FAMILY-FRIENDLY MILWAUKEE
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Looking for plenty of easy, affordable, family-friendly fun? Look no further. Rated in the Top 5 Family
Vacations of 2012 by Sherman’s Travel, Milwaukee is the perfect choice for your fall family getaway!
PLAY – MUSEUMS AND ATTRACTIONS
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is where children ages 10 and
under can have a blast exploring hands-on exhibits that make learning fun.
Whether it’s planning a news broadcast in a pretend studio, finding out
how far a sneeze travels or imagining what it’s like to power a riverboat
down the Mississippi, the Museum offers hours of imaginative play.
See the king of the jungle, a sea of colorful butterflies, and slithering,
swimming and swinging creatures at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Take a ride on the steam-powered Safari Train, get a bird’s eye view on the
Sky Trail zip line, ropes course and climbing wall or enjoy the colorful menagerie
on the Zoo’s carousel. Get face-to-face with the tallest animals in the Zoo at the
Giraffe Experience exhibit with an elevated deck. You can even reserve a time to
help feed them at the Flamingo Gift Shop!
Discovery World connects innovation, science and technology with
the environment and our Great Lakes freshwater resources.
The museum features interactive exhibits, fresh and saltwater aquariums,
touch tanks, digital theaters and labs. During the summer, the inner harbor is
home to Wisconsin’s Flagship, the S/V Denis Sullivan, a 137-foot re-creation
of a three-masted Great Lakes schooner and floating classroom.
Visitors can come aboard for a short sail, or an actual voyage to learn how to
survive on the Great Lakes, the Atlantic and the Caribbean.
At the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum®, kids of all ages
have a blast testing out motorcycles from the company’s archives,
World War II era to present, using touch screen technology to hear the
signature sound of Harley-Davidson engines or visiting the
Imagination Station Kids Area – complete with a coloring table,
motorcycle-themed books and dress-up biker clothes. After getting dressed
in their riding gear, kids can hop on a kid-sized motorcycle and
(pretend to) leave their parents in the dust!
The North Point Lighthouse is a historic maritime treasure.
This mid-19th century lighthouse stands tall along the bluff of historic Lake Park
overlooking Lake Michigan. Explore the keeper’s quarters, climb to the top of the
lighthouse to get a bird’s eye view of the lake, and learn about the brave men and
women who kept watch over the sometimes treacherous shoreline.
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Checking out the only 85-foot-high, three glass-domed conservatories in the
world is an experience in itself, but once you get inside – the adventure starts
blooming! Visit the jungle, the desert and see a blanket of color in a sea of mums
or poinsettias, at the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory,
known by locals as the Milwaukee Domes.
Explore the Milwaukee Public Museum, ranked one of the country's best
natural history museums. Travel the globe at exhibits from Asia, Africa, the Arctic,
South and Middle America and the Costa Rican Rainforest! See the world’s largestknown dinosaur skull, stroll among free-flying butterflies from around the world
in the Puelicher Butterfly Wing or transport yourself to 1880s Milwaukee with
gas lit lanes, granite blocks and historic architecture at the Streets of Old
Milwaukee exhibit. The museum complex also houses an IMAX Theater and the
Daniel M. Soref Planetarium.
The Milwaukee Art Museum, considered Wisconsin’s premier arts
institution as well as Milwaukee’s lakefront masterpiece, houses more than
20,000 permanent art pieces. These collections span antiquity to the present
and include works by Monet, Warhol and Picasso, in addition to one of the
largest Georgia O’Keefe collections in the world. Kohl’s Art Generation is a new
collaborative program that encourages creative expression for kids through
the hands-on gallery, exploring how art plays a role in their favorite animated
movies and more.
Those under 21 are more than welcome for a tour at Sprecher Brewery. Kids love
unlimited samples of Sprecher’s 10 gourmet sodas from Orange Dream to Grape
and the famous Root Beer – voted “Best Root Beer in the Country” by The New York
Times! The tour takes you from the gift shop to the brew house, onto the bottling
warehouse and more until you reach the indoor sampling tent. Parents will have
plenty to be excited for too, with tastes of up to 20 specialty brews and samples of
the newest Sprecher product, Hard Root Beer, aged in oak bourbon barrels.
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“Best Root Beer in the Country”
according to
A must for any pizza lover is a stop at the family-owned and Milwaukee-based,
national frozen pizza company, Palermo’s Pizza. Relax and enjoy the authentic
tastes of Italy or take a tour of the factory to find out just how the first pizzeria style
pizza with a crust that rises in your oven as it bakes is made. Either way, you’ll
quickly discover how Papa Palermo came up with the slogan “Dat’s Da Best!TM”
The New York Times!
Strap on your ice skates and “glide” in the footsteps of Olympic greats at the
Pettit National Ice Center. The Pettit is an official U.S. Olympic training
facility, boasting one of only 12 indoor 400-meter oval rinks in the world.
The ice center also offers two full-size international hockey rinks and a
Hall of Fame lounge overlooking the ice arena. It was the first facility to house
speed skating, hockey and figure skating under one roof.
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Located inside General Mitchell International Airport, the Mitchell Gallery of Flight displays artifacts,
memorabilia, photographs and artwork representing the contributions of aviation pioneers from Milwaukee County
and Wisconsin.
History and architecture buffs alike will relish the The Pabst Mansion, the only restored beer baron’s mansion in
the nation. Built in 1982 in the Flemish Renaissance-style mansion is a testament to Captain Frederick Pabst,
accomplished sea captain and art advocate. Tours to showcase the mansion’s elegant original furnishings, intricate
interior craftsmanship and rare stained glass displays are offered daily.
PLAY – THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Enjoy the outdoors with views of Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline from Veteran’s Park, part of
Milwaukee’s award-winning County Parks System. Rent a paddleboat or a few hydro-bikes from Wheel Fun
Rentals.
Gift of Wings offers high-flying fun for the entire family. Situated in the heart of Veteran’s Park, Gift of Wings has a
wide array of kites on sale and for rent. The friendly staff on hand is happy to provide free kite lessons and snacks
such from burgers to ice cream treats are available. Gift of Wings also hosts kites festivals throughout the year that
turn the lakefront sky to a sea of colorful creatures.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, featured by the Nickelodeon Parents Connect site as the “Best Place for Family
Bonding in Milwaukee,” is just 15 minutes from downtown. Schlitz also won an Ideal of Environmental Excellence
Award as “an organization that educates and teaches the principles and values of sustainability and environmental
stewardship” from Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Inc. Open year-round, the center offers 185 acres of
untouched natural beauty and a soaring 60-foot observation tower with a
brilliant view.
Wehr Nature Center allows you to explore the
natural world just minutes from the city. This “living laboratory’s”
hiking trails wind through wetland, oak savanna, prairie and
woodland environments. Enjoy a self-guided tour or join a
program led by one of the staff naturalists. Native wildflowers
and scenic waterfalls are among the natural treasures
awaiting visitors.
The Urban Ecology Center offers canoe trips for adults and
children that provide a riverside look at downtown and the
architectural and ecological features of urban Milwaukee.
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Referred to as “Milwaukee’s Living Museum,” Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park
boasts one of the nation’s largest crabapple tree collections. These gardens became the official
test site in 1960 for All America Rose Selections, one of only 23 in the country. Currently, you’ll
find more than 550 varieties of rosebushes!
Rediscover the character of America less than an hour from downtown at
Old World Wisconsin, a premier outdoor museum of immigrant farm and rural life. Its
historic farmsteads and ethnic settlements, nestled among 600 acres of rolling, wooded
countryside, reflect the melting pot tradition that built the Midwest. Costumed interpreters
interact with visitors as they tell the story of Wisconsin’s immigrant pioneers.
Sea Dog Sailing provides a comfortable and relaxing journey aboard “Blue Chip,” a Catalina
34’ sailing yacht. See Milwaukee's scenic shoreline from Lake Michigan while you enjoy a
sailing excursion in the Milwaukee Harbor offering day sails or sunset cruises.
Riveredge Nature Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission to educate people of all ages about their
interrelationships with the earth and its plant and animal life through hands-on activities and programs. The dense
landscape includes 370-acres with over 10 miles of trails, prairies, ponds and great views of the Milwaukee River.
Come face to face with The King of Cool. Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli has taken up
permanent residence along the city’s RiverWalk on the southeast corner of
Wells Street in the form of a bronze statue. Complete with leather jacket and
signature double thumbs-up, this life-sized likeness of the pop culture icon provides
a perfect photo opportunity.
For 16 years, Edelweiss Cruise Lines has been showcasing downtown Milwaukee
from the nautical perspective of a custom-designed European-style canal boat.
Their public cruise packages fit every budget and occasion, while offering lunch,
brunch and dinner sightseeing cruises throughout the summer season.
Milwaukee Boat Line allows visitors in Milwaukee to enjoy the skyline
from the jewel of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan. The vessels can carry up to
215 passengers and are the only tour boats in the city’s only excursion vessels
approved to cruise the Milwaukee River, harbor and Lake Michicgan.
Ride the trolley! Milwaukee’s beloved red trolley makes a loop around downtown to the
Historic Third Ward, Westown, Easttown, Old World Third Street and Water Street!
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GRAB A TICKET! – FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS
First Stage Children’s Theatre is renowned as the premier children’s theater
in southeastern Wisconsin. Since 1987, First Stage has been entertaining families
with more than 300 performances every year. It is the second largest theatre
company in Milwaukee and draws annual audiences of more than 145,000 people.
Milwaukee celebrates its diversity with a procession of ethnic festivals that last
through the summer and well into the fall. Visitors can enjoy sampling cultures
from around the world at major festivals such as Polish Fest, Festa Italiana,
German Fest, Arab World Fest, Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, and
Indian Summer all taking place along the lakefront at Henry Maier
Festival Park. The grounds are also home to Summerfest, the world’s largest
music festival. Eleven days of continuous music on 10 ground stages and the
23,000-seat Marcus Amphitheater offers diverse musical lineups of regional and
national entertainment including everything from classic rock and cool jazz to
world music and country.
Wisconsin State Fair is the premier fun family event of the summer featuring
something for everyone! Take part in 11 action-packed days filled with agriculture,
food, shopping, big name headliners and 30 FREE stages of local and national
entertainment.
An American Hockey League member and the top affiliate of the NHL's Nashville
Predators, the Milwaukee Admirals bring hard-hitting, lightning-fast action to
the ice in downtown Milwaukee at the Bradley Center.
The Milwaukee Bucks bring NBA action to the hardwood at the BMO Harris
Bradley Center. Additional entertainment for the Milwaukee Bucks is the Energee!
Dance Team, fan-interactive team “Hoop Troop”, and Bango, the teams mascot.
Visit the boys of summer at Miller Park, home to the Milwaukee Brewers and
the nation’s only stadium with a fan-shaped convertible roof that allows the team to
play rain or shine. Watch the ever-popular sausage race and be sure to stop by the
Kids Zone where activities include batting cages and clocking pitches.
Nothing beats the fast-paced scoring and excitement found at an indoor soccer match at
Milwaukee's U.S. Cellular Arena. With more than 1000 games played, more than 500 wins and
3 million loyal fans, a Milwaukee WAVE game adds up to a winning experience. Rock the
stands with a vuvuzela and enjoy meeting the players for autographs after the game.
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MOM, I’M HUNGRY! – FAMILY-FRIENDLY EATS
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The Milwaukee Ale House is a brewpub housed in a former hula-hoop factory with
a double-decker outdoor patio along the Milwaukee River. Adults will love specialty
beers from Milwaukee Brewing Co. and live music and kids will have fun watching
boats go by while munching on favorites from chicken strips to mac ‘n cheese!
One of Milwaukee’s best-kept secrets – literally – is the Safe House, perfect for those
seeking an out of the ordinary dining experience. This spy-themed restaurant begs for
exploration with a mechanical puzzle wall, hidden passage ways, a phone booth with
built in alibis and more. Be sure to send the kids in first to reveal the password for
entry. They’ll have to perform challenges to prove they are not spies if it is unknown!
Dinner AND ping-pong are on the menu at SPiN, a restaurant in the hub of Milwaukee’s
Historic Third Ward. The menu is jam-packed with casual fare and the venue’s 12
table-tennis courts ensure a night of unmatched fun.
After a long day of fun in the sun at Bradford Beach, cool off with a stop at
Northpoint Custard. Boasting a menu that features Milwaukee favorites such as
Italian sausage and white cheddar cheese curds, Northpoint’s claim to fame is its
old-fashioned creamy custard.
The Chancery is known as the “Family Pub” of Greater Milwaukee, providing a
welcoming atmosphere for diners of all ages. Every Tuesday is “kid’s night,”
where the kids are measured at the door and get charged a single
penny-per-inch for their meals.
Every Kid’s Meal at
Culver’s comes with a
scoop of Fresh Frozen
Custard for dessert!
Culver’s began as a family-run root-beer stand that quickly skyrocketed
in popularity and is now recognized as a family-centric restaurant chain. Kids have
their own menu that comes with a scoop of Frozen Custard,
a staple in the Culvers experience.
At Joey Buona’s, the classic Italian menu features a wide range of famous recipes
including chicken, seafood and pasta dishes. Family is the focus here, with portions
to share and enjoy a variety of delicious dishes together.
La Fuente is a lively Mexican restaurants that has great food, fast service and
a fun atmosphere. Highlights include a festive outdoor patio, nightly specials and
a Kid’s Menu with Mexican favorites and chicken tenders, hot dogs and more.
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