The Milwaukee Art Museum sits right on the shore of Lake Michigan and the building itself is the first thing most visitors come to see. The Quadracci Pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2001 has become the symbol of modern Milwaukee — its movable white Brise Soleil (a set of steel fins that open and close like wings) is one of the most photographed structures in the Midwest. On good days the entire composition — white steel, blue lake, cloudless sky — is genuinely beautiful.
The collection inside is substantial: 30,000 works including strong holdings in 20th-century American art, a respected collection of German Expressionism, and an excellent decorative arts section. The Bradley Collection, one of the best private art collections in the US when it was assembled, forms the core of the modern holdings. There is also a lively temporary exhibition programme that brings major shows from larger institutions.
The museum sits at the eastern end of Wisconsin Avenue, a short walk from downtown hotels. The lakefront setting makes the approach on foot along the waterfront path the best way to arrive.