Discover West Allis
8 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
East Allis Butterfly Garden
Small community butterfly and pollinator garden showcasing colorful native flowers and frequent resting butterflies—ideal for close-up and environmental portraits of insects. Best light mid-morning to late afternoon on warm, sunny days when butterflies are active; calm days reduce wing blur. Free entry with street/lot parking nearby; paved paths are largely accessible. Weekdays and early mornings are quieter. Community-run setting adds local charm.
Hank Aaron State Trail Zoo Connector
A short, paved greenway linking the Hank Aaron State Trail to the Milwaukee County Zoo and nearby wetlands. Photographers find mix of riverside views, boardwalks, bridges, marsh plants and candid trail activity — strong in fall color and golden-hour light. Easy street parking near the zoo, wheelchair-accessible surfaces, no entry fee; weekdays and early morning offer the fewest people. Weather can be windy near open water; mosquitoes in summer wetlands.
Veterans Memorial Park
Small civic memorial featuring flagpoles, bronze plaques and formal landscaping — strong for commemorative detail shots, low-angle flag compositions and quiet wide shots of the plaza. Best at golden hour or blue hour when flag fabrics and bronze warm; weekday mornings avoid crowds. Easy street parking nearby, no entry fee, wheelchair-accessible paths; Memorial Day and Veterans Day offer event photography but expect crowds and restrictions.
Honey Creek Park
Small urban park centered on a winding creek, wetland pools and tree-lined trails — strong for intimate nature, reflections and seasonal color. Visit at golden hour or early morning for calm water and active birds; spring and fall offer the most color. Easy walking trails and a small parking lot off W National Ave; no entry fee. Accessible terrain but bring waterproof shoes for creekside shots. Weekdays are quieter.
83rd Street Lights
A stretch of decorative street lights along 83rd Street that creates strong leading lines and rhythmic repetition — ideal for evening and night photography. Best visited right after sunset for blue hour glows or on overcast days for moody street scenes. Easy curbside access and free on-street parking; no entry fees. Weeknights are quieter; watch for traffic and local businesses. Great for practicing long exposures, symmetry, and urban detail shots.
Burnham Pointe Park
Small Lake Michigan shoreline park with dunes, shoreline rocks and walking paths offering intimate waterscape and landscape compositions. Best at sunrise and golden hour for warm light and long reflections. Easy street parking; flat, accessible paths make gear transport simple. Expect birdlife and locals fishing—respect quiet areas. No entry fee; weekdays are quieter.
Roosevelt Park
Small community park with ponds, mature trees, walking paths and open lawns — good for seasonal landscapes (autumn color, winter snow) and quiet nature/urban-edge scenes. Easily accessible off S 58th St with on-site parking and paved paths; no entry fee. Best light is golden hour and blue hour for reflective water; weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Expect typical Midwestern weather; bring layers in shoulder seasons.
West Allis Historical Society Museum
Small local history museum in a historic storefront building showcasing period rooms, community artifacts, vintage signage and rotating exhibits — good for detail shots of antiques, textures and architecture. Visit weekday mornings for low crowds; golden hour works for warm exterior light. Interior lighting can be dim and mixed — check photo policy at front desk. Street parking and small lot nearby; building is ground-level and largely accessible.