If traveling is not in your future this Spring Break, an epic staycation can be.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids entertained and engaged during Spring Break, look no further than your own backyard!
Milwaukee has a plethora of exciting and unique staycation ideas that are perfect for families with kids of all ages.
Whether you want to splash around at indoor water parks, explore local museums, or take a day trip your kids will love, there’s something for everyone in and around Cream City.
So lace up your exploring shoes and get ready to discover all the amazing things Milwaukee has to offer.
Here are 100 ideas to make your family’s staycation memorable:
INDOOR WATER PARKS
Let’s face it, when the cold winter months hit Milwaukee, we all start dreaming about escaping to a tropical paradise.
But, unless you have an unlimited budget and a wide open schedule, hopping on a plane to Hawaii or the Caribbean isn’t always an option.
So, what’s a Wisconsinite to do when they need a break from the chilly weather?
Luckily, there’s a solution right here in our own backyard – indoor water parks!
From Springs Water Park in Pewaukee, to Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan and Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, IL, we found 5 epic indoor water parks close to home.
Our post includes photos and reviews from our readers, too.
Check out the 5 Best Indoor Water Parks Near Milwaukee >>
EASY DAY TRIPS
You don’t have to travel far for a family-friendly adventure. The day trips featured here are closeby, inexpensive, and fun for the whole family.
Historic Cedarburg
Located just 22 miles north of Milwaukee, historic Cedarburg offers fun for the whole family. Browse through the shops in the Cedar Creek Settlement, check out the General Store Museum see one of the last covered bridge in Wisconsin in Covered Bridge Park, and take a stroll through beautiful Cedar Creek Park. There’s a nice playground along the river next to Cedar Creek Brewery.
A must visit stop? The new Art of Joy social house and mercantile located on Washington Avenue in the heart of historic downtown Cedarburg. You’ll find cheerful decor, a zero-proof cocktail menu, locally sourced bites, and a children’s area upstairs.
West Bend
Just minutes from Milwaukee, West Bend is your easy-on-gasoline getaway. This charming community is nestled in the rolling hills of the Kettle Moraine. West Bend offers four museums, including the Museum of Wisconsin Art, which often has kid-friendly activities and classes.
Shalom Wildlife Zoo is another must-visit destination. Experience nature at its best on foot or rent a golf cart. Explore over three miles of gravel road on foot or in a golf cart and spot bison, deer, elk, wild sheep, along with wolves, cougar, bear, zebra, camel and much more in large natural environments. There are learning centers and educational signage posted along the way.
Madison
Stroll down State Street, marvel at the Wisconsin State Capitol (tours have been canceled), pop into the Madison Children’s Museum, and visit the Henry Vilas Zoo, a 28-acre free public zoo that is home to an African lion, chimpanzees, a red panda and more!
The Children’s Zoo featured gibbons, red pandas, goats, meerkats, and more. There is also a carousel, Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, a train and a playground. (The train and playground are currently closed.)
Kenosha
Step back into pre-historic times at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum just blocks from Lake Michigan, the Kenosha Public Museum, play laser tag and ride bumper cars at America’s Action Territory Family Fun Park, grab lunch at Mars Cheese Castle, and Kenosha’s crown jewel playground, Dream Playground at Peztke Park.
Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark
Visit the premier cave in the upper Midwest and the jewel box of America’s major show caves. Guided tours of this geologic wonder follow paved, lighted walkways departing regularly every day of the year. Tours pass a stunning array of colorful crystal formations on paved lighted walkways.
Visitors also enjoy a gemstone mine, fossil dig, butterfly gardens, hiking trails, snack bar and picnic area. Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark is located in southwest Wisconsin just 20 minutes west of Madison, off U.S. Highways 18/151. Visit their website for more information.
House on the Rock
Marvel at the House On the Rock, an engineering and artistic masterpiece, and check out the eclectic, exotic and whimsical collections and displays.
On your self-guided tour you will explore The Infinity Room, extending an unsupported length of 218 feet and soaring 156 above the valley floor, The World’s Largest Carousel featuring 269 handcrafted animals, 20,000 lights and 182 chandeliers, an enormous sea creature longer than the Statue of Liberty is tall, and a Japanese Garden including 14 foot quadruple waterfalls cascading into a garden pond.
Sheboygan
Just a hop, skip, and a jump north of Milwaukee is Sheboygan, home to Above & Beyond Children’s Museum. Explore almost 10,000 square feet of exhibit space on three floors. You’ll find a giant pin screen, a community art wall, a sky crawl, a bee hive exhibit, a kid-sized lighthouse, and more.
You’ll also want to visit the Kohler Arts Center. Admission and parking are free, and there is an art space just for kids, an outdoor garden, and ever-changing exhibits.
One of the highlights of your visit might actually be a trip to the restrooms. Colorful tiles and whimsical designs fill the bathrooms so there’s never a dull moment.
Stop by the Social STUDIO to pick up a sketchbook and pencil to write and draw as you explore the galleries.
Lake Geneva
Stroll through the historic and charming shops and restaurants, walk along the shore path, and relax on the beautiful shores of Lake Geneva.
Dan Patch Stables is located at the entrance of the Grand Geneva, and offers pony rides, a free petting farm and trail rides. Trail rides are available 7 days a week by reservation. Trail guides and gentle horses will allow you to see the beauty of nature in a whole new way.
Older kids may be ready for a zip line adventure with Lake Geneva Ziplines.
Green Bay
Check out the beautiful Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, a 600 acre urban wildlife refuge featuring live animal exhibits, educational displays, waterfalls and boardwalk area, miles of hiking/skiing trails and various wildlife viewing opportunities.
For sports fans, take an up-close tour of Lambeau Field!
Wisconsin Dells
Spring Break may be your perfect opportunity to visit The Water Park Capital of America. But where to even begin exploring this water park and family fun haven? Here are 5 Best Wisconsin Dells Hotels With Indoor Water Parks.
The Wilderness Resort was recently renovated. Check out our behind-the-scenes peek of Wilderness Resort.
EAA Airventure Museum
Your kids will love the historic aircrafts and memorabilia on display and the giant Eagle hangar at the EAA Airventure Museum in Oshkosh. Upstairs, the KidVenture Gallery is packed with exciting opportunities to learn about aviation, like flight simulators, an observation deck, and a cockpit experience.
Don’t miss the space section on the second floor where you’ll see a real meteorite and rocket launcher. Find out more at their website.
Racine Zoo
The small, charming Racine Zoo is home to a hundred different species of animals, and it’s perfect for young children who are having a first-time zoo experience. Don’t miss their Eggstravaganza Event in early April, when you can collect candy throughout the zoo and do fun Easter-themed crafts.
Chicago
From the LegoLand Discovery Center in the suburbs to the Shedd Aquarium in the heart of downtown, Chicagoland is jam-packed with family-friendly adventures. You can drive down for the day, or make a weekend getaway out of it!
Here are the 100 Best Family Attractions Around Chicago. >>
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc is a pretty epic experience.
Head to the Land O’ Lakes Birthing Barn to see a calf being born, and explore interactive exhibits that help teach about Wisconsin agriculture including a tractor simulator the kids can drive, kinetic sand for learning about soil, bison, sheep, and mink fur, a butter churner, and a magnetic word wall..
See all 100 Day Trips From Milwaukee >>
STATE PARKS NEAR MILWAUKEE
From the ancient ruins of Aztalan State Park in Lake Mills to the shores of Lake Michigan in Kohler Andrae State Park, we’re highlighting 13 State Parks Within One Hour Of Milwaukee.
And two of them (Lakeshore State Park & Lapham Peak) are right in our own backyard!
The Lapham Peak Observation Tower offers beautiful views of the surrounding lake country area. On a clear day, you can even see downtown Milwaukee!
Check out Hiking Lapham Peak With Kids: Tip, Tricks, and Must-See Sites >>
Lakeshore State Park is another fun place to visit right in our own backyard and it’s near family-friendly attractions like Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and Discovery World.
Did you know?
The Wisconsin Explorer Program (ages 3-12) makes it easy and fun to explore the outdoors with your kids. Make tracks to the nearest state park, forest, trail, or recreation area and ask for a free Wisconsin Explorer booklet(You can also download it for free). Inside you’ll find nature activities, scavenger hunts, games, hikes, and crafts to help you explore Wisconsin’s great outdoors together. Kids who complete the requirements will earn collectable state symbol patches. Visit www.dnr.wi.gov to get started.
MUSEUMS
Milwaukee is packed with museums that your kids will love.
This Spring Break,check out the sloths and lizards at the Milwaukee Public Museum’s “Survival of the Slowest” special exhibit. It’s only here until May, so now is a good time to go.
Or, unleash your inner artist at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Kids 12 and under are always free! Here are the 10 Best Things todo With Kids at the Art Museum >>
You can also hop on a motorcycle in the Experience Gallery and see their first-ever bilingual exhibit at the Harley Davidson Museum.
Finally, travel the world (virtually) and touch a stingray at Discovery World, or stop and smell the roses inside The Domes in Mitchell Park.
Here are 20 Milwaukee Museums Your Kids Will Love >>
PLAYGROUNDS
Southeastern Wisconsin is home to some epic playgrounds that just rise above the rest. One of our favorites is Kayla’s Playground in Franklin, pictured above.
See all “27 Best Playgrounds Around Milwaukee.” >>
SPRING HIKES
The snow is melting and it’s time for some muddy hikes with the family. Our 5 favorite Spring hikes for kids and families are:
1. Mystery Lake at Shlitz Audubon Nature Center
2. Family Friendly Trail at Wehr Nature Center
3. Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park
4. Nature Trail Loops at Retzer Nature Center
5. Hawthorn Glen Loop
Read more about our favorite spring hikes around Milwaukee >>
TOURS AND TASTINGS
Did you know you can tour Stone Creek Coffee’s 1880’s factory? Or taste al the craft sodas at Sprecher Brewery in Glendale?
From historic buildings to tasty treats, we found 20 kid-friendly tours and tastings around Milwaukee that your whole family will enjoy.
Check out our guide to 20 Kid-Friendly Milwaukee Tours and Tastings >>
FREE FUN
You don’t have to break the bank for a fun staycation. We rounded up “25 Free Things To Do In Spring“, including:
Say hi to the Bronze Fonz on the Riverwalk
Visit the Lightfield exhibit in Cathedral Square Park
Take a stroll through Lynden Sculpture Garden
Explore Black Cat Alley and our Milwaukee Mural Tour
…and much more!
See all 25 Free Things To Do In Spring >>
TRAVEL FROM MKE
Direct Flights From MKE
If you want to plan a last minute trip, you can find direct flights from MKE to several family-friendly destinations including Orlando, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and more.
See all 5 family trips with direct flights from Milwaukee >>
St. Louis
Up for a Midwest road trip? St. Louis is packed with fun for the whole family that won’t break the bank.
Check out 15 Free Family Activities in St. Louis, Missouri >>
Hotels With Water Parks
Taking a road trip nearby? Here are 20 Wisconsin hotels with indoor water parks that will keep your kids entertained.
MISC. IDEAS
- Stay in and snuggle with one of our Top 25 Best Family Movies.
- Unleash your inner mad scientist with 100 Easy Science Experiments For Kids To Do At Home
- Say hi to Marlee the Giraffe at the Milwaukee County Zoo – she just turned 11!
- Staying home? Here are 100 Fun, Easy Activities For Kids >>
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Do you have a comment or question? Email hello@mkewithkids.com.
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.
