Experience Downtown Blog

Break for a Spring Adventure in Downtown Milwaukee

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Image courtesy of Visit Milwaukee

Spring break is just around the corner. Whether you’re a local planning a staycation or an out-of-town guest making Downtown your destination, below are a few ways to keep the kids occupied.

Spring Break Fun at Betty Brinn
March 21 – 28 
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
An interactive museum for young children, Betty Brinn will be open during spring break. Timed entry tickets are available during both morning and afternoon sessions. Enter the Museum in the morning between 9am to 12:30pm or in the afternoon between 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Select your session time when making your reservation.

Spring Break Fun at Discovery World
March 24 – 30
Discovery World
Discovery World opens for seven days straight in celebration of spring break. Families, students, and learners of all ages can embark on a lifelong learning adventure where they’ll meet fascinating creatures, create and play in virtual worlds, tinker in labs, build towering structures, launch rockets, and more.

Spring Break Fun at Milwaukee Public Museum
March 24 – 27 | 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm
Milwaukee Public Museum
Fly on by to Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) for a breath of fresh spring (break) air! MPM Educators will be on the exhibit floors with hands-on activities about birds, butterflies, bees and all things spring. Plus, kids 5 and under will enjoy free Museum admission all week.

Spring Break Fun at Milwaukee Art Museum
Tue – Fri, March 25 – 28 | 10am to 4pm
Milwaukee Art Museum
Join in on family-friendly fun during spring break at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Create a blooming flower in the Kohl’s Art Studio, gather around for musical children’s book reading, and be inspired by visiting artists. Activities are included with Museum admission and are free for Members. Plus, admission for kids 12 and under is always free, thanks to an anonymous donor.

Milwaukee Admirals vs. Manitoba Moose
Tue, March 25 | 7pm 
UWM Panther Arena
It’s fan appreciation night! And as a special thank you to the team’s youngest fans, tickets for kids 14 and under will be 50% off. Plus, two Admirals players will sign autographs in the Aurora Sports Health Autograph Center.

Kids Rock Day
Wed, March 26 | 10am to 2pm
MSOE Grohmann Museum
Children and their families are welcome to visit the Grohmann Museum’s lower level stART Lab to paint decorative rocks. The project will be inspired by the current exhibition, On the Edge: The Labor and Environment of Dimensional Stone Quarries. This activity uses acrylic paint and is recommended for ages 4 and up with close adult supervision.

Thursday Nights at MAM
Thu, March 27 | 4pm to 8pm
Milwaukee Art Museum
Pay what you wish for a Museum ticket and enjoy an evening of live music and strolling through the galleries.

Naruto: The Symphonic Experience
Sat, March 29 | 2pm & 7:30pm
Miller High Life Theatre
For the first time ever, audiences will get their chance to see an original, unforgettable two-hour feature film (shown with subtitles) meticulously created by Julien Vallespi and Quentin Benayoun from the first 220 original episodes of the beloved “Naruto” animated series that is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. An orchestra will perform the most iconic songs and themes from the series, live-to-picture, as scenes are projected on a full-size, HD cinema screen.

Creepy Crawly Day
Sat, March 29 | 11am to 3pm
Milwaukee Public Museum
Learn about the wonderful world of bugs as Milwaukee Public Museum caps off their spring break programming. Handle live critters, examine specimens under microscopes, nibble on edible insects, and much more. There's fun for entomologists of every age! Plus, kids 5 and under enjoy free Museum admission for the day!

Building Bonanza Family Day
Sun, March 30 | 12pm to 3pm
Milwaukee County Historical Society
Bring the whole family for a day of creativity, construction, and community as the theme “Building Milwaukee Bridges” is explored. Families will have the chance to design and construct their own bridge creations using LEGO, K’Nex, trains, and more—with expert guidance from STEAM Milwaukee and John Peine + Sylvia Peine, LEGO City and K’Nex Bridge Building Teachers! Plus, enjoy live music from 4 String Fanfare as you build, play, and explore! Sponsored by AIA Milwaukee. RSVP by Wednesday, March 26 to info@milwaukeehistory.net or call 414-273-8288.

Disney & Pixar’s Finding Nemo
Now through April 6
Spring break performances on Thu, March 27 at 1pm and 3:30pm, and Fri, March 28 at 3:30pm and 7pm
Todd Wehr Theater – Marcus Performing Arts Center
The beloved 2003 Pixar movie comes to life on stage, with First Stage. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves. Dive into this underwater adventure! Recommended for families with young people ages 5-12 and theater lovers of all ages.

First Stage presents Ride the Cyclone
Now through April 13
Spring break performance on Fri, March 28 at 7:30pm
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
In this hilarious and outlandish musical, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. With music showcasing various musical genres — from glam rock to pop to rap and folk — buckle up for a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived! Recommended for families with young people ages 13-17 and theater lovers of all ages.

Milwaukee Wave vs. St. Louis Ambush
Sun, March 30 | 5:05pm
UWM Panther Arena
Cheer on the Milwaukee Wave during fan appreciation night. This is the Wave’s final game in the regular season. Help them raise the roof by taking advantage of their family four-pack. For $82, fans will receive $232 in value: 4 Preferred Wave Game Tickets + 4 Wave Winter Beanies + 4 Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich Vouchers.

Places to Eat

While traversing the town, check out these kid-friendly eateries:

3rd Street Market Hall, 275 W. Wisconsin Avenue

AJ Bombers, 1247 N. Water Street

The MOTOR, 400 W. Canal Street

SafeHouse, 770 N. Front Street