Things To Do in Milwaukee With Kids

Disney World. Aruba. Myrtle Beach. Milwaukee, Wisconsin may not top your list of family vacation spots, but Milwaukee has tons of family-friendly attractions to offer kids and families. Milwaukee is known for its green: parks, that is. There is a park for every day of the week in the Milwaukee area. Here are the best things to do in Milwaukee with kids.

1. Possibility Playground

Possibility Playground in Port Washington is perfect for kids of any age. Located on an Upper Lake Bluff, the view is spectacular and worth the 40-minute drive from Milwaukee. Your children will never see a larger park than this one—eye-popping and the size of a football field, they’ll be busy for hours. It’s named Possibility Park because all equipment is wheelchair accessible, which makes the extra ramps safe for the little ones, and even more fun for the bigger kids. There is equipment for children who use sign language, there is braille, there are hand rails along the timber walks for those that need it. This is not just a park, but an experience—this is an amazing, one-of-a-kind playground you just have to visit to believe. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Read reviews of Possibility Playground.

2. All Children’s Park

All Children’s Park in Cedarburg is similar to Possibility but a little closer. Only 30 minutes north of Milwaukee, and named All Children’s since its all-timber playground equipment is wheel chair accessible–making it double the fun for everyone. Clean, spacious, green, and expansive, plenty of shade, large restrooms readily available, with picnic benches amidst. Absolutely incredible park set alongside the Cedarburg Community Pool with a zero-depth area in the pool for infants. Toddler swings, regular swings, plenty of bridges and tube slides, as well as climbing inclines matted with tires. A lagoon nearby creates a whisper of a wind on warm summer days.

3. Carver Park

Carver Park in Milwaukee is another awesome playground for kids. Whoa–an eyeful of playground equipment as huge as an alien spaceship. Your kids won’t want to wait for you to park the car when they first catch sight of this park. Gargantuan play gym–minutes from downtown and right off the freeway. Picnic shelters, tables and a colorful splash pad. There is a kiddie pool, baseball diamond, a soccer field, and a large pavilion with clean rest rooms nearby. In the summer, the water park is free! The park is huge and has something for everyone.

4. Mader’s Restaurant

One of the best restaurants for kids in Milwaukee is the German Mader’s Restaurant. As much as for the gastronomical proportions (not for the dainty eater) as well as the comfort food quality. You can eat to your heart and stomach’s content with hardy dishes like sauerbraten, schnitzel, and rouladen. This restaurant is first on everyone’s list.

The 106-year-old Mader’s Restaurant has been visited by Presidents Kennedy, Ford, and Reagan. Dining in this old world architectural delight will leave you with an evening to remember. With flavor and atmosphere of Old World Europe, the menu offerings transport you to Germany instantly. You’ll dine amid a stunning $3 million collection of art, suits of medieval armor and antiques dating back to the 14th century. Mader’s has been voted the most famous German restaurant in North America and houses the world’s largest Hummel collection. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Read reviews of Mader’s Restaurant.

5. Bravo! Cucina Italiana

The best kids restaurant in Milwaukee is Bravo! Cucina Italiana! Your child can make his or her own pizza! The waitstaff walks the mound of dough over, and your child shapes it, then adds his or her own toppings. Then they get to go to the kitchen and watch them put their very own pizza in the authentic pizza oven from Italy! Oh my gosh… sensational sophisticated menu for kids, too. Like breaded grilled salmon with dill sauce, spaghetti, ravioli, lasagna, mac and cheese, and make your own pizza. Such a memory maker! Open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Read reviews of Bravo! Cucina Italiana.

6. Palermo’s Pizza Factory

Take a tour at the nationally famous Palermo’s Pizza factory. For just $5 per person, you will receive a tour of the facility, a slice of Palermo’s pizza in the café and a Palermo’s souvenir. Yum! This isn’t your ordinary pizza shop—it’s a Milwaukee staple, so make sure you make arrangements to visit ahead of time. Tours are given Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read reviews of Palermo’s Pizza Factory.

7. Milwaukee Art Museum

The Art Museum was designed by Spain’s Calatrava, where 1,500 works of art are on display. It has a kid-loving gift shop sure to please and a cafe with plenty of kid-friendly (and healthy!) options. All exhibitions are included with admission, so you and your family will be able to take your time and explore everything this museum has to offer. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read reviews of the Milwaukee Art Museum.

8. The Milwaukee Public Museum

The Milwaukee Public Museum has something for everyone. Take a small step back in time to the turn-of-the-century Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village and to ancient Mediterranean civilizations. Or, take a giant leap back more than 65 million years to The Third Planet, see the world’s largest-known dinosaur skull and a life-sized replica of Tyrannosaurus rex. Stroll amid free-flying butterflies from around the world in The Puelicher Butterfly Wing. Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read reviews of the Milwaukee Public Museum.

9. The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, is a Milwaukee landmark and treasured educational organization for locals and visitors alike. There are tons of great exhibits, including Pocket Park and Science Center and just lots of hands-on experiences for kids to explore. Especially great for kids ten and under. Open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Read reviews of The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum.

10. Sanford Restaurant

For the serious diner, (if you can ditch the kids!) you can’t beat Sanford’s. Chef Sanford D’Amato, yes – the national award winning Sanford D’amato, treats you as if you are the most important customer in the world. Quaint as quaint can be, this restaurant is housed in what once was Sanford’s family’s grocery store. This is the very Sanford that cooked for Julia Child’s 80th birthday party. Hard to beat credentials like that. Simply one of the best restaurants in the state of Wisconsin. Come only if you’re serious about food and wine. Dining here is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Read reviews of Sanford Restaurant.

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