Five Must-See Buildings In Doors Open Milwaukee
Annual event offers a dizzying array of 180 options.
Milwaukee Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
Doors Open Milwaukee is back for its 16th year Sept. 26-27.
The annual event gives locals and visitors alike an all-access pass to buildings throughout the city for free.
While it’s still more than a week away, it’s time to start making that list and checking it twice.
From the Baird Center to the Basilica of St. Josaphat, the options are diverse and overwhelming. You won’t be able to make it to all of them.
For 2026, host organization Historic Milwaukee has solicited 180 participating sites, including 30 affiliated with UW-Milwaukee.
If you’re able to put your Panther pride to the side, here are five can’t-miss sites.
Dandy
5016-5022 W. Vliet St. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
Located on W. Vliet Street in Washington Heights, Dandy transformed a former heating company’s shop into a vintage storage and event venue. In 2023, the Day family, which owns the business, tastefully and carefully added a second story to the building that they could live in and added a patio to the event space.
During Doors Open, you can stop in to see the space without paying for a wedding gift.
5020 W. Vliet St.
Sunday – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block
American System-Built Model B. Photo taken September 28th, 2018 by Michael Horne.
A Doors Open staple, and for good reason, the Burnham Block is a series of system-built homes from famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Plan for a line, but use it as a chance to inspect the renovation work on the corner home at 1835 S. Layton Blvd.
2714 W. Burnham St.
Saturday and Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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House of RAD
Brandon Minga arts collective House of RAD recently completed its move to the Menomonee Valley from Riverwest. The two-story complex has 60 studios and space for more than 80 artists, tenants and members. Bring your own shirt and tenant Anchor Press, Paper and Print, AP3, will live-print a design of your choosing.
If art or creativity is your thing, put this near the top of your list.
324 N. 12th St.
Saturday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Landmark Credit Union Live
Landmark Credit Union Live. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
Step inside Milwaukee’s newest concert venue without having to buy a ticket. Landmark Credit Union Live is open for self-guided tours. Don’t miss the art-clad Vinyl Room lounge and restaurant and top-level deck. If they let you in the green room, notice how the toilets aren’t designed so you can’t break them off the walls.
1051 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave.
Saturday – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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Hop Streetcar Facility
Milwaukee Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
You can ride The Hop for free seven days a week, but it’s virtually unheard of to get access to see where the streetcars are maintained. Visitors will be able to climb aboard a stationary streetcar and see specialized equipment used for maintenance, including the deep bays that allow someone to access the bottom of the 40-ton vehicles.
Like what you see? Combine it with a visit to the MCTS Fleet Maintenance Building, 1525 W. Vine St.
450 N. 5th St.
Saturday and Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Want more? Doors Open offers a number of ticketed tours.
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