have reported strange occurrences in their rooms for decades — unexplained sounds, objects moving on their own, and the feeling of being watched. The ghost of Guido Pfister himself is said to roam the halls, keeping an eye on his beloved hotel.
Visit the Pfister Hotel
424 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee. The lobby is open to the public — stop in for a drink at the bar or just to admire the architecture and art collection. One of Milwaukee’s most rewarding free experiences.
