Where the FUN BEGINS in Wisconsin 608-742-6161

Arts & Culture

Museums & Galleries

Columbus

Christopher Columbus Museum

239 Whitney St.
Columbus, WI 53925
920-623-1992

West James Gallery

122 West James St.
Columbus, WI 53925
920-623-5325

Lodi

Lysenko Studio

Studio 3 Lysenko

133 Water St.
Lodi, WI 53555
D2 Studios

D Squared Studios

D Squared Studios offers traditional custom framing and unique framing options. We also host art exhibitions and events in our gallery.  Join us!

141B Lodi St.
Lodi, WI 53555
608-695-1231

Spring Creek Artworks

Spring Creek Art Works, LLC

Spring Creek Art Works – Facebook Page
An artful learning space. Local and visiting teachers will be teaching many forms of art. Creation space for A Botanical Dyery.

141C Lodi St.
Lodi, WI 53555
608-335-1237

Pardeeville

MYRTLE_LINTNER_SPEAR_MUSEUM

Myrtle Lintner Spear Museum

112 N Main St,
Pardeeville, WI 53954
608-429-1447

Portage

FORT WINNEBAGO SURGEONS QUARTERS

Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters is the only remaining building of historic Fort Winnebago and one of the oldest log houses in Wisconsin still standing on its original foundation. The log house is fully refurbished as a home of the army occupation days, with authentic artifacts from the fort.

Hours: June-Oct, Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm

WISCONSIN’S AMERICAN LEGION

WISCONSIN’S AMERICAN LEGION

The American Legion State Headquarters building includes a museum, which houses such historical relics as statues, uniforms, medals, photos and documents from the history of Wisconsin’s American Legion, as well as war era memorabilia.

PORTAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Portage Center for the Arts supports a fine tradition of culture in our community with theatrical performances, art displays, and a performing arts series.

Hours: Wed-Friday 1pm-6pm;  Saturday 10pm-3pm

INDIAN AGENCY HOUSE

The Historic Indian Agency House, built in 1832, is one of Wisconsin’s earliest houses still in existence. It was constructed as a residence for John Kinzie, the Indian Agent to the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), and his wife, Juliette Kinzie. After 100 years of varied use, the house was restored to its 1832 frontier grandeur and officially reopened in 1932.

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 10am-4pm, Sundays 12pm-5pm

THE PORTAGE CANAL

The Portage Canal, a connector of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, was finished in 1876 and at its peak for recreational boat traffic in 1908. By 1950, the number of lockages had dwindled, and the following year, the Portage locks were welded shut.

ZONA GALE HOME

After the successful publication of her first novel in 1906, Zona Gale built a home for her parents on the bank of the Wisconsin River. Its classical Greek revival exterior is in contrast to its rustic Craftsman interior. Gale’s 1920 bestselling novel, Miss Lulu Bett, landed her the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 and her home was given to the Women’s Civic League in 1932.

Hours: 1-4pm Saturdays; June-August or by appointment

museum at the portage

MUSEUM AT THE PORTAGE

The William L. and Zona Gale Breese home was donated to the city of Portage in 1946 and housed the Portage Public Library until 1994. In 1996, the Museum at the Portage was established to showcase displays relevant to the history of the city. Within the Museum, visitors will find Zona Gale’s study preserved and a permanent collection of photographs and artifacts depicting historical events that occurred in the city.

Hours: 1-4pm  Thursday-Saturday; April, May, Sept., Oct.)Tuesday-Saturday (June-August)

WWII MUSEUM

The World War II History Museum houses many authentic, rare artifacts and the museum’s collection is always ever-expanding.

Thursday-Saturday 10am-3pm

AMISH COMMUNITY

Located to the northeast and east of Portage is a fairly large Amish community. Amish are well known for their beautiful handmade quilts, baskets, furniture and many other items. Amish businesses in this region include bakeries, furniture and cabinet making shops, quilt shops and general stores.

From Portage: Head east along State Highway 33 to 4-way stop at intersection of Hwy 33 and Hwy 22. Turn left onto Hwy 22 (north).
Proceed roughly 5 miles to right on Barry Road. Click here for a map.

Please note when visiting, some Amish businesses are closed on Thursdays and all Amish businesses are closed Sundays and Church Holidays.

Performing Arts

pca-youth theatre

Portage Center for the Arts

301 East Cook Street
Portage, WI  53901
608-742-5655

Art Tours

Threaded Streams

Threaded Streams Fiber Arts Trail

Threaded Streams Fiber Arts Trails
The trail encompasses an area from Baraboo south to Sauk Prairie east to Lodi on the southern boundary, up to Portage along the Wisconsin River and back to Baraboo. Trail members include studio artists & artisans, shops, teachers and farms, dyers, spinners, felt makers, baskets weavers, quilt makers, needle arts, sewing, weavers and more. Trail members are professional makers and exhibit their work, participate in regional art fairs, teach workshops and classes, hold memberships in local and state-wide arts organizations and are very active in their communities.  Trail occurs annually near the end of March.

Movie Theatres

Portage theatre

Portage Theatres

322 West Wisconsin Street
Portage, WI  53901
608-742-6900