EXPLORATION SITES in WISCONSIN

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Nike Missile Launch Site
The radar tower, painted a seafoam green, is what is left from the Cold War era:  the M-74 Nike Missile Base. Located in Brookfield's Hillcrest Park, it's the ultimate entry to UrbEx and a hometown favorite for many.

Kohl's Tunnels
If you aren't afraid of the dark — or claustrophobic — you can walk for hours down this network of tunnels beneath Waukesha. Accessible via the nearby Kohl's headquarters, they contain ladders and footholds for traversing the various levels within.

Spectacular Sculpture
Driving through Colgate, Wisconsin, you might spot roadside signs directing you toward something called "Spectacular Sculpture." You must go. The signs will take you to a six-acre outdoor gallery in southeastern Wisconsin showcasing the metal work (and private property) of artist Paul Bobrowitz, open to the public daily from 9:00am-5:00pm.

Brookfield Hidden Treehouses
Next time you're by Storms Driving Range, walk around to the back and take a right to see the most well-built tree-house in town. A second, smaller one lies nearby as well. Coordinates: 43.042407, -88.109729

Prospect Hill Elementary School [no trespassing]
Three floors of crumbling ceilings, overturned desks, exposed wiring, and remnants of classrooms are littered throughout these graffiti-covered halls. Please note: this school was closed due to asbestos and entering is illegal.

Roof of The Tannery
One of the best view of downtown Milwaukee, this rooftop isn't technically open to the public but explorers have been known to get lucky. 

Industrial Drive Graffiti Park
Another graffiti-covered structure on Industrial drive, this small spot in Mequon is an easy stop on the way to Mill Towers.

Mill Domes
If you're afraid of heights, keep scrolling: this site marks the highest climbing structure I've been to. Climb a 30-foot ladder to the top of an old grain mill to see the blaze of city lights all around, then climb down to investigate the eerie glow of old boating buildings and other, less impressive towers with plenty of low roofs to traverse and a low threat for other explorers.

Bugline Quarry
This quarry, a man-made and long-abandoned pit in the middle of Sussex, is an ideal place to go swimming at night. Approaching the water itself can be difficult but the view is worth it.

Solvay Arches

Solvay Coke and Glass Factory might be gone (see below), but these crumbling train supports behind the original structure remain intact.

Abandoned Train Park
I tried to take my senior pictures here, but unfortunately none of them turned out. The location, however, cooperated perfectly. Early morning shoots will be filled with train workers, but they don't mind people coming by with cameras. If you're going to vandalize, however, go at night.

Sileno Quarry
There are a variety of entrances to this location ranging from a quick ten-steps from the car to an afternoon-worthy hike. A great way to feel as if you're miles away from home instead of ten minutes from Brookfield East.

Swing Park, Milwaukee

It's in a busy location, but a lot of people still don't know about the swing park under a Milwaukee bridge. This is a favorite of many of my friends on a day where they don't have anything going on. It's close to a few other exploration sites, making a good endpoint for a journey. At the very least, it's a cool place to just chill. Address is 1737 N Water Street.

Roof of Chuck E. Cheese

One of the best views in Brookfield, drive around to the top of Louise's and park as close as you can to the Chuck E. Cheese roof. Then, climb down and walk through the gate (it's typically open) to sit on top of the building.

Villa Terrace
Mix picturesque Italian architecture with modern art exhibits and you'll find Milwaukee's most underrated gallery. Villa Terrace is part museum, part marvel, all gorgeous. Go after hours and climb the fence to walk the gardens or stop in during a quiet time to walk the halls, peruse the art, and escape onto the rooftop. 

Grand Avenue Mall

Grand Avenue Mall at  275 West Wisconsin Avenue is still technically contains a few functional stores, but its richest offering is the radial symmetry of the grand fountain. In an age where streamlined new malls pop up in Southeastern Wisconsin like weeds, the bygone elegance of Grand Avenue is worth a trip in itself.

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 Solvay Coke + Glass Factory [demolished]
One of Milwaukee's most frequented abandoned hot spots, the Solvay Coke and Glass factory includes two multi-level buildings to explore.

Hynite Factory [demolished]
Torn down in 2015, this site, originally built to manufacture whiskey and gin, was one of Milwaukee's oldest buildings and best sites for Urban Exploration. ​

Peter Cooper Glue Factory [demolished]
Commonly referred to as "the glue factory", this plant in Oak Creek put Milwaukee on the Urbex market back in 2010 when photographers began to frequent the site. Heavy Urbex traffic caused the city to demolish the location.