Fodor's Expert Review The Pabst Mansion
Completed in 1892 for beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst, this is one of Milwaukee's treasured landmarks. The 37-room Flemish Renaissance–style mansion, designed by the architectural firm Ferry & Clas, has a tan pressed-brick exterior with carved-stone and terra-cotta ornamentation. Inside, no surface is left undecorated. Walls are swathed in elaborately textured and painted coverings, every window has multiple swags and shades, and stained-glass windows bear sayings (in German) exhorting servants to work hard. In the adjacent gift shop, pick up the ultimate Milwaukee souvenir: an amber glass beer stein Christmas tree ornament with glittery foam.