8 History Museums in Milwaukee That You Shouldn't Miss

A Milwaukee nonprofit dedicated to giving visitors a glimpse into Milwaukee life between the world wars with authentic items displayed in store settings. Handicap-accessible guided tours are offered at no additional charge, and there is free off-street parking behind the building.

We are a non-profit aviation museum located inside Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport.

Brew City MKE is the place to experience Brew City - both past and present. Enjoy our Milwaukee Beer Bar with both traditional and innovative brews from Milwaukee-area breweries. Also, take a stroll through our beer and brewing history exhibit. Our mission is to showcase the history and innovation that made Milwaukee Brew City then and now. We are Milwaukee History "On Tap!". Admission to the exhibit includes a tap beer or Sprecher soda. Admission is NOT required if you just want to come to enjoy one of our delicious Milwaukee beers. Come see and taste MKE!

Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is an Italian Renaissance-style villa designed by architect David Adler in 1923 as the residence of Lloyd Smith of the A.O. Smith Corporation, his wife Agnes and their family. The villa’s courtyards, terraces and Renaissance garden flowing down to the lake make it unique in Milwaukee. The permanent collection features fine and decorative arts from the 15th through the 18th centuries. The museum is also home to the Cyril Colnik Collection and Archives. Colnik was Milwaukee’s master decorative iron artisan from the late 19th to the mid-20th century.

Experience the stories that built our nation. The War Memorial Center was never intended to be a static veterans memorial. Our founders—the Milwaukee community—envisioned something more. Rather than build another flagpole or bench, the people of Milwaukee wanted a living memorial to “Honor the Dead by Serving the Living.” Our educational experiences will bring to life this memorial and tell the stories of the veterans who served and sacrificed for our freedom

Designed by prominent Milwaukee architect Alexander Eschweiler for Charles Allis — the first president of Allis-Chalmers — and his wife Sarah in 1911, this Tudor-style mansion and art collection was built with the purpose of bequeathing it to the public to delight, educate and inspire. The permanent collection features 19th-century French and American paintings, Chinese and Japanese porcelains, Renaissance bronzes, Japanese netsuke, and original furnishings. Curated exhibitions are mounted several times each year along with a variety of other arts programming.