Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Milwaukee Art Museum features regular exhibitions and houses nearly 25,000 works with a notable focus on decorative arts, German Expressionism, Haitian art, and sculpture. Topped with an iconic wing-shaped sunscreen of towering steel fins that open or close according to the weather or time of day, the Museum is a major downtown attraction known for its important collections and unique design.
Best and worst time to go to Milwaukee Art Museum
The museum tends to be busier on weekends. A typical visit can take all day, so arriving on a weekday morning is a good idea.
Must see/do at Milwaukee Art Museum
Visitors can view hundreds of significant German Expressionist prints in the Marcia and Granvil Specks Collection. The Flagg Collection of Haitian Art includes a wide range of work by modern Haitian artists, and the American Collections display a variety of pre-1900 furniture and other decorative objects.
Admission to Milwaukee Art Museum
Admission can range from $12 to $16 during feature exhibitions but at times may be less due to areas being closed or gaps between exhibitions. Children 12 and under visit free, and admission is free for everyone on the first Thursday of the month.
Parking and public transportation to Milwaukee Art Museum
Underground parking is available off Michigan Street or Lincoln Memorial Drive. The 14 and Gold Line buses stop on nearby Prospect Avenue, and several additional routes service the Downtown Transit Center, which is just a block away. The Museum is visible from a distance and easily accessible on foot, so don't be afraid to take public transportation or to park on the street.
Food at Milwaukee Art Museum
The Coffee Shop, located off the main entrance hall, offers quick refreshments in the form of snacks, desserts and drinks. For full dining with a view of the lakefront, head downstairs to Café Calatrava. Be prepared to pay upscale restaurant prices here, with sandwiches starting around $10 and entrees sometimes approaching $20.
Insider tip for visitors to Milwaukee Art Museum
In good weather, you can more fully explore architect Santiago Calatrava's addition to the Museum by crossing the Reiman Bridge, a pedestrian walkway linking the front entrance to the city.
Author's bio: Elisabeth Cook is a freelance writer who has lived in Wisconsin for over 10 years.