Doors Open Milwaukee preview: Where to go and what to see

Each year, Historic Milwaukee’s Doors Open Milwaukee program unlocks over 150 businesses and sites throughout the city – opening them to the public for a weekend of free urban exploration. This year, the festivities take place on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29, and we’ve highlighted some of the most interesting locations that you’ll be able to tour for free.

Alice’s Garden Urban Farm

2136 N. 21st St.

Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days

Alice’s Garden is an urban community farm in Milwaukee’s Midtown neighborhood, promoting sustainability and community development through volunteer-driven agricultural initiatives and event programming. The garden will be hosting an artisanal market each day, and will provide guided tours at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. promptly.

Bay View Printing Co.

2702 S. Howell Ave.

Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday

For over a century, the Bay View Printing Co. has operated out of a church in the titular neighborhood. Their basement studio is home to over a dozen original letterpresses and over 300 wood and lead typefaces – they also periodically offer printing classes to the community. Visitors can go on guided tours of their studio and observe the printing process in real time.

Bronzeville Center for the Arts

507 W. North Ave.

Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday

The Bronzeville Center for the Arts highlights the history and cultural impact of Milwaukee’s historically African-American Bronzeville neighborhood, hosting an extensive collection of art from the community. Visitors this weekend will be able to take self-guided tours of the gallery, with on-site staff available to answer any questions.

Charles Allis Art Museum

1801 N. Prospect Ave.

Open 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days

A stunning public museum on the city’s east side, the Charles Allis Art Museum is located inside a 20th century Tudor-style mansion and is home to a breathtaking display of art – including works by Rembrandt and a collection of ceramics dating back to 600 BCE. Adult admission is normally $15, but all entries this weekend are free!

Dead Bird Brewing Co.

1726 Dr. William Finlayson St.

Open 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday

The only all-vegan brewery in Wisconsin, Dead Bird is locally famous for their selection of craft beers and their eco-conscious space, adorned with greenery native to Wisconsin. Doors Open guests will be able to periodically take guided tours of the brewery, and they can also attend Dead Bird’s Flock Party – an anniversary celebration with local food trucks, artists, and an exclusive beer release.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block

2714 W. Burnham St.

Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days

Wisconsin architect Frank Lloyd Wright is a revered local icon, having designed over a thousand structures in his lifetime. The Burnham Block is a collection of six Wright-designed homes in Milwaukee’s Burnham Park neighborhood, built in 1916 as a part of Wright’s vision for widespread affordable housing. Tours of the buildings are normally available by appointment only and cost $15, but admission is free on Doors Open weekend.

Grohmann Museum

1000 N. Broadway

Open 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday

The Grohmann Museum at the Milwaukee School of Engineering hosts an extensive collection of art on the subject of the evolution of human work, with over 1,900 pieces dating back to the year 1580. Admission is normally $5 for the public, but is free on Doors Open weekend!

Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts

926 E. Center St.

Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday

This Riverwest gallery started as a jazz club, hosting names like Sun Ra, Stan Getz, and Dizzy Gillespie. Now, it serves as a community center and performance space with weekly event programming. Admission is always free, and Doors Open weekend will feature a full Saturday of live music at the gallery.

Milwaukee Art Museum

700 N. Art Museum Dr.

Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days

The Cream City’s most famous art gallery, the Milwaukee Art Museum boasts nearly 25,000 works of art – including pieces by Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Admission is normally $27 for adults, but you guessed it – entry is free this weekend!

The Pfister Hotel

424 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days

Is it haunted? I have my suspicions, but you can find out for yourself on Doors Open weekend, where you’ll be able to take a self-guided tour of the historic hotel and its vast collection of Victorian-era art.

Stone Creek Coffee Factory

422 N. 5th St.

Open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. both days

Ever wanted to see behind the scenes of coffee roasting? The Stone Creek Coffee Factory is hosting tours every half hour on Doors Open weekend, where you’ll be able to get an exclusive tour of their roasting facility. Free coffee is on the menu too, so don’t miss this one.

UWM Planetarium

1900 E. Kenwood Ave.

Open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. both days

UW-Milwaukee’s Manfred Olson Planetarium is one of the campus’ largest hidden gems, regularly hosting light shows, stargazing sessions, and mindfulness workshops. This weekend, they’ll be hosting free indoors stargazing shows every 45 minutes – don’t miss out!

Villa Terrace Decorative Art Museum

2200 N. Terrace Ave.

Open 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday

On the shore of Lake Michigan, the Villa Terrace Decorative Art Museum is one of the most breathtaking museums in Milwaukee. Modeled after Italian Renaissance architecture, the building celebrates its centennial anniversary this year. Several exhibitions are currently on display, including works from local artists Emily Robertson, Celeste Contreras Skierski, and Cyril Colnik. Admission is normally $15, so enjoy this weekend’s exhibitions for free while you still can!

Wisconsin Black Historical Society

2620 W. Center St.

Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday

The only museum in the state that preserves Wisconsin’s African-American heritage, the Wisconsin Black Historical Society hosts several exhibits, murals, and community events that highlight African-American culture and history. Admission is free this weekend, but consider making a donation if you plan on attending.

WMSE Studios

820 N. Milwaukee St.

Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days

A favorite of mine, WMSE 91.7FM is the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s volunteer-run radio station. In operation since 1981, visitors can search through the station’s shelves upon shelves of vintage vinyl records, observe their favorite on-air hosts as they broadcast, and meet members who have been a part of the station since its inception.

Interested in volunteering for this year’s Doors Open Milwaukee? Check out opportunities here. The full list of Doors Open sites can be viewed on their website.