If you’ve already seen our roundup of Milwaukee museums for kids, then you know our city is packed with exciting learning opportunities for families.
But if you have kids who are wild about fire trucks, then you won’t want to miss the Milwaukee Fire Museum, a real hidden gem.
Located in an old fire station on W. 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 each month (April – December).
The museum, which opened in 1995, is home to the first MFD ambulance (a 1947 Cadillac), and two trucks built in the MFD shop during the 1920s and 30s. All displays are located on the first floor and accessible.
It’s located at 1615 W. Oklahoma Ave. in Milwaukee.
The 94-year-old building features a dormitory-style bunkroom, a vintage kitchen, a locker room, a hose tower, an alarm area, a vintage fire officer’s office, and a collection of memorabilia.
Other cool things to look for: different construction styles and materials, including terrazzo floors and push-bottom light switches.
The best part?
It’s one of 15 free Milwaukee museums you can visit with your kids.
You can take a guided tour, or explore at your own pace using the museum guide sheet. Admission and street parking are free, but donations are always graciously accepted.
For more info head to their Website or Facebook Page.
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mkewithkids
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place. In 2019, she published "Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids", a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids. She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6's 'Real Milwaukee', B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News. Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
