Featured Photo by Milwaukee Public Museum

Road trip! Hit the open road and head towards something fun and exciting to do for a weekend getaway or vacation out of the La Crosse area. Gas up the car, grab a snack for the drive, and check out this weekend getaway idea within driving distance!

Exploring History, Culture, And Science At Wisconsin Museums Near The Milwaukee River

Wisconsin summers can be spent outdoors, going for hikes, boating, fishing or enjoying the rivers and lakes in one way or another. But summer in Wisconsin is also the perfect time to catch up on museum visits or to make a trip to a new museum you’ve always wanted to explore. A great place to explore multiple museums in one area is along the Milwaukee River in the southeastern part of the state. Here you can discover many of the museums that Milwaukee and the surrounding cities have to offer, starting with these unique ones that you may not be familiar with!

5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

Photo by Milwaukee Public Museum

1. Milwaukee Public Museum

Established in the late 19th century, the Milwaukee Public Museum has been inspiring curiosity and the desire to preserve natural and cultural diversity in visitors for over a century. Through exciting and fun exhibitions, programs, collections, and research, you can have a similar experience during your visit to the museum. Popular exhibits include a life size model of the Streets of Old Milwaukee, The Third Planet, and Bugs Alive!. But there is plenty to explore from various natural environments to civilizations and cultures, each with its own unique collection of displays and exhibits including life size models, fossils, and artifacts.
5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

Photo by Discovery World

2. Discovery World

Discovery World, found on Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront, provides a fun and educational museum experience for adults and kids alike through interactive exhibits and educational programs. This Milwaukee museum is the perfect stop for families to enjoy a day of learning and fun, exploring hands on exhibits like the Reiman Aquarium, Virtual Explorer, Automation Everywhere, and more. Visitors can enjoy unique displays that allow them to create weather, send messages in Morse Code, and operate a pneumatic dinosaur, among other exciting interactive activities.
5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

Photo by Museum of Wisconsin Art / @drewaala

3. Museum of Wisconsin Art

Located in West Bend, the Museum of Wisconsin Art is a unique art museum that celebrates everything there is to do with Wisconsin made art. Every piece and display that is on exhibit in the museum has been made by an artist with deep connections to the state of Wisconsin. From traditional paintings to non-traditional installations and digital media, MOWA exists as a place for conversation and the advancement in the arts in Wisconsin. MOWA also values access to the arts, making your entrance fee a low cost museum membership that allows you unlimited access to the museum for a full year. After your first visit, you can come back all year round to enjoy over 175 free member programs and events!
5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

Photo by National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

4. National Bobblehead Hall of Fame & Museum

A collection like no other, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee always makes for a fun museum stop in the city. Housing the world’s largest collection of bobbleheads, you’ll be able to see bobbleheads from your favorite sports teams, movies, TV shows, brands, and more! The museum also features dozens of interesting exhibits on the history of bobbleheads, the making of bobbleheads, and more. Stop in with your family or friends and enjoy checking out the shelves to see who or what bobblehead you can find. Then, before you head out, buy the bobblehead of your choice from the gift store to remember your visit.
Content Writer and Social Media Coordinator. I paint, listen to music, and play with my dogs a lot. When I’m not doing all that, I love to read and try new things.
Maeve Miller

Writer , River Travel Magazine