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Updated for 2026
If you’re planning a family day out in Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is one of the city’s most memorable stops. With immersive exhibits, iconic dioramas, and plenty of hands-on moments for kids, it’s a classic local favorite.
And with so much to explore across three floors, it helps to go in with a game plan.
This guide covers the best exhibits, what’s new for 2026, pro tips, parking, and everything families need to know to make the most of their visit.
👉 For a full list of kid-friendly museums in the city, see our guide to Best Milwaukee Museums for Families.
Quick Picks: Best Things To See at MPM
- Streets of Old Milwaukee – The most iconic and nostalgic exhibit
- European Village – Homes and shops from 33 cultures
- Butterfly Vivarium – Walk among live, free-flying butterflies
- The Third Planet – Dinosaurs + the dramatic T-Rex encounter
- Daniel Soref Planetarium – Six-story dome screen shows
- Hebior Mammoth Skeleton – Visible for free on the ground floor
What’s New for 2026 at MPM
The museum has confirmed it will remain open in its current location through all of 2026, with its final day of operation planned for January 3, 2027.
To celebrate the museum’s final year in the historic building, MPM is launching a year-long “Greatest Hits” series. Each month will spotlight one of its most beloved exhibits, including:
- Ancient Civilizations
- Streets of Old Milwaukee
- Dioramas
- Rainforest
- Butterflies
- Dino Days
It’s a fun chance to revisit the classics before the museum transitions to its future home.
👉 For more Milwaukee ideas, see our guide to Fun Things To Do in Milwaukee With Kids.
Must-See Exhibits
Streets of Old Milwaukee
A fan favorite for generations, the Streets of Old Milwaukee is a beautifully crafted recreation of a late 19th-century Milwaukee street — complete with cobblestones, storefronts, residences, and a life-size trolley.
Visitors enter through an old-fashioned streetcar, then wander past dozens of shop windows and historic homes filled with authentic artifacts. It originally opened in 1965 and was fully renovated in 2015 for its 50th anniversary.
Don’t miss:
- Granny in the rocking chair (she even has her own Twitter account!)
- Watson family home, telling the story of one of Milwaukee’s most prominent African-American families in the 19th century
Fun fact: Many historic Milwaukee street names have changed.
Grand Ave → Wisconsin Ave
Chestnut St → Juneau Ave
Biddle St → Kilbourn Ave
River St → Edison St
European Village
Located adjacent to the Streets of Old Milwaukee, the European Village recreates homes and shops as they may have appeared between 1875–1925.
It represents 33 different cultures, including Austrian, Belgian, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Jewish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian/Bulgarian, Russian, Scottish, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish, Swiss, Ukrainian, and Welsh traditions.
Each space reflects the daily life, skills, and customs of European immigrants who came to the United States during that period.
Butterfly Vivarium
A beautiful indoor garden filled with live, free-flying butterflies from around the world, the Butterfly Vivarium is especially magical for kids.
Some butterflies may even land on your hand or clothing, offering an up-close look at their colorful wings.
Pro Tip: Wear red or orange — butterflies are especially drawn to those colors.
The Third Planet
Generations of Milwaukee schoolchildren know this exhibit by heart. The Third Planet focuses on Earth’s history, plate tectonics, and of course — dinosaurs.
The dramatic moment of the T-Rex taking a bite out of another dinosaur still captivates visitors of all ages.
Fun fact:
- The Hell Creek diorama used 1,000 pieces of plywood.
- Over two tons of clay were flattened for the Triceratops model alone.
Daniel Soref Planetarium
MPM’s planetarium was the first in the world to use the Digistar 6 computer projection system.
The Dome Theater features:
- A six-story-tall screen
- Digital surround sound
- Spectacular full-immersion shows
Families love the 3D animations, views of the night sky, and journeys to places like Mt. Everest or prehistoric Earth.
If your kids love exploring global cultures at the museum, check out our “Travel the World at MPM” feature for more fun ways to explore.
Hebior Mammoth Skeleton (Ground Floor)
This is one of the museum’s hidden gems: you can view the skeleton of the Hebior Mammoth on the ground floor without paying admission.
The mammoth is over 14,000 years old and was discovered in Kenosha County. It’s significant because it helps date early human habitation in this region of North America.
💡If your kids love the museum’s immersive exhibits, check out our ‘Travel the World at MPM’ feature for a fun look at the global destinations inside the museum.
Pro Tips & Insider Secrets
Pro Tip #1: Wear red or orange to attract butterflies in the Vivarium.
Pro Tip #2: Look for the three secret buttons in the museum:
- Rattlesnake sound/movement at Bison Hunt exhibit
- Hidden button near the howler monkey in the Rainforest
- Final button in the Exploring Life on Earth exhibit
Pro Tip #3: The Hebior Mammoth can be viewed for free on the ground floor.
Pro Tip #4: Take advantage of Free First Thursdays, when admission is free for everyone.
Keep an eye on the museum’s events calendar for rotating themes and events, such as Native American Heritage Month.
Planning Your Visit
A little prep makes the visit even smoother for families.
Check Hours
Museum hours vary by day and season, so double-check before you go.
Buy Tickets in Advance
Online tickets save time and help you skip the lines.
How to Get In Free
If you’re planning your visit on a budget, there’s a great way to enjoy the Milwaukee Public Museum without purchasing admission.
Free First Thursdays:
The museum offers free admission on the first Thursday of every month, making it an easy choice for families looking for an affordable outing. It’s a popular time to visit, so arriving early can help you avoid crowds.
💡If you’re interested in more opportunities like this around the city, check out our roundup of Free Admission Days in Milwaukee.
Plan Your Route
With multiple floors and sprawling exhibits, planning ahead ensures you don’t miss your must-see lists.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’ll be walking — a lot.
Food Options
Food and snacks are available on the ground floor of the Museum Complex, with indoor seating and patio tables available in warmer months.
Timing
Plan for several hours if you want to explore the majority of exhibits.
Parking
You’ll find metered street parking downtown (free on Sundays), plus several municipal lots nearby.
MacArthur Square Parking Structure is the most convenient — it’s connected to the museum via a ground-level entrance so you don’t need to walk outside.
Additional parking is available through Hilton Milwaukee City Center, and more options can be found at parkmilwaukee.com.
Overview
Founded in 1882, the Milwaukee Public Museum is one of the largest natural and human history museums in the United States, with 4.5 million objects in its collection.
Some of its most popular exhibits include:
- Streets of Old Milwaukee
- Butterfly Vivarium
- European Village
- Dinosaur exhibits
The museum offers educational programs for all ages and is open daily. Admission varies by age and residency.
Plans for the new museum have been unveiled and are projected to take shape in 2026.
Things To Do Near the Milwaukee Public Museum
Perfect if you want to extend your day downtown:
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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.
