© Visit Milwaukee
General Interest Museums
Betty Brinn Children's Museum
929 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee; The Milwaukee area's only museum designed specifically for children ages 10 and younger, where children and grown-ups learn alongside each other. Features hands-on exhibits, educational programs, events and performances. Kids can travel the world and explore from home with the online platform, “Play in the Cloud.” Playtimes: Thursday-Monday 9:30-4:30. Telephone: (414) 390-5437; bbcmkids.org.
Discovery World Science + Technology Center
500 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee; Milwaukee’s premiere science and technology center that offers fun and learning for the whole family. Explore interactive exhibits, the Reiman Aquarium, learning labs, educational programs, and summer camps and learning experiences aboard the S/V Denis Sullivan – a 137-foot re-creation of a 19th-century Great Lakes cargo schooner. Offers Virtual Explorer online content. Open Wednesday-Sunday 9-4; Design It! Lab open on weekends. Telephone: (414) 765-9966; discoveryworld.org.
Harley-Davidson Museum
400 W. Canal St., Milwaukee; Offers a glimpse of American history and culture through the successes and trials of an iconic American company started in a Milwaukee garage. Exhibits, events and tours. Now offering virtual gallery talks on Thursdays. MOTOR Bar & Restaurant onsite. Hours: Thursday-Monday 10-5. Telephone: (877) 436-8738; h-dmuseum.com.
Logic Puzzle Museum
533 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington; More than 60-plus hands-on logic and brain puzzles to work and solve for families, adults, school groups, youth and scout groups, for ages 5-105. Annual events include: Mystery Objects, International Tongue Twister Contest, Brain Twister Day, Tangram Celebration, Sam Loyd "Puzzleman" Birthday. Gift shop open year-round. Call for hours. Telephone: (262) 763-3946; logicpuzzlemuseum.org.
Milwaukee Public Museum
800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee; The “birthplace of the diorama,” with life-size dioramas, hands-on experiences, and special exhibits. Travel back more than 65 million years to the land of dinosaurs. Gaze at ancient civilizations and see real mummies. Surround yourself with the sound and feel of the tropical rainforest. Walk the “Streets of Old Milwaukee” to experience the city as it was at the turn of the 20th century. Watch a butterfly wriggle out of its chrysalis in a two-story butterfly vivarium. In-person and virtual tours, special exhibitions and events, and outreach programs. Exploration via online content. Hours: Wednesday-Monday 10-5. Telephone: (414) 278-2702; mpm.edu.
The Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater & Planetarium
800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee; Offers visitors three unique visual experiences at the first venue in the world to debut Digistar 6 technology! 3D films, planetarium programs and screen shows on a six-story-tall screen with digital surround sound. Planetarium at Home online offering and education programs. Free with Milwaukee Public Museum general admission or membership. Telephone: (414) 319-4629; mpm.edu.
Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum
533 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington; Features 35 hands-on toy tops and top games; a 2,000 item exhibit of tops, yo-yos, and gyroscopes from around the world; plus a live presentation by a top expert. Events include Annual Yo-Yo & Skill Toy Convention, Yo-Yo Summer Day Camp, and gyroscope contest. Yo-Yo classes and old-fashioned top-spinning classes are offered for groups and birthday parties. Call for hours. Telephone: (262) 763-3946; topmuseum.org.
War Memorial Center
750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., Milwaukee; Stunning architectural landmark on Milwaukee’s lakefront stands as a memorial to those who died in service, served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Services. Original World War I and World War II poster collection, eternal flame and reflecting pool, Purple Heart Memorial, 9/11 Memorial and Fox Company Memorial. Educational programs. Open daily 8-6. Telephone: (414) 273-5533; warmemorialcenter.org.
Wisconsin Automotive Museum
147 N. Rural St., Hartford; Wisconsin’s largest auto museum houses more than 115 vehicles, including Studebakers, Kaisers, Fords and the world’s largest collection of Kissel automobiles, which were built in Hartford between 1906 and 1931. Exhibits feature gas pumps, signs, license plates, oil cans and other petroliana; outboard engines; and a 1913 Soo Line steam locomotive. Wednesday-Saturday 10-5. Telephone: (262) 673-7999; wisconsinautomuseum.com.
