I got a chance to check out the Milwaukee Art Museum, courtesy of some comp tix I received from a staff member. If you didn't know, the museum is located on the lake inside a very artsy-looking building often seen in vacation and travel guides.
There is ample parking in the ramp across the street. Depending on what level you parked, you can use the pedestrian bridge or ground-level sidewalk to enter the museum.
I thought the entrance needed more signage. When you walk in, there's nothing indicating where to go to get tickets, or even that tickets are required. Based on the setup, it appears to new visitors that you could walk right into the exhibit rooms (but you can't, because a staff member checks). What you need to do is turn either left or right to one of the ticket desks (not well marked) and purchase your ticket there. You then get a sticker to wear on your clothes to indicate that you have paid. Prices: Non-member adults $8, seniors $6, students $4.
The featured exhibit I saw was Martin Ramirez, an artist who lived in a mental hospital who did most of his work with crayons. The museum changes exhibitions about every three months.
Outside the featured area is the museum's permanent collection, which includes some Monet, Picasso and Warhol. It's all fascinating stuff, and depending on how much you like art, will take you about an hour or more to view it all.
Of course, like any museum, there is a gift shop and cafe (very limited menu). There's also a lecture/theater room in which movies are played.
If for nothing else, it's worth a trip to the Milwaukee Art Museum just to see the building. Most of the glass is either tilted, curved or both; the marble is imported from Italy; and really, all of the interior is so unique.
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thursday, open until 8 p.m. Last ticket sold at 4:45 p.m. daily (7:45 p.m. Thursday).
Location: 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee, WI
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