Traveling with kids can be a daunting task.
And when you add the stress of navigating through multiple airports and long layovers, it can quickly turn into a nightmare.
But the good news is that you don’t have to go through the stress of multiple connecting flights to reach your dream family vacation destination.
The Milwaukee Airport has you covered.
There are direct flights from the MKE Airport to some of the best family destinations in the US, such as Orlando, Seattle, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Washington D.C. – and you won’t have to deal with the hassle of connecting flights and long layovers.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the family-friendly features of these destinations and highlight why they are perfect for your next family vacation.
We’ll also show you how easy it is to travel from Milwaukee Airport with these nonstop flights from MKE, and why it’s the best option for families who want a hassle-free vacation.
Looking for more family travel inspiration? While these destinations don’t have direct flights from Milwaukee, they’re well worth the extra travel! For a tropical escape, check out the Best Things to Do with Kids in Kauai. Or, if you’re dreaming of a fairy-tale adventure, explore the Best Things to Do with Kids in Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber.
1. Orlando, Florida (MKE to MCO)
With it’s open-air theme parks, expansive water parks and amazing attractions, Orlando is the ultimate family vacation destination.
Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit airlines all offer nonstop service from Milwaukee Airport to Orlando.
You can plan an epic stay at Disney World, visit Universal Studios, make a splash at Sea World, or spend a day or more at the massive Lego Land theme park. Lego Land Florida is the first theme park resort to be officially designated as a Certified Autism Center.
Orlando is also home to other lesser-known but popular amusement parks like Fun Spot America and Wonderworks. ICON Park, which has an aquarium, a wax museum, on-site restaurants, and more.
The Kennedy Space Center is a must-visit for families, where you can get up close with Space Shuttle Atlantis, relive the launch of the first crewed NASA mission to orbit the Moon in 1968, walk among the Rocket Garden, and more.
The shopping and dining opportunities in the Orlando area are seemingly endless. Some of the best options for families include the Disney Boardwalk, Universal CityWalk, Old Town, and Celebration Town Center.
Sports lovers can watch an Orlando Magic Game, or cheer on the Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Pride, the city’s women’s soccer team. Orlando is also the home of the USTA National Campus, the heart of American Tennis.
To find Milwaukee to Orlando flights, head to the MKE website.
Where to Stay
2. Seattle, Washington (MKE to SEA)
The iconic Space Needle and Mt. Rainier’s glorious peak will greet you when you touch down in this West Coast gem.
Alaska Airlines offers nonstop service from Milwaukee to Seattle.
Stroll through the Pike Place Market, where your kids will love watching the vendors toss around giant fish to expedite their sales. For a quirky stop, contribute to the ever-growing sticky and colorful gum wall (you read that right!).
Your kids will love taking a ride on the Great Wheel, and touring Theo’s Chocolate Factory where you’ll see how they make their chocolate from scratch. It includes a tasting, of course!
The museum scene is strong in Seattle, including the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Children’s Museum, the Museum of Flight, and the Seattle Art Museum.
Plus, animal lovers will love the Woodland Park Zoo and the Seattle Aquarium.
Take advantage of being on the water with a boat tour of Lake Washington, the Puget Sound, or the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (locally known as the Ballard Locks). Taking a ride on the Washington State Ferry is also a memorable experience.
Hiking options abound, as well. The Discovery Park Loop Trail is a good option for families. It’s 2.8 miles long with a moderate elevation change of just 140 feet. You’ll hike through forest and meadows and be rewarded with beautiful views. Evan’s Creek Preserve and Centennial Trail has ADA and stroller accessible trails.
For sports lovers, catch a Seahawks football game, Mariners baseball game, or Sounders soccer game.
To start planning your trip, head to the MKE website.
Where to Stay
3. Washington, D.C. (MKE to DCA)
For history buffs and curious school-age kids, the nation’s capital thoroughly delivers.
Even better, Southwest flies nonstop from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C.
Stroll through the majestic National Mall with its impressive monuments and memorials, tour the White House free of charge (they’re back!), and visit the solemn and moving Arlington National Cemetery.
Other must-visit museums and attractions include the Smithsonian and the National Museum of American History.
Kids will love the International Spy Museum where you can test your spy skills at seventeen different digital and physical interactive exhibits, and the National Building Museum, where they can learn about engineering and architecture, and build a LEGO Skyscraper.
Take some time to smell the roses at the United States Botanic Garden on the grounds of the Capitol (don’t miss the Children’s Garden!). Other parks you’ll want to visit include Yard Park along the Anacostia River, Georgetown Waterfront Park on the Potomac, and the magnificent Beauvoir Outdoor Playground, which you can visit on weekends.
Sports fans can cheer on the Washington Nationals baseball team, the Wizards basketball team, the Capitals hockey team, the Commanders football team, and the United soccer team.
To start planning your trip, head to the MKE website.
Where to Stay
4. Phoenix, Arizona (MKE to PHX)
There’s no better place to escape a cold Wisconsin winter than in hot and sunny Phoenix, Arizona.
American, Southwest, Spirit, and Sun Country all offer nonstop service from Milwaukee to Arizona.
You’ll want to spend plenty of time outside on your trip, and Papago Park is a great place to start. You can hike the red butte formations, including the iconic Hole-in-the-Rock Trail, plus access the nearby Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden.
If your family likes adventure, you can opt for an ATV Desert Tour or a Hot Air Balloon Ride. There are also plenty of amusement parks, including Enchanted Island, Six Flags, the Golfland Sunsplash water park, and the LegoLand Discovery Center.
Wildlife opportunities abound in Phoenix. You can explore the OdySea Aquarium, the Out of Africa Wildlife Park, the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, and Sea Life Arizona.
Another exciting destination is Butterfly Wonderland, an indoor, interactive rainforest habitat housing thousands of butterflies.
Cool off in one of the city’s world class museums. The Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum (American Indian Art), the Children’s Museum, and the Musical Instrument Museum, all have their home here.
A must-visit stop is Goldfield Ghost Town, a reconstructed 1890s town with gold-mine tours, Old West gunfights, a history museum & more.
Your kids will also love McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, a railroad park located in Scottsdale with a Magma Arizona Railroad locomotive, a railroad museum, three model railroad club, and more.
Old Town Scottsdale is a charming destination for dining and shopping, and you can also catch a professional sports game featuring the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, the Coyotes NHL team, or the Arizona Cardinals football team.
Phoenix is also a great jumping off point for some epic day trips, including Sedona, Saguaro National Park (home to the nation’s largest cacti), and the majestic Grand Canyon.
To start planning your trip, head to the MKE website.
Where to Stay
5. Atlanta, Georgia (MKE to ATL)
When choosing your next family vacation, don’t overlook Georgia’s largest and most vibrant city.
Atlanta is home to plenty of attractions the whole family will love, and Delta and Southwest fly nonstop from Milwaukee.
No visit to downtown Atlanta is complete without a stop in Centennial Olympic Park. You can ride the ferris wheel day or night for a beautiful view of the skyline.
Nearby, you can go behind the scenes at CNN, tour the World of Coca-Cola, and honor the late civil right leaders at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
Other popular attractions for families include the Georgia Aquarium, the Legoland Discovery Center, Zoo Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia, the drive-through Wild Animal Safari, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.
Sensory-friendly attractions include Zoo Atlanta, with certified resources and accommodations for guests with sensory needs, and the Georgia Aquarium, which is designated as a Certified Autism Center.
You can also take a step back in time at the Atlanta History Center and the Fernbank Museum of National History, and walk through Jimmy Carter’s Presidential Library and Museum.
Nature lovers will appreciate the magnificent Callaway Gardens and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Stone Mountain Park is another must-visit stop. The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad circles the perimeter of the park, providing beautiful views of the mountain along the way.
Cheer on the Atlanta Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and United Soccer Team, and check out the College Football Hall of Fame downtown.
To start planning your trip, head to the MKE website.
Where to Stay
Why Choose MKE?
Here’s the truth: Your family vacation starts right when you arrive at the Mitchell International Airport,
After all, your trip also about the journey, not just the destination.
Why choose Mitchell International Airport (MKE)?
- Parking at MKE is easy, with plenty of short and long-term options available at affordable rates.
- Security lines are generally shorter and flow steadily.
- Easy to navigate, especially with little ones in tow.
- Coat Check and Trunk-to-Terminal Service for cold-weather months.
- Unlimited free Wi-Fi (Start up the Peppa Pig stat!)
- Mamava Breastfeeding and Lactation Suites
- Children’s Play Areas
- Family restrooms
- New and improved spacious baggage claim
- Participant in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program
The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has new dining and shopping options pre-security, as well as in the individual terminals.
Don’t miss local favorites like Barons Beer Garden, Pizzeria Piccola, and Miller Brewhaus.
Stop by the beloved and quirky Renaissance Books for a huge selection of new and used books, with a great children’s section.
And be sure to check out the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, a free aviation museum open 24/7, located just above the escalators from check-in. Your kids can learn about southeastern Wisconsin’s aviation and space heritage.
Visit Bronzeville Crossing, Miller: The Brewery Shop, and the Summerfest Marketplace for a Milwaukee-centric shopping experience.
To start planning your next family vacation, head to the MKE website.
Related Posts:
5 Ways Milwaukee Airport Makes Traveling With Kids a Breeze
25 Best Things To Do in Kauai With Kids
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.
