Wauwatosa's original inhabitants were the Potawatomi people. European settlers didn't arrive until 1835. A year later a vital road was built to connect the new settlement to Milwaukee. This road was later extended to Madison.
The area's first Euro-American settler, Charles Hart, built a mill in the area in 1845. The mill was so crucial to the new settlement, locals decided to christen the area Hart's Mill. However, its name was later changed to honor the city's original inhabitants. Wauwatosa is the Potawatomi word for firefly.
Today "Tosa," as the locals call it, is a leading area for industry, with Briggs & Stratton, GE Healthcare, and Quest CE all headquartered in the city. Wauwatosa is also home to first-class tourist facilities, including unique boutique stores, dynamic restaurants, and hotels. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, you'll soon make yourself at home in this charming Wisconsin city.
When is the best time to visit Wauwatosa, WI?
Early fall is the best time to visit Wauwatosa. Summer's warm weather still lingers in the air, with average temperatures hovering in the high 60s. However, summer tourists have already returned home, so you'll get hotels for roughly 35 percent less than you would during the busy season.
Wauwatosa is beautiful during summer, though, with average temperatures in the mid-70s. If your heart is set on a summer getaway, try to avoid Labor Day weekend and Summerfest, a popular Milwaukee festival held in late June and early July. You'll pay top dollar during these celebrations. The crowds are also a real turnoff for some.
For the most affordable rates, wait until just after the festive season. The snow keeps most travelers away, or at least closer to the ski fields of Portage and Wisconsin Dells, so you'll virtually have the city to yourself. Just remember those winter woollies!
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Wauwatosa, WI:
Wauwatosa, WI: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below we've posted 3 graphs illustrating avg. rate patterns by star rating class in Wauwatosa, WI. Browse these charts to determine the least expensive dates to book in Wauwatosa for any future trips.
Are there luxury hotels around Wauwatosa, Wisconsin?
4 Star Average Prices: $160.31
Treat yourself to a room at one of Wauwatosa's fanciest hotels. It's the attention to detail that makes staying at one of these hotels so special.
Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West in an elegant hotel in Wauwatosa's Milwaukee County Research Park complex, so it's the ideal choice for business travelers. Leisure travelers will find what they want here too, like the 24-hour indoor swimming pool, high-tech fitness center, and Innovation Restaurant and Lounge. With so much to do, don't be surprised if you don't spend a lot of time in your room. It's a blissful place to retreat to at the end of a long day though, with a flat-screen TV and the Sleep Advantage premium bedding. Book your room in a Quiet Zone for uninterrupted slumber.
You don't need to enjoy the slots to love Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, but it does help! All guests enjoy access to the casino amenities including entertainment venues, six restaurants, and a food court with casual dining options. The hotel's rooms and suites are stunning, with flat-screen TVs, built-in bars, breakfast nooks, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the spectacular downtown Milwaukee views. For total luxury, book the Presidential Suite. It offers a master bath with Jacuzzi, two fireplaces, two large TVs, panoramic views, and a private balcony.
What affordable hotel options can you find near Wauwatosa?
3 Star Average Prices: $122.64
Wauwatosa specializes in mid-priced hotels, but there are a few more affordable options if you travel just outside the city center. Frugal travelers will find the prices they're looking for at the following nearby hotels.
Days Inn West Allis/Milwaukee is the natural choice for baseball fans who will love the hotel's free game day shuttle to Miller Park. When you're not cheering on the Brewers, enjoy the free Wi-Fi and TV in your comfortable room. The Days Inn West Allis/Milwaukee serves a free continental breakfast each morning. Other meals are easy, with the American-Greek themed Pallas Restaurant and Aris Sports Bar sharing the hotel's parking lot.
Ramada City Center Milwaukee has an ideal location in downtown Milwaukee. It's the only hotel in the city center with free parking, and its perks don't stop there. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and you won't pay anything to access the gym or business center. There's an outdoor swimming pool that's heated for your comfort in the colder months and a full-service restaurant and sports bar on-site. Hotels with so many features at this price point are hard to find. The rooms aren't flashy, but they are clean and spacious, with great features like coffeemakers and satellite TVs with Showtime.
