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.
Though at its current location since 1984, the International Crane Foundation has just recently become a more popular attraction in the Wisconsin Dells/Baraboo area. The facility houses each of the 15 species of cranes on a 225-acre complex and offers up-close encounters with one of the world's most endangered birds.
Best and worst time to go to the International Crane Foundation
The International Crane Foundation is only open from April through October and is not crowded on most weekdays throughout the year. However, it does get busy on summer weekends, so the best time to visit is on weekdays in the summer.
Must see/do at the International Crane Foundation
- Whooping Crane Exhibit - The largest exhibit on the property, visitors can sit and watch North America's largest bird in a natural setting.
- Blue Crane Exhibit - In a similar setup to the whooping cranes, this exhibit is one of many that have been renovated.
- Spirit of Africa - Visitors can get really close to the grey-crowned and black-crowned cranes.
Admission to the International Crane Foundation
Admission is charged to the International Crane Foundation. Prices range from $5-10 and discount are given to students and seniors.
Parking at the International Crane Foundation
The International Crane Foundation is not far from I-90/94 and plenty of parking is available on-site.
Public Transportation to the International Crane Foundation
There is no public transportation in the area, but traffic congestion is rarely a problem due to its rural location.
Food at the International Crane Foundation
The International Crane Foundation does not have concessions and only offers a snack bar with water and candy bars. However, there is a picnic area on-site if visitors want to bring their own food.
Insider Tip for Visitors to the International Crane Foundation
Check out the International Crane Foundation in early to mid-June, when the mating pairs' chicks have hatched. Be mindful that they are protective and will charge, so keep a safe distance when viewing them.
Author's bio: Michael Benson is a life-long Illinois resident and an avid traveler throughout the Midwest.
