Milwaukee is in bloom!
From late spring to early fall, these gardens and flower farms are the perfect place to explore nature with your kids.
Not to mention there are some pretty stunning photo opportunities among the blooms.
Whether it’s an urban flower garden or a family farm, you and the kiddos will love being witness to the new life and growth found in these spaces.
Always be sure to check the farms’ websites and Facebook pages for the current growing season, open hours and admission prices (if applicable).
1. Margie’s Children’s Garden
9400 Boerner Dr, Hales Corners, WI 53130 (Inside Boerner Botanical Gardens)
‘Margie’s Garden’ opened May 1st, 2024 at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, and it’s unlike anything else in the Milwaukee area.
The new children’s garden opened two years ago and is like an enchanted floral village for kids.
It features an Alphabet Garden, a Numbers Garden, sound makers, playhouses, slides, a giant caterpillar and birds nest to play on, a “Flower Shop” (Sponsored by MKE With Kids!) a small stage and seating area, and more.
2. Boerner Botanical Gardens
Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners, WI 53130
Boerner Botanical Gardens opens for the season in May, and its formal gardens feature a rose garden and a peony garden, as well as variety of annuals and perennials. Plus, there’s a fragrant herb garden, a daylily path, and a serene rock garden with trickling streams and waterfalls.
Rest in the shade or have a snack inside the elegant gazebo, and don’t miss the regal shrub mall, historic garden house, and expansive arboretum. Kids will also love the stroller-friendly bog garden walk in the northeast corner of the property.
Ways to save: If you’re a resident of Milwaukee County, you’ll save $1 per ticket. The Gardens typically offer free admission during their summer concerts.
3. Bookworm Gardens
1415 Campus Dr., Sheboygan, WI 53081
Trust us when we say this one is worth the drive!
Bookworm Gardens is an absolute must-visit, whimsical children’s garden based completely on children’s literature. The two-acre garden offers the young and young-at-heart the opportunity for free, unstructured play in a beautiful and secure environment. Entrance to the garden is free.
Special elements of the garden include interactive stations, outdoor classrooms, a small amphitheater, a greenhouse and an outdoor creation station. Reading nooks and crannies are plentiful, as are benches for resting and chatting.
4. Alice’s Garden Urban Farm
2136 N. 21st St, Milwaukee, WI 53205
Alice’s Garden is a two-acre urban garden that is committed to wellness and community. The land here used to part of the Underground Railroad.
You can check their website for upcoming events such as yoga classes and movie nights, or you can drop by with your children and take a walk in the labyrinth.
This space is peaceful, relaxing, and really special. They also offer free movies for kids and families in the summer – check their Facebook page (or our Calendar) for dates and times!
5. Happy Day Farmhaus – Tulip Fest & Harvest
W188N13251 Maple Rd, Richfield, WI 53076
This 6-acre, small-scale farm uses organic practices to grow veggies and flowers, and hosts a tulip festival each year in partnership with other local businesses and vendors.
6. Lynden Sculpture Garden
2145 W. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217
lyndensculpturegarden.org
Admission is free at this garden that has wide open spaces for running around, magical trees the kids can hide inside of, frogs and turtles all over the place, and colorful sculptures. Don’t miss the bright polka dotted cows by the pond. Please remind your kids not to climb on the sculptures. Note: There are no paths. Bring suitable footwear. Donations encouraged.
7. For The Love of Flowers Farm
12114 W 5 Mile Rd, Franksville, WI 53126
Meander through rows of stunning blossoms and foliage to find your perfect bouquet at the For The Love of Flowers Farm in Franksville. Relish the warmth of summer, the soothing bird songs, and the tranquil country air. Make friends with our furry companions, or simply relax in the shade, embracing each peaceful moment.
From Sip & Clip events to “muffins and moms” mornings, the farm’s events and charming scenery make it a favorite among visitors. With friendly staff and a variety of breathtaking flowers, your creative juices will flow as you create memorable bouquets in this picturesque haven.
8. Lapham Peak Butterfly Garden
W329N846 County Hwy C, Delafield, WI 53018
Located in Kettle Moraine State Forest, the Lapham Peak Unit is near the top of our list for best natural places to visit. When you get done hiking Plantation Path, a one-mile, blacktopped, handicapped accessible trail through a prairie and wooded area, find the Butterfly Garden just east of this path. (Check the map before you go!) There are many flowers there, plus a memorial brick pathway. Vehicle admission sticker required.
9. Mitchell Park Domes
524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53215
The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory is a living plant museum with a permanent collection of over 1,800 plant species that represent plant life from across the globe. The conservatory, also known as the Domes, is located in Mitchell Park in Milwaukee.
There are three different domes – the floral dome, the desert dome and the tropical dome – and each is a miniature version of the horticultural environment that it represents. Milwaukee County residents save $1 per admission.
10. Northwind Perennial Farm
Northwind Perennial Farm, nestled in the rolling hills of southeastern Wisconsin, has grown into a horticultural haven since its founding in 1991 by friends and partners Steve Coster, Colleen Garrigan, and Roy Diblik.
Their combined talents have created a unique and inspiring landscape, blending stunning perennials, artistic decor, and Steve’s stonework, which continues to weave through the pathways and walls even after his passing in 2019.
Northwind remains a beloved destination for its exceptional plants, innovative garden designs, and warm, knowledgeable staff. Visitors are enchanted by the magical tree in the silo, native plants, friendly goats and chickens, and a barn filled with unique gifts and garden artifacts.
They invite all to explore its relaxing pathways and soak up the creative spirit that makes it so special.
More Gardens to Explore:
Lamm Gardens
2708 Sherman Rd., Jackson, WI 53037
lammscape.com
Lammscape’s beautifully landscaped grounds are open to the public for events and workshops throughout the season (Some of them are free!). Check out their kid-friendly events on their website. In the past they’ve hosted train-themed events, pumpkin painting parties, and more.
The Collaborative Farm
5500 W. Silver Spring Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53218
thecollaborativefarm.org
This historical urban farm also serves as a music venue, outdoor classroom, animal habitat, farmer’s market, community gathering space and more. It’s actually the last remaining piece of property in Milwaukee that is still zoned as a farm. Here, more than a dozen private farmers grow food for the local community, and visitors can learn about a healthier way of living. The historical greenhouses were built in 1926, and you can see chickens, ducks, goats, and fish on site.
Grohmann Museum Rooftop Garden
1000 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
Located on the Grohmann Museum on the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) campus, this rooftop garden features a dozen large, bronze statues of men at work – toiling in the field and foundry, heaving hammers or pinching molten metal with hot tongs.
Each sculpture is about 9 feet tall and weighs a thousand pounds. From their perch along the roofline, they have a commanding view of the city that was built on the hard work they depict.
The Grohmann Museum is home to the world’s most comprehensive art collection dedicated to the evolution of human work. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12.
Native Wellness Garden
3780 S 6th St, Milwaukee, WI 53221
Nestled in the Garden District on Milwaukee’s South Side, the Native Wellness Garden quietly nurtures agricultural practices rooted in millennia-old traditions. This community garden, a collaboration between the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center and UW-Extension, emphasizes food as medicine and supports individuals in cultivating healthy living and growing habits.
Rowley Creek Lavender Farm
E13901 County Rd. W Baraboo, WI 53913
rowleycreekfarm.com
Aside from taking home some fresh cut lavender from the Farm Cottage, walking the lavender field is one of the best ways to experience the farm! Enjoy the stunning hillside views decorated with 13 cultivars of lavender. Stop by the farm cottage for authentic lavender goods and savor some raw lavender honey.
Farm visit appointments must be made prior to your visit. The contribution fee of $5 per vehicle goes a long way in supporting the farm.
Richardson Adventure Farm
Located just over the Illinois border, this farm grows 600,000 tulip bulbs in 30 different varieties next to a private, 36-acre lake. About 500,000 of the bulbs were planted in colorful blocks with a central design, perfect for those family photo ops. The rest are mixture of colors planted in a pick-your-own area.
Sunflower Farms
Sunflowers typically bloom in late July, and there’s just something about them that makes us smile. Sunflowers can grow 5-10 feet tall, and a sunflower field provides the perfect backdrop for stunning photos. Plus, most farms will let you cut a few stems to take home and use in floral arrangements to decorate your front porch.
Soak up the last sunny days of late summer by visiting one of the many sunflower fields we found throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Some are nearby, while others require a day trip.
Open dates and times for sunflower season depend on weather and flower maturity. Be sure to call ahead for hours and the latest information.
Browse our list of sunflower farms near Milwaukee >>
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
