Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MM
Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin
Simply overwhelming—in the best possible sense—is this ultra-high-tech (and fetchingly
designed) conglomeration of every single science known, all presented in an accessible,
fascinating manner. Seriously, it's an unbelievable place.
Discovery World
(500 N. Harbor
Dr., 414/765-9966,
www.discoveryworld.org
,
9am-4pm Tues.-Fri., 10am-5pm Sat.-Sun.,
$17 adults, $13 children 3-17, children under 3 free) is the best freshwater education center
in the United States, hands down. (I cannot tell you how many museum-resistant kids I've
seen who adore this place!) And it's actually limnological as well as offering the usual
natural and human history. It's got 120,000 square feet of exhibits, including two massive
fresh-andsaltwateraquariums,allofthemonthecuttingedge.Studentshaveexhibitsfrom
communications technology to astronomy, most of it active rather than passive.
Either moored outside or off on some research jaunt is the
Denis Sullivan,
a floating
classroom and the only Great Lakes schooner recreation in existence (as well as a flagship
for the United Nations Environment Program). From May to September you can generally
climb aboard ($2). Day sails ($40) are also offered.
Local Architecture
A block from the Milwaukee Public Museum, the distinctive
Milwaukee Public Library
(814 W. Wisconsin Ave., 414/286-3032, free tours 1:30pm Sat.) is an impressive 1895 edi-
fice. You can find it by looking for the dome. Inside, a spacious rotunda displays well-pre-
served original Old World detail work, while graceful century-old design and ambient light
predominate further in (the staircase alone is worth a view!).
In the 200 block of East Wells Street,
Milwaukee City Hall
(414/286-2266, 8am-4pm
Mon.-Fri., free) is a navigational aid for first-timers, with its can't-miss-it Flemish Renais-
sance design (and also because many remember it from the television sitcom
Laverne and
Shirley
). Antechambers there display Old World artisanship. The 10-ton bell in the tower
now rings only for special occasions, and it rocks the entire downtown when it does.
