Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee Art Museum featuring art and interior views
Peruse a vast collection of classic European and American art in this gallery that is housed in a striking modern building.

Milwaukee Museum of Art can trace its roots all the way back to 1888 as the city’s first art gallery, yet its striking modern façade is one of the museum’s most compelling exhibits. The 2001 Quadracci Pavilion extension is a dramatic addition to Milwaukee’s skyline and a winner of numerous design awards. The hand-built concrete structure looks like a cross between a gothic cathedral and a ship, with arches, “wings”, and soaring glass windows.

The museum’s permanent collection contains almost 25,000 works of art from a broad range of styles and mediums dating from the 15th century to the present day. In addition to four floors and nearly 350,000 square feet (32,500 square meters) of gallery space, there are frequent high-profile temporary exhibitions and events, an auditorium, a study center, a library and a war memorial center. Dedicate at least three hours to really explore the building and its variety of exhibits.

The museum is acclaimed nationally for its collections of American decorative arts, German impressionism, video art and Haitian artwork. The big European names on show include Degas, Rodin, Picasso, Manet and Toulouse-Lautrec. Modern highlights include some of Andy Warhol’s finest works, and pieces by Mark Rothko and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The museum’s frequent temporary exhibitions are designed to capture the imagination of art lovers with shows from all over the world. Past events have featured vibrant animation art, abstract photography, optical art and interior design.

Budding young artists can attend a series of summer camps and drop-in art classes featuring hands-on activities, music-making and movie screenings.

Milwaukee Museum of Art is located on the shores of Lake Michigan just off Lincoln Memorial Drive, and is open every day except Mondays. Avoid paying for on-site parking by taking the bus or Amtrak, which stops about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the museum.

Plan a trip to see Milwaukee Art Museum

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Hyatt Place Milwaukee/Downtown
Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel
The Iron Horse Hotel

Reviews of Milwaukee Art Museum

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
289
" "5 - Excellent 72.25%
4 - Good
74
" "4 - Good 18.5%
3 - Okay
31
" "3 - Okay 7.75%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 0.75%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.75%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 15, 2020

We went but closed for a storm event. What we did see was excellent

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 25, 2019

Need a least 3 hours to see all the art. There is so much to see there. We ate at the restaurant Café Calatrava that gave you a great view of the lake watched the sailboats, people walking the river walk etc.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jun 27, 2019

Architecture and Lakefront are the highlight.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
May 3, 2019

It was priced at 18$ per person and frankly I didnt think that was worth it.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Feb 20, 2019

wanted to go, but bad weather caused us to leave early in the AM to keep ahead of the bad weather.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 24, 2018

Definitely take in Milwaukee Art Museum and try to be there at noon when, weather permitting, the “wings” of the museum building “flap” to music.

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Best Lodging Options Near Milwaukee Art Museum

Tru By Hilton Milwaukee Downtown, WI
Tru By Hilton Milwaukee Downtown, WI
2.5 out of 5
515 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee, WI
Tru By Hilton Milwaukee Downtown, WI
Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel
Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel
4 out of 5
139 E Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI
Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel
The Pfister Hotel
The Pfister Hotel
4.5 out of 5
424 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI
The Pfister Hotel
Home2 Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown
Home2 Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown
3 out of 5
515 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee, WI
Home2 Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown
The Westin Milwaukee
The Westin Milwaukee
4 out of 5
550 N Van Buren St, Milwaukee, WI
The Westin Milwaukee
The Knickerbocker on the Lake
The Knickerbocker on the Lake
3 out of 5
1028 East Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
The Knickerbocker on the Lake
Holiday Inn Express Milwaukee Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Milwaukee Downtown, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
525 N Jefferson Street, Milwaukee, WI
Holiday Inn Express Milwaukee Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown
3.5 out of 5
611 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI
Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown
Homewood Suites By Hilton Milwaukee Downtown
Homewood Suites By Hilton Milwaukee Downtown
3 out of 5
500 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI
Homewood Suites By Hilton Milwaukee Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.