10 Best Museums In Wisconsin, USA

museums in wisconsin
William
William 
Updated
| 4 min read

The state of Wisconsin is known for its dairy products, manufacturing industries, and information technology. However, this place is also home to great museums like National Railroad Museum and Harley-Davidson Museum that are thronged by both locals and tourists. These establishments are used to preserve history, to showcase the place’s culture, and to act as landmarks. They’re also conveniently situated and easily accessible via public transport. Apart from learning history in these facilities, you can indulge in fun leisure activities like a treasure hunt and attending shows to pass the time. Check out below for our picks on the best museums in Wisconsin, the USA.

1. MSOE Grohmann Museum (from USD 5.0)

Located in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this art museum is home to unique artworks showcasing the history of human industry. This establishment boasts a large collection of over 1,400 creatively made paintings and sculptures. Don’t miss the stunning sculptures on the museum’s rooftop garden, as they are impressive. You’ll be served by welcoming and helpful staff who are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Visited this place?

Grohmann Museum Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket

Duration: 1 to 3 hours

30 reviews

2. Wisconsin Maritime Museum

WisconsinMaritimeMuseumUSSCobia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Royalbroil used under CC BY-SA 2.5

Founded in 1968, this museum exhibits the maritime background of Wisconsin in the Great Lakes area. It’s an ideal tourist destination for the whole family as there’s something for everyone to see and learn. There’s a submarine tour that’s a must-attend, as it’s eye-opening and a great source of knowledge. You’ll be served by knowledgable and passionate staff who are ready to help. Apart from the well-staged artifacts and great customer service, you will also enjoy free Wi-Fi and free parking.

Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Address: 75 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc, WI 54220, United States

Website: Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 9am - 5pm (closed on Tue & Wed)

Visited this place?

3. EAA Aviation Museum

EAA museum floor
Source: Photo by user Chris Favero used under CC BY-SA 2.0

For an educative and fun aeronautical tour in Wisconsin, visit EAA Aviation Museum. It’s endowed with a rare collection of airplanes, cool artifacts, and educational materials that include videos, diagrams, and games, making it a world-class museum. If you love planes, aviation, and aviation history, then be sure to stop by - you’ll be amazed by what’s in store for you. By visiting this establishment, you will also come to appreciate the work done by professionals in the aviation industry, like air hostesses, pilots, and the airforce. There’s also an airshow that takes place once a year that’s a must-see, as it is very exciting to watch.

EAA Aviation Museum

Address: 3000 Poberezny Rd, Oshkosh, WI 54902, United States

Website: EAA Aviation Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Visited this place?

4. Harley-Davidson Museum

Harley-Davidson Museum 1909 & 1911 Bikes
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Danemroberts used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Opened in 2008, this museum showcases the Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the company’s growth over the years. Even if you’re not a motorcycle fan, this is a good place to learn more about this iconic brand. You’ll learn the history of the motorbikes by the Harley Davidson brothers, from 1903 to the present day, through the museum’s guided tours and through the exhibitions on display. There’s also a gift shop where you can buy presents or souvenirs while visiting the facility. Enjoy delicious food at the on-site restaurant. Visitors will also have access to parking and free lockers.

Harley-Davidson Museum

Address: 400 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53201, United States

Website: Harley-Davidson Museum

Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 10am - 6pm; Thu: 10am - 8pm

Price: 8 - 22 USD

Visited this place?

5. National Railroad Museum

National Railroad Museum Green Bay Wisconsin
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Greg Tally - User... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

National Railroad Museum aims at showcasing the history of the American railroad system. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this museum is an ideal tourist destination for people of all ages. It’s clean, nicely maintained, well-lit, and with courteous and helpful staff, making it a great addition to your vacation itinerary. To add to its charm, there’s a rare train collection on display, and you can even take an outdoor train ride around the establishment.

National Railroad Museum

Address: 2285 S Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54304, United States

Website: National Railroad Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Visited this place?

6. National Mustard Museum

National Mustard Museum
Source: Photo by user BobbbyLight used under CC BY 2.0

This museum boasts of over 6,000 mustards on display and hundreds of mustards that you can sample at the Tasting Bar. See how other cultures make mustard and take a free tour around the establishment for a fun and eye-opening visit. For those who love mustard, this is an ideal spot to learn about the condiment, as the displays show its history and development. There’s even a gift shop in the facility that’s filled with gourmet delicacies you can take home with you - other than mustard, you can purchase hot sauces, oil, and syrup.

National Mustard Museum

Address: 7477 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI 53562, United States

Website: National Mustard Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

7. Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Wisconsin Veterans Museum - Madison, WI - DSC02778
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daderot used under CC0

Situated in Madison, Wisconsin, this establishment is endowed with weaponry and artifacts showcasing the life and times of military soldiers from the state. You also get to hear personal stories by veterans themselves. There are displays and videos that show wars like the Civil War, the World Wars, the Korean War, and the Cold War that you can enjoy watching to learn more about history. You’ll be served by kind and welcoming staff who are informed about the artifacts on display.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Address: 30 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, United States

Website: Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon)

Visited this place?

8. Discovery World

DiscoveryWorldMilwaukeeMarch2007
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user self used under CC BY-SA 2.5

Discovery World is a science and technology museum in Milwaukee. It’s a great spot for people of all ages, as there are many cool things to indulge in. There are great interactive displays showcasing topics like physics, mechanics, robotics, and boating that you can learn about and discover. Fun and educative activities in the museum include learning how to clean and filter dirty water, visiting the design lab, and trying out a virtual reality experience.

Discovery World

Address: 500 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202, United States

Website: Discovery World

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 14 - 20 USD

Visited this place?

9. Portage WW II History Museum

Posted by Portage WWII Museum on Friday, 6 May 2011

Portage WW II History Museum is a privately owned establishment that’s endowed with a collection of artifacts from the Second World War and other military conflicts. Bret, the owner, is passionate and dedicated to teaching history. He’ll also be your guide around this museum, showing you around and narrating personal stories. This facility is a great place to visit for the whole family, as it has thought-provoking and unique pieces of art. It’s truly a gem at the heart of Portage, Wisconsin.

Portage WW II History Museum

Address: 119 W Cook St, Portage, WI 53901, United States

Website: Portage WW II History Museum

Visited this place?

10. Wisconsin Automotive Museum

Wisconsin Auto Museum / SE Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame
Source: Photo by user Royal Broil used under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you’re interested in anything automotive, then make this museum a priority. It’s endowed with an array of well-polished automobiles like cars, tractors, trucks, and trains, as well as equipment like pumps and engines for you to enjoy. You’ll find vintage cars from renowned companies like Ford and Chevrolet that have interesting features and history. Located in Hartford, Wisconsin, it’s the biggest auto museum in the region.

Wisconsin Automotive Museum

Address: 147 N Rural St, Hartford, WI 53027, United States

Website: Wisconsin Automotive Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Visited this place?

A mixture of education and fun

When you visit a museum, you’ll basically be killing two birds with one stone, especially when you visit them in Wisconsin, USA - you’ll have fun and you’ll also get to learn something new. Stop by these famous tourist spots alone, with friends, or family and create great memories.

If you’re thinking about where to stay, there are some great cabins around Wisconsin that are perfect accommodation options for your trip.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

William believes that we should strive to make the world a better place. He's passionate about landscapes, the ocean, and people. When not traveling, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and planning for...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Wisconsin
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.