As the new year approaches, I wanted to put on “paper” a list of places to visit and things to do in Milwaukee with kids this year. This list features places that are both new to us and as well as some of our old favorites. If you have more suggestions, share them in the comments. I love hearing out new things to do in Milwaukee with kids.

  1. Explore the Great Lakes at Discovery World
  2. Go ice skating @ The Pettit National Ice Center
  3. Learn through hands-on play at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum (tip: Free admission on the third Thursday of every month, 5-8PM)
  4. Visit the desert or the tropics at the Domes
  5. Feed the fish and smell the flowers at Boerner Botanical Gardens
  6. Bounce, slide and jump at Monkey Joe’s
  7. Travel around the world at the Milwaukee Public Museum
  8. Stay cool at a local pools or splash pads (our favorites: Hart Park Splash Pad + Hoyt Park + Wirth Park Pool)
  9. Take in the culture at the cultural festivals on the Summerfest Grounds
  10. Ride your bike to a local farmer’s market (our favorites: Wauwatosa + Bayview)
  11. Have a dinner date at the best kid-friendly pizza joints: StoneFire Pizza + Organ Piper Pizza
  12. Build a virtual bike at the Harley-Davidson Museum
  13. Go on a spy mission at the Safe House
  14. Soak up some sun at a the local beaches (our favorites: Pewaukee Beach, Doctor’s Park, Atwater Park, Foxbrook Park)
  15. Bounce away the day at Bounce Milwaukee
  16. Have fun duckpin bowling at Thirsty Duck
  17. Climb a rock wall at Adventure Rock
  18. Paddleboard around the lagoon at Veteran’s Park
  19. Taste some rootbeer and gourmet soda at a Sprecher Brewery tour
  20. Pick some produce at Elegant Farmer
  21. Fly a kite around a local Milwaukee Co. Park
  22. Climb to the top and take in the views at Holy Hill
  23. Feed the giraffes at the Milwaukee Co. Zoo
  24. Go for a hike at Schlitz Audobon Nature Center
  25. Fill up on jelly beans on a Jelly Belly Warehouse tour