The Twin Cities are a second home for our family. My husband and I both went to college in the cities. It’s where we were living when we got married, had babies, and where we brought them home for the first time.

This summer we brought our not-so-little babies back to the Twin Cities to visit dear friends and show them around the place they were born.

Our visit reminded me of all of the amazing things there are to do with kids in the Twin Cities. It is overflowing with family fun. Below are the things we love the most and did with our twins when we visited this year. Even more ideas are at the bottom!

Visiting the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities, in case you’re wondering, are called the “twin” cities because there are two cities (St. Paul and Minneapolis) sitting right next to each other. They are somewhat realistic twins in that they are really not a whole lot alike, but there are some underlying similarities.

STAY.

The Twin Cities is a sprawling urban area. From one end of the suburbs to the other is at least a two hour drive. To decide where you’re going to stay I think you need to start with your to do list. Figure out where you plan to spend most of your time and then book a room accordingly.

We stayed in Bloomington on our last trip which is near the airport, Mall of America, and not a bad drive to either St Paul or Minneapolis. It worked well as a centralized home base for us – but figure out what you’re going to do and where that will take you and go from there.

EAT.

There are all of the things when it comes to food in the Twin Cities. There’s great pizza, good vegan, yummy ice cream, amazing farm to table restaurants, awesome ethnic food, I could go on and on.

We are somewhat limited as a family because of my son’s allergy, but here are the places we ate out while we were in the Twin Cities this summer. I highly recommend them all.

Mall of America

There are a million – well maybe just a hundred – places to eat at the Mall of America. If you want a fun experience I recommend either the American Girl Bistro or the Rainforest Cafe. My kids loved the Rainforest Cafe on our recent trip. It comes complete with moving animals, a rainforest surrounding you, and periodic rainstorms. Truly an experience.

Pizza Luce

This is one of our favorite local chains – especially for dairy allergy food. They have a number of vegan and gluten free options on the menu – including some yummy dessert options so our little guy had choices which always feels amazing. The pizza is also delicious. The Baked Potato is my personal favorite.

ICE CREAM

We were on a bit of a vegan ice cream hunt this summer so we tried several. These three were our favorites. Note: They do all have excellent vegan / dairy free ice cream but they also have regular ice cream as well.

The Pumphouse Creamery

Located near Lake Nokomis, this little shop has a good variety of interesting flavors, including several dairy free options for my kiddo with allergies.

Izzy’s

This was our local ice cream shop when we lived in MN and is my personal favorite. As a bonus it also has several options every day that are Dairy Free and I love their adorable little Izzy cones for kids.

Milkjam Creamery

This spot wins the award for most creative flavors. They also have a host of vegan options for my dairy free kiddo.

Things to do with Kids

Oh my goodness. There are so many things to do with kids in the Twin Cities. This list only cracks the surface, but they are some of our absolute favorites.

1. Lake Harriett

In the land of lakes you have to see at least one while you’re in the Twin Cities. My favorite is Lake Harriett. It is beautiful. It is just far enough around to feel like you had a good walk but not take up your whole day. The band shell has a decent spot for breakfast or lunch. And if you’re with kiddos, there is a playground just up the hill from the band shell that is great for a range of children.

2. Wild Rumpus Children’s Bookshop

This place is magical if you’re a kid. From the moment you arrive and see that kids get to walk through their own specially sized door. Inside you’ll find a chicken and cats roaming and an awesome selection of children’s books from board books to chapter books and everything in between. It is located blocks from Lake Harriett so I like to pair the two.

3. Hyland Park

The Play Area at Hyland Park is truly impressive. It has several different structures of different sizes all in one space. My kids loved the huge climbers which felt like a maze to them and got their imaginations going. I loved the huge umbrellas offering shade from the surprisingly hot summer heat.

4. Mall of America

You could literally spend your entire long weekend at the Mall of America. It has everything – restaurants, an amusement park, an aquarium, attached hotels, and so much more. It certainly is a unique place. I personally think that one day is enough, but that will mean that you have to pick and choose how you spend your time and money. On this trip we went to the Crayola Experience and the SeaLife Aquarium. Next time my kids want to go to the Nickelodean Universe amusement park to go on the rides.

5. Como Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo in Bloomington is definitely the bigger, better zoo – but it also comes with a matching price tag and a lot of walking. If you want to spend a whole day at a great zoo then absolutely make the trip. If you want to spend 2-3 hours at a decent zoo that is FREE, then this is a fun place to go with kids. Don’t miss the polar bear exhibit and walking over the lions. There is also a new seal area opening soon.

6. Minnehaha Falls

I think the Falls are gorgeous. They are an easy walk and if you go during the week it isn’t usually hard to find parking in one of the nearby lots of on the street. It is paid parking, although inexpensive. The walk isn’t hard, but if you want to see the Falls from all angles then it does require some stairs. You can also just walk along the top with a stroller if you prefer to avoid the stairs.

More Family Friendly Places to Explore in Minnesota:

Having lived in the Twin Cities for 11 some years there are a lot more things we have done with kids that didn’t make it onto our list for this visit. This mostly had to do with proximity, friends’ preferences, and weather.

Here are more awesome things we love to do with kids in Minnesota.

7. MN Landscape Arboretum

8. Walker Art Museum

9. Mill City Museum

10. Bakken Museum

11. Minnesota Zoo

12. St Paul Children’s Museum

13. MN Science Museum

14. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store (down the block from Izzy’s Ice Cream)

15.  Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater

Subscribe Below to Get New Posts –> Your Inbox

The East Side of Milwaukee is home for me. I’ve lived in seven cities and five states in my lifetime, but the first 18 years of my life were all spent in one place.

The East Side is a quiet neighborhood nestled along the lakefront just north of Downtown. It benefits from the cool lake breezes in the Summer and the warm lake effect in the Winter.

It is an area with tasty restaurants, pretty parks, and a slow, quiet feel that I love. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this area, as a kid obviously, but also as an adult with my own kids.

Below are our favorite things to do on the East Side. I hope you’ll pop up the next time you’re in town.

affiliate links may be included below.

10+ Things to do on Milwaukee’s East Side

My definition of Milwaukee’s East Side does include part of the lakefront that is technically south of the “East Side”. Growing up on the East Side Lake Michigan was a huge part of my childhood. Below are ideas that stretch from Shorewood to the edge of Downtown within about a mile of the lakefront.

1. Walk in Lake Park

We are huge fans of walks with young kids and Lake Park is one of my favorite places to explore with kids. Whatever the season, put on some weather appropriate gear, grab some binoculars or bags for collecting and head to the park to look for signs of the season. (For more walk ideas for toddlers and preschoolers read this list!)

For a walk, I would park over by the golf course and head south. There is a map on the website to give you a better visual look.

2. Play on a Playground

There are several fun playgrounds on the East Side of Milwaukee.

Lake Park is the newest, most interesting structure in the area. It is great for kids who love to climb.

Riverside has some fun quirky things that my kids love.

There is also a playground by Atwater Beach at Lake and Capitol that is fun and wins for best view.

We also love the one along the lakefront on Lincoln Memorial Drive across the street from Colectivo. Grab a cup of coffee and then hang out while your kiddos play.

3. Urban Ecology Center

The Urban Ecology Center’s mission is to foster “ecological understanding as inspiration for change, neighborhood by neighborhood.” So far they have three locations in Milwaukee. Their site has more information about each location.

We love exploring their East Side Riverside location.

When you walk in you are greeted by this welcoming lobby. It is a warm space with various seating, a fireplace, and tables for sitting and working. There are also helpful volunteers at the front desk that can answer questions, help you find things, and offer information.

Beyond that, I was delighted to uncover several family friendly details tucked into this center. In the lobby there are books and puzzles tucked on a shelf.

There is a room with a variety of native animals, including turtles, snails, fish, and frogs in tanks. It is not overly impressive in design or size, but the exhibits are carefully placed at child’s eye view and our kids enjoyed peering at the different animals.

These river themed slides were a huge hit with our kids. You go up a stair case and briefly outdoors to go down the slides, which I found a little odd, but they found to be completely awesome. Apparently the Urban Ecology Center knows its audience. This is technically a “secret entrance” into the center. Our twins went up and down these slides countless times.

The Riverside Park location is situated on 15 acres of wooded land and riparian habitat along the Milwaukee River. The trails are short and easily adapted to various ages and walk lengths. In the past we have seen deer, a variety of flowers and trees, and birds on walks in the Arboretum.

Also Read: 10 Winter Activities do in Milwaukee with Kids

4. East Side Library

This library was recently updated and it’s beautiful. We always love a visit to the library. My kids could browse the stacks for hours and the stack we bring home borders of ridiculous every week.

The East Side branch has lots of story times and other programs for families so check out their calendar for the up-to-date dates and times.

5. Atwater Beach

The beach? In Wisconsin? Yes! There are a few places to hit the beach on the East Side, but our favorite is Atwater Beach.

The playground at the top is great for older kids (3-7ish) and the view is incredible. If you head down the stairs you will find a large, often uncrowded beach with lovely soft sand.

>> Also Read: A SUMMER WEEKEND IN MILWAUKEE <<

6. Boswell Bookstore

The Boswell Book Company is on Downer Ave on the East Side. It is an awesome independent bookstore with a cozy well-stocked children’s area. I don’t think there is a better place to spend a couple of hours on a cold day, but we love a visit to Boswell anytime of year.

7. Eat Yummy Things on Downer

Downer Ave is kind of Main St on the East Side. There are some little shops and a lot of restaurants.

Pizza Man is one of our personal favorites with kids. They have delicious pizza and pasta.

8. Get Outside by the Lagoon

Towards downtown on Lincoln Memorial Drive, in Veteran’s Park you will find the Lagoon. There are often fun events here like a kite festival and the view of downtown is one of the best, but the lagoon itself is fun with kids.

This is a great spot for watching sailboats, renting boats to try out on the calm lagoon, flying a kite in the open grassy area, ride bikes, and more.

9. Sledding

Winter is a big part of Wisconsin life when you’re a kid and sledding is one of the best parts. Our favorite place to sled on the East Side of Milwaukee is the hill by the tennis courts at Riverside Park.

10. Art Museum

The Art Museum is probably technically Downtown, but to me it was the end of our neighborhood when I was a kid and it’s a fabulous place to visit with kids.

Parking is available across the street and underneath the museum. If you arrive at opening you can watch the famous wings open.

Don’t miss the kid’s art space on the lower level. My kids always love the hands on activities.

And while you’re there, ask for one of the kids activity guides. They change with the new visiting exhibits and they do a great job engaging kids (about age 5 and up) in really exploring one of the exhibits in depth.

11. Climb at Adventure Rock

Adventure Rock is situated on the cusp of the East Side of Milwaukee by North Avenue, which is convenient for anyone on that end of town. (The other location is on the west side of town about a half an hour away).

On the main floor are locker rooms, bathrooms, and a huge climbing room with impressive vaulted ceilings. There is a good mixture of course difficulties and space for climbing. Upstairs is also a long area for bouldering.

For climbing with kids, I like that there are a decent number of auto-belays so adults can take turns supervising and climbing.

Subscribe Below

for Weekly Family Travel Inspiration

On January 5, 2018 our family started our move from New York City to San Diego.

After school, we loaded up the car, said some final goodbyes, and road across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge out of Brooklyn NY headed to San Diego with tears in our eyes.

New York City is a hard city to say goodbye to, but in truth saying goodbye to any place we’ve lived is always hard.

Our little family kicked off the new year by moving from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast. Our 5th move in 7 years.

We were prepared as we could be – my tips for getting kids ready to move are in this post – but moving is hard. Every single time.

This is our story of getting from one coast to the other.

Warning: This is a long one so grab a cup of tea or mug of cocoa before you dive in.

Affiliate links are included below. Thanks for your support.

The Road Trip Plan

This is the map that hung in our kitchen for about a month before our move. It always looks so easy when it’s drawn out on a map, doesn’t it?

This is the longest road trip and most continuous time in the car we have ever attempted with our kids. They have a lot of practice at traveling, but I was still a little nervous when we mapped out our plan.

Due to Google Maps suggestions and Winter in the North, we decided to swing South pretty quickly as we headed West.

Our route took us:

• Ocean to ocean
• Into 13 states
• 45 hours of driving
• 3,097 miles
• and 9 days

Activities for the Car

I had a massive tote bag in the car filled with all kinds of toys and activities and games for us to play in the car. We ended up only using a fraction of what I packed. Below are the items we actually used in the 45+ hours in the car with two six year olds.

• Kids Amazon Kindles with these Headphones
• DVD player, same headphones, and DVDs of Bambi and a few favorite TV shows.
• Melissa and Doug 50 States Game license plate game (We found ALL 50 plates!)
• Melissa and Doug Magic Velvet activity books
• BrainQuest activity books (mostly to make me feel less guilty about all the time in school they missed during the move.)
• National Geographic Road trip activity book
• Coloring books and crayons and colored pencils
• Highlight Magazine
• Mom and Dad listened Ready Player One on audiobook (the Mom’s Nook Bookclub book for January)
• Audiobooks: Our favorite was How to Train a Dragon.

Read Also: Quality, Engaging, and Creative Activity Books to Bring on Family Trips

New York to Pennsylvania

The first day we left immediately after their last day of school and we drove to Harrisburg PA.

There we pulled in around bedtime so we quickly got everything set up and the kids in pajamas. We read them Baby Monkey Private Eye and then all quickly fell asleep.

If you have more time I would highly recommend stopping in Philly for a day or half day.

Cincinnati OH

The next morning we got up early to drive the rest of the way across Pennsylvania. This was when I lost any remaining doubt about our decision to head South soon.

Originally I had pushed to drive straight west and then South. We haven’t been to the western part of the US much yet and I am eager to explore it, but Winter is not the time to drive across the northern part of the country.

Our wiper fluid froze. We had to stop a few times to clear the windows so we could proceed safely. It was frigid cold outside every time we had to stop.

We finally made it to our friends’ home in Cincinnati a little before dinnertime.

We stayed an extra day to enjoy the weekend with friends.

They took us to the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky just outside of Cincinnati. The highlights for us were the touch tank and the shark walk which is one of the oddest things we’ve ever done and yet fascinating to my kids.

Afterwards we had brunch at Taste of Belgium which is incredible. I had the Nutella crepe and it was one of the best I’ve ever tasted – Paris included. Our Dairy Free allergy kiddo had eggs and bacon.

Nashville TN

On Monday morning we headed South through Kentucky towards Nashville. We stopped briefly at Carmichaels Kids in Louisville, Kentucky.

This is such a cozy little children’s bookstore. There is a quality collection of all kinds of books for kids and some games and toys.

We arrived in Nashville to spend the afternoon and evening with dear friends. There are a million family friendly things to do in the area so even if you don’t have people to visit I highly recommend a stop in Nashville.

Jackson MS

In the morning we headed a little further South through Memphis to Jackson MS. This was our home before New York.

We stayed with dear friends near Jackson MS and they gave our kids the best gift – time outside. It was our first rain free few hours and they took full advantage racing around outside. By dinner time they were covered in mud and completely delighted.

Read Also:  20+ Best Things to do in Jackson MS with Kids.

Dallas/Fort Worth TX

We were now about halfway and we turned West towards Texas and the West Coast.

From Mississippi we drove to the Dallas – Fort Worth area.

It is a long, flat drive across Louisiana and into Texas. We’ve made this drive many times because when we lived in MS my Cystic Fibrosis doctor was near Dallas, but that probably only made it a little more dull.

We stopped at a playground near our hotel to run around a bit.

Note to Self: packing a football in the car to throw around was a genius idea. It got us all running around and laughing.

El Paso TX

The next day was one of the longest. We drove from Dallas to El Paso across the rest of Texas.

We saw endless sky and cattle farms and long freight trains and listened to several audiobooks.

That night we all went to bed super early. The time changes were started to catch up with us.

The flip side of the time changes of course is that our kids were waking up SUPER early. The bonus of this is that we got on the road before the sun rose the next day.

We saw this gorgeous sunrise from the first rest stop inside New Mexico. Desert sunrises are now one of my favorite things.

New Mexico was a lot more endless flat desert and big skies, but the drive to Phoenix was quicker.

This was one of my favorite days. The sunrise was spectacular. The drive wasn’t too long and when we got to Phoenix we still had plenty of time to explore.

Phoenix AZ

My sweet friend from high school lives near Phoenix and she recommended hiking at Papago Park. We loved it.

The path itself is pretty easy and gives you a nice view of Tempe and Phoenix. My kids of course “needed” to climb up the rocks so our hike was a little more strenuous, but a ton of fun.

Then we met my friend and her family for dinner at a fun little spot in Tempe called The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen. The food was good (and had good allergy options) and there were fun things to do on the outside patio for our kids which the grown ups chatted.

finally onto California.

The next day we were up before the sun again and headed West one last time.

This drive was fascinating. We had never driven through this part of the country at all and the hills and rocks and mountains were so cool.

It took us about 6 hours to weave through the mountains and desert, but it felt quicker despite our serious desire to be out of the car once and for all.

Also Read: Family Road Trip from Portland to San Diego

and we have arrived in San Diego CA!

Finally, around lunch time, we pulled into San Diego. We found tacos and walked a few blocks to the beach. We all looked around kind of in disbelief.

We are here.

If you’ve made it all the way to the bottom here – wow. Thank you!

Thanks for reading.

Thanks for all the comments and love on Instagram and Facebook and everywhere as we made our way across the country.

We can’t thank you enough for your support of our little family.

I grew up in Wisconsin, but I admit when we first moved to Baraboo (about an hour north of Madison) I had no idea what to do with my two little kids. A Milwaukee native, South-Central Wisconsin was a mystery to me.

Fortunately, between the Dells to the North, a surprising number of things to do in Baraboo, and the wealth of family-friendly ideas in Madison we kept quite busy for three years. I still miss our quiet mornings at Devil’s Lake and busy ones at the Madison Children’s Museum.

Here are our favorite things to do in the Madison Area with young kids.

15+ Free & Cheap Things
to do in the Madison Area

Outdoor Activities for Kids

1. Go to a Lake, our favorites include;

• Lake Monona – Madison WI. There are several access points, but we like the beach and trails in Governor Nelson State Park.
• Devil’s Lake State Park – Baraboo WI. There are two beaches and lots of trails. I loved the South beach the most.

2. Visit a Playground. There are some awesome ones in the area. 

McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg is my favorite. It is huge, full of places to climb, and walking paths that wind through the park. There is also a fantastic farm themed splash pad to cool off in during the Summer.

3. See the Animals at the Henry Villas Zoo. 

It’s FREE and completely awesome.

4. Ride the Merrimac Ferry

This is about a half an hour north of Madison and runs during the warmer months. It is completely free and doesn’t take long. I recommend parking on one side so you can walk on the ferry. Ride is across and back so your kids can see the lake. Pack a lunch to eat on the shore to make a day of it if you want or get ice cream at the little shop on the Merrimac side.

5. Watch a Mallards Game

A cheap night out with lots of fun baseball, food, and people watching. Younger children will not understand or appreciate the baseball-ness of the activity, but they will be fascinated by everything going on around them. There is also a kids play area inside the stadium. See Website.

6. Visit a farm. 

We love visiting farms to pick apples, pumpkins, blueberries…whatever is in season. We love:

• Green Thumb Farms in Prairie du Sac
• Eplegaarden Apple Farm just outside Madison.

7. Dane County Farmers’ Market

This is a huge Farmers’ Market the forms around the Wisconsin State Capitol Square from 6am to 2pm every Saturday. On nice days it gets super crowded but it’s worth it.

8. International Crane Foundation

This is a little hidden gem in Baraboo WI. It’s small but is easy for kids to wander and has quite a collection of cranes. You’ll pay $10 for yourself, but kids under 5 are free. See website.

also read: 10+ Things to do with Kids on Milwaukee’s East Side

Indoor Activities for Kids

9. Madison Children’s Museum – Madison MS

This is a fantastic children’s museum. While one trip is not cheap, I highly recommend a membership. If you have kids under 5 you could find yourself here at least once a month. View Website.

10. Library Storytime

Throughout the city there are preschool story times at the various libraries. One of our favorites is the main branch in downtown Madison. It has an amazing children’s area full of great books, interesting nooks, and kid friendly technology. Check online for a storytime there or near you.

11. Barnes and Noble

This isn’t unique to Madison, but it is still a fun way to pass a few hours. There are several branches in the Madison area, but each has a wonderful children’s area. Our kids love playing and browsing for books. Check the website for brief storytimes as well.

12. Olbrich Gardens

Looking to warm up on a cold day, this is a great place to do it. The indoor dome is steamy and small enough for little legs to wander on their own. We also love the Christmas Trains Exhibit.

13. Kids in the Rotunda

On Saturdays, the Overture Center puts on delightful free family events. They vary, so check the schedule, but in our experience they are all awesome. View Website.

14. Mall Play Area

If you aren’t in the midst of a terribly flu season, the indoor play areas at the East Towne and West Towne malls are fun places to play. Visit in the early morning to avoid the chaos of lunchtime and afternoon.

15. Visit the University of Wisconsin-Madison

There are plenty of kids friendly things to do at the U. You can eat custard at the Babcock Hall Dairy, bowl at the bowling lanes, or climb on the climbing wall in the lower level of the Student Union.

16. The Chazen Museum of Art

This is a museum on the UW campus. They have some fun events for children and their caregivers. Check the website for dates.

17. UW Geology Museum

This FREE musuem on the UW campus is a fun place to visit. There are also storytimes on the first and third Thursday of each month. See website for details.

18. See Play at the Children’s Theater

For the three years we lived in Baraboo, WI we went to several productions at the Children’s Theater in Madison and were impressed each time. One of my favorites was their production of Anne of Green Gables. I love when a beloved book comes to life. Movies are great, but there is something extra magical about a play being performed live in front of your eyes. In general the theater is a lovely place to visit. Clean, comfortable, and full of helpful, welcoming staff.

With Chicago so nearby, Milwaukee is often dismissed as a small city. It is indeed smaller, but its location on the lake is hard to beat, especially in the summer, and it has a wonderful character.

Summer is my favorite time of year in Wisconsin and Milwaukee is full of things to see and do. We recently spent a few weeks before our big move to Mississippi. As with all major cities, the possibilities are endless, but here are some of our favorite things to do in our home city.

A Weekend in Milwaukee WI:
Summer Edition

Note: I call this the Summer Edition but many of these ideas would work well on a pleasant Fall or Spring day as well. I’ll share a chilly or rainy day itinerary separately.

STAY.

We have an abundance of family in the area, so we haven’t stayed in a hotel in Milwaukee.

We would highly recommend staying near downtown though – close to most of the best parts of Milwaukee. Somewhere in Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, or Wauwatosa would allow for decent access to the city as well.

EAT.

•  KOPP’S. Their butter burgers, fries, and custard at Kopp’s are a must for anyone visiting Milwaukee. Try dipping their fries into the custard, so delicious!
• The City Market located just down Capitol Drive from Atwater beach. Yummy sandwiches that are perfect for lunch and high chairs are available.
• Pizza Man located on Downer Ave. on the East Side has amazing pizza, but also delicious pasta and other options – including Dairy Free food.
• Milwaukee Sail Loft is a delicious dinner spot by the Milwaukee River minutes from downtown.
• Milwaukee Public Market: so much in one little spot downtown. Full of options for any time of day and fun atmosphere.
• Blue’s Egg short drive from the Zoo and offers a menu full of delicious options. The children’s menu offers particularly thoughtful options.
• Try Botanas Mexican Restaurant on the south side of Milwaukee for some delicious Mexican food.

TO DO.

Atwater Beach

Lake Michigan is one of my favorite parts of Milwaukee and this is one of my favorite spots to enjoy it.

You have to walk down a remarkable amount of stairs, or stroll down a really long ramp, to get there, but it is worth it. Beautiful clean beach in a quiet little nook that makes you forget about the hubbub of the city.

Bring some sand toys and enjoy the morning. There is also a park at the top of the hill perfect for little ones.

also read: 10+ Things to do with Kids on Milwaukee’s East Side

Go Paddle Boating at Veteran’s Park.

This is a fun space just to run around and be near the lake. Smaller festivals and events are occasionally held here. You can also rent different kinds of boats, float in the lagoon and enjoy the skyline.

If you need a little snack break, we love Collectivo Coffee by the lake. Coffee for the adults, smoothies and bakery goods for the little ones. Sit outside and enjoy the people watching.

also read: 16 summer adventures with free bingo printable

Lincoln Park Pool

There are several splash pads and pools in the Milwaukee County Park system, but this is our favorite for little ones. It has a zero to 3 feet pool area for little ones. The mornings from 10-12am are reserved for younger children before the rest of the pool is opened up for older children. Our three year olds had a blast with their 5 and 7 year old buddies at this pool.

If you aren’t in a big pool mood, Lake Park is a beautiful place to walk and has a fun playground for little ones.

Take in a Festival.

Milwaukee is often called the “city of festivals.” The Summerfest grounds along the shore of Lake Michigan is famous for its festivals throughout the summer.

The largest of these being Summerfest, an enormous music festival, which runs around the Fourth of July. My personal favorite is Irish Fest which we wrote about in a previous post. View the page mentioned above to see what festival is happening while you are in town. You can get your hand stamped if you need to leave and return after a naptime. Typically the more exciting bands are later in the day, but for little ones there are many thing to do during the day.

If (when) you get hungry, round up a smorgasbord of treats. (We highly recommend the Saz’s combo platter)

Milwaukee County Zoo

The zoo opens at 9am which makes it a great morning activity for little ones. Complete with a variety of animals, train ride, and playground in the family farm area, this is easily a full day activity. Be sure to check out the polar bears, they are our favorite.

Old World Wisconsin

Up for a small road trip? This is about 45 minutes outside of the city but absolutely worth the drive. Step back in time at this massive park that brings history to life. People dressed in costume, acres of homes and fields, and so much for kids to do. You can watch a blacksmith at work, try your hand at hand washing clothing, help gather chicken eggs, and so much more. 

More Things to Do:

• Lake Park is close to where we both grew up and recently renovated their playground would be our pick for a quick playground, get the wiggles out stop near the East Side / Downtown. There is also a playground along the lakefront North of the coffee shop I mentioned above and South of Bradley Beach.
• Miller Park for a Brewer’s Game or a Tour
• Milwaukee Rotary Club Arboretum + Urban Ecology Center
• Audubon Nature Center
• Free Concerts in the Milwaukee County Parks. Search their website for a current schedule. Jazz in the Park is an annual summer favorite.

Milwaukee in the summer is all about the outdoors for us. We tend to save the indoor stuff for our winter visits, but if you hit an in-climate day here are a few indoor options:
*Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
*Milwaukee Art Museum
*The Domes

Also Read: 10 Winter Activities do in Milwaukee with Kids

Subscribe Below for Weekly Family Travel Ideas

Whether you are visiting for a few days or looking for ways to keep your kids busy on a Tuesday, here are some awesome free and cheap things to do with kids in the Milwaukee Area.

this post is part of the free & cheap series on Stay at Home Mom Survival Guide

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids

Indoor Activities

1. Check out the free family events at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

2. Visit the Urban Ecology Center. Scope out the animals, read books, do a puzzle, slide down a river themed slide, or as a volunteer if you can try a musical instrument by the fire.

3. Go to the library. There are a lot, but the Central Library downtown has an especially impressive children’s section.

4. Visit one of the awesome area museums on their FREE days. These include the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum.

Also Read: 10 Winter Activities do in Milwaukee with Kids

Outdoor Activities

5. Attend a festival down at the lake front. We loved the Dragon Boat Festival held in July.

6. Go paddle boating at Veteran’s Park.

7. Splash in the water at Atwater Beach.

8. Play at one of the many parks. We love Lake Park, Atwater Park, and Hart Park in Wauwatosa.

9. Listen to music outside at Jazz in the Park.

also read: 10+ Things to do with Kids on Milwaukee’s East Side

10. Go fly a kite. Veteran’s Park has a little kite store to pick one up if you don’t have one and a huge space for running.

11. Go on a hike. There are tons of kid friendly spots including; Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Wehr Nature Center, Harrington Beach, and the Urban Ecology Center. Or go on a walk around interesting areas like Black Cat Alley or hunt for murals – here’s a list of some fun ones around Milwaukee.

12. Visit a U-pick farm. Pick apples, pumpkins, strawberries and more in the area.

13. Go to the Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan.

14. Visit the Boerner Botanic Gardens in Hales Corners. This isn’t free – but at $7 per adult and $5 per kid it is inexpensive. The Education Center is open on week days.

Find All of Our Favorite Family Travel Destinations Here

As you enter the park you navigate down a twisting, winding drive through towering trees and gradually the large, clear blue lake starts to peek through until you finally round the corner at the base of the hill. There, just beyond a green space, sits a huge shimmering lake surrounded on all four sides by jagged rock and tree covered hills. That is Devil’s Lake.

When we lived in the small rural town of Baraboo, Wisconsin we were about 4 miles from beautiful Devil’s Lake State Park and I still miss it every day. My twins and I road the quick 5 minutes to the park from our house about once a week for those 3 years.

Often we spent a couple hours in the morning hiking or playing on the beach. In the summer, we took up residence most days on the south shore beach. When people visit the area this is always where I tell them to go. If you are in the area, make the time to stop. I promise it is worth it.

Devil’s Lake is one of the most beautiful spots in Wisconsin. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are hard to beat and shoudn’t be missed, but we love Devil’s Lake.

Often Devil’s Lake State Park gets lumped in with the rest of the Wisconsin Dells and while it is close and was carved in similar ways by nature, Devil’s Lake is actual in Baraboo WI.

Baraboo is a town about 20 minutes from the Dells and is famous for being the birthplace of the Ringling Bros Circus. While this is certainly a colorful history, this stunning park full of beaches, trails, and wildlife is the true gem.

affiliate links are included below

7 Things to do at Devil’s Lake State Park with Kids

1. Camping

I have actually never camped at Devil’s Lake but growing up in Milwaukee WI, a few hours away, I knew tons of family and friends who headed to Devil’s Lake at least one weekend a summer to camp. If you do, I highly recommend carving out time during the week or in the off season. Summer weekends at Devil’s Lake are a bit insane.

2. Hiking

Over the three years we lived in the area we did most of the hiking trails.

*There is a gentle trail that runs along the lake on the western shore. It is a little rocky but very managable for young children. Our kids were able to do this around the age of 3.

*On that same shore there is a hike that heads up the hills which is nice and shaded. It is a little tricky for little toddler legs, but I think my preschoolers and certainly school agers could handle it.

*On the eastern shore is one of my favorite trails. It is steep and we did it with our kids in these backpack carriers. The views are spectacular.

Talk to the Rangers at the front of the park for helpful tips on where to hike.

3. Beaches

Playing in the sand and in the water was our favorite activity at Devil’s Lake. There are two beaches. A bigger and often more crowded beach on the North Shore and a smaller beach on the South Shore.

Both have a shallow entry and continue to be fairly shallow for a ways out making it perfect for little kids. Wading and splashing in the water was our twins’ absolute favorite summer activity. The sand is pretty nice and good for building sand castles and such.

We preferred the South Beach mostly because it was less crowded. On a Tuesday morning we could also have it completely to ourselves.

4. Picnic

Both shores have picnic benches and plenty of green space. There are also grills available on both shores. Picnicking is a popular summer activity.

5. Boating

Whether you own your own or rent them there, Devil’s Lake is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The water is incredibly still and being out on the lake is very peaceful. We loved doing this in the late Spring or early Fall when the park is less busy.

The very first time we took our twins canoeing it was out on Devil’s Lake.

6. Visit the Nature Center

Check the website to see the Nature Center’s hours because they vary with the seasons.

There is a small area for children to check out some natural materials and Rangers are usually on hand to answer questions. There are also events throughout the year.

7. Nature Walk

One of my favorite parts about Devil’s Lake was watching the seasons change. There aren’t many more spectacuar spots to watch the different seasons roll through.

During the year we would collect leaves, tromp in the snow, swim in the water, and picnic in the grass. For this reason, if you live in the area, I highly recommend a season pass!

also read: 16 summer adventures with free bingo printable

8. Playground

There is a playground on the South Shore end of the park. It is a little more advanced and high off the ground so I recommend it for ages 3 and up, but there were some things for my toddlers to enjoy.

Other Tips

*Arrive earlier in the day to avoid crowds. Weekdays are always less crowded than weekends.

*Pack a lunch and stay all day if you don’t have to worry about naps.

*There is a boardwalk and some paved trails around the picnic area on the South end and a paved trail from the parking lot to the end of the beach on the North end if you wish to walk with a stroller.

*If you are planning to camp in the Summer, reserve your area at least a couple months ahead of time.

*If you live in the area, get a season pass. It is a wonderful place to visit year round.

*You will likely have to walk a ways from the parking lot so pack light.

read also: a Weekend in the wi dells with kids

Looking for a unique field trip in the Twin Cities area? The Mill City Museum is a fascinating way to explore history, water, baking and more.

It is a museum erected in footprint of an old flourmill in Minneapolis.  Admission to the museum gets you into the gallery, exhibit labs (baking lab and water lab), and a couple different multimedia shows.

Kids 4 and under are free!

(Guest Post by Rebecca Nutter)

Mill City Museum with a Preschooler

Rebecca Nutter of the Minneapolis Toy Library is here today to share more about visiting the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis with preschoolers. Here are her favorite things to do here with little kids.

Ride the Flower Tower Elevator

We took the “Flour Tower” tour while we were there.  This is a guided elevator ride (giant freight elevator with seating.

I think they ask that you don’t bring strollers on, but since we had a small group they let me bring my umbrella stroller in) that travels through 8 levels and shows you different scenes of what the old mill looked like, while you listen to worker’s accounts of their job at the mill.

It concludes at the 9^th floor where you can get out, learn a little bit more about the mill from a tour guide and get an amazing view of Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls.

The Water Lab

In this area there are 4 different interactive pieces where children are able to manipulate the flow of water, build bridges, and learn about water power.

We had this space to ourselves, although they do have school groups in here sometimes.  It was a little tough for a 3.5 year old (who is actually quite tall for her age) to reach the middle of some of these tables, but she was able to do most of it herself.

The Baking Lab

Here they host cooking classes and offer demos of various types of recipes.  Usually flour is involved. We went in and were able to taste some bread that they made.  They also gave us the recipe!

Helpful Things to Know:

• The museum is very stroller accessible.  They have elevators to access everything.  The doors have handicap buttons, which was great.  The exhibits are very spacious.
• There was a café with a small lunch selection.  We did have lunch and it was delicious!
• The bathrooms are on the main floor, right next to the coat racks.
• They don’t allow food or drinks in the gallery.  I told them I had a water bottle in my backpack and they said to just keep it tucked away.

I learned a lot about the mill industry that dominated the Minneapolis landscape in the late 19^th century.  I also think the information on the elevator ride and the interactive labs made the learning clear for my preschooler.  I was pleased with the water lab exhibit too.  It was spacious and had enough to keep my preschooler happy for 20 minutes.

Extensions for Home:

• Build with blocks (or other materials) and make the building blow up by pushing the structure over.
• Do some baking!  Make muffins, bread, or pancakes.  Have your child help measure out the flour.
• Flour is an ingredient for many different sensory materials.  Play dough, “cloud dough,” or just plain ol’ water and flour.

More Ideas: 15+ Best Things to do in the Twin Cities with Kids

If you live in the Midwest you are likely aware that the Wisconsin Dells are known to be a fun summer escape and you are dreaming of sunny days splashing at a water park right now.

The Wisconsin Dells are best known for their water parks, but their countless attractions, family friendly hotels and restaurants, and gorgeous natural beauty make them the ideal summer vacation spot for any family. My family was lucky enough to live about 15 minutes away from the Dells for three years and when the weather starts to warm is when we most miss the great variety of fun it has to offer.

In finding your bearings, it is helpful to note that Lake Delton is the town adjacent to Wisconsin Dells. This is where many hotels are located and various family friendly spots. The two towns run into one another so when people refer to the Dells they are often talking about the collective area of both towns.

Baraboo, WI is a nearby town (about 15 minutes) which holds Devil’s Lake. This is often considered the Dells area by out of towners.

We have included things in all three towns in the information below, but focused primarily on the Dells/Lake Delton area.

A Weekend in the Wisconsin Dells with Kids

Here are our top picks for Where to Stay. Where to Eat. and Where to Play:

STAY. 

Having lived locally, we do not have a ton of experience staying in local hotels. However, between our hotel stays and those of family and friends we recommend the following:

• Great Wolf Lodge : if you are looking for something with a waterpark, we had a great experience here. It is significantly smaller than the Kalahari located across the street. The Great Wolf Lodge has a restaurant and huge indoor waterpark. There are various family friendly room options and the price is reasonable for the area. I like that the waterpark is only for hotel guests as well. This makes it a little less crowded even during the busy months. The Kalahari is a play hotel. There are indoor and outdoor waterparks, a movie theater, and indoor theme park with mini-golf, etc. I personally find it a little loud and overwhelming, but there is certainly plenty to do. The activities however are open to the public so you can utilize them even if you are not a guest. If you hit a patch of rainy days, make note that this is the only movie theater in the area.
• The Wilderness : This one is another huge hotel that has more of a resort feel. There is everything from golf to zip-lining here. I haven’t stayed here, but everyone I know who has greatly enjoyed their stay.
• There are various “normal” hotels in the area as well. If you want to get out an explore the Dells, I’d look for a regular hotel with a pool.

EAT. 

There are so many, many restaurants in the Dells it can be a little overwhelming. Here are our favorites:

*Favorite: Cheeze Factory Restaurant. This is an oddly named vegan restaurant. I won’t deny that part of why I love it is that my son with a dairy allergy can eat everything, but it is incredible breakfast and lunch food.

*Italian Food: Sarento’s in the Dells. Good selection of Italian staples.

*For the View: Ravina Bay. On a warm summer night, sit on the patio by the lake. You might even get a peek at the Tommy Bartlett Water Show

*Pizza: Moosejaw Pizza in the Dells or Mama Mia in Baraboo. Moosejaw is fun and family friendly. Mama Mia’s is delicious pizza.

*Burgers: Monk’s. There are several locations around the Dells area.

*Lunch: Broadway Diner in Baraboo. Cute restaurant with good food. Close to both Circus World and Devil’s Lake.

*Coffee: There is a Starbucks in the Lake Delton, but we loved the Coffee Bean Connection in Baraboo. Great drink selection (including fruit only smoothies for the kids) and a little coloring space in the corner to keep kids occupied while you rest and chat. Recommend a stop on the way to Circus World or Devil’s Lake.

*Pack Lunch Food. Especially if you are headed to the Waterparks, I would avoid purchasing lunch.

PLAY. 

There is an overwhelming number of things to do in the Dells area, especially in the summer. We tried almost everything at least once during our 3 years in the area and here are the ones we would do over and over again!

The Original Wisconsin Ducks (Wisconsin Dells)

One of the most unique forms of transportation around and a classic Dells attraction. See the beautiful dells area from a Duck ride. We went on this ride with our children when they were about 14 months old. They obviously did not appreciate the somewhat humorous tour guide or the natural beauty of the Dells – but we did and they were meanwhile fascinated by the Duck itself. They also loved the part when we spirited onto the water with a splash and proceeded to motor around the lake. My daughter was pretty sure that she wanted to swim with the fish, so this is certainly a 1on1 type activity with young children. That being said, it was an enjoyable ride. Be sure to look for the Real Wisconsin Ducks if you find yourself in central Wisconsin.

Riverside and Great Northern Train Ride (Wisconsin Dells) 

If your kids like trains, this is a sweet little train ride through the woods on a child sized train. To ride on a full scale train, a half an hour drive to North Freedom can afford you such a ride.

Noah’s Ark or Mt Olympus (Wisconsin Dells) 

The Dells are called The Waterpark Capitol of the World so you really shouldn’t visit in the summer without visiting one. Here’s our thoughts on the two most popular.

Circus World (Baraboo WI) 

This is a fun, albeit touristy attraction near the Dells. Young children will delight at the animals, playground, carousel, and shows. I am not personally a huge circus fan, but this is a fun attraction and my kids are huge fans. The Ringling Bros at one point owned pretty much the entire town of Baraboo and they are still quite present in the town. Walking through downtown Baraboo you can spot the Ringling Theater and several other historic buildings with their name on the front.

Our twins adored the big top show and the huge collection of wagons. Both of which surprised us. They did however find the merry-go-round terrifying and were of course too little to ride on the animals but there was a lot to explore. It is doable at this age, but I would most recommend it for two year olds and up. We returned the next summer and it was an entirely different experience. Here are our favorite things to do at Circus World…

• Climb in and out of the animal cage wagon.
• Visit the elephant house and pretend to be stomping elephants.
• Play on the circus themed playground.
• Feed the animals.
• Watch the Circus in the Big Top.
• Ride on the Merry Go Round.

Devil’s Lake State Park. (Baraboo WI) 

This is my absolute favorite spot in this area. It is beautiful. There are lovely hiking trails, boats to rent, and beaches along the gorgeous lake. However, it gets insanely busy here on the weekends during the summer. Although I highly recommend a visit, it is best to go during the week. If you only have a weekend to spend, I would visit Devil’s Lake Sunday. If you can stay a day or two on either side of the weekend, Monday or Tuesday are usually the quietest times at the park. Even with some crowds, Devil’s Lake is worth the trip. (Read More)

Parfrey’s Glen (Baraboo WI)

If you have extra time this is a beautiful place to hike. We first visited in winter and found it breathtaking. We had to walk across an icy stream to reach the glen and waterfall, but it was worth the trek. We have since returned in warmer weather and although possibly even more difficult to reach, more than worth it. Of the hikes we have done with children on our backs, this is one of the more challenging. It is possible, but recommended only for more confident hikers. There is some creek crossing and some brief rock climbing. Again, nothing super challenging or we would not have tried it with infants on our backs – but not just a walk on a path. When travelling with little ones, it is especially important to make sure that everyone is appropriately dressed for the weather. The hike took us about an hour with a break at the waterfall to stare in awe and give the kids a chance to get out and move a bit.

Country Bumpkin Farm (Baraboo)

This is a cute pick-your-own farm, farmer stand and place to play with kids. We loved picking blueberries and pumpkins here. My kids most enjoyed the play space with the mini tractors and animals to pet – there are additional fees associated with this part of the farm.

Indoor Ideas

• Knuckleheads: Games, bouncer, climber, bowling. Good for children ages 2+.
• Kalahari: Mini-golf, ropes course, movie theater. Better for older children. 4+

There you have it. A perfect vacation waiting for you. Now it’s time to put those dreams of warmer weather into action and start planning a summer trip to the Wisconsin Dells!

subscribe below for weekly family travel tips!

I’m excited to have Rebecca Nutter guest posting today to share a STEM related field trip in the Twin Cities area. If your child is curious about electricity or magnetism, this is an awesome place to explore.

(Guest post from Rebecca Nutter)

Ever since we moved to Minneapolis, I have been curious about The Bakken Museum.

The museum explores electricity and magnetism.  It showcases the history of electricity and tries to excite young children to explore this world of science.

There is admission for the museum, but children under 4 are free.

The exhibits are broken up into different rooms and over all it’s a small museum.  We spent about 45 minutes there.

I was pleased to see some hands on activities that were geared toward the younger crowd (toddler/preschool age).

My daughter used a small crane to lift metal cars, turned a crank to make a spark, listened to different animals heartbeats, and put a magnet up to a TV to see the magnetic field in color.

There were many other hands on activities for older elementary school kids though.

Upstairs they laid out a collection of “electrical found items” as I would call them and invited families to create something. There were telephone cords, circuit boards and other gadgety things to use.

Although it wasn’t really that interesting to our 3 year old, I like that we have a resource if this interest comes up later in her life.  Looking online I noticed they have an inventors club, a LEGO robotics class and even a workshop that (for a fee) families are able to come use all the museums tools to just build and create!  How cool is that?

More Ideas: 15+ Best Things to do in the Twin Cities with Kids