The Milwaukee Streetcar (branded as The Hop) is scheduled to open on November 2nd, 2018 and we couldn’t be more excited! We know our couples love showcasing their #MKELove and what better way to do it than including the Streetcar as an additional transportation option for your guests.
For this article, we identified wedding and event venues located within ~2 blocks of the confirmed Milwaukee Streetcar route. We went with a ~2 block radius, because let’s face it, walking more than 2 blocks in heels and dress shoes isn’t for everyone!
Read on for the amazing venues within 2 block walking distance of a Milwaukee Streetcar Line stop:
1. The Pritzlaff
Built in 1875 as Pritzlaff Hardware, The Historic Pritzlaff Building has 4 amazing event spaces within this beautiful building. Photo by Reminisce Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 0 blocks (on stop)
2. The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel
The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, located in the Historic Third Ward has an amazing rooftop patio and modern aesthetic throughout the venue space, hotel rooms and common areas. Photo by Lauren Rae Photo.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 2 blocks
3. The Box MKE
The Box MKE is such a fun venue and a perfect spot located right in the heart of Downtown Milwaukee. Photo by Studio 29 Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 0.5 blocks
4. The Pfister Hotel
The Pfister Hotel — Milwaukee’s iconic, elegant, classic and historic hotel is a favorite of so many past, current and future generations of couples! Photo by Amarie Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 1 block
6. The Intercontinental Hotel
The Intercontinental Hotel, located within the Milwaukee Center building on Water and Kilbourn, has a modern aesthetic and plenty of photo ops both inside the hotel and outside, and they have one of the larger ballrooms in the city. Photo by Kathy McDowell Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 2 blocks
7. Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
The Marcus Center with its color-changing exterior, outdoor patio overlooking the Milwaukee River, unique circular lighting and beautiful ivy-covered patio (featured here) is in the heart of Downtown across from Red Arrow Park. Photo by Lottie Lillian Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 2 blocks
8. The Black Swan
The Black Swan MKE, one of Milwaukee’s newest wedding venues in the Third Ward, is located just along the Milwaukee Riverwalk and is beautiful! Photo by Front Room Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 2 blocks
9. The Astor Hotel
The Astor Hotel, located on the Lower East Side, has a beautifully historic ballroom perfect for weddings. Photo by Happy Gnome Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 2 blocks
10. Milwaukee Public Market
The Milwaukee Public Market is such a unique wedding venue and definitely a Milwaukee icon. Photo by 414 Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 0 blocks (on stop)
11. Cafe Benelux
Cafe Benelux, located directly across from the Public Market has an exclusive rooftop available for limited weddings, but ample availability for rehearsal dinners in their awesome Map Room (pictured here). Photo from Lowlands Group.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 0.5 blocks
12. Onesto
Onesto is a historic venue with a NYC loft aesthetic and feel. Complete with 3 fireplaces and its beautiful skylights, it is perfectly located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Photo by Reminisce Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 1.5 blocks
13. The Grain Exchange
The Grain Exchange is one of the most beautiful and historic venues in our city. Photo by Tres Jolie Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 0.5 blocks
14. The Milwaukee Athletic Club
The Milwaukee Athletic Club, with its grand historic ballroom and its large rooftop deck, is a beautiful wedding venue. Photo by Janviere Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 1 block
15. The Marriott Hotel
The Marriott Hotel is a classically modern hotel ballroom space with super unique lighting fixtures. Photo by Fresh Frame Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 0.5 blocks
16. The Hilton Garden Inn
Another beautiful and historic hotel on the list that also has a wedding venue. Photo by Reminisce Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 0.5 blocks
17. Hotel Metro
Hotel Metro is an Art Deco spot for intimate weddings, amazing hotel rooms and a rooftop deck perfect for first look photos! Photo by Little Giant Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 1.5 blocks
18. Pabst Theater
The iconic Pabst Theater is now hosting a limited amount of intimate weddings, so we just had to include them on this list! Photo from Pabst Theater website.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 2 blocks
19. Women’s Club of Wisconsin
The Women’s Club of Wisconsin is nestled into a neighborhood setting on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side neighborhood. Photo by Brian Slawson Photography.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 2.5 blocks
20. Villa Filomena
A former ship captain’s mansion, the Villa Filomena is uniquely historic and intimate feeling, while still having a ballroom able to hold 200+ people. Photo by GE Creative.
Distance to Streetcar Stop: 2.5 blocks
When the Streetcar Expands, So Will This List
The initial route is central to Downtown / East Town Milwaukee, and construction on the Lakefront expansion will be included in conjunction with the exciting Couture development slated to open in the not so distant future. This will connect even more venues like The War Memorial, Art Museum and Discovery World, as well as hotels like The Westin.
Further expansions are being considered to further connect areas like the Pabst Brewery Complex, Walkers Point, and Bronzeville as well as Brady Street, East North Avenue and beyond. We are excited to watch the progress of this public transportation development!
Included on this list were wedding venues, many of which are hotels too! Locating your wedding reception, hotel room blocks, rehearsal dinners, and morning after brunches along the Milwaukee Streetcar Route is an awesome way to showcase your favorite city to your out of town guests!
