Milwaukee, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a vibrant tourist destination with a rich tapestry of culture and history. The city boasts many attractions, from its world-renowned breweries to its stunning lakeside parks. Visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s past by exploring its historic districts and landmarks. Milwaukee also offers an array of accommodation options to suit every traveler’s preference. For those seeking a touch of nostalgia, the city is adorned with charming historic hotels that exude old-world charm and offer a unique stay experience. On the other hand, for families looking for a fun-filled retreat, Milwaukee is home to an array of family-friendly resorts, providing a perfect blend of recreation and relaxation. With its diverse offerings, Milwaukee adds to the Midwest’s allure as a top-notch travel destination. If you’re traveling with family, check out these best things to do with kids in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!
1. Enjoy this tour of iconic attractions of Milwaukee (from USD 67.0)
The Iconic Milwaukee Tour offers an exciting exploration of the city’s famous spots. Starting at Lakefront Brewery and meandering through must-see locations, such as Black Cat Alley and Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum. While passing by the Milwaukee Art Museum and Harley-Davidson Museum, arrangements for drop-offs can be made for interested guests.
The journey culminates with views of Fiserv Forum and UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, highlighting the vibrant culture of the city. This engaging tour promises a memorable experience for families, making it a standout among Milwaukee family activities. Admission fees for each of the attractions may vary, and you can choose the tour length as well.
Milwaukee: Small-Group Sights and History Tour
Duration: 100 to 120 minutes
2. Sip Milwaukee's local beer (from USD 99.0)
Embark on a flavorful journey through Milwaukee’s vibrant brewpub culture with a guided brewery tour, complete with delectable snacks. Immerse yourself in the art of beer-making, sampling up to 12 unique brews and gaining insights from passionate brewery owners. The tour will whisk you away to iconic local establishments, including Pilot Project Brewing Milwaukee, Perspective Brewing Co., and Dead Bird Brewing Company, among others.
With this tour, you can relax with hassle-free round-trip bus transportation within Downtown Milwaukee. This experience is also a perfect blend of education and indulgence, offering a comprehensive understanding of the city’s rich brewing heritage. Taste, learn, and savor the essence of Milwaukee’s beer scene on this unforgettable tour.
Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack
Duration: 3 hours
3. Enjoy this walking food tour with Secret Food Tours (from USD 99.0)
Embark on a delectable journey with the Milwaukee Walking Food Tour by Secret Food Tours. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, savor iconic dishes like a 19th-century recipe sausage and crispy cheese curds with delectable dips. You will also love the classic fish fry and the concluding sweet treat, all while discovering the city’s culinary secrets.
As you walk, catch glimpses of Milwaukee landmarks, including the iconic Bronze Fonz by Gerald P. Sawyer, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Old World Third Street and the lively Milwaukee Riverwalk District. This tour promises a blend of history, culture, and mouthwatering flavors for an unforgettable culinary adventure.
Milwaukee Small-Group Walking Food Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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4. Get creative with this scavenger hunt (from USD 21.0)
Embark on a magical journey through Milwaukee with this captivating scavenger hunt. This self-guided adventure offers more than just sightseeing with a remote host for guidance and support. Engage your group in deciphering clues that unveil the city’s enigmatic wonders, from hidden gems to beloved local spots. It’s a fusion of detective work, a guided tour, and a creative challenge, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
You can immerse yourself in art, culture, and history while uncovering Milwaukee’s best-kept secrets. With a live guide just a message away, you’ll also learn fascinating city facts and uncover cherished haunts.
Milwaukee Scavenger Hunt
Duration: 2 hours
5. Have fun at Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park
Surprise your kids by taking them to the Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park, one of the best Milwaukee attractions for families looking for fun water sports activities. The park features a huge swimming area, comfortable for people of all ages. There are a number of amazing water toys and if you are not comfortable in deep waters, don’t worry, there is a special section for all guests where they will feel comfortable as they enjoy their day. This amazing water park also has wonderful birthday party packages for guests to enjoy in style.
Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park
Address: 2028 S 124th St, West Allis, WI 53227, USA
Website: Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 10am - 8pm; Tue, Thur - Sun: 10am - 6pm
6. Participate in the educational programs at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
For nature lovers, a day spent participating and engaging in an educational program at the Schitz Audubon Nature Center is the perfect way to make your day interesting. Get tips on how to conserve the regional ecology by getting to learn more about the native trees and plants and how they contribute to the ecosystem and also home to the indigenous bird species. These programs usually run anywhere between an hour long or if you want something that will last a little bit longer so that you can witness the change in your surroundings, the seasonal long program will be the best choice for you.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Address: 1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Bayside, WI 53217, USA
Website: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 8 USD (Adults), 5 USD (3 - 17 yrs)
7. Look at the stars at Daniel M. Soref National Geographic Dome Theater & Planetarium
It is not often you get to look up into the sky and realize the beauty above. The Daniels M. Soref Dome Theater and Planetarium brings the stars and the rest of the galaxy so close, you feel like you are only a drop of water in the ocean. This unique visual experience does not only wow your kids, but also it will take your breath away as you get to know new information about the galaxy. The crystal-clear images and the surround sound make it feel like you are in the empty space. The standard and 3D shows will give you the illusion of a real-life experience, exploring some of the unimaginable places leaving you with a jolt of excitement.
Daniel M. Soref National Geographic Dome Theater & Planetarium
Address: 800 West Wells Street Milwaukee, WI 53233
Website: Daniel M. Soref National Geographic Dome Theater & Planetarium
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm; Sunday: 11:00am - 5:00pm
8. Head to Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Don’t let the name museum fool you, The Betty Brinn Museum is one of the most fun places in Milwaukee for kids of all ages. Watch as your kids showcase their creativity and talents as they get busy crafting and converting their imagination into reality. Kids can participate in artwork, music or just crafting anything they wish from the materials available. Parental supervision is necessary to make sure the kids don’t get too creative or in case they need a little assistance. It might not seem like much, but this activity helps your kids become more creative and helps in identifying and honing in the unique talents of your kids while still young.
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Address: 929 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Website: Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 12 pm - 5pm
9. Catch a show at First Stage Milwaukee
Secretly buy tickets to the first stage and surprise your kids for an amazing evening show before heading to grab something to eat. There are a number of kids’ favorite shows of all time that will always put a smile on both your face and your kids’ faces. Enjoy this adventurous journey to Neverland as the story unravels in front of your eyes in a spectacular and entertaining style. Watch as your kids get excited and joyful as they watch their favorite characters play their roles making the kids devote their full attention to this artistic storytelling.
First Stage Milwaukee
Address: 325 W Walnut St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
Website: First Stage Milwaukee
10. Learn some science at Discovery World
Enter the world of science and discovery at the Discovery world and take part in the world of wonder and discovery. Immerse yourself in the virtual world as you explore the virtual environment or an exciting game that will make you feel like you are there in real life. If you are all about science, then the Physics and your section will be your corner. Get creative and become the mad scientist learning how to control and use the fundamental forces shaping our world. Let your kids show you their skills at the Design-it lab as they get busy with the materials available.
Discovery World
Address: 500 N Harbor Dr Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website: Discovery World
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat & Sun; 10am - 5pm
11. Take a climb at Adventure Rock
Who said you can enjoy yourself with your kids while exercising at the same time. You never know when the simple skills you ignore will come in handy in your life. Let your kids beat the fear of heights as they enjoy a thrilling rock climbing experience all buckled up in the safety equipment. You can choose to enjoy participating either in-house or outdoor on the portable walls or real life climbing with Apex. There are fantastic camping events for kids aged between 6 years to 13 years. Each activity is supervised by qualified and experienced instructors to make sure that everyone enjoys themselves in a safe environment.
Adventure Rock
Address: 2220 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
Website: Adventure Rock
Opening hours: 9am - 10pm (daily)
12. Explore art at Milwaukee Art Museum
Breakout of your daily routine and do a random visit with your kids to the Milwaukee Art Museum. This amazing trip will not only inspire your kids to sharpen their skills, but it will also educate them in the lessons and strengthen their skills. The Kohl’s Art Generation is the first place to go and let your kids loose and see them try to bring their ideas to light. After a day of viewing amazing art and letting your kids enjoy themselves, grab something nice to eat at one of the three cafes before heading back home.
Milwaukee Art Museum
Address: 700 N Art Museum Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Website: Milwaukee Art Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Monday)
Price: 19 USD (Adults), 17 USD (Students and Seniors)
13. Meet the wildlife at Milwaukee County Zoo
It is always a thrilling experience when you get to interact with wild animals and getting to see them up close makes visiting the Milwaukee County Zoo worth your time. Let your kids get to see and learn about different animal species living all over the world. From the gentlest to the most dangerous but beautiful animals that call this amazing zoo home, whichever animals you see you will have a difficult time calming down your kids from all the excitement the have from seeing these animals up close and personal.
Milwaukee County Zoo
Address: 10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
Website: Milwaukee County Zoo
Opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm (daily)
Price: 16.25 USD (Adults), 13.25 USD (Children)
14. Solve a puzzle to enter Mr Croft’s Museum (from USD 39.0)
If you want to teach your family about teamwork in a nice and entertaining way, then a visit to Mr. Croft’s Museum Mission will be the perfect place to be. This exciting exercise takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes to finish as family and friends bring their brains together using problem-solving skills logic and teamwork to crack the code. As you solve the clues, this activity is not only fun but also helps the kids to hone in their skills and teach them about critical thinking and also how to work together as a group as it is rewarding once the puzzle is solved.
The Raid on Mr. Croft's Museum - Escape Room Mission
Duration: 1 hour
Delightful family activities
In conclusion, Milwaukee proves to be a treasure trove of family-friendly activities. From interactive museums to scenic parks, there’s no shortage of things to do with family in Milwaukee. The city’s diverse offerings ensure memorable experiences for all ages.
Frequently asked questions about things to do with kids in Milwaukee
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