Experience Downtown Blog
Visiting Downtown Milwaukee: Summer Itineraries for Tots, Tykes, Tweens and Teens
July 30, 2024 /
Soak up the final days of summer with a Downtown daytrip. Downtown Milwaukee has a lot to offer residents and visitors of all ages. Whether you’re visiting with tots, tykes, tweens or teens, there’s plenty of things to see and do while Downtown. From Discovery World and the Public Museum to cool restaurants and outdoor concerts, we’ve got an entire day mapped out for kids and their families.
Tots (infant-3):
Kids love nothing more in the summer than spending time outdoors and, thankfully, Downtown Milwaukee has several outdoor offerings for young families.
When visiting Milwaukee with young kids, there’s no better way to start the day than visiting the Cathedral Square Park playground. It’s free and open to the public, right in the heart of Downtown.
However, if you want to be closer to the lake on a hot day, the Northwestern Mutual Community Park at the Henry Maier Festival Park offers spectacular lakefront access and a fun playground for kids to enjoy. The park hosts several Free Sunday Family Fun Days throughout the summer, featuring live performances, food trucks, activities and more.
If you’re looking to spend some time indoors on a cool or rainy day, head to the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum for fun, hands-on exhibits. Families get free access on the third Thursday of every month.
When your little one starts getting hungry, as they tend to do, Milwaukee has several fun dining options for families. If you’re at the lakefront, head to MooSa’s and enjoy custard and burgers near the water. Further inland is the 3rd Street Market Hall, in the center of Downtown. It offers numerous food options, as well as fun games and activities.
Tykes (4-8):
Milwaukee has several unique activities for kids who are a little older. Discovery World offers numerous age-appropriate experiences, including a giant aquarium, exhibits on automation, and hands-on activities. There’s a little something for everyone to enjoy.
Next door, the Milwaukee Art Museum offers Story Time in the galleries every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. At the same time, the Kohl’s Art Studio is open for drop-ins. Stop by and create art inspired by works in the museum’s collection. Projects change monthly, so there’s always something new to try.
Your family can then head over to Veterans Park, where you can visit Gift of Wings and purchase a kite. It can be flown in the park and along the lake.
If you’d like to get out on the water, Veterans Park offers paddle boat rentals for the whole family. Hop into one of the renowned swan boats and enjoy some time on the lagoon. Specialty bikes that hold anywhere from two to six people are also available for rental.
Follow up your adventure on the water by enjoying lunch at the Milwaukee Public Market, or have a pizza at Flourchild.
Tweens (9-12):
Check out the Milwaukee Public Museum, where your middle schoolers can wander through Africa, Asia, Europe, the Arctic, South and Middle America, the Pacific Islands, a Costa Rican rainforest, and so much more. Or your family can step back in time and stroll the Streets of Old Milwaukee.
After your visit to the museum, take one of the many boat tours Milwaukee has to offer. Edelweiss Cruises and the Milwaukee Boat Line offer sightseeing and themed cruises along the river and lakefront.
After all that fun, your family will probably be hungry, so you may want to check out AJ Bombers for good burgers. Alternately, if you’re looking for a super-unique and fun dining experience, visit SafeHouse, Milwaukee’s very own spy-themed restaurant.
Teens (13-18):
Milwaukee offers endless fun for teen residents and visitors. For instance, your family can get out on the water by renting kayaks from the Milwaukee Kayak Company. Single, tandem and family vessels await.
When it comes to live music, Milwaukee has many options. You can enjoy It’s Alive on the Riverwalk most Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, when local artists put on free performances in the heart of Downtown. You can also check out Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21’s two lunchtime concert series, Heart(beats) of the City powered by MGIC on Wednesdays and PNC Presents Tunes@Noon on Thursdays.
Another option is to step inside the Central Library and dive into a wealth of resources. Milwaukee County residents have access to not only books, but also games, movies and music. Teens aged 15-17 can get library cards on their own if they can provide two forms of ID. Children under 15 can get their own library cards as soon as they are able to print their first and last names, but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can provide a signature indicating responsibility.
Teens and families can also visit Escape Room Milwaukee where they’ll be forced to put their heads together and solve riddles and puzzles to set themselves free. Other fun activities can be found at the New Fashioned, a new entertainment venue in the Deer District that offers bowling, curling and dartball all year round. Food and drinks are also available, to keep energy levels high. Similar to the New Fashioned, the North South Club, just south of Downtown, offers axe throwing and shuffleboard.
These are just a few of the places and activities Milwaukee has to offer the young and young at heart. There’s plenty more to see and do, so head Downtown and have a family adventure!