You’ll Never Believe What’s Hiding in This Wisconsin Hotel

Wherever I travel, I enjoy looking for historic hotels. Whether I stay for the night or visit the bar for a cocktail, I’m drawn to their gorgeous design, decades of stories, and unexpected surprises. I anticipated elegant accommodations at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but when I stepped inside, I was surprised to find one of the largest hotel art collections in the world. 

The Pfister Hotel is one of the best hotels in Wisconsin. When it opened in 1893, the opulent property was nicknamed the “Grand Hotel of the West.” The Romanesque Revival hotel designed by architect Charles Koch included new features like electricity, thermostat controls in each room, and fireproofing. For more than a century, The Pfister Hotel has hosted the likes of famous guests, including “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Sarah Vaughan, and presidents from William McKinley to Barack Obama.

Founder Guido Pfister was a German immigrant who ran a successful tannery business called the Guido Pfister Tanning Co. before opening the hotel with his son, Charles. Charles Pfister enjoyed collecting art, and he displayed many pieces from his collection throughout The Pfister Hotel. Today, The Pfister Hotel is home to the largest Victorian art collection of any hotel in the world. 

Charles Pfister wanted The Pfister Hotel to be a “Palace for the People” where both hotel guests from around the world and locals could enjoy access to the art collection. This commitment to arts access is alive at The Pfister Hotel today. Whether you are staying at the hotel or just stopping by, you can request a guide to the art collection and embark on a free self-guided tour. I spent many hours during my stay at The Pfister Hotel wandering the magnificent hallways and admiring the works from European and American artists like Charles Amable Lenoir and Thomas Corwin Lindsay in the priceless collection. It was like having an art museum all to myself. 

If you are more interested in contemporary art, don’t miss the opportunity to check out The Pfister Hotel’s Artist-in-Residence Program. Head to the studio and gallery space located off The Pfister’s reception desk to watch the artist at work. After the Artist-in-Residence completes their year-long residency, one of their pieces created at The Pfister joins the hotel’s collection.

For a more formal tour of The Pfister Hotel’s world-renowned art collection, you can book a tour guided by the Artist-in-Residence. The Pfister Artist-in-Residence Tour is held every month on the fourth Saturday. Tickets to the tour cost $21 and include a complimentary glass of bubbly. It is a rare opportunity to discuss topics like narratives in Victorian painting with a working artist. After the tour, you are invited to explore the Artist-in-Residence studio and learn about the artist’s works in progress.

Whether you visit for the invaluable art collection, the luxurious property, or the opportunity to speak with an artist about their work, you will be inspired by a trip to The Pfister Hotel. If you are planning a trip to Milwaukee, head to The Pfister Hotel. Visit The Pfister Hotel on Facebook to find out even more about this historic place. Check out more ideas for unique and unexpected things to do in Milwaukee.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.