Milwaukee Family Bucket List: 50 Must-Do Activities for a Memorable Year (2023)

If you’re a local, you already know.

Milwaukee is a city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy throughout the year.

From exploring museums and parks to attending festivals and events, there’s always something exciting happening in the Cream City.

But where do you start?

To help you make the most of your time together, we’ve put together a bucket list of 50 must-do activities for families.

The best part?

These activities are spread out over the course of the year, so you can plan your adventures and make sure you don’t miss any of the city’s best attractions.

Let’s dive in!

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Winter

1. Ice skate at Slice of Ice in Red Arrow Park.

Did you know that the 128×95-foot ice rink in Red Arrow Park is actually bigger than the one at Rockefeller Center?

You can visit this downtown landmark January through March for free ice skating (with skate rentals available at a small cost). Remodeled in 1999, the ice rink can fit around 100 people at a time and is conveniently located right next to a Starbucks, so you can enjoy a hot chocolate.

No reservations are needed this season, and as usual, the rink will offer free skating for visitors with their own skates, and skate rentals are available for $9 for adults and $7 for under 18.

Helpful hint: Polar Pals are available for kids who are just learning to skate, and ice sleds are available for people with mobility limitations.

Want more ice skating ideas? Here’s a list of the 10 Best Places to go Ice Skate Around Milwaukee.

2. Go night sledding.

Some Milwaukee County Parks are lit up from 4:30 – 8:30 for night sledding! See our top sledding hill recommendations here.

3. Sip on local hot cocoa.

There’s something truly comforting and timeless about a mug of hot cocoa. There’s no better way to warm little hands and bellies at the same time on a cold winter day in Wisconsin!

Whether your cocoa style is traditional or trendy (hot cocoa bombs, anyone?), these hot cocoa hot spots in the greater Milwaukee area will help take away the chill.

(Some of them even have edible glitter!).

4. Ride down a 350 foot toboggan run.

Located near Lowell Elementary School, Lowell Park in Waukesha offers great sledding and a 350 foot lighted toboggan run (for a small fee). Sleds are also available to rent. You must sign a waiver, which are available at the shelter, and all riders must by 48 inches or taller. Children under 11 must ride with an adult.

5. Explore the magnificent ice castles in Lake Geneva.

(Now closed.)

Despite the unusually warm temperatures delaying their regular start time, the Lake Geneva Ice Castles were up and running this year for a short run.

Visitors can expect the frozen towers, caverns, icicle arches, ice slides, tunnels, and frozen fairytale features they’ve come to love at the iconic winter wonderland.

6. Ice Skate on the Dinky Rink.

The “Area’s Smallest Public Ice Rink” is located in the parking lot at the Milwaukee Public Market.

The Dinky Rink, located outdoors on the north side of the public market building in the market’s surface parking lot, is free of charge and open for operation, with 90-minute time slots available by reservation only.

7. See an art installation downtown.

Milwaukee Downtown typically brings in an intriguing art installation each winter.

Last yer, Cathedral Square was home to “Lightfield“, and the year before that we welcomed the giant Massimals.

What will it be this year? Stay tuned!

8. Watch the bed races at the Cedarburg Winter Festival.

Cedarburg’s annual Winter Festival features an Ice Carving Contest, barrel races, “costumed bed-races on ice”, camel rides, Baggle of the Bands, parades, and more.

9. Cheer on your world champion Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum.

If you head to a Bucks game with your family, be sure to stop by section 101 or 201 to make poster, say hi to the entertainers in Kohl’s Court, and try to get on the Jumbotron. There are scheduled Family Nights each season that include a hot dog and soda.

10. Go on a candlelight hike.

 

Candlelight hikes are a unique way to enjoy the outdoors in the winter months. Here’s a roundup of upcoming candlelight hikes.

Spring

11. Meet a two-toed sloth at Survival of the Slowest.

At this live-animal exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum, visitors will discover often-disregarded species that have used their disadvantages to help them survive – and even thrive – in a world where large, strong, and fast animals are often the top of the foodchain.

12. See the city’s first ambulance the the Milwaukee Fire Museum.

If you have kids who are wild about fire trucks, then you won’t want to miss this hidden gem in Milwaukee.

Located in an old 1927 fire station on Oklahoma Avenue, the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) Museum and Historical Society is open for afternoon tours (1 – 3 p.m., or by appointment) on the first Sunday of the month (April – December).

13. Tap the maple trees at a local nature center.

Early spring is when the local nature centers host programming for maple sugaring season. You can learn about the process, do hands-on demonstrations, and even taste the sweet treats that go along with this special season.

14. Slide down Bernie’s Slide before a Brewer’s Game.

At American Family Field (1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214), your whole family can root for a Brewers win, sing along to “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”, catch a glimpse of the famous racing sausages, and so much more. Here are some tips for your next visit to American Family Field with kids.

15. Visit Alice’s Garden Urban Farm.

16. Get in free at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Family Free Days happen at the Zoo once a month in January, February, March, April, November, & December.

17. Bike along the Oak Leaf Trail.

18. Climb the lighthouse in Central Library during National Reading Month.

March is National Reading Months, and Central Library is the crown jewel of Milwaukee’s public library system. Built in the 1890’s, it’s a stunning example of neo-renaissance architecture.

The Betty Brinn Children’s Room at Central Library gives kids their very own separate area to explore. There’s a lighthouse to climb, plenty of cozy reading alcoves, dozen of computers, and special children’s book collections grouped together.

There’s affordable parking on both sides of the building and across the street.

Fun Fact: The stained glass window in the Central Library Children’s Room is called the “Hans Christian Andersen Window.” It was designed by Marie Herndl in 1896, one of the only women in her field at the time. It was restored for the grand opening of the children’s room in 1998.

See our list of the best libraries around Milwaukee.

19. See a show at First Stage.

20. Go to “Tuesdays in the Garden” at Lynden Sculpture Garden.

Starting in March, these special programs for young kids and their families take you around the beautiful sculpture garden to explore nature and art.

Summer

21. Listen to music at Chill on the Hill in Bay View.

22. Visit each Milwaukee County Beach at least once.

Summer days are made for family beach days full of sand and fun in the sun!

There are nine public beaches in Milwaukee County along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and you can actually enjoy them all year round, not just in the summer months.

Here are 9 local beaches, listed from north to south, along with info about what you’ll find at each one.

23. Settle the custard debate.

Visit Kopp’s and Leon’s on the same day, and decide which camp you will settle in.

24. Fly a kite at a Gift of Wings Kite Festival in Veteran’s Park.

25. Climb the observation tower at Lapham Peak in Delafield.

The views atop the observation tower are worth the climb at this Delafield destination. There’s also plenty of wildlife to see, and lots of kid-friendly hiking options.

We recommend Plantation Path, a one-mile, blacktopped, accessible trail through a prairie and wooded area. The Butterfly Garden, the crown jewel of Lapham Peak State Park, is located just east of this path. Check the map before you go!

An annual park sticker is required.

Here are more Kid-Friendly Summer Hikes to explore.

26. Go strawberry picking.

In southeastern Wisconsin, beautiful strawberries and sugar snap peas are usually ready for picking by the middle of June. Cherries come next in early July, followed by raspberries and blackberries.

You and the kiddos can have a great time in the strawberry patches, picking your own berries, making some memories and taking photos of red-stained smiles. It’s a great experience for the whole family, and way better than buying them in the grocery store! So make plans now to head to a local farm and start a new family tradition.

Always be sure to call ahead for hours and the daily update. Picking times and dates depend on weather and availability, and it’s always changing.

27. Play at Northwestern Community Park on the Summerfest grounds.

This entirely redeveloped entertainment space for families offers inclusive and accessible play for children ages 2 – 12 years of age, including those who may experience a variety of challenges.

Community Park offers new play equipment on a soft surface, including ramps for wheelchair access and shaded seating.

The Toddler Play Area called “Giggle Grounds” is a covered play area for the littlest kids.

There’s also a permanent stage structure with accessible seating and a viewing area for over 500 patrons.

Parents love the permanent family restrooms with changing tables, nursing mother stations, and sensory rooms that are air-conditioned and quiet.

For more information, head to milwaukeeworldfestival.com.

Here are more must-visit playgrounds around Milwaukee.

28. Churn butter at Old World Wisconsin.

The Old World Wisconsin historical site is now fully open for families to visit throughout the summer. Visitors will experience firsthand the daily life of Wisconsin’s earliest settlers. It includes 60 restores historic structures on over 600 acres of picturesque landscapes.

29. Run around Possibility Park in Port Washington.

Possibility Playground is located in Upper Lake Park in Port Washington, about a 40-minute drive from the city of Milwaukee. It offers a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and plenty of picnic space.

This whimsical, universally-accessible, enclosed play area was the first of its kind in metro Milwaukee when it was built in 2008. It was built entirely with donated funds, materials and labor. Since then, it was named one of the 10 best playgrounds in the country by USA Today, and has been used by thousands of children and parents.

30. Meet baby animals at Wisconsin State Fair.

The Wisconsin State Fair is back this year, and it’s a celebration of agriculture, local delicacies, and yes, food-on-a-stick.

A must stop for kids and families is the Compeer Financial Discovery Barnyard, located near Ag Village, where you’ll find hundreds of baby animals. Last year, 600 chicks and 21 piglets were born there. You’ll also find a cows and calves, ewes and lambs, dairy goat kids, and ducklings.

Fall

31. Pet farm animals at a local petting farm.

32. Get lost in a corn maze.

33. Pick pumpkins at a local pumpkin patch.

34. Pick apples at a local apple orchard. (Our favorite is Peck & Bushel!)

35. Try falafel, schnitzel, and burek at the Holiday Folk Fair.

36. Eat fresh food and explore local artists at area farmers’ markets.

37. Watch the changing leaves from an observation tower.

38. See Milwaukee from afar from the Holy Hill Observation Tower.

39. Go on a beautiful fall hike.

40. Take a walk down Scarecrow Lane.

Say hello to the unique scarecrows along the Blue Trail at Retzer Nature Center! Scarecrow Lane is a self-guided hike on the west end of the Learning Center building.

On your half-mile hike, you’ll also see Retzer Pond and the Children’s Garden, filled with pumpkins, flowers, and other fall plants. Expect woodchipped and mowed grass trails with some sloped terrain. Some heavy-duty strollers may be able to handle the terrain, but it might be better to plan on walking.

While you’re there, you can also check out the newly renovated, accessible Discovery Trail, get a good view of Waukesha on the “Vista Trail”, and hike along boardwalks and babbling brooks on the the “Nature Trail.”

All year round

41. Try a new kid-friendly restaurant.

We found more than 30 of the best places in the Milwaukee area that are locally-owned AND serve up good food, even on the kids menu. From downtown Milwaukee to the surrounding suburbs, these fun restaurants do their best to help all their guests (big and little) feel at home.

42. See the model aircrafts at the Mitchell Gallery of Flight at the Mitchell International Airport.

43. Do a community service project as a family.

For some ideas, visit Kids Impact Community.

44. Visit a play cafe.

Our favorites include Little Sprouts Play Cafe (Shorewood and Mequon), Bug & Goose (Elm Grove & Delafield), or Little Village Play Cafe (Wauwatosa)

45. Go to storytime in the Gallery at the Art Museum.

It’s held every Saturday morning! Kids 12 and under always get in free to the art museum.

46. Paint your own pottery at Vibez Creative Art Studio.

47. Go roller skating.

Rollerskate at one of Skateland’s locations in Butler, Cedarburg or Waukesha.

48. Rev up a motorcycle.

Hop on a motorcycle within the safe confines of the Experience Galley) in the Harley Davidson Museum.

49. Walk through the Streets of Old Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

50. Go “grocery shopping” at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum.

Get in for free on the third Thursday of the month. Registration is required.

51. See a bald eagle up close.

Check out Word with a Bird at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, every Saturday and Sunday at 1-2 p.m.

52. Race down a water slide at Springs Water Park in Pewaukee.

53. Walk through the tropics at the Domes.

See the 85-foot Kapok tree in the Tropical Dome at the Mitchell Park Domes.

54. Head to Symphony Sunday at the Bradley Symphony Center.

55. Pet a fish in the aquarium at Discovery World.

What else would you add to this bucket list? Email us at hello@mkewithkids.com.