Fast, Free and Easy- My MKE Favorites
Where do you go when you are newly relocated to Milwaukee and are hosting your first out of town guest? You want to showcase the best your new city has to offer, and give your visitor a wonderful time. If you are Ruth and Annette, you bring your guest for a tour of The Pfister Hotel!
The amiable ladies were full of good cheer and it was a delight to show them my favorite parts of this building I hold so dear. We saw the ballrooms and lounges, explored the new and the historic and all too soon it was time for them to begin the next leg of their Milwaukee adventure.
Teri lives in Minneapolis and is accustomed to frigid Midwestern temperatures, so the trio was eager to explore the city on a weekend many opted to stay indoors sipping cocoa. The history-loving group was in the mood for a bit of an adventure, so here were a few of my tips for getting a little Milwaukee flavor beyond museums and breweries:
- Pop in across the street and take a peek at the Milwaukee Federal Building and US Courthouse. If you love the Victorian design of the hotel, you will love the atrium of this castle-like building completed in 1899. This is a federal building, so bring your ID and leave your pen knife in your room.
- Check out the Central Library on Wisconsin Avenue. With stunning architecture and lots of nooks and crannies to explore, there is something for everyone- including kiddos! As a bonus, MPL offers free tours on Saturdays!
- One of my very favorite places in the city is the Joan of Arc chapel on the Marquette campus. Yes! Milwaukee has a 15th century chapel and it is as magical as you imagine it would be.
- I never fail to get a little excited when I step into City Hall. At one time, it was one of the tallest buildings in the US (it’s true!) and I love imagining how much pride our city filled with scrappy immigrants striving towards the American Dream must have felt when it was built. As a fun fact, City Hall was designed by the same man who designed The Pfister Hotel, H. C. Koch.
These are just a few of the fun, easy and FREE places you can explore in the city that are near the hotel and part of the history of Milwaukee.
For more suggestions on Milwaukee fun, connect with our friendly, helpful Concierge Team. They’ll have just the right suggestions to ensure your Milwaukee visit is just what you want it to be.
If you enjoy glimpses into the past and Milwaukee content, follow me on Twitter @anna_lardinois