Milwaukee’s magnificent City Hall was built in 1895. Beyond its show-stoppingly ornate and European flair, it was briefly the tallest inhabited building in the world—with the flagpole, it stretches to 393 feet (119 meters).
In true Milwaukee fashion, the massive bell tower is flanked by four “beer stein” turrets; and inside the bell tower itself still hangs the original bell, a 22,500-pound (10,205-kg) juggernaut of copper and tin, which first rang on New Year’s Eve in 1896. Today, the eye-catching structure is a National Historic Landmark and guided tours are available on select Wednesdays every month.
Registration is required for guided tours, which are offered on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, from April to October.
The bell tower is not wheelchair-accessible, though the main structure is.
Occasional third-party tours by local groups offer access to the facility. Search online for dates and offerings.
Odds are, some form of transportation will take you near Milwaukee’s City Hall—it’s just a block off the RiverWalk and steps away from the Saint Kate Arts Hotel, the Pabst Theatre, the Bronze Fonz, and Milwaukee Rep. There’s a parking garage across the street (and several others within walking distance), or you could utilize the Milwaukee Streetcar, a local taxi service, or a rideshare.
If you’ve managed to nab a guided tour, arrive at least 20 minutes in advance to secure parking, find your way to the building, and get a few minutes to gawk on your own. Otherwise, there’s no bad time to marvel at this architectural masterpiece, though sunset helps the structure practically glitter in shades of gold.
The only buildings that were taller than Milwaukee’s City Hall (upon its completion in 1895) were Philadelphia’s City Hall and the Washington Monument. For a century, this building was the marketing symbol of Milwaukee, until the art museum opened up the Calatrava wing. But City Hall is still one of the city’s most recognized—and most beloved—structures, and you’ll see its likeness still used throughout town.
