We have world-class museums in the city of Chicago, but did you know that just over the border up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, you can find one of the best museum campuses in the Midwest? Some of the museums offer FREE admission with fewer crowds and easy parking. Beyond that, Wisconsin offers beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, great state and county fairs, and lots of family-friendly fun!
Kenosha also has beautiful Lake Michigan beaches with a scenic shoreline tour in a restored streetcar. Here are some activities in and around Wisconsin for a day or a weekend of family fun.
Closed holidays. This natural science and fine arts museum has exhibits that feature world cultures, zoology, geology, fossils and fine and decorative arts. It’s best known for housing the woolly mammoth that was excavated in Kenosha County.
Closed Mondays and holidays. This museum focuses exclusively on the link between modern birds and meat-eating dinosaurs, complete with life-scale replicas. Kids ages 3+ can become amateur paleontologists during the hands-on Dino Digs every weekend from 1-4pm. Free admission.
Closed holidays. Learn about the contributions of the people and places in the Upper Middle West to the Civil War. These states played a vital role by providing troop and supplies to the cause. $9 adults, free ages 15 and under with adult.
Southport Light Station Museum
Open Fri.-Sun. through October, weather permitting. Climb the lighthouse tower and visit the maritime museum in the Light Station Keep’s Cottage. Suggested donation: $2.
Closed Mondays. This museum on Kenosha’s harbor features the early settlement and industrial history of the area, including its auto-making legacy. See a miniature Statue of Liberty in Civic Center Park. Free, donations appreciated.
Open weekends through Sept. 7, plus Labor Day Monday. Visit 16th Century England at this 30-acre amusement area, complete with music, food, games, performances and an expanded Kids Kingdom. Print your COUPON here.
Take a guided tour on the Jelly Belly train traveling through this distribution warehouse and get free samples at the retail store.
Outdoor history museum open May – October that portrays life in 19th century Wisconsin.
See this elite college baseball team in the restored 83-year-old Simmons Field. Single game tickets range from just $8-12 and deliver great family entertainment during the inning breaks.
This is America’s largest municipal recreation facility and features an indoor waterpark with whirlpool, water slides, current channel and zero-depth playground. The facility also houses 2 ice rinks, a fieldhouse, fitness center and more. Day passes are available. The Prairie Springs Park has a beach, walking trails, sand volleyball courts and more.
Don’t miss these summer events just north of the border.
August 6-16, 2015
Food, entertainment, amusement rides & games, and hundreds of animals make this a summer must-do.
Aug. 8, 2015
Triple Dipper Ice Cream Social
Southport Light Station Museum. Help celebrate National Lighthouse Day.
Aug. 15, 2015
Harbor Park Jazz & Blues Festival
This festival fills the lakefront with the sounds of jazz, funk and soul.
Aug. 15, 2015
Jerry Smith Produce & Pumpkin Farm. Enjoy great food, brats, hot dogs, and our very own home grown sweet corn roasting all day.
Aug. 18-23, 2015
Animals, competitions, music, food and great entertainment.
August 19-23, 2015
Don’t miss this local county fair with family fun, food, carnival rides, farm animals, truck and tractor pulls and more.
Sept. 5-6, 2015
Civil War Camp and Soldier Experience
Old World Wisconsin. Get a taste of what civil war camp was really like.