What to do with kids in: Milwaukee

“The Domes” feature plant life from around the world. Photo: Courtesy of Visit Milwaukee

Our series of fam-friendly travel guides

Start your engines at the Harley-Davidson Museum

A must-see for motorcycle fans, the museum provides an interesting glimpse of American history and showcases an impressive array of bikes. Interactive displays give kids a chance to test their jumping skills alongside Evel Knievel and build their own custom bike on a touch screen. Whether you know how to ride or not, the Jumpstart Rider Experience lets you get the thrill of a real ride on a specially designed bike with a stationary support stand that ensures you won’t tip over.

Perform your own custard challenge

Kopp’s versus Leon’s: It’s a debate that never ceases to stir passionate debate in Milwaukee. Which of these two legendary frozen custard heavyweights, both part of landscape here for more than 60 years, does it better? Decide for yourself by visiting both!

Catch a Brewers game

Miller Park may be the most kid-friendly ballpark in the MLB (we haven’t visited them all just yet). Kids ages 14 and under get 50 percent off most seats for weekday afternoon games all season long, while the first 2,000 12 and unders at Sunday afternoon games get free ice cream and 16 and unders can run the bases after its over. And kids of every age get a kick out of the racing sausage mascots (yes, sausage: Italian, Polish, Chorizo and Hot Dog) at every game. But the icing on the cake is definitely the Kids Zone, an 8,000-square foot interactive play area with batting cages, games and a replica of Bernie the Brewer’s slide. Did we mention there’s also the lure of pro baseball?

Cruise Lake Michigan on a replica of a 19^th century sailing vessel

The Denis Sullivan is a three-masted replica of Great Lakes schooner that was built by pros and volunteers to serve as an educational sailing vessel, providing a glimpse into the maritime history of the area. Day saild and deck tours are available May through September.

Do the domes

The three beehive-shaped glass domes that make up Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory are referred to simply as “the Domes” by locals. There’s an arid dome, a tropical dome and a “show” dome which hosts rotating seasonal exhibits. They cover 45,000 square feet in total and feature plants from around the world.

Pretend you’re secret agents

You’ll need your best sleuthing skills to find the hidden(ish) entrance to the Safe House, a spy-themed restaurant where you’ll also need to know the password to enter. (Don’t fret if you don’t have it: You’ll get asked to do something silly (that those already inside can watch thanks to a hidden camera) as penance. We’d tell you what to expect once you got inside, but then we’d lose our spy cred.

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Tagged: Family time