Okay, folks, gather ’round, let me tell you about my little adventure in Milwaukee. I’ve always been a sucker for spooky stuff, and I heard whispers about haunted hotels in this city. So, naturally, I packed my bags and set off to investigate.

I started my journey by doing some digging online. I typed in “haunted hotels in Milwaukee, WI” and, boy, did I get a list! I jotted down the names that popped up the most: The Pfister Hotel, Astor Hotel, Brumder Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Knickerbocker on the Lake, and Shaker’s Cigar Bar. These were the places that seemed to have the most buzz around them, so I figured they were the best places to start.
First up was The Pfister Hotel. This place is fancy, like, really fancy. Four-diamond luxury, they say. But it’s also said to be haunted by the ghost of Mr. Pfister himself, the original owner. I walked in, and the place was grand, with its ornate interiors and this old-world charm. I spent the night in one of the rooms, but I didn’t see any ghostly figures or anything. But I have to say that the atmosphere was something else. It felt like stepping back in time, and I could almost imagine Mr. Pfister strolling down the hallways. I heard some stories that his ghost is sometimes seen walking in the hallways with his dog, but I didn’t see the dog either.
- Checked in, explored the lobby, soaked in the vibes.
- Spent the night, kept an eye out for anything unusual.
- No ghosts, but the ambiance was definitely unique.
Next, I headed over to the Astor Hotel. This place is also pretty old and has this historic feel to it. I heard some stories, but nothing too concrete. I explored the place and stayed for a little while. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, though it was clear that this place has seen a lot of history.
- Did a quick walkthrough, chatted with the staff.
- Heard a few more stories but didn’t stay overnight.
Then there was the Brumder Mansion Bed & Breakfast. Now, this place really looked the part. It’s an old mansion, and it just screams “haunted.” I went inside, took a tour, and even stayed overnight in one of their rooms. I was hoping to experience something, anything, but it was a quiet night. Still, the place had a creepy vibe, especially at night.
- Took a tour of the mansion.
- Stayed overnight in a room.
- No paranormal activity, but the place was spooky.
I also stopped by the Knickerbocker on the Lake and Shaker’s Cigar Bar. Knickerbocker was nice, but I didn’t get much of a haunted vibe there. Shaker’s, on the other hand, had a bit more of a mysterious atmosphere. It’s an old building with a lot of history, and you can feel it when you walk in.

- Visited both places, looked around.
- Felt a bit more of a spooky vibe at Shaker’s.
My Conclusion
So, did I encounter any ghosts in Milwaukee’s haunted hotels? Nope, not this time. But did I have a unique experience exploring these historic places? Absolutely! Each hotel had its own charm and history, and just walking through them was an adventure in itself. If you’re into spooky stuff or just love exploring old buildings, Milwaukee’s got some spots you might want to check out. You never know what you might find, or not find, as was my case.
And hey, even if you don’t see a ghost, you’ll still get a taste of Milwaukee’s history and maybe hear some interesting stories along the way. It’s all about the experience, right? Plus, who knows, maybe you’ll have better luck than me and actually bump into Mr. Pfister and his dog. It will be a truly unique experience.