Doors Open Milwaukee is an annual event that opens the doors to over 140 sites across the city, giving the public a chance to explore Milwaukee’s rich history, architecture, and culture—all for free.
This year, 48 of those sites are marked family-friendly, and we’ve gone through all of them to select the ones that offer something extra special for kids and families. Whether it’s rare behind-the-scenes access or unique, hands-on experiences, these 10 tours stand out because they are typically closed to the public or offer activities that can’t be found anywhere else.
Doors Open is just one highlight of the season! Be sure to browse our Milwaukee Events Calendar for the latest family-friendly happenings throughout September and October
1. Milwaukee PBS
Address: 1036 N 8th St | Fully wheelchair accessible
Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Milwaukee’s most iconic broadcasters—Milwaukee PBS! Since 1957, Milwaukee PBS has been educating, informing, and entertaining Southeast Wisconsin. Located at the downtown Milwaukee campus of MATC, this station not only airs 24/7 across multiple channels, but also helps train future media professionals.
Visitors will enjoy a tour of the studio, explore the remote broadcast trucks, and even get a chance to be on camera! Plus, the first 100 guests receive a free copy of “Milwaukee: City of Neighborhoods” by local historian John Gurda. For a special treat, visitors can also record a message about why they love Milwaukee PBS.
Why Kids Will Love It: The chance to be on camera and explore real TV equipment makes this tour an exciting, interactive experience for little future stars.
2. Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee, Inc.
Address: 215 E National Ave | Wheelchair accessibility not available
Step back in time and explore one of the oldest model railroad layouts in the country at the Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee. Housed in a former Milwaukee Road Station that’s over 100 years old, this club has been running trains in the same spot since 1936.
Visitors can marvel at intricate model trains built to a ¼-inch scale, some dating back to before World War II. The current layout, completed in 1950, is a true piece of history, showcasing a size of model trains that has since become rare.
Why Kids Will Love It: Watching the model trains zoom along the tracks and exploring the detailed landscape is sure to captivate train enthusiasts of all ages.
3. Firehouse Stations & MPS Survive Alive House
Multiple Locations | Wheelchair accessible on the 1st floor
For young firefighting enthusiasts, Milwaukee’s historic firehouses are a must-see! During Doors Open Milwaukee, several stations will be open to the public, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a firefighter and their vital equipment. Here are three stations to visit:
- Firehouse Station 1 (784 N Broadway): Milwaukee’s oldest fire company, founded in 1839, with historic photos and modern equipment to explore.
- Firehouse Station 21 (2050 N Palmer St): Built in 1894, this station allows kids to learn from firefighters and see classic firefighting tools.
- Firehouse Station 27 (2647 N Bartlett Ave): Located on the East Side, this 1903 firehouse offers another opportunity to meet firefighters and learn about their important work.
For an interactive fire safety experience, don’t miss the MPS Survive Alive House (2059 S 20th St). Kids can practice escaping from a simulated house fire and learn how to create an escape plan for their own home. Over 13,000 children visit this unique facility each year, and during Doors Open, families can watch safety videos, explore a street scene, and practice crucial fire safety skills.
Why Kids Will Love It: Meeting real-life firefighters, touring fire trucks, and practicing fire escape drills are both fun and educational for young adventurers.
4. Davidson Park
Address: 3725 W Juneau Ave | Fully wheelchair accessible
Explore the newly opened Davidson Park, located on Harley-Davidson’s historic campus! This 4.8-acre urban oasis was created with community input, making it a wonderful place for families to relax, play, and enjoy nature. Kids can burn off some energy at the on-site playground, while parents appreciate the park’s thoughtful design and sustainability features.
The self-guided tour allows you to discover the park’s unique elements at your own pace. Live music and food trucks round out the experience, making it a fun family outing.
Why Kids Will Love It: A brand-new playground, live music, and tasty food trucks guarantee smiles all around!
5. Jones Island Water Reclamation Plant
Address: 700 E Jones St | Ticketed tours only | Wheelchair accessibility not available
For a fascinating look at how Milwaukee leads the way in water reclamation technology, don’t miss the chance to visit the Jones Island Water Reclamation Plant. This facility, which opened in 1926, treats over 300 million gallons of wastewater daily and was a pioneer in producing Milorganite® fertilizer as a byproduct. Designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, it offers a rare glimpse into the science behind water treatment and environmental sustainability.
Important: This year, in-person visits are by ticketed reservation only, so be sure to secure your spot online starting September 11.
Why Kids Will Love It: Learning how water is cleaned and turned into fertilizer is both fascinating and educational for curious young minds.
6. Reflo
Address: 3536 W Fond Du Lac Ave | Fully wheelchair accessible
Reflo combines art, technology, and environmental education to create a space where kids and families can learn about Milwaukee’s water systems and urban sustainability. Step inside and explore the Virtual Water Table, an interactive Augmented Reality sandbox that lets kids experiment with water flow and landscapes. Don’t miss the Outdoor Discovery Cart, which promotes outdoor learning and was crafted by MPS high school interns in collaboration with Reflo.
Why Kids Will Love It: Hands-on activities with water, nature, and games will make learning about the environment fun and exciting.
7. Carma Laboratories, Inc. (Carmex)
Address: 9750 S Franklin Dr | Wheelchair accessible on the 1st floor
Ever wondered how Carmex, the beloved lip balm, is made? Now’s your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look! While the building itself may seem like a standard warehouse, the real treat is inside—the world’s largest theater pipe organ, featuring 6,500 pipes, a grand piano, percussion instruments, and more.
Families can stop by to listen to live music on the incredible organ, with a mix of popular and classical tunes played throughout the day. It’s a one-of-a-kind auditory experience that both kids and adults will enjoy.
Why Kids Will Love It: Listening to the booming sound of the massive organ is sure to amaze music-loving kids (and maybe inspire future musicians!).
8. Wisconsin Public Radio, WPR Music
Address: 1243 N 10 St, Suite 100
Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM | Sunday: Closed
Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible
Photography: Photography/videography allowed (tripods ok)
Step inside the beautifully redeveloped Pabst Boiler House (originally built in 1890!) where Milwaukee’s newest classical music station, Wisconsin Public Radio’s 90.7FM, calls home. The building itself is a mix of preserved cream city brick, timber joists, and sustainable design features—including a 4,500-square-foot green roof.
From here, afternoon drive host Jason Heilman broadcasts live classical music across Wisconsin, while the local news team delivers statewide coverage.
Visitor Experience
Families will love this peek behind the microphone! Guests can step inside the broadcast studios, talk with engineers and news staff, and see firsthand how live radio is made. With access to the studios and chances to meet the people behind the voices, it’s an interactive experience for kids and adults alike.
Why Kids Will Love It: They’ll get to explore a real radio studio, chat with radio hosts, and see how sound travels from the mic to the airwaves.
9. Urban Ecology Center – Washington Park
Building Description & Visit Highlights
This beloved space in Washington Park—originally a racetrack, zoo, and county park—has reopened after a remodel. Designed by Quorum Architects Inc., the 29,000-sq-ft center (reopened February 2025) includes a three-level observation deck, bird-glass features, and community-friendly indoor and outdoor spaces Historic Milwaukee, Inc..
Visitor Experience
- Indoors: Borrow activity backpacks or yard games, relax with coffee in the bird library, check out the ecology room or snap binocular views from the observation deck.
- Outdoors: Self-guided tours of historical and ecological features like the Lloyd Street Prairie, orchard explorations, lagoon fishing, and pocket parks. Fishing poles are available at the front desk Historic Milwaukee, Inc..
Details
- Fully wheelchair accessible
- Address: 1859 N 40 St
- Saturday Hours: 10 am – 3 pm
- Sunday: Not open
- Photography, videography, and tripods allowed
10. Alice’s Garden Urban Farm
Address: 2136 N 21 St | Fully wheelchair accessible
Step into the beautiful world of Alice’s Garden, an urban farm with a rich history that dates back to the 1800s. This unique green space celebrates 52 years of providing a peaceful escape and teaching the community about gardening, sustainability, and the land’s storied past.
Families can wander through the herbal labyrinth, participate in farm tours with Venice Williams (at 2 PM and 4 PM each day), and enjoy an artisan market offering food and handcrafted goods. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing day outdoors while learning about Milwaukee’s connection to the Underground Railroad and more.
Why Kids Will Love It: Walking through the scent-filled labyrinth and exploring the market makes this tour interactive and fun.
Be sure to check out the rest of the family-friendly options on the Doors Open Milwaukee website for even more exciting choices.
Doors Open is just one highlight of the season! Be sure to browse our Milwaukee Events Calendar for the latest family-friendly happenings throughout September and October, and use our Milwaukee Fall Fun Guide to plan your next outing. For visual planners, our Interactive Fall Fun Map makes it easy to find the closest orchards, pumpkin patches, and festivals.
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.
