Posted in Area Resources

Milwaukee Art Museum
Address: 700 N. Art Museum Dr.
City: Milwaukee
Contact: Milwaukee Art Museum
Phone: (414) 224-3828
Open: Everyday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days
Cost: Fee for adult non-members
Web Site:  http://www.mam.org/

Notes: Our city's most beautiful addition by lake has family audioguides and family artpacks that were designed for casual visitors to the museum. They are free of charge & can be checked out at any time with an ID.  Special programs for families are held on scheduled Sundays from 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. Please check the MAM website for the upcoming Family Sundays.

 

 

Milwaukee County Zoo
Address: 10001 W. Bluemound
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General Information
Phone: (414) 771-3040
Open: Daily
Cost: Fee
Web Site  http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/

Notes: What can we say? We have a great zoo here in town. Very accessible and committed to providing quality exhibits for our enjoyment and education. The annual family membership, including parking is very reasonable compared to other major cities and pays for itself with the first few visits. The membership allows you to go to the zoo with little kids without having to commit the whole day to it in order to get your money's worth.

 

Racine Zoo
Address: 2131 North Main Street
City: Racine
Contact: Zoological Society
Phone: (262) 636-9189
Open: Daily, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Web Site   http://www.racinezoo.org/

Notes: The Zoo says, "The Racine Zoological Gardens is one of only 13 free admission accredited zoos left in the entire country. We are located on the shores of Lake Michigan on the north side of downtown. Covering 32 acres, the Zoo is home to over 250 animals representing 76 species. Here you will find lions, wolves, rhinos, orangutans, kangaroos and more, living in exhibit spaces designed to imitate natural surroundings."

 

Betty Brinn Children's Museum
Address: O'Donnell Park - 2nd Floor 929 E. Wisconsin Ave.
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General Information
Phone: (414) 390-5437
Open: Daily
Cost: Fee
Web Site  http://www.bbcmkids.org/

Notes: Exhibits, daily and weekly workshops.

September through May, the museum is open Tuesdays - Saturdays; 9 am - 5 pm; and Sundays; noon - 5 pm;

June through August, the museum is also open on Mondays, 9 am - 5 pm.

We suggest buying a membership if you plan to go more than once during the year. It pays for itself very quickly, gives you a great rainy day/cold weather play place

Otherwise, daily admission fees are: Children ages one and up and Adults $5; Seniors $4; Children under age one; FREE

 

Discovery World Museum
Address: 815 N. James Lovell (7th) Street
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General Information
Phone: (414) 765-9966
Open: Daily
Cost: Fee
Web Site   http://www.discoveryworld.org/home.html

Notes: For kids age four and up, hands-on science and technology museum, live theatre show and interactive activities; available for birthday parties. Adults $5.75; Seniors $4.75; Children $4.00; Children 2 and under FREE; Discovery World Members FREE. 9am - 5pm Every Day (Closed July 4th, Thanksgiving and December 25th)

 

Milwaukee Public Museum
Address: 800 West Wells Street
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General Information
Phone: (414) 278-2702
Open: Everyday
Cost: Fee
Web Site   http://www.mpm.edu/index.htm

Notes: The Museum's exhibit halls, totaling some 150,000 sq. ft of space, are open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Exhibits include: Native American culture; butterflies; dinosaurs and fossils; an exploration into Africa; walking exhibit of the streets of Old Milwaukee; the mysteries of the rain forest, Egyptian mummies and so much more!

Admission Prices: Adults $6.75; Seniors (ages 60 and over) $5.50; Students (ages 3-17) $4.50; Children 2 and under FREE.

Your best bet is to buy a annual membership, which costs $45 at the Pathfinder level and entitles you to free admission all year. Membership also includes two tickets to the Humphery IMAX and membership in the "Clue Crew" Family Activity Club!

 

Boerner Botanical Gardens
Address: 5879 S. 92nd St.
City: Hales Corners
Contact: Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens
Phone: (414) 525-5653
Open: October-April: 8AM-4PM
Cost: Free
Web Site   http://www.boernerbotanicalgardens.org/

Notes: "Whether you love gardening or just enjoy the peace and beauty that can be found in a garden, you will be pleased to discover and rediscover Boerner Botanical Gardens, Milwaukee's internationally renowned horticultural showplace!" quoted from Boerner's website.

 

 

Mitchell Park Domes
Address: Just off I-94 on S. 27th St.
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General information
Phone: (414) 649-9800
Open: Every Day
Cost: Free for children 6 and under
Web Site   http://www.countyparks.com/horticulture/domes/

Notes: Open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. every day of the year! Free Mondays from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (except major holidays) for Milwaukee County residents with I.D.

 

Todd Wehr Nature Center
Address: 9701 W. College Ave.
City: Franklin
Contact: General Information
Phone: (414) 425-8550
Open: Everyday 8:00 a. m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Fee
Web Site   http://www.countyparks.com/horticulture/wehr/

Notes: Truly a beautiful environment to introduce your kids to the wonders of nature. Scheduled summer/fall programs for children as young as four. Open year round, 7 days a week year-round, except Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays, from 8:00 a. m. to 4:30 p.m. Only fee is for parking.

 

Bay Beach Amusement Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: 1313 Bay Beach Rd.
City: Green Bay
Contact: City of Green Bay- Bay Beach
Phone: (920) 391-3671
Open: See Notes
Cost: Free
Web Site   http://www.baybeachwildlife.com/

Summertime activity. Free amusement park for young children and wild life sanctuary run by the City of Green Bay. Amusement rides are 25 cents/ride, if you can believe it! Admission is free. Located on Green Bay with picnic areas available. Check the website for off season (post Aug. 18th) hours. Wildlife sanctuary is open all year long. Three buildings house wolves, deer, and birds of prey. It may be two hour drive, but sounds worth the trip! Open 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

 

Milwaukee Public Library (Downtown Branch)
Address: 814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
City: Milwaukee
Contact: Children's Desk
Phone: (414) 286-3091
Open: Check website
Cost: Free
Web Site   http://www.mpl.org/File/branch_central.htm

Notes: A great place to take small children to play and learn! If you haven't been there yet, the downtown branch of the Milwaukee Public Library is a real find!

Kids' imaginations can run free while they play in a lighthouse playhouse or behind the curtain of a puppet theatre. There is a nice little tiered staging area where the parents or kids can be the audience to the puppet show or sit down comfortably to read books.

If your child is computer oriented, there are rows and rows of terminals with preschool games loaded and headsets for sound and focus.

Then of course there is the vast and well organized selection of children's books, tapes, videos, music, reference materials, big fairytale storybooks, etc. The materials are organized well enough for a quick grabbing of great reading material while keeping an eye on your child.

Don't forget to look down at the floor of the library. In addition to other stimulating and beautiful art in the children's area, famous artist and children's book author, Lois Ehlert, painted the floor in the children's library.

 

Festival City Symphony
Address: 4240 N Ardmore Ave.
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General information.
Phone: (414) 963-9067
Open: Varies
Cost: Call for pricing; free summer series.
Web Site   http://www.festivalcitysymphony.org/

Notes: Classical symphonies, special kids' pajama nights, and free summer concerts - all geared for children.

 

First Stage Children's Theater
Address: 929 N. Water Street
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General Information
Phone: (414) 273-7206
Open: Call for specific show dates/times
Cost: Fee
Web Site   http://www.firststage.org/

Notes:  What a great introduction for young people! Each performance ends with a talk-back between audience and actors, so children can learn about the workings of a play from behind-the-scenes. Taking kids to the performing arts at a young age creates a lifelong passion for the arts.

 

Amtrak Ride
Address: Sturtevant Train Station to Milwaukee
City: Varies
Contact: General information.
Phone: 1-800-872-7245
Open: Everyday, including holidays
Cost: One way $8.00/adult; $4.00/child; $0/< 2yrs kid
Web Site   http://www.amtrak.com/

Notes:  Amtrak train ride from Sturtevant (in Racine County off of Hwy 20) to Milwaukee. The trip lasted about 20-25 minutes and cost us a total of $8.00 one way. It was perfect for his first trip on a real train - -not too long and no luggage required 

 

EAA's KidVenture
Address: EAA Grounds
City: OskKosh
Contact: General Information
Phone: (920) 426-4800
Open: July 29 through August 4, 2003!
Cost: Fee
Web Site   http://www.airventure.org/

Notes: If your young kids are already wild for planes and helicopters, maybe its worth the trip to Oshkosh for the Experimental Aircraft show; they told us the kid's portion of the show is age appropriate for the 0-6 years crowd. Camping facilites are nearby.

 

Wisconsin Maritime Museum (Boats and Submarines!)
Address: 75 Maritime Drive
City: Manitowoc
Contact: General information.
Phone: (920) 684-0218
Open: May 26th - Sept. 1: Open every day 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Cost: Age 5 and under FREE; check website for other ages
Web Site  http://www.manitowoc.org/tourism.htm.

Notes: About 1 1/2 hours outside Milwaukee up Hwy. 43. Check out Manitowoc's website for other fun things to do while in town for the day.  "The Wisconsin Maritime Museum's $6.1 million renovation and expansion project has doubled its size to 60,000 square feet. The larger facility incorporates an operating steam engine, COBIA orientation theatre, Wisconsin-Built Boat Gallery, Wisconsin Waterways Room, an additional WWII periscope, a Little Lakefarer's Room for toddlers, submarine concourse, state-of-the-art library, and much more. For a look back at the expansion project, visit our online construction site. For more information contact the Museum's Development Coordinator."

 

Milwaukee Bike and Skate Rental
Address: Veterans Park
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General information
Phone: (414) 273-1343
Open: Weather permitting, everyday Memorial Day through Labor Day
Cost: Fee
Web Site  http://milwbikeskaterental.com/

 

Pettit National Ice Center
Address: 500 South 84th Street
City: Milwaukee
Contact: General information
Phone: (414) 266-0100
Open: Everyday
Cost: Adults $6, Children (12 & under) $5
Web Site   http://www.thepettit.com/

Notes: Lace-up your skates and head to the Pettit National Ice Center for family fun. Skate on the 400 meter Olympic oval like Olympic medalists Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blare. Join friends and family at the coolest place in town for daily public skating. See you on the ice! Call (414) 266-0100 for public skating times.

Smallest rental skate size is 6T single blades. A ten-pack pass for public skating is available for $54/adult or $45/child to age 12.

 

The Beloit Snappers - Minor League Baseball
Address: 2301 Skyline Dr.
City: Beloit
Contact: General information.
Phone: 1-888-SNAP-2-IT
Open: Check website for schedule.
Cost: $4.00 - $7.00
Web Site   http://www.snappersbaseball.com/

Notes: If Miller Park's noise and crowd is too much for the kids, take them to see baseball played the old-fashioned way.

From the website, "Before the Snappers arrived in town in 1982, the only professional baseball team in Beloit was a team affiliated with the old Class "D" Wisconsin Association in 1905. The Beloit Snappers have been a Class "A" affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers since the club joined the Midwest League in 1982. The team was known as the Beloit Brewers (named after the parent club) through the 1994 season, when the club name then changed to the Snappers. The minor-major league relationship is the longest standing affiliation of any club in the Midwest League. The relationship will continue at least through the 2004 season. Since 1982, over 88 Beloit players have gone on to wear a Milwaukee Brewers uniform or made it to the Major League level with another organization."