Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Waukesha

"The previous day was largely car-based, so we chose to leave the car at the hotel and explore on foot instead. Our first stop: the Milwaukee Art Museum, maybe 15 minutes from the hotel. I’m not someone to make kids spend hours in a museum, especially when the weather outside is nice, but I wanted to see the rooftop of the museum (large wings designed by Santiago Calatrava that open a couple of times a day), and I always like exposing the kids to art."

"One of the largest museums globally, the Milwaukee Art Museum has over 25,000 works in its collection. It first opened in 1882."

"Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is an awesome mansion on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. When the person died who built it, he dedicated the mansion to the city. Since then, it has served as a decorative arts museum with fantastic gardens leading down toward the lake, in addition to being a popular spot for weddings."

"Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is a popular Milwaukee arts destination housed in an Italian Renaissance-style villa. Designed and built by architect David Adler in 1923, the villa originally served as the residence of Lloyd Smith of the A.O. Smith Corporation and his family."

"The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum creates opportunities for residents and visitors to experience history, culture and the arts, by offering vibrant exhibitions and performances in the grand yet intimate setting of the Lloyd Smith family’s lakefront Renaissance villa and garden."

"In the Grohmann’s primary exhibit, The Man at Work, find an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures – billed as “the world’s most comprehensive” – showcasing the evolution of human work over time. If you visit, be sure to check out the rooftop sculpture garden as well. Great for its views of that part of downtown, but even more spectacular for the workmanship atop the roof."

"Located right on Prospect Avenue on Milwaukee’s east side, the Charles Allis Art Museum is part of the broader museum row. The small art museum is inside a historic mansion, built by the prominent Allis family in Milwaukee specifically to hold their art collection. The mansion manages to hold quite a bit of art, including paintings and objectives from around the world."

"A lavish Tudor-style home that now displays a permanent art collection that spans more than 2,000 years as well as changing exhibitions and programs that celebrate Milwaukee’s diversity and Wisconsin art and artists. The Charles Allis Art Museum is a rich cultural institution that serves the entire Milwaukee community."

"Located in the Helfaer Community Service Building, a building intended by philantrhopists Marion and Evan Helfaer to “improve and enrich the lives of all members of the Milwaukee community, regardless of race or religion,” the Jewish Museum's mission is to enhance the public’s awareness and appreciation of Jewish life and culture. With a particular focus on preserving and presenting the history of the Jewish people in southeastern Wisconsin, the Jewish Museum has an extensive collection of oral histories, genealogy records and other archives."

"Celebrate the history and contributions of Southeastern Wisconsin’s Jewish community. Changing special exhibits like “Jews Who Rock” and “Stitching History from the Holocaust” explore the breadth of the Jewish experience alongside historic pieces in the permanent collection."

"The Lynden Sculpture Garden is the former home of Harry and Peg Bradley. In May 2010, they opened their doors to the public, permitting everyone to enjoy the tranquility and beauty for which these 40 acres of woodlands have become famous. The lovely lakeside park is studded with intriguing sculptures, while the inside galleries hold contemporary exhibits that contain thought-provoking paintings and other works on paper."

"If sculpture art is more your thing, head to Lynden Sculpture Garden, which is about the same drive as to Hales Corners, and still in the city of Milwaukee, near where I-43 meets West Brown Deer Road. Its 40 acres are open year-round and filled with ponds, sculpture art and rotating exhibits, a grand place to work off all the food you ate earlier in Walker’s Point."

"The experience of monumental sculptures in nature is great for families. Weekly "art drop-in" sessions introduce kids 6-11 to a new artmaking technique."

"This minimalist building on a street corner in downtown Milwaukee doesn’t look like much from the outside, but a step through its doors reveals some of the finest contemporary art in the state. The Green Gallery pushes the city’s art scene to its limits with innovative, experimental exhibits and shows featuring world-renowned artists. Artists who have exhibited at the Green Gallery in the past include multi-media artist and Milwaukee native David Robbins, who worked with Andy Warhol in the 1980s, and Margaret Lee, whose elegant drawings have been featured in New York Magazine, The New Yorker and The New York Times."

"Also in the realm of private collections are the curated exhibits displayed at The Warehouse owned by collectors John Shannon and his wife, artist and photographer Jan Serr. The Warehouse space is just part of the enterprise called Guardian Fine Art Services, established in 2016 to provide storage and transportation for artworks. Shannon and Serr knew firsthand the need for proper art handling, as their personal collection from all parts of the world had grown to some 3,600 pieces."

"The Warehouse is made up of personal compilers Jan Serr and John Shannon, the compilation is personal and based on their importance and experiences. Both residents of Wisconsin, Serr, and Shannon contain many notable Wisconsin artists in the compilation including Warrington Colescott, John Colt, Ruth Grotenrath, and Schomer Lichtner. Their travels brought jointly works by current artists from the British Isles, Germany, Italy, India, and other places."

"The Warehouse features curated contemporary art exhibitions from our permanent collection. Located in the Guardian Building. Free and open to the public."

"Ever-changing special exhibitions, featuring old masters, self-taught artists, modern American print-making and photography, contemporary art from around the world, and more are on display in this free museum on the Marquette University campus."

"Located on the Marquette University campus, this free museum features an impressive permanent collection, an ever-changing array of exhibitions, and a full calendar of free performances, gallery talks, workshops, and more!"

"215 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202-5805+1 414-509-5756[email protected]http://lilypadgallery.com. Lily Pad West is a contemporary art gallery found in the heart of Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. The gallery features artworks of impressionist, realist, and abstract styles."

"400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202Distance from campus: 1.5 miles. Located in the Milwaukee Public Market, Kehr’s Candies has everything a chocolate lover could ever dream of. With their new look, including an ice cream parlor and soda fountain, they are still serving Cedar Crest ice cream."

"Wisconsin is known for its custard, and Kopp’s is reputed for being the best custard in Milwaukee (just above Leon’s Frozen Custard). Known for being especially creamy, Kopp’s offers thirteen flavors, including your classic chocolate and vanilla, and flavors like blueberry, marshmallow, butterscotch, or even pineapple. Their menu also features specialty sundaes, and a “grill section” with burgers, grilled cheese, chicken sandwiches, and fish sandwiches."

"Various locationsKnown for their “jumbo” burgers and frozen custard, Kopp’s is a Milwaukee landmark. With flavors of chocolate and vanilla, along with flavors of the day that can be seen on their “Flavor Forecast” online."

"Layton Ave., is the top choice, with Yelpers giving the spot to score ice cream, frozen yogurt and burgers 4.5 stars out of 556 reviews."

"Known for their authentic Mexican menu and margaritas, La Fuente (translated to The Fountain) has a great open patio for dining. Kids menus are available."

"Grab a locally brewed pint and relax out on the patio of the Ale Asylum Riverhouse!. Located directly on the waterfront, this updated tavern provides fantastic views of the Milwaukee riverfront. Sit outside on the patio on a warm summer night (or ask for a seat inside near the windows if its chillier) and take advantage of the spectacular river views."

"A fine Irish pub in its own right, the County Clare Irish Hotel welcomes guests with its Irish hospitality, a prevailing characteristic of the group when they emigrated to Milwaukee in the 1800s. County Clare is near Brady Street, a popular strip for Milwaukee nightlife, and is also close to Henry Maier Festival Park, the home of Milwaukee’s many ethnic festivals – including Irish Fest."

"This cozy pub serves up traditional Irish food and brews in a warm atmosphere. Outdoor seating: yes. Restaurant Hours: 5-9 p.m."