Visiting Milwaukee museums is a great way to learn about the world around you with your kids, but it can be really expensive to purchase tickets for the whole family.
The good news is that you can easily explore Milwaukee on a budget with these free museums and free admission days.
I’ll show you nine awesome museums that are always free, and six more museums that offer free admission days for the whole community.
Always Free Milwaukee Museums 🌈
- Milwaukee Fire Museum: Explore the history of firefighting.
- Mitchell Gallery of Flight: Aviation history at your fingertips.
- Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee Inc.: A tiny, hidden paradise for train enthusiasts.
- Latino Arts, Inc.: A canvas of Hispanic and Latinx brilliance.
- Cedarburg History Museum: Step back in time in charming Cedarburg.
- Dinosaur Discovery Museum: Where the prehistoric world comes alive.
- Haggerty Museum of Art: A modern art oasis at Marquette University.
- The Warehouse Art Museum: A fusion of modern art in a historic setting.
- Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel: Art and elegance combined.
- Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club: An interactive blend of history and railroad charm.
👀 Pro Tip: Don’t forget Milwaukee Museum Days in January for even more amazing deals!
Free Admission Days at Milwaukee Museums 🌟
- Betty Brinn Children’s Museum: Unleash your child’s creativity! Free on Community Access Days – the third Thursday of every month.
- Milwaukee Public Museum: Step into a world of wonders. Free on the first Thursday of each month for Kohl’s Thank You Thursday.
- Milwaukee Art Museum: Where young artists bloom. Kids 12 and under and Wisconsin K–12 teachers always receive free Museum general admission. Thanks to Museums on Us®, Bank of America cardholders receive free admission on the first full weekend of the month.
- Harley-Davidson Museum: Explore the legacy of iconic motorcycles. Typically free or discounted on Milwaukee Day (April 14th).
- Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum: Elegance and artistry with a view. Free on the first Wednesday of every month.
- Charles Allis Art Museum: A mansion filled with artistic treasures. Free on the first Wednesday of every month.
- America’s Black Holocaust Museum: A poignant historical journey. Free on Community Days.
- Jewish Museum Milwaukee: Discover the rich Jewish culture. Look for regular community free days.
👀 Pro Tip: Call your local library to see if they carry day passes that you can check out.
🔍 Deep Dive: Explore further in our guide for special features and insider tips for each location.
1. Milwaukee Fire Museum
1615 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53215
The Milwaukee Fire Museum is only open on the first Sunday of each month (April – December). Built in 1927, this small museum houses the first department ambulance – a 1947 Cadillac – plus two trucks built in the Milwaukee Fire Department Shop during the 1920’s and 30’s, and more.
2. Mitchell Gallery of Flight
5300 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 747-4503
mitchellgallery.org
If you find yourself at the Milwaukee Airport with some time to spend, stop by the Mitchell Gallery of Flight, where you’ll find aviation models and memorabilia, as well as educational information about local planes and famous Midwestern pilots and astronauts.
3. Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee Inc.
215 E. National Ave. (built into a Canadian Pacific Railway bridge that spans the street)
Hidden gem alert! Tucked under an active rail line in Walker’s Point is a tiny gem that’s been capturing the imaginations of Milwaukeeans for decades. The Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee is notable for its O scale (1/48th size) model trains, a size that predates World War II and has become a rarity in the world of model railroading.
4. Latino Arts, Inc.
1028 S. 9th St., Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 384-3100
latinoartsinc.org
Latino Arts, Inc., located in the heart of Walker’s Point, is the only Wisconsin fine arts insitution dedicated exclusively to showcasing the works of Hispanic and Latinx artists.
You’ll find a gallery space with rotating exhibitions and a concert hall where there are regular community concerts.
Don’t miss their colorful and dynamic Day of the Dead Ofrenda Gallery every Fall from October to November.
5. Cedarburg History Museum
N58W6194 Columbia Rd, Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 377-9620
cedarburghm.org
Located in the historic Hilgen & Schroeder Mill Store, the Cedarburg History Museum features permanent installments like the General Store Museum, rotating exhibits, and interactive technology. Current exhibits include the Hometown Teams and Wedding Dresses of Cedarburg.
6. Dinosaur Discovery Museum
5608 Tenth Ave., Kenosha, WI 53140
The Dinosaur Discovery Museum in Kenosha is a small but mighty free museum. Tour the main gallery filled with impressive dinosaur skeletons that are casts of actual fossil bones. Head downstairs to dig for fossils, do dinosaur crafts, and peek into the on-site laboratory. Admission is free!
7. Haggerty Museum of Art
Marquette University Campus
530 N. 13th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Located on the Marquette University campus, this free museum features an impressive permanent collection, an ever-changing array of exhibitions, and a full calendar of free performances, gallery talks, workshops, and more.
Admission is always free, and free parking is nearby.
8. The Warehouse Art Museum
1635 W St Paul Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233
thewarehousemke.org
Located inside a former factory and warehouse built in 1924, The Warehouse features a permanent collection for more than 3,000 modern and contemporary works.
Rotating exhibits in the space shine a spotlight on a variety of multi-media artists, and they also offer performances and lectures throughout the year.
9. Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
139 E Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
saintkatearts.com
It’s not exactly a museum, but the impressive lobby and first floor of the Saint Kate Hotel is home to permanent art exhibitions as well as special exhibits and travelings shows. A visit to this downtown gem is full of surprises, and never a disappointment.
Free Admission Days at Milwaukee Museums
Several Milwaukee area museums offer free admission days throughout the year. Read on to learn more about them. Discounted admission is typically offered during Milwaukee Museum Days.
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
929 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
This interactive children’s museum is the perfect solution for parents seeking a fun and educational experience for their young kids.
Explore their permanent Home Town exhibit, a miniaturized version of a city, climb the treehouse in “Pocket Park”, and don’t forget to stop by the Be-A-Maker Space for creative tinkering activities.
Plus, there’s a coffee shop inside!
Milwaukee Public Museum
800 W Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233
With exhibits that showcase everything from prehistoric creatures to ancient civilizations, the Milwaukee Public Museum will be a hit with all ages.
Walk through the iconic Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village, say hello to the butterflies in the Vivarium, see a show at the Soref Planetarium, and don’t miss the life-size T-Rex taking a bite out of a triceratops in the Third Planet exhibit.
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 Art Museum Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202
The Milwaukee Art Museum is the crown jewel of the lakefront, and it’s home to many special works of art, an on-site studio for kids, and architectural wings that open and close.
Create something new in the Kohl’s Art Studio, listen to Storytime in the Galleries, stomp around the Quadracci Pavilion, and more!
5. Harley Davidson Museum
400 W. Canal St., Milwaukee, WI 53201
At the iconic Harley-Davidson Museum, your kids can hop on a brand new motorcycle in the Experience Gallery, explore in the kid-friendly Imagination Station, see the oldest known Harley-Davidson motorcycle (known as “Serial Number One”), rummage through discovery drawers full of vintage toys and trinkets, make their own custom creation at the build-a-bike station, and more.
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
2220 N Terrace Ave.
villaterrace.org
Villa Terrace is a gorgeous decorative arts museum situated on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.
Meander through the gardens, Tuscan columns, and grilled Italian windows as your take in the view. The charming Mercury Courtyard is home to a statue of Mercury, the mythical messenger of the gods.
Free Admission: Children 12 and under are always free. Free admission is offered for all on the first Wednesday of every month.
Charles Allis Art Museum
1801 N. Prospect Ave
charlesallis.org
This small, impressive art museum is located inside a historic mansion that used to belong to Charles and Sarah family. It is home to their personal collection of paintings and international artifacts.
Free Admission: Free to children ages 12 and under, and free for all on the first Wednesday of every month.
Jewish Museum Milwaukee
The Jewish Museum Milwaukee showcases exhibition that explore the history of the Jewish community in Southeastern Wisconsin. Keep an eye on their calendar for regular community free days.
Honorable Mention: National Bobblehead Hall Of Fame & Museum
170 S. 1st St., 2nd Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53204
The National Bobblehead Museum is a quirky, one-of-a-kind museum houses the world’s largest collection of bobbleheads from all genres and periods. Plus, they offer scavenger hunts for all ages, a souvenir penny press, and more. Just $5/person!
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
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.
Related Posts:
25 Wisconsin Children’s Museums Your Kids Will Love
Living History Museums Around Milwaukee
Here’s What You’ll Find at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend
Old World Wisconsin Offers Unplugged Adventure for Families
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.
