Experience Downtown Blog
Downtown Milwaukee's Hippest and Most Hospitable Hotels and Rentals
August 23, 2018 /
Downtown Milwaukee's Hippest and Most Hospitable Hotels and Rentals
Summer is the prime time for a visit to Milwaukee. With an ethnic festival nearly every weekend, rooftop happy hours and outdoor concerts galore, it’s the perfect time of year to get outside and visit the “Midwest’s Coolest (and most Underrated) City” according to Vogue. There’s still plenty of time to frequent one of our countless festivals or take a walking tour of this year's Sculpture Milwaukee works along Wisconsin Avenue before the installation goes into hibernation. From world-class hotels in the heart of downtown to eclectic AirBnb rentals, downtown has a space to fit anyone’s wish list. So whether you’re a visitor or a local, get your Milwaukee experience started by checking out Milwaukee’s hippest and most hospitable locales for your next overnight stay.
Hotels
If you enjoy the finer things in life, The Pfister Hotel is the place for you. With a history dating back to 1893, The Pfister’s timeless grandeur is apparent the moment visitors walk through the door, with stunning architecture, elegant décor and antique art pieces found throughout. Treat yourself to a luxurious spa treatment at the Well Spa + Salon or order chef-prepared room service from their world-class menu. The Pfister’s central downtown location provides convenient access to all of the hottest local restaurants, happy hour spots and entertainment venues. The Pfister Hotel is located at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave.—the street home to Sculpture Milwaukee, an urban art installation featuring 21 world-class sculptures from 22 internationally, nationally and locally recognized artists. So stroll the avenue, take in the sights and sounds of downtown and return to the historic Pfister Hotel to relax and unwind in luxury after a day of urban exploration.
An urban oasis nestled in the heart of the vibrant Historic Third Ward, stepping into the boutique Kimpton Journeyman Hotel is an experience you’ll never forget. Located on the corner of North Broadway and Chicago Street, the lobby resembles a chic, cozy home from a magazine with a welcoming front desk staff to match. The hotel’s colorful mid-century décor is designed by local artists and carried throughout the hotel’s 158-rooms up to the rooftop bar, The Outsider, where visitors can take in stunning views of the city while sipping craft cocktails. Hungry? Visit Tre Rivali, the hotel’s on-site eatery for Mediterranean-inspired modern American cuisine and cocktails. Named a “Best Hotel in Milwaukee, 2018” by Time Out Chicago, The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel is truly a home for those who wander. Plus, pups are welcome to stay too!
The Brew House Inn & Suites has found its home in Milwaukee’s Brewery District. The former Pabst Brewery complex is the newest neighborhood to undergo a wave of revitalization, making it the perfect locale to round out an authentic Milwaukee experience. Step outside your front door and easily walk to any one of Milwaukee’s major entertainment stages, restaurants or breweries located nearby. Return to your room to relax among the brick walls, exposed wood beams, tile backsplashes and massive windows. Walk through the lobby among the authentic antique brew tanks, wave to your friends below from the lofted bedrooms and take in the vast city skyline from your balcony or picture window.
Airbnb
Recommended by past guests as “the quintessential Milwaukee experience,” we couldn’t agree more. This charming home is the place to stay if you’re rolling into town with a big crew, as the space has room to sleep 10 guests! Just a short walk from Bradford Beach, the Milwaukee Art Museum, countless neighborhood bars, restaurants and boutique shops, Brady Street is truly a gem of Milwaukee’s lower east side.
This chic apartment in the Historic Third Ward is the perfect spot for you and your three best friends to claim as home base when visiting Milwaukee! Visit one of the many Third Ward brunch eateries and enliven your palate with unique dishes, desserts and drinks. End your day by sharing a bottle of wine around the kitchen island recalling downtown’s many sights, sounds and tastes, worthy of an encore.
Apartment owner Ruthie is a “super host," meaning she’s highly recommended by previous guests—we can see why. Her apartment adjacent to Cathedral Square Park is just $69 a night and within walking distance to the Milwaukee lakefront, Wisconsin Avenue, world-class restaurants and so much more. The apartment has room for three and is full of Milwaukee charm—the perfect place to kick your feet up and recover after a day spent at the beach, festival or market.