The Best Haunted Spots in Milwaukee: Explore the City’s Spookiest Places

Pabst Mansion

Built in 1892 for beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst and his wife, Maria, the Pabst Mansion is one of Milwaukee’s most impressive historic homes still standing today. The mansion sits at 2000 W. Wisconsin Avenue and is decorated to the nines—elaborate woodwork, elegant furnishings and preserved rooms that capture the Victorian era.

And, of course, a few things that go bump in the night. Some say that because Captain Pabst died of a stroke in the mansion, his spirit still lingers there. Guests can check it out for themselves with a tour.

The Pabst Theater

Milwaukee’s historic Pabst Theater has entertained audiences since 1895, but some believe the theater’s most devoted guests never left.

The Pabst Theater is the oldest in Milwaukee’s theater district, named for brewing magnate Frederick Pabst, and is a national historic landmark. The building is ornate and decadent, designed in the German Renaissance Revival style.

Rumor has it, Frederick Pabst himself still lingers inside—watch out for mysterious footsteps, inexplicable noises, and eerie figures hidden inside the shadows. At the very least, it’s a great spot to catch a show.

Forest Home Cemetery

For a different kind of haunted Milwaukee experience, visit Forest Home Cemetery, one of the city’s oldest and most historic burial grounds.

Established in 1850, the cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent Milwaukee figures, including beer barons, politicians, and business leaders who helped shape the city. Frederick Pabst himself is buried here, along with other important figures from Milwaukee’s brewing history, like Valentine Blatz, Frederick Miller, Jacob Best, and others.

Its long-winding design, elaborate monuments, and historic mausoleums create an atmospheric setting, especially during the fall. While Forest Home is primarily a place of remembrance and local history, its age and architecture have inspired ghost stories about Milwaukee’s past.

Wisconsin Avenue

Wisconsin Avenue is one of Milwaukee’s more infamous streets. It’s lined with some of the city’s most historic landmarks, many with an eerie aftertaste.

These include spots like the Pfister Hotel, which opened in 1893 and has had guests (including Major League Baseball players) reporting strange experiences, from flickering lights to moving objects.

Down the street, The Rave / Eagles Club has another haunted reputation, as the music venue has hosted countless bands and artists since opening in the 1920s. The empty pool in the basement, which was involved in a drowning incident in 1927, is particularly known for its paranormal connections.

Brumder Mansion is another haunted hot spot—the remaining estate of George Brumder Sr., one of Milwaukee’s most famous publishers, who died in 1910. Later, the building served as a speakeasy during the Prohibition era. Now, the historic mansion operates as a bed and breakfast and boasts several haunting spirits between rooms.

Together, these landmarks make Wisconsin Avenue an intriguing destination for anyone interested in Milwaukee’s haunted history.

Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery

For one final spooky stop, head to Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, where Milwaukee’s brewing history comes with a six-pack of ghost stories of our own.

Best Place is located in the former Pabst Brewery headquarters within Milwaukee’s Brewery District, where the history of one of America’s most famous breweries has been preserved. And, as you can imagine, there are more than a few spooky stories to share. Haunted basements, a creaky speakeasy with “The Jail Cell?” See it for yourself!

This October, Best Place is offering special Haunted Pabst Brewery Tours after dark. Guests can explore the historic brewery’s shadowy spaces in the dark, armed with a borrowed flashlight, while hearing stories of strange happenings, unexplained encounters, and local legends.

Haunted tours are available on select dates throughout October, with tours beginning at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Upcoming dates include October 22, 25, 26, 29, and 30. Tickets are $20 for adults ($18 for seniors, veterans, and students) and include a flashlight to borrow and a pint of Pabst, Hamms, a microbrew, tallboy beer, or a non-alcoholic beverage. Plus, there’s a full cash bar.

Whether you’re looking for a unique Halloween activity, planning a spooky date night, or merely curious about Milwaukee’s haunted history, now is the perfect time to see the historic Pabst Brewery in a different light. It’s the Best!

Are you brave enough to explore Best Place at Pabst after dark? Book your Haunted Pabst Brewery Tour here.