Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee Public Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Natural and human history museum in the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. MPM houses more than 4 million objects.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Milwaukee Intermodal Station • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,093 reviews
Excellent
728
Very good
289
Average
60
Poor
12
Terrible
4
Doug S
Escondido, CA181 contributions
Oct 2021
I was in Milwaukee on a rainy Monday following a Packers game in late October. Needed something to do before heading to the airport.
Art museum was closed, so I decided to "take a chance" on this museum.
Exhibits were much more impressive than I thought. They spanned both time, from the ancient world, and geography for today's world.
The re-creation of Old Town Milwaukee was also quite enjoyable.
They also have some sky shows, which are included with ticket purchase. Though I think they're running a limited schedule during the pandemic.
There's a cafe on the entry floor, though I think it's also running on a reduced schedule.
Instead of filling up time, I had to cut my visit off after three hours to head to the airport.
Art museum was closed, so I decided to "take a chance" on this museum.
Exhibits were much more impressive than I thought. They spanned both time, from the ancient world, and geography for today's world.
The re-creation of Old Town Milwaukee was also quite enjoyable.
They also have some sky shows, which are included with ticket purchase. Though I think they're running a limited schedule during the pandemic.
There's a cafe on the entry floor, though I think it's also running on a reduced schedule.
Instead of filling up time, I had to cut my visit off after three hours to head to the airport.
Written December 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EngelkingCGMN
Cottage Grove, MN1,927 contributions
Feb 2020
The "Defying Gravity" show is tailored for an elementary school audience so I was disappointed. That being said, the theater itself is very nice, with comfortable seating.
The rest of the Museum was great, covering a wide variety of topics of natural and human history. We spent a longer time at this museum than most we have visited.
The rest of the Museum was great, covering a wide variety of topics of natural and human history. We spent a longer time at this museum than most we have visited.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
writing_is_breathing
Rhinelander, WI56 contributions
Mar 2022
We planned on visiting this museum for a couple of hours, but ended up spending close to four hours there and put on a couple of miles worth of steps!
We brought our two sons to see the dinosaur exhibit, which was awesome, but they really loved the whole museum! Our older son was fascinated by the mummies and all of the ancient artifacts from different parts of the world. Every corner and nook was used to display something of interest and we loved exploring and learning as a family. We didn't take advantage of any of the films available to watch in the theater but we viewed every exhibit and had a great time. We definitely plan on returning!
We brought our two sons to see the dinosaur exhibit, which was awesome, but they really loved the whole museum! Our older son was fascinated by the mummies and all of the ancient artifacts from different parts of the world. Every corner and nook was used to display something of interest and we loved exploring and learning as a family. We didn't take advantage of any of the films available to watch in the theater but we viewed every exhibit and had a great time. We definitely plan on returning!
Written March 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cm
Mequon, WI16 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
We come here at least once a year, and it’s always a treat for the whole family. The streets of milwaukee exhibit is always a great walk through (and it’s fun to hunt for all the Easter eggs hidden there), and changes seasonally. And they have some exhibits that were preserved from the time the museum was first established, in the 19th century, which is pretty cool! Other than that, the museum is highly diverse, with awesome anthropology and nature sections.
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iowacityia
iowa city, ia2,128 contributions
Mar 2023
My wife and I arrived around 11am. We walked to the museum from our nearby hotel. There was a substantial snowstorm that early morning, until after we left the museum in the afternoon. I believe that may have contributed to the low attendance during our visit. Great for us though. We got our tickets right away, and off we went. We covered everything that we wanted to see, including the butterfly exhibit. I forgot to grab a map on the way in, but I remembered as we started our visit, it seems like the museum was designed with a flow where even without a map, you will be guided around most of the exhibits in that area without missing anything. Or at least very little. We finished our museum visit with the 2pm Wisconsin Stargazing program in the Dome theater. That program is included with your museum entrance. It has been quite a few years since my last visit. It is still a wonderful museum, after many, many, visits over the decades.
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gabececi
Brookfield, WI32 contributions
May 2022
The Milwaukee Public Museum has a diverse collection of kid friendly exhibits including a Streets of Old Milwaukee that captures the city of a century ago. There is an indoor live butterfly room where kids (and adults) can have butterflies sit on them. There are exhibits of various world wide cultures with life size people shown living in their natural communities. The kids will enjoy the dinosaurs which move and roar as the T-Rex menaces the others. There is an exhibit featuring the newly discovered mammoth from a nearby Wisconsin farm field. I find it best to plan repeat visits to spend more time visiting the various displays, as there is way too much good stuff to see in one visit.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joiedevivre
Milwaukee, WI13 contributions
May 2021
This is a great museum. They have a "Streets of Old Milwaukee" exhibit, dinosaur models and fossils, a rainforest exhibit, and so much more. It is for the whole family. Allow plenty of time because there is a lot to see and something for everyone.
Written May 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy H
Saint Louis, MO294 contributions
Oct 2022
The museum is focused on natural history and anthropology. It's nothing like as vast as Chicago's Field Museum, but you could easily spend a full day here. The dioramas are first class and Streets of Old Milwaukee was really cool to walk through. We came here because our plans were cancelled and we were very impressed. The butterfly garden was so full of butterflies that no matter where you looked, you'd see a new interesting one. And they were in great shape and well cared for. Truly worth a visit.
Written October 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JayK42
Dublin, OH25 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
The museum was very quiet on my visit which is good as you have plenty of time to see the exhibits. Unfortunately most of the museum is so dark that you can barely read or see the details. I understand that some exhibits should be dark, the rainforest etc, but the European streets was a little creepy as there were models of people inside the buildings that made you look twice to check if they were real or not. The whole museum is moving to a new light and airy location soon so it felt as if they were just waiting to move. I enjoyed the planetarium show as it explained the sky above Wisconsin. There was no refreshments as the cafe and coffee shop were both closed.
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leigh W
14 contributions
Dec 2021
MPM is absolutely fantastic. Allow an entire afternoon to get through it. I don't know where to begin...the whole museum is amazing and kind of a time travel experience. Quite a lot of the exhibits are very modern but there are some original gems there from the 60s and 70s that show their age in a charming way. From the Streets of Old Milwaukee, to the Ice Age to dinosaurs, to the rain forest, to Native America, to a trip around the world, to walking amongst the butterflies...it's all there! At some point, the museum will move into a newer and smaller building and some of these exhibits will be lost, so go see it all now while you can!
Written March 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol E
Racine, WI650 contributions
Is the Nelson Mandela display hands on and fun for kids?
cassandrasoscar
Kenosha, WI
Can you take pictures specifically in the butterfly exhibit?
Bruce S
Louisville, KY188 contributions
Yes, I took a lot.
occams-razor
Antioch, IL87 contributions
can you bring in your own food/snacks and a backpack to carry them in? if so, is there a place to eat if you don't go to their cafe or coffee shop? thanks!
Akira306
Milwaukee, WI31 contributions
There are benches in the exhibit area where yo can take a break but I don't think you can have food. You will have to come down and have your food at cafe/lunch area.
maryjo94
Portland, ME52 contributions
I am visiting the area for business thought I might shop by how long do I need to see the exhibits?
Richard M
Milwaukee, WI17 contributions
All the answers make sense to me, really. I could spend a couple hours, or a whole day, depending on other commitments. Plus, because I live in the area I can always go back!
Simonejolly39
3 contributions
admission price?
shelleylee7250
Hayward, WI188 contributions
We belong to the ASTC Travel Passport Program (by way of a membership in Lake Superior Zoo). If you travel around in different states, it might be worth a membership in something near you that is part of the ASTC program & allows you to visit other attractions for free or maybe 1/2 price. In this case, our admission was free. Our membership in the closest zoo to us also gave us 1/2 price admission at our zoos around the country (and a few in Canada too). As a retiree, it makes it much easier for us when we travel.
Can u bring food into the museum
summerslide
Waukesha, WI
Yes! The museum has an old-school cafeteria and people bring food in. There are also tables by the window and outside in the lobby to eat.
Marilinda69
Menomonee Falls, WI207 contributions
Where is the best place to park?
Erika S
Milwaukee, WI3 contributions
There are metered spaces available on most downtown streets. Meters are free on the weekends, 2 hour limit on Saturdays. There are also several municipal lots near MPM, including MacArthur Square parking structure which is adjacent to the Museum and is accessible via James Lovell Street. The parking structure includes an entrance to the Museum on the ground level, eliminating the need to walk outside. This lot is owned by the city and has hourly rates, members receive a discounted rate.
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Claim your listingMilwaukee Public Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Milwaukee Public Museum
- Milwaukee Public Museum is open:
- Wed - Mon 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Milwaukee Public Museum:
- (0.17 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee Downtown
- (0.25 mi) SpringHill Suites by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown
- (0.14 mi) Frontdesk | Roomy + Open 1BR Apt in Downtown
- (0.22 mi) Hilton Milwaukee City Center
- (0.38 mi) Hyatt Place Milwaukee Downtown
- Restaurants near Milwaukee Public Museum:
- (0.14 mi) Build-a-Breakfast Build-a-Burger
- (0.12 mi) Dunkin'
- (0.23 mi) Milwaukee ChopHouse
- (0.15 mi) Lazo's Taco Shack
- (0.28 mi) The Capital Grille