Whether you’re ready to visit Wauwatosa now or start planning your trip for later, we’re ready when you are for a fun and safe safecation in Tosa. Small businesses and hotels throughout our five dynamic districts have gone above and beyond to make guests feel comfortable when they visit, as well as ensure that employees feel safe and trained to serve you. With the support of the WI Department of Tourism, we offer a guide for everything you need to know for your visit, it’s also important to come prepared with what to expect when you stay, eat, and play in Wauwatosa.
Where to Rest Assured
Book a room at any of our Wauwatosa-area hotels and feel comfortable knowing that they have increased safety practices for guests and employees. At all Tosa hotels, you will find that the new standards include face coverings in public spaces, increased frequency of cleaning and sanitization, contactless food delivery, occupancy limits, partitions at the front desk and food service lines, and periodic deep cleaning of amenities. Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West and Holiday Inn Express Milwaukee West Medical Center follow the IHC Clean Promise, with long-standing and rigorous cleaning procedures. You can expect reduced contact at check-in through touchless transactions, sanitized key-cards, paperless checkout, reduction of in-room furnishings and high-touch items, and in-room IHC Clean Promise cards with cleaning procedures. Extended Stay American -- Milwaukee-Wauwatosa has adopted the company-wide StayConfident initiative where they have leveraged partnerships with P&G Professional to better clean high-touch areas, as well as utilize a 10-point room cleaning process that includes all rooms being inspected and approved by management prior to check-in. Our Marriott-based hotels like Renaissance Milwaukee West, Residence Inn Milwaukee West, and SpringHill Suites Milwaukee West all follow Marriott’s Commitment to Clean initiative, which includes the addition of signage throughout the hotels to remind guests to maintain social distancing, limit seating capabilities in public spaces, appointment-only access to the fitness center, and install partitions at front desks and food and beverage service lines. Homewood Suites by Hilton Wauwatosa Milwaukee has implemented the Hilton CleanStay program, which includes their partnership with RB to bring trusted home and industrial cleaning brands into their hotels, tailored housekeeping experiences, and designated locations and guidelines for contactless food delivery. Radisson Hotel Milwaukee West has added a 20-step protocol to keep employees and guests safe, which includes protective barriers at the front desk, newly installed hand sanitizing and glove stations, temperature checks for team members, individually packaged and grab-and-go food options, and more.
Where to Dine-In or Carry-Out
From sweet and savory desserts to delicious food and drink options, one of our absolute favorite parts about our small Tosa town is the endless list of must-have treats. Local restaurants and bakeries have worked tirelessly to continue to serve up their tasty specialties while coming up with innovative ways to enhance your dine-in and carry-out experiences. On the dine-in front, Ristorante Bartolotta asks employees and guests alike to adhere to their new safety procedures so they can continue to offer their same great handmade pasta and authentic Italian ingredients. For employees, this means temperature checks, face coverings, required screenings upon arrival, protective equipment and social distancing. For guests, this means promoting reservations, contact tracing, face coverings, body temperature screening, and touchless menu and payment options. The outdoor dining experience has been extended into the cold weather months with Frank & Larry’s Northwood Shanties at Buckatabon, Cafe Hollander’s patio greenhouses, an outdoor patio at Stock House Brewing Co. and more. If you’re looking to carry-out food or drinks to a nearby park on a gorgeous day or carry-in to the hotel, there are countless to-go options available to meet any craving, including The Village Cheese Shop, Balistreri’s Italian American Ristorante, Colectivo Coffee, Simma’s Bakery, Ultimate Confections, MidTown Grill, Thai-namite, Hui’s, Rocket Baby Bakery, Ca’Lucchenzo, Ted’s Ice Cream, Il Mito Trattoria e Enoteca, Bel Air Cantina, and Cranky Al’s to name a few.
Where to Spaciously Explore
Beyond countless open-air parks scattered throughout Tosa, there are plenty of attractions that have adjusted for the safety of its guests and employees. After scheduling your private shopping appointment on their website, take the kids to Ruckus & Glee for private access to the store with a shopper who will show you the ins and outs of their shop. Magpie Jewelry & Metal Studio also offers private shopping appointments for your safety while shopping for unique jewelry pieces. You can also schedule your shopping time at Mayfair Mall with their all-new Spot Holder app. Avoid waiting in line at your favorite stores by joining a virtual waitlist that tells you when it’s your time to shop. Additional safety measures at Mayfair Mall include curbside pick-up, hand sanitizer stations, food delivery and carry-out options. Wauwatosa shops have pretty much mastered the art of “carry-out” for their items. With curbside pick-up available at numerous shops, like Salamander, Cream City Soap Company, The Flower Lady, The Little Read Book Store, and Mooi, you can shop small without even stepping foot in the store. Outside of shopping, Milwaukee County Zoo and Grey House provide additional activities and attractions that allow you inside at limited capacity, require reservations for events and classes, and enforce social distancing. Learn more about where to stay, where to eat, and things to do while you’re here in Wauwatosa. Due to COVID-19, the hours of operation may vary for locations and businesses mentioned. We recommend calling for the most up-to-date information. Header photo courtesy of @cheersmilwaukee