The Umbrella and Parasol Museum in nearby Gignese is exactly the kind of small, eccentric museum that makes a Lake Maggiore side trip more memorable. It grew from the local history of umbrella makers who left the hills above Stresa to sell and repair their wares across Europe, and its displays turn a humble object into a story about migration, fashion, and craft.
Do not expect a major museum; the charm is in its specificity. It is best combined with Mottarone, the Alpinia garden, or a slow drive through the villages above the lake. If you like local trades and odd collections, it is worth the short detour from Stresa.