Wisconsin Indoor Escapes: Museums, Theaters & More
Discover a world of indoor fun across Wisconsin. Bring the whole crew to visit fascinating museums that spark curiosity, theaters showcasing incredible live performances and art centers brimming with the unexpected. Read on to discover your next memorable indoor escape.
Museums
Across Wisconsin, museums big and small invite visitors to step inside and uncover stories, artifacts and art as unique as the state itself. In addition to the heavy-hitters like the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Chazen, discover smaller museums with just as many fascinating collections.
Museum of Wisconsin Art - West Bend
Visit a museum solely dedicated to showcasing art by artists connected to Wisconsin. Each piece at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend tells a unique story of the state’s cultural heritage and creative spirit. From the impressive permanent collection that includes over five thousand works of art in every imaginable medium to changing exhibitions featuring Wisconsin artists past and present, there’s always something new to discover here. Check the museum’s schedule for drop-in art-making activities for kids and studio classes and artist talks for adults for an extra special experience.
Milton House Museum - Milton
The Milton House Museum is the only remaining certified stop on the Underground Railroad in Wisconsin still open for tours. Known for its hexagonal shape, the National Historic Landmark was built in 1844 and was a popular stagecoach stop for travelers due to its location near prominent roadways and its proximity to the Rock River, which freedom seekers would follow on their way to Racine. From there, they could board a ship to Canada.
Explore The Milton House Museum’s archival material and a vast historical object collection that tells the story of this community’s important past. Call to schedule a guided tour, on which you and your group can even climb through the original tunnel and the 1837 settlers’ cabin next door.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art - Madison
Discover the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art for free entry to multiple floors of impressive exhibits inside a stunning glass building. The museum's permanent collection includes nearly 5,000 works of art, with a focus on American prints, photographs and drawings. Exhibitions are always changing and showcase a wide range of contemporary and modern artists. Don’t forget to take a trip to the rooftop for a breathtaking view of State Street (and a great photo-op!).
Wisconsin Maritime Museum - Manitowoc
Dive into Wisconsin’s vast maritime history at this expansive museum in Manitowoc. Explore the nation's most fully restored World War II submarine, operate a real steam engine, time-travel back to a 19th-century shipbuilding town and let the kids sail their own boat in the Children's Waterways room. With fascinating exhibits on Wisconsin’s Shipwreck Coasts and a “Little Lakefarers Room” designed for young children to play and learn, a trip to this museum is just the indoor escape you’ve been looking for.
Theaters
Beyond iconic venues in Wisconsin like the Overture Center for the Arts, Fiserv Forum and American Players Theatre, discover your new favorite show this season at one of the impressive indie theaters throughout the state.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater - Milwaukee
One of the oldest and most critically acclaimed regional theaters in the U.S., the Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents a diverse range of shows each season, from new, original works to Broadway musicals. Choose from the lineup of musicals and plays and make a night of it by dining out at nearby Lupi & Iris or Cafe Benelux.
Fireside Dinner Theatre - Fort Atkinson
This popular dinner theater has been welcoming guests from near and far for over 60 years. The Fireside is less than an hour drive from Madison and offers seven performances each week throughout the year. Visit for a magical outing that includes a tasty meal (fish fry available on Friday and brunch available on Sunday) and a performance of well-loved musicals such as Hairspray, Oklahoma! and Disney’s Frozen.
Phipps Center for the Arts - Hudson
This combination theater, gallery and arts center offers exciting performances, outstanding exhibitions and classes for those in the community and beyond. See a Broadway show, be serenaded at a Cabaret Night in partnership with the St. Croix Valley Opera, enjoy a diverse range of dance performances and wander through the seven onsite art galleries at no cost.
Grand Theater - Wausau
The Grand Theater in Wausau has a long, remarkable history that spans over 120 years. Built in 1899 as an opera house, it was rebuilt 30 years later as a vaudeville silent movie house before being transformed once again into a motion picture theater. In the 1980s, the building was restored to a performing arts theater reminiscent of the original opera house. Today, the venue hosts over 300 events each year, including concerts, comedy shows, musicals, acrobatics and much more.
Art Centers
Fuel your creative spirit with a day trip to one of Wisconsin’s many art centers. Whether tucked in small towns or anchoring city blocks, these spaces are alive with color, craft and local talent. Take a day trip to these eclectic art centers throughout the state and be amazed by what you find.
Center for the Visual Arts - Wausau
Founded in 1982 by a group of community members with a passion for the arts, the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau is home to four professional gallery spaces featuring eighteen exhibits annually, a reputable school of art and a juried gallery shop. Stop in Wednesdays through Saturdays to explore the galleries and check out the schedule of classes for a wide variety of offerings designed for children and adults.
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum - Wausau
Also in Wausau, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum is housed in a stunning English-style residence and celebrates the connection between art and the natural world. The museum’s permanent collection includes more than 14,000 objects spanning historic and contemporary paintings, drawings, field sketches, graphics, photographs, sculptures, decorative arts and glass, and galleries are regularly refreshed to showcase different pieces from the collection. With free admission and a focus on accessibility, visit any time of year to immerse yourself in artistic splendor.
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts - Fond du Lac
The cornerstone of the Arts and Entertainment District in downtown Fond du Lac, the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (also known as THELMA) is a regional venue that offers high-profile concerts, exhibits with prominent artists, independent films and exciting special events. Stroll the curated galleries, enjoy an intimate musical experience with the Great Hall Concert Series and keep up-to-date on other exciting events here year-round.
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts - Brookfield
Just outside Milwaukee, the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is situated within a beautiful 400-acre park in Brookfield. With a focus on the performing arts, visual arts and arts education, you can visit for all kinds of performances from Grammy-winning musicians, Hollywood icons and new and emerging artists. With a wide variety of community art classes also available, you and your group can plan multiple indoor escapes to enjoy.
Paine Art Center and Gardens - Oshkosh
This historic 1920s mansion in the Fox Valley houses an impressive permanent art collection as well as changing exhibitions throughout the year. Visit in March to experience Rooms of Blooms, when the most talented floral designers in the region create arrangements complementing the current exhibition and each section of the museum is filled with sweet smells and beautiful flowers.
Ready for more indoor fun? Start planning your next getaway at these extraordinary indoor waterparks in Wisconsin.
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