Milwaukee Public Museum: Guide to Planning Your Visit

The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is a portal to adventure. Spread across three and a half immersive floors, this natural history wonderland invites families to journey through time and across continents. Whether your little ones dream of meeting dinosaurs, your tweens are fascinated by ancient civilizations, or your family loves hands-on learning, MPM delivers experiences that captivate every member of your crew.

From stepping into a tropical butterfly garden where hundreds of live butterflies flutter around you, to walking the cobblestone streets of 1900s Milwaukee, to coming face-to-face with a life-sized T-Rex, MPM transforms learning into pure adventure.

Planning Your Visit: The Essential Info

Hours & Timing

MPM welcomes families Wednesday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and major holidays). Here's a pro tip: weekday mornings around 10 a.m. offer the most peaceful experience, perfect for families with young children or anyone who prefers smaller crowds.

Members get an exclusive perk: early access on weekend mornings from 9-10 a.m. – a game-changer for families seeking that magical, uncrowded museum experience.

Smart Money-Saving Strategies

Standard Admission:

• Adults (18-64): $25

• Teens (14-17): $24

• Seniors (65+), Military, College: $21

• Youth (4-13): $19

• Children 3 & under: Always FREE!

Money-Saving Opportunities:

• First Thursday of every month: Completely FREE admission on Kohl's Thank You Thursdays (reserve online up to a week ahead)

• Museums for All: Just $3 per person with EBT/SNAP benefits

• Milwaukee County residents: Automatic discount at online checkout

• Mother's & Father's Day: One free adult admission per family (call ahead)

Membership Magic: A Family Membership ($135) pays for itself in just two visits and includes unlimited admission, $5 parking, 10% shopping discount, and exclusive member events.

Getting There & Parking

Located at 800 West Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee, MPM offers plenty of parking options. The adjacent enclosed garage has 1,445 spaces, plus eight lots within two blocks. Members score $5 parking in MacArthur Square garage – a significant savings since nearby lots can cost $6-$15.

Family-Friendly Features That Make All the Difference

For Families with Young Children

• Stroller-friendly throughout with elevators and escalators to all floors

• Stroller rentals available on-site

• Personal Cares Room: Private space with adult-sized changing bed and rocking chair

• Bring your own food: Eat in the Museum Café area – perfect for picky eaters and budget management

Exceptional Accessibility & Sensory Support

MPM truly shines in its commitment to ALL families:

Sensory-Friendly Resources:

• Dedicated Sensory Room with adjustable lights, sounds, and tactile panels

• Explorer Kits: Communication sheets, visual schedules, fidgets, sunglasses, earplugs

• Noise-reducing headphones (adult and child sizes)

• Sensory maps highlighting quiet/loud spaces, bright/dim areas, and smells

• Social stories to help prepare for the visit

• Downloadable pre-visit planning tools

This level of thoughtful accommodation makes MPM exceptionally welcoming for families with sensory-sensitive children.

Must-See Exhibits by Age Group

Little Explorers (Ages 0-5)

Puelicher Butterfly Wing: Step into a tropical paradise where hundreds of live butterflies, including giant electric-blue Morphos, flutter freely around you. Kids can wear butterfly costumes and watch butterflies emerge from chrysalises – pure magic for little ones.

Bugs Alive!: Get up close with fascinating live arthropods in safe, glass displays. Watch black widow spiders spin webs and marvel at Madagascar hissing cockroaches. A volunteer might even offer supervised bug handling!

Streets of Old Milwaukee: Walk cobblestone streets and peek into 1900s shops and homes. It's like stepping into a storybook version of the past.

Elementary Adventurers (Ages 4-12)

The Third Planet: Meet the museum's impressive dinosaur collection, including a life-sized T-Rex replica and the world's largest-known dinosaur skull. Complete with strobe lights, thunder, and dinosaur sounds for full prehistoric immersion.

Rainforest: Explore a replica Costa Rican rainforest with a working waterfall centerpiece. Transparent cubes showcase colorful butterflies, beetles, toucans, and jaguars against lush tropical sounds.

Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater: Don't miss the planetarium shows and 3D films – a perfect way to rest your feet while minds soar through space.

Pre-Teen Explorers (Ages 10+)

European Village: Dive deep into the intricate details of 33 different European cultures represented in meticulous period recreations from 1875-1925.

Mystery at MPM: Family Edition: Transform your visit into an interactive scavenger hunt, solving clues across all three floors (check availability – it's a special member perk).

Virtual Tours: Extend learning at home with 360° virtual experiences of exhibits, complete with behind-the-scenes videos.

Special Events Worth Planning Around

MPM keeps things fresh with rotating special programs:

• Spring Break Programming (March 24-27): Hands-on activities with MPM educators, plus free admission for kids 5 & under

• Creepy-Crawly Day (March 29): Handle live critters and examine specimens under microscopes

• Streets Alive! (April 26): Meet costumed docents portraying characters from 1900s Milwaukee

• Secrets of the Museum (July 2-September 1): Uncover hidden stories behind iconic exhibits

Pro Tips for Museum Success

1. Buy tickets online to skip lines, especially for free Thursday admission

2. Download sensory tools before your visit if needed

3. Pack snacks – outside food is welcome in the café area

4. Start with a plan but stay flexible – the museum doesn't limit visit duration

5. Bring a camera – photography is allowed in most permanent exhibits

6. Visit the gift shop – members get 10% off Museum Marketplace purchases

Important Transition Update

Heads up, families: MPM is preparing for an exciting transformation with a new Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin opening in 2027. During this transition, some exhibits may close temporarily or permanently. Always check the official website (mpm.edu) before your visit for the most current exhibit availability.

Recent closures include the Asia gallery and Pre-Columbian America Mezzanine, and popular exhibits like Streets of Old Milwaukee may have early closure times on certain dates.

The Milwaukee Public Museum offers something genuinely magical – the chance for families to explore, discover, and learn together in an environment designed with every family member in mind. From toddlers mesmerized by live butterflies to teens solving museum mysteries, MPM creates memories that last long after you leave.

With its exceptional accessibility features, budget-friendly options, and constantly evolving special programming, MPM proves that the best family adventures happen when curiosity meets opportunity.

Ready to start your family's Milwaukee Public Museum adventure? Visit mpm.edu to plan your visit, check current exhibit availability, and dive into virtual tours that will get everyone excited for the real thing.

What exhibit will your family explore first? The choice is yours – and the adventure awaits!