Of all the ways to explore Milwaukee with your kids, wandering through the city’s vibrant street art scene is one of the most colorful.
Milwaukee is home to hundreds of murals that showcase the creativity, diversity, and spirit of the community—and many of them are kid-friendly, visually striking, and perfect for a casual stroll, scooter ride, or photo op.
Here’s your guide to a family-friendly Milwaukee Mural Tour, featuring murals that will capture your child’s imagination, spark meaningful conversations, and create the perfect backdrop for a day of local adventure.
1. Black Cat Alley
📍 East Side – Behind the Oriental Theater (North Ave & Ivanhoe Place)
🖌️ Multiple Artists
This outdoor art gallery is a must-see, especially for older kids and tweens. With over 20 murals by local and international artists, Black Cat Alley is like an open-air museum, and it’s constantly evolving.
🎯 Don’t miss:
- Emma Daisy’s colorful floral works
- Bonus: Grab lunch or a treat at nearby Beans & Barley
- Make a day of it by rock climbing at Adventure Rock nearby
2. “Leopard”
Artist: Stacey Williams-Ng
Location: North wall of Kashou Carpets
Near Black Cat Alley, this mural was inspired by the animal prints on rugs inside the shop that used to be located here.
3. Giannis
📍 600 E Wisconsin Ave (Downtown)
🎨 Artist: Mauricio Ramirez
Celebrate the Bucks’ MVP and Milwaukee legend with this larger-than-life portrait of Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s right in the heart of downtown, close to Sculpture Milwaukee and the lakefront.
💬 Chat with your kids: What do you know about Giannis and his life? What qualities make Giannis a good role model?
4. SafeHouse
📍 Facing Front St., near the SafeHouse entrance
🎨 Artist: Fred Kaems
This 42-foot mural is full of mystery and spy references, just like the iconic spy-themed restaurant it’s hiding. The mural mimics a comic strip and a James Bond movie opening—perfect for a playful photo op.
🕵️ Strike a pose in the spiral and take a stealthy selfie!
👀 Spot it: Can your kids find pops of red and the yellow Hoan Bridge in this otherwise monochromatic mural?
5. “Peacemakers”
📍 Milwaukee County Transit Bus Depot – Mitchell St./1st St.
Painted in the late 1980s, this powerful mural features global peace figures like Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Father James Groppi. Can you spot them? Friends and family of the painters are painted as silhouettes at the bottom of the mural.
💬 Ask your kids: Have they learned about any of these heroes in school? What does peace look like to them?
6. Selena
📍 Walker’s Point
🎨 Artist: Mauricio Ramirez
This bright tribute to the beloved singer Selena can be seen from the highway and up close in Walker’s Point.
🎵 Try this: Blast a favorite Selena song and have a family dance party before you visit.
👟 Pair this stop with a visit to nearby Zócalo Food Truck Park or a churro from La Michoacana.
Pro Tip: If you love Latino culture, check out the Self-Guided Hispanic Heritage Tour.
7. “Mural of Peace”
📍 Esperanza Unida Building – 611 W. National Ave.
🎨 Artist: Renaldo Hernandez
This bold and colorful mural was originally painted in 1993 and later restored with community support after a storm. It’s a great example of resilience and pride in local art.
🧠 Talk about it: What do the flags represent? Why do you think the community came together to restore it?
8. “Bay View Neighborhood”
📍 Maytag Laundromat – 2510 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Painted in 2016, this mural highlights Bay View landmarks like the Avalon Theater and South Shore Park.
🕵️ Scavenger Hunt: How many landmarks can your child spot in the painting?
🎯 Pro Tip: Pair this with a stop at Chill on the Hill or a walk along the South Shore trail.
9. “Sherman Park Rising“
📍 4715 W. Center St.
🎨 Artist: Tia Richardson (community-painted)
This mural tells the story of resilience and growth through colorful imagery and community participation.
💬 Ask your kids: What do the flowers and vines represent? How do murals bring people together?
10. “Fear The Deer”
📍 408 W. Florida St. – Rear of Brix Apartment Lofts
🎨 Artist: Bigshot Robot (David Zimmerman)
A dynamic tribute to the Milwaukee Bucks, this mural is best viewed from W. Freshwater Way. It’s full of natural elements and Bucks spirit.
📸 Bring a basketball for a fun photo shoot in front of the mural.
11. “Heart & Sol”
📍 728 N. James Lovell St.
🎨 Artist: Mauricio Ramirez
One of downtown Milwaukee’s largest and most colorful murals, this piece features two young girls and radiates hope, energy, and diversity.
🌈 Color Game: How many different colors can your child count?
12. “Gild the Lily (Caribbean Hybrid I, II, III)“
📍 Chase Tower – Water St. & Wisconsin Ave.
🎨 Artist: Carlos Rolón
This mural wraps around a glass lobby filled with tropical floral patterns. It glows at night and is absolutely worth visiting after dark.
🌺 Pair it with a visit to Red Arrow Park or a stroll down the RiverWalk.
13. Field of Play
📍 Little Village Play Café
🎨 Artist: Whitney Nettles
Photo Credit: Whitney Hill Photography
This cheerful mural celebrates Milwaukee’s creative spirit and love of baseball. It’s also located at one of our favorite spots for little ones to play and parents to grab a coffee.
🧒 Bonus: Let your kids burn off some energy at the café’s indoor play space.
What other murals should we add to this list? Email us at hello@mkewithkids.com.
Related Posts:
- How to do Sculpture Milwaukee With Kids
- 10 Doors Open Milwaukee Tours For Kids
- 20 Tours and Tastings Around Milwaukee
- 8 Best Things to do at the Milwaukee Art Museum With Kids
- Lynden Sculpture Garden
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three little ones, saw a need for a “One Stop Shop” for family fun in Milwaukee. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place.
In 2019, she published “Exploring Milwaukee WIth Kids”, a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and kids.
She appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6’s ‘Real Milwaukee’, B93.3, and Wisconsin Morning News. She has been featured in Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, and on CBS 58 News.
Calie is available for hosting, moderating and media appearances.
