Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, 2025, and it’s the perfect excuse to treat the moms, grandmas, and mother figures in your life to something special — and maybe even free! Whether you’re planning a full weekend of fun or just sneaking in a few meaningful moments, we’ve rounded up some local deals and events to help you celebrate.
👇 Start with Milwaukee-area options, then scroll for a few special day trip ideas.
🎟️ Free Admission & Specials for Moms
Milwaukee Public Museum
📍800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI
🗓️ Sunday, May 11, 2025
👩👧 Moms get in FREE!
Call 414-278-2728 to reserve your free adult admission.
📝 On both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, the museum welcomes all caregivers with one free adult admission per group.
➡️ Read our family guide to the Milwaukee Public Museum »
Milwaukee County Zoo – Mother’s Day at the Zoo
📍10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI
🗓️ Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
👩👧 Moms get in FREE! (Regular parking and attraction fees still apply.)
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a wild adventure at the Milwaukee County Zoo, where all moms receive free admission, courtesy of Peoples State Bank.
While you’re there, don’t miss a visit to the Camel Yard, where Bactrian camel Addie-Jean (A.J.) recently welcomed a new baby boy. Over in the Small Mammals building, Quinn the prehensile-tailed porcupine is bonding with her sixth porcupette, born in March. And in the Primates of the World building, the Zoo is hosting special activities for Missing Orangutan Mothers (M.O.M.), an international conservation campaign supporting orangutan moms and their young. Look for themed cookies and handmade necklaces — all sales support orangutan conservation efforts in Indonesia.
Peoples State Bank will also be onsite with fun giveaways throughout the day.
Harley-Davidson Museum – Mother’s Day at the H-D Museum
📍400 Canal St, Milwaukee, WI
🗓️ Sunday, May 11, 2025
👩👧 Moms receive FREE general admission (mention the Mother’s Day offer in person).
🍽️ Bonus: Brunch buffet at MOTOR® Bar & Restaurant with views of the Menomonee River.
🧺 Day Trip-Worthy Adventures (Free for Moms!)
Bookworm Gardens – Mother’s Day at the Gardens
📍1415 Campus Dr, Sheboygan, WI
🗓️ May 10 & 11, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
👩👧 Moms and mother figures get FREE admission + a potted plant (while supplies last).
Enjoy storytime, art-making in the barn, a scavenger hunt, and more.
🎟️ Adult (18+): $15 | Youth (3-17): $13 | Kids under 2: Free
➡️ Read our article on Bookworm Gardens »
➡️ Explore our Magical Play Gardens roundup »
Old World Wisconsin – Moms Get in Free!
📍W372 S9727 Hwy 67, Eagle, WI
🗓️ Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
👩👧 Moms receive FREE admission (must redeem in person).
This immersive outdoor museum is packed with hands-on activities like wool processing demos, historic cooking, games, and farm animals.
➡️ Our full guide to Old World Wisconsin »
East Troy Railroad – Moms Ride Free
📍2002 Church St, East Troy, WI
🗓️ Saturday, May 10, 2025
👩👧 Moms ride FREE!
Take a scenic 10-mile round-trip ride to the Elegant Farmer. It’s a charming, laid-back way to spend a spring day with your family.
🔗 Get the train schedule & tickets »
➡️ Read our article about East Troy Railroad »
Unique Experiences
🚁 Helicopter Tours with Mom
📍401 E Layton Ave, Milwaukee, WI
🗓️ Saturday & Sunday, May 10–11, 2025 | 12:00 – 8:00 PM
💰 Starting at $55 per passenger
👩👧 Ages 2 and up
Want to really wow Mom this year? Take to the skies! MyFlight is offering Mother’s Day helicopter tours all weekend long. Soar over Milwaukee’s sparkling lakefront, swoop past the Milwaukee Art Museum, and get a bird’s-eye view of the downtown skyline. It’s an experience she’ll never forget—and a serious upgrade from flowers.
Set Sail for Mother’s Day on Lake Geneva
Treat Mom to a scenic cruise on Lake Geneva! Choose from several themed tours, from the Remarkable Women of Lake Geneva Cruise (including a self-guided tour of the historic Black Point Estate) to a classic Ice Cream Social Tour complete with sundaes and shoreline stories.
Mother’s Day Events at Vibez Creative Arts Space
Celebrate with color and creativity at Vibez! Choose from five special events, including a Mother’s Day Book & Paint with Author Dionne Grayson on Sunday, May 5 at 1:30 PM, or join a family-friendly Paint & Sip session on Friday, May 10 or Saturday, May 11 at 1 PM or 4 PM. Each session includes guided painting and a refreshing drink.
🎨 Great for all ages
📍 Vibez Creative Arts Space | Located inside Sherman Phoenix
📅 Reserve early—space is limited!
Looking to make a meal of it?
We also rounded up the best kid-friendly Mother’s Day brunch spots around Milwaukee, many offering special pricing for kids.
💐 Bonus: Free Fun All Year Long
We put together an entire e-book packed with 250+ free things to do in and around Milwaukee — perfect for moms, dads, and families all year long.
🌸 Mother’s Day Weekend Events
You can always find more things to do around Mother’s Day in our:
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.
