Milwaukee Art Museum Kohls Studio Wisconsin

Milwaukee’s Free Museums 2025: Your Guide to Free Admission Days!

Are you ready to discover Milwaukee’s best museums without spending a penny?

We’ve got you covered! Here’s your ultimate guide to free admission days in Milwaukee – where fun, learning, and affordability meet!

Want more ideas? Check out our roundup of free things to do with kids in Milwaukee.

🌟 Free Admission Days around Milwaukee 🌟

  1. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum: All guests (excluding groups*) receive FREE admission to the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum on the third Thursday of every month from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Capacity restrictions apply and walkup tickets are subject to availability and not guaranteed. Guests will not be admitted past 6:30 p.m. The Museum’s 2025 Community Access Days will take place: January 16 | February 20 | March 20 | April 17 | May 15 | June 19 | July 17 | August 21 | September 18
  2. Milwaukee Public Museum: ALL visitors* (excluding groups) receive FREE access to the permanent exhibits of MPM on the first Thursday of every month during Kohl’s Thank You Thursday. Children must be accompanied by an adult to receive free admission. Free admission dates in 2025 are: January 2 | February 6 | March 6 | April 3 | May 1 | June 5 | July 3 | August 7 | September 4 | October 2 | November 6 | December 4
  3. Milwaukee Art Museum: Kids 12 and under and Wisconsin K–12 teachers always receive free Museum general admission. Teachers must provide a valid school ID or pay stub.
  4. Harley-Davidson Museum: Explore the legacy of iconic motorcycles. Moms will receive free admission on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11), military members will receive free admission on Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 17), dads will receive free admission on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 15), and veterans will receive free admission for Veterans Day (Tuesday, Nov. 11).
  5. Milwaukee County Zoo: Family Free Days will occur in 2025 on Jan. 4, Feb. 1, March 1, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6. On Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11) moms get free admission to the zoo, on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 15) dads get free admission (parking and regular attraction fees still apply). On Military & Veterans Family Day — July 6 — military service members, veterans and their families receive free admission and parking. Tickets are not available at the zoo gate; they need to be procured in advance through local County Veterans Service Offices.
  6. Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum & Charles Allis Art Museum: Free admission on the first Thursday of each month. In 2025, those dates are: Jan. 2 | Feb. 6 | March 6 | April 3 | May 1 | June 5 | July 3 | Aug. 7 | Sept. 4 | Oct. 2 | Nov. 6 | Dec. 4.
  7. America’s Black Holocaust Museum: Free on Community Days.
  8. Jewish Museum Milwaukee: Look for regular community free days.

🌈 Always Free Milwaukee Museums 🌈

  1. Milwaukee Fire Museum: Explore the history of firefighting.
  2. Mitchell Gallery of Flight: Aviation history at your fingertips.
  3. Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee Inc.: A paradise for train enthusiasts.
  4. Latino Arts, Inc.: A canvas of Hispanic and Latinx brilliance.
  5. Cedarburg History Museum: Step back in time in Cedarburg.
  6. Dinosaur Discovery Museum: Where the prehistoric world comes alive.
  7. Haggerty Museum of Art: A modern art oasis in Marquette.
  8. The Warehouse Art Museum: A fusion of modern art in a historic setting.
  9. Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel: Art and elegance combined.
  10. Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club: An interactive blend of history and railroad charm.

👀 Pro Tips:

  • Don’t forget Milwaukee Museum Days happening January 23 – February 2, 2025 for even more deals.
  • Call your local library to see if they carry day passes that you can check out.

Honorable Mentions

National Bobblehead Hall Of Fame & Museum ($5 Admission)

170 S. 1st St., 2nd Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53204
bobbleheadhall.com

For sports fans and those who love quirky destinations, this one-of-a-kind museum houses the world’s largest collection of bobbleheads from all genres and periods.

There are also dozens of exhibits related to the history of bobbleheads, the making of bobbleheads, and more.


Honorable Mention: Grohman Museum ($5 admission)

The Grohmann Museum is home to the world’s most comprehensive art collection dedicated to the evolution of human work. There are over 1700 paintings and sculptures, as well as an impressive rooftop garden with a great view of the city.

Free admission: Children 12 and under are always free.


Outdoor Art

Milwaukee is home to stunning murals all over the city, including the new Giannis mural downtown.

The city of Milwaukee has a thriving outdoor arts scene, evidenced by the giant murals in Black Cat Alley, the innovative sculptures that make up Sculpture Milwaukee, the art-filled Riverwalk, and impressive murals found all over the city.

You can also take a stroll through the Historic Third Ward, where you can marvel at the stunning works of art in several galleries throughout the neighborhood.


Keep the Learning Going at Home!

Exploring Milwaukee’s free museums is just the beginning. Keep your kids’ curiosity alive with our roundup of free educational websites for kids! From interactive math games to science experiments and virtual field trips, these resources are perfect for learning at home.

Related Posts

About Author